Briley article from Clay Shooting Magazine
by Ed Arrigi

As if you did not already know, those of us who participate in the clay sports, shoot shotguns. Just like those who play golf use golf clubs. Our guns are the tools of our “trade”. However, in both sports (and many others) a great many if not most of the participants have little knowledge, or interest in the history of the tools of their trade. They simply pick up a current model and proceed. There is nothing at all wrong with this. However, in both sports (and again most others) there are those who are or become very interested in both the history and development of the equipment they use. It is in this regard that shotgunnners are most fortunate. The history of shotgun development is rich (in more ways than one) and very, very interesting. The development and perfection of modern shotguns all occurred during a period of extravagance and extreme indulgence. It involves Royalty, Tradition in the extreme, unbelievable Game Shooting and competitive events that exceed our wildest imaginations. Don’t believe it? How about a simple example? One of the most avid shooters of the 19th century and the individual most historians point to as the greatest shooter of all time in terms of skill and dedication is a man by the name of Lord Ripon (or the Earl De Grey). What did he accomplish? Oh, nothing much, just amassed a documented personal Game Book total of over some 550,000 head of mostly rabbits, pheasants, grouse and partridge (and numerous big game) during his shooting career! Remember, this is in the horse and buggy days! No airplanes, no Gore-Tex, no hand warmers etc.

During this period the primary incentive for “Game Gun” development was to produce guns that could be fired and reloaded faster and faster. As most shooting was at driven birds (birds were maneuvered on the ground and then flown over a “line” of waiting guns) the rapidity with which one could shoot and then reload while maintaining accuracy was of ultimate importance since the birds would be overhead for only a short period of time.

It must also be noted that shooting for Sport was an activity dreamed up by the aristocracy not the common man and as such, cost effectiveness was not an issue. So, with the virtually unlimited resources available to those indulging in these pursuits and subsequently their Gunmakers, refinements to gun handling and dynamics became much more important than simply the cost of production.

Most importantly, during this same period, the sport of Competitive Live Pigeon Shooting provided the best “test bed” for gun related improvements and experiments. The unforgiving nature of this difficult sport quickly uncovered any design or other functional flaw in a Gunmakers’ products. Just as Motor Racing has always been the breeding ground for cutting edge automobile advancements, the Pigeon Ring and its successors (Helice) was, and largely still is the ultimate test of a gun’s design and handling characteristics.

As attempts at improvements unfolded, this competitive arena was where ideas were put to the test and fame and fortune awaited the most successful designers and artisans.

So important to the art of Gunmaking was the Live Pigeon Ring that history shows us a mere 20 years after the sport was banned in the UK, virtually all gun and cartridge development ceased in that country. The technological innovation mantle then shifted to Italy, which had by then become the new center of Live Pigeon Shooting. Ergo, Italy’s long history of building the highest quality competition guns and ammunition began.

What you may ask, does this have to do with modern clay shooting in general and an article on Briley Manufacturing in particular? Well, quite allot actually. By the end of the Golden Era of shotgun development innovation largely stopped. Not because of any problems mind you, but because the tool had been perfected in all aspects. Side by Sides had been perfected in the 1890’s and finally the Over Under was perfected in 1909. Since that time, virtually all gun development has been to manufacture guns more inexpensively. Shooting has its roots in the aristocracy of Europe. The cost of shooting was never a factor, thus the fact that shooting never has been an inexpensive endeavor. For the last hundred years or so, companies have had as their sole goal to make guns more affordable so more and more people could participate. Simple and basic mass marketing. And, we have all benefited form this in many ways. However, the fact remains that the tools needed for the shooting of shotguns was absolutely and positively perfected over a hundred years ago.

Enter Jess Briley. Jess deserves our eternal respect and gratitude for actually perfecting the process and successfully implementing one of only two notable improvements to the shotgun world in the last hundred years. Now, please stop and think about that for a moment. Really let it sink in.

Over the past century, only the inventions of the plastic wad and the successful development of the changeable screw in choke have materially improved upon the performance of shooting shotshells from shotguns.

While newcomers to the Clay Target world now have myriad choices as to replacement chokes, it hasn’t always been that way. Jess Briley’s system was so successful that it even became the term for the procedure itself. When you said you’d had your gun “Briley’d” everyone know exactly what you were talking about. Now we all know that emulation is the highest form of flattery, and today’s choke market is flattering Briley left and right! Nonetheless it was Jess Briley’s innovation that rocked the shotgun world. Now, Jess wasn’t the first to think of changeable chokes, there are early patents and production pieces to prove otherwise. But, it was Jess’ adaptation of the (I believe) stub acme thread design which was used in oil field equipment and, most importantly, he developed the ability to perfectly thread a barrel without having to swage or bulge it out first, which prevented existing ribs from being disturbed (no small chore). In other words Jess developed the ability to add enormous flexibility to millions of guns without having to alter their appearance.

I say all that more or less as a well-deserved introduction since Jess’ innovative skills did not cease with the perfection of the interchangeable choke system. For those of you that think that Briley Manufacturing is all about chokes, you are in for a treat. Sure interchangeable choke systems always have been and still are an important core element of the business, but one look into the showroom at Briley and you will know they are much more than chokes.

The diversity you now see at Briley comes from a couple of sources. Number one is always Jess. He is always thinking and tinkering. You’ll almost never visit Briley and NOT see Jess working on a new wiz bang gizmo of some sort. Number two is that this is a business run FOR shooters and BY shooters. And as the business has evolved, skilled craftspeople from various shooting backgrounds came onboard and brought with them passions for their own pursuits. Incredibly meticulous Benchrest Shooters, serious Varmint Hunters, Skeet Champions, Pistol Champions, and Fanatical Texas Deer Hunters all have been allowed to research and develop their favorite sport.

If there is an underlying thread to what Briley Manufacturing stands for it is their desire and ability to look at an element of the shooting world and see a need that no one else sees. They then research the need and become committed to developing a solution to the need.

From very modest beginnings a consistent marketing message backed up with Best Quality products and timely service and major sponsorship support fueled steady growth. Along with that growth came another one of Jess Briley’s quality innovations, the quality of his people. He systematically began to seek out, recruit and then hire the best and most knowledgeable sportsmen in the Houston Retail world. As a result, when you call or visit Briley Manufacturing, you will be assisted by someone who not only knows what it is you are talking about, but, may in fact, have considerable experience in your particular field. Definitely NOT what you get from the “Big Box” Super Stores these days.

This diversity in shooting backgrounds and personnel, has led to an impressive array of products and innovations over the years. And as a result, if you’re a shooter, any visit to Houston now almost requires a visit to the Briley Showroom. Just to see what’s new and to gaze upon tricked out pistols, unique and beautiful long range hunting and target rifles, dream about taking home an ultimate “.17 caliber plinker” or to wonder longingly about whom might acquire the incredible pair of Holland Double Rifles for a mere $160,000 (no there is NOT one too many zeros!) puts you into a sort of “shooters coma”. The store is very well adorned with lovely high quality but fairly priced shooting gear from boots to quail vests to proper British gunning attire. Not to mention the wall-to-wall collection of Vintage Double Guns calling to be fondled or taken home.

The company’s latest innovation is one of the most extensive web sites on the net. Photos of available guns and services are readily accessable and are ALMOST as satisfying as a personal visit.

Jess Briley and Briley Manufacturing indeed show no signs of slowing down. In fact, with the fervor that you see Jess attacking his new favorite projects, I’d venture to say, he’s just getting warmed up!