Looking for the SXS version of the 870

[Ben Shepherd]

I'm looking for the SXS that's the equal to the 870 pump.

Inexpensive, dead reliable and eats anything you feed it. Does this gun exist? All I see around here is expensive fancy models. I realize it won't be quite as cheap as an 870, I just want a good, solid SXS.

Notice I said inexpensive, not cheap. I understand you get what you pay for.

Thanks in advance for the input guys.

[madmike]

A Baikal or an old Savage/Sears etc. I haven't tried Stoeger so I can't say.

The Baikal and Savage Stevens are as good shootingwise as anything ten times the price. They aren't as pretty or snazzy, but they're reliable, accurate, simple and easy to find parts for.

[HSMITH]

Under a grand? Savage/Stevens 311.

Over or close to a grand? Browning BSS.

The BSS is more refined, and just overall a little nicer, but triple the money if you can even find one. The cowboy shooters have been scarfing them up as fast as they turn up. There are lots of the old 311's around and they are still reasonably priced.

[Okiecruffler]

Savage Stevens 311, take your pick of .410, 20,16 or 12. Just grab one before the CAS guys prune it. If you have alittle more coin in your pocket Winchester 24's pop up from time to time. Personally I don't think their quite as well made as the 311, but that's just me.

[Ben Shepherd]

Thanks guys.

I've often thought one of the "pruned" ones might be kind of handy. A local shop has a SXS 10 guage with 18" tubes. That, my friends, has serious pucker factor.

I've read here that a stevens can be weak in the wrist? Although I don't plan on slamming mine open or shut by flippling my wrist and letting the barrel weight do the work. 2 handed operation for me, thanks.

Anyone else? (Although I can see where the general concensus is going.)

[Okiecruffler]

I've heard that "weak in the wrist" thing from many people, but I've never seen it. I do have one "pruned" one, I pruned it myself after picking it up cheap due to a bulged barrel. It sits in the corner on my side of the bed. But a 10g with 18 inch tubes!:what: That would be a thing to watch someone shoot.

[Ben Shepherd]

Okiecruffler, my uncle used to have a 10 gauge SXS(H&R IIRC). I watched him unload both barrels at once on a jackrabbit that had taken refuge behind a sagebrush about 40 yards out.

No more bush, no more rabbit, no more both barrels at once.:D

[huntsman]

lowest I'd go is a fulton then an SKB than a BSS for field use. If you just want a banger occasional field gun fun shooter, than a nitro special or savage/stevens would be ok.

[PJR]

I've been pretty unimpressed with the Stoegers and Baikals that I've shot. The triggers on the most recent specimen I tried were so bad I thought the safety was still on. The current Stevens 411 is made by Baikal, the older 311 has been out of production for some years. I think a 311 in good condition is a relative bargain compared to say a Winchester Model 24 but the new guns are just tarted up Russkies.

If you want a sxs with the relability of an 870, I'd first look at the SKB guns and go upward from there.

There's no free lunch in any of this. If you want a good gun then be prepared to pay for it.

[Traveler]

A used Fox Sterlingworth in 12 ga will average less than $1k, and is a better gun than anything mentioned so far.

[Dave McCracken]

Some 311s have trigger issues,including weights sometimes as heavy as the shotgun itself. Other are making their third generation of owner quite happy.

If it weren't for the fact that some folks think that ANYTHING with Parker on it merits a 4 digit price tag and slavish adoration, I'd suggest finding an old Trojan. Plain, but well made and durable as a crowbar. The stocks oft have more drop that is common now, but this can be fixed. You may still find one at a reasonable price. If you find two,call me, collect.

Second choice, the Sterlingworth. Ansley Fox was up there with Browning for designs. Bad at business.

Other classic USING shotguns include low grade Elsies and NIDs. I wouldn't use an Ithaca older than the NID, and some Elsies have twist and Damascus barrels, shotgun shaped grenades.

All of these will give good service, albeit some might need tweaking and PM.

IMO, these would be better choices than the imports....