I'm interested in opinions about SxS vs. O/U handling potential.
Note that I'm not talking about coach guns, cheap guns, heavy pigs or obese clunkers, but rather about sleek, well-designed, well-made break-actions.
After oneounceload piqued my interest, I finally got my hands on an AyA No. 2 28 Gauge double. Next to it was a new Fausti Dea, also a 28, as seen on the latest AR cover. Both felt really, really good. One would expect that of a production gun for 4 bills. But one would expect that of a $4000 O/U, also. The Silver Pigeons feel great at half that, even, and in 28 they can feel very much like a 28 Gauge SxS.
So... In your experience and opinion (bias welcome!), what is the real intrinsic difference between a stack barrel and a double, when it comes to handling potential?
Is the SxS really about tradition, and it so happens that some of the finest guns are SxS shotguns?
If money is no object, and setting aside tradition, how does the O/U compare with the SxS? James Purdey and Sons makes both, but Americans tend to think of Purdeys as SxS shotguns, I think...
Note that I'm not talking about coach guns, cheap guns, heavy pigs or obese clunkers, but rather about sleek, well-designed, well-made break-actions.
After oneounceload piqued my interest, I finally got my hands on an AyA No. 2 28 Gauge double. Next to it was a new Fausti Dea, also a 28, as seen on the latest AR cover. Both felt really, really good. One would expect that of a production gun for 4 bills. But one would expect that of a $4000 O/U, also. The Silver Pigeons feel great at half that, even, and in 28 they can feel very much like a 28 Gauge SxS.
So... In your experience and opinion (bias welcome!), what is the real intrinsic difference between a stack barrel and a double, when it comes to handling potential?
Is the SxS really about tradition, and it so happens that some of the finest guns are SxS shotguns?
If money is no object, and setting aside tradition, how does the O/U compare with the SxS? James Purdey and Sons makes both, but Americans tend to think of Purdeys as SxS shotguns, I think...
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