[Savage92]

I would like suggestions for what would be the best side by side shotgun under $1000. Has anyone tried a Stoeger. Are they well made.

Thanks

[SkunkApe]

The thing that causes side-by-sides (or any double barrels) to go up in price is mostly barrel regulation. It's hit and miss on cheapie like a Stoeger if both barrels hit to the same point of aim.

I had a Stoeger SxS 28-gauge. The first barrel, luckily, shot where it was pointed. The second barrel was off-centered by a good amount. I still took my share of woodcock, and a few grouse, though.

Try a Ugartechea. Mine's been good.

http://www.doubleshotguns.com/ugartechea.htm

Edit: Oops. The price went up since I bought mine. Sorry. Maybe someone else can get you under a grand.

[MCgunner]

My Spartan SPR220 is regulated pretty close at 40 yards. It crosses and at 50, you have to use a little kentucky windage with slugs, though, but that's normal with side by sides. The Spartan was quite affordable, too, at $299.

[Okiecruffler]

Best SXS under a grand would be a good used stevens 311. Will outlast any of those russian/turkish imports by decades and pretty easy to find.

[MCgunner]

Get back to me in 40 years, if I'm alive. I expect the Spartan I just bought will still be tight and runnin'. I don't think the 310 is any stronger, personally. It ain't real purty, but the Spartan is hell for stout.

[Savage92]

Are there any Italian .410 Side By Sides made now that don't cost too much? (If not Italian than another European country) I'm looking for a .410 so probably wouldn't get used as they always cost more. Are there any European .410 SxS Shotguns in current production that are affordable.

Thanks

[MCgunner]

Italians are famous for Ducati, Ferrari, Bugatti, Benelli, and Baretta. I don't think they ever made anything affordable. :D There were once lots of Spanish guns that were beautiful and affordable and for the most part were well made guns. I have a Sarasqueta, built in Eibar, Spain that still runs after 35 years, good ol' SxS. I think the Turks have tried to take up where the Spanish left off and some of the Turkish guns are real decent for the money.

My hypothesis is, generally where you get decent affordable side by sides is from countries that have highly skilled, proud individuals in economies that see them working for cheap. Don't happen too often or for too long, apparently.

[romeo212000]

If your willing to wait a little bit Academy will be bringing in some sxs yildiz shotguns. I bought one of their O/U's about a year ago and the thing has not even hiccuped. It has performed flawlessly from day one, swings well, comes with 5 chokes, and some beautiful walnut. I dont expect their sxs's to be any different. I expect my yildiz will hold as well as any other shotgun. Nothing wrong with a Turkish gun. People think they are inexpensive because the parts are cheap and so are the guns. Not really the case though. There are some bad turkish guns out there but the majority are great guns. The main reason they are inexpensive is because Turkey has not joined the Euorpean union yet and so everyone is farming out labor to turkey because it is so much cheaper. Therefore you pay less for the shotguns. If you are willing to wait it out I highly recommend you do. Do a Google search on Yildiz Shotguns and check out their site and their guns. I think you will be very impressed. And I believe the SxS's will be selling for around $486 at Academy.

[Khornet]

http://hillrodandgun.com/invent.php
Check out the Fox Sterlingworth.
And love it. A bit higher than you had in mind, but you'll have it a long, long time. And if you check their site regularly you may find something closer to your price. Or look around elsewhere. Mine cost $875 a few years ago.

[MCgunner]

I may still get a Yildiz OU, like it a lot.

[TexasRifleman]

O/Us are an abomination before the Lord, trust your original instinct and get the SxS :)

As for Stoegers, I have a Zephyr from the 1950's that is still rocking along, I shoot several boxes of 16ga through it each year.

Don't know the quality of the current models.

The dove are afraid of it anyway.......



That said I did buy one of the Yildiz for my kid last year at Academy. Any more details on when Academy will offer the SxS? That would be incredible! They are very well made shotguns, I was shocked.

[Sagetown]

This year Academy has a Spanish made SxS. I'm not sure of the Brand Name, just the first letter ' T '. I liked the .410 they have. The price was near $800.
I found out the Brand Name it is Tristar.

[KevininPa]

They're built like tanks. I think their .410 is in a single trigger configuration only however. I have their coach gun, as I just mentioned in another thread, and love how solidly built it is.


Kevin in Pa

[GeezerwithGuns]

Shop around.....You can still find a good used SKB model 100 under $1000. They are still "sleepers" in the used gun market. Quality and all around shootability are truly excellent. Act fast though, prices are climbing rapidly.