There have been recent years when very little in the way of new happened in the world of shotguns, but 2009 will most definitely not go down in history as one of them. Read on, and you will understand why I believe this is the case.

AyA
Quite a few years ago, I bought a No. 1 grade AyA side-by-side shotgun in 28 gauge, and each time I look at the ever-escalating prices in the company's latest catalog, I am reminded of what a great investment I made. I no longer own the new automobile I bought during the same year, but my guess is it now sits all alone in some junk yard while the shotgun I bought continues to increase in value each year. Another AyA I am tempted to invest some money in is the new Anniversary Model that is being built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that company's presence in the British shotgun market.

A side-by-side ejector hammer gun in 12 gauge, the new Anniversary Model has a forged steel action, a Purdy-style locking system, and chopper-lump barrels measuring 30 inches long and wearing a flat rib. As it should, the gun has double triggers, with the front trigger being articulated. Other features include a straight-hand stock, a splinter forearm--both with British-style checkering--and a receiver covered with fine scroll engraving with gold inlays. If you think this gun is expensive today, just wait and see how much more it will cost 10 years from now.

Benelli USA
At a recent trade show, Benelli aroused a lot of curiosity and got plenty of attention in a rather clever way. Inside a glass case that was guarded by what appeared to be a couple of Secret Service guys was an odd-shaped gun case with the word "Vinci" on its cover. The contents of the case? At this time, I can only reveal that it is a totally new autoloader; beyond that, I am sworn to secrecy until after I wring out the gun in the dove fields of Argentina. You'll be able to read my report right here in Shooting Times after I have done just that.

And speaking of south of the border, the Benelli Cordoba earned its reputation for reliability and durability in the Argentine province of the same name. This version of the Benelli autoloader has been around for a couple of years, but the Performance Shop edition is new for 2009. Intended for high-volume shooting--3,000 rounds and more per day--its barrel has a lengthened and highly polished forcing cone and is overbored to a diameter of .733 inch for the 12 gauge and .627 for the 20 gauge. The gun comes with color-coded and extended chokes from Briley in Skeet, Improved Cylinder, and Modified. Other features include a Briley EZ bolt-release mechanism, black synthetic stock with ComforTech recoil reduction system, and two forearm caps--one standard weight, the other for smoothing out swing and follow-through by adding 6 ounces to the front of the gun. Barrel length is 28 inches, and nominal weights are 6.7 pounds for the 20 gauge and 7.7 pounds for the 12. But you don't have to travel to Argentina to enjoy the Cordoba. It is equally useful and just as much fun to shoot in the hunting and clay target shooting fields right here at home.