SxS Project, my next gun endeavor!

Keep looking, something will come up, just takes awhile. I've wanted a SxS for some time now. Some are in some pretty rough shape and the nice ones aren't cheap.

Paul R Zartman said:

Disclaimer:
1) I have never owned one.
2) I have never held one.
3) I have never shot one.
4) i have never been close to one being shot.

I have always admired a SxS coach when i saw them at the LGS, but never asked to see it or even thought about buying one...."why not you say" i honestly don' know.
I have probably handled or shot almost all different calibers and styles of handguns and rifles thru my life and enjoy fixing, cleaning and shooting them all.
I have decided to try and pull together my admirations and thoughts, my currently limited budget and my expertise of building things, to start a sawed off SxS shotgun project.
I could use some input from you guys who know SxS shotguns, I have been looking in the classifieds and gunshops locally but they were all either to nice of a gun to cut up, or to old and had antique value. Where can I find a good project SxS. The following is my limited criteria.

Needs to be a project gun of sorts, rusty is ok as long as bore is good enough.

Cracked or broken furniture is ok.

Modern smokeless cartridges...

10 or 12 guage, maybe 16, 20 seems to small

Any input guiding me in the correct direction, or any direction is welcome.
Thanks guys

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I have a couple of thoughts for you.
1) a double is something where the barrels are calibrated to point of aim at finish. Sometimes cutting one off makes one or both barrels not hit point of aim at a longer distance.
2) not all doubles are created equal so many that were lower quality are toast already gone
3) They are more expensive to make and heavier so they became far less popular
4) the best of a lower cost doubles you might can get a deal on that are older are savage stevens
5) the newer, budget guns would be a Baikal( no longer imported) Stoeger is also a good option.
6) I have been wanting to do the same for years and keep coming back to it being cheaper almost to buy a stage gun already set up.
7) people are ganna cry when you talk about cutting up any gun.

No direction. Not even much experience. I shot a loaner at a couple of cowboy action shoots though. Lots of fun.

also don't be scared of looking at the 16 gauge it being less popular may make it better for your project

I can't blame you for wanting a SxS. I hunted over a Savage Stevens 311 for many years and recently purchased another one. It's probably the only gun that I shot so much that it was getting worn out. If you can find one of these they would make a good candidate for your project if a hammerless action will work for you. Prices usually are reasonable and they are pretty common in the condition your looking for.

Ive got a double barrel 12 gauge Baikal. 28 inch barrels. I love it and shoot it. I had a Remington 16 gauge when I was a kid. I prefer one with two triggers. I also love singles. I want a coach and am going to cut down a single when I get a good donor again. last one I got to reduce was pilfered by one of my kids. Im pretty sure any shotgun is capable of being used for fun and defense. I wouldn't really totally negate a twenty gauge either. but that's me.

Paul R Zartman said:

Disclaimer:
1) I have never owned one.
2) I have never held one.
3) I have never shot one.
4) i have never been close to one being shot.

I have always admired a SxS coach when i saw them at the LGS, but never asked to see it or even thought about buying one...."why not you say" i honestly don' know.
I have probably handled or shot almost all different calibers and styles of handguns and rifles thru my life and enjoy fixing, cleaning and shooting them all.
I have decided to try and pull together my admirations and thoughts, my currently limited budget and my expertise of building things, to start a sawed off SxS shotgun project.
I could use some input from you guys who know SxS shotguns, I have been looking in the classifieds and gunshops locally but they were all either to nice of a gun to cut up, or to old and had antique value. Where can I find a good project SxS. The following is my limited criteria.

Needs to be a project gun of sorts, rusty is ok as long as bore is good enough.

Cracked or broken furniture is ok.

Modern smokeless cartridges...

10 or 12 guage, maybe 16, 20 seems to small

Any input guiding me in the correct direction, or any direction is welcome.
Thanks guys

Click to expand...

Stay far, far away from anything that needs to be regulated. A 311 as mentioned would be the least likely to go hinky from hobby gunsmithing.

If you want a coach gun, look at the Stoegers. I have one for CAS. It's fairly carp, to be honest. But it was cheap. And although the forearm shot loose fairly quickly, it has held up to moderate use otherwise. It may be cheaper than the cost of a decent older Savage or Stevens (good recommendations above).

Alternately, a used CZ SxS may be available in the sub $500 range. They are actually decently made field guns. Also, keep your eye out for the old Sears "Matador". These are pretty pedestrian Eibar made Spanish guns sold by Sears in the 60s and early 70s. Should be available sub $300. A double trigger gun will be more reliable.Nobody will cry if you cut one down.

Here's a good example of a starter gun:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/867573943

I paid $300 for this one a few months ago. It's a 20 ga. A 12 ga. should go cheaper.
The one that DocRock posted should be an excellent prospect if it stays under $300.

311’s have a good reputation. $300 LGS. It threw nice patterns. They were also made for Sears. Lefever Nitro specials were reviewed as fairly problem free & durable. The nice ones can cost +$1000, but I have held tight ones, sound welds, no blueing left in the $350 range.

Don't be scared off by anything with a Spanish name, ex Boito or others. My main 12 gauge was a heavy clunker $99 Boito tagged for KMart. Top of photo (hammer gun is original 83 Remington, lever is original 87 Winchester, both 10 ga) Took the 28" barrel down to 22" for cowboy. Lightened springs, polished chambers, etc. Works great. Don't be afraid to pull the trigger (pun intended) on any sub $200 sxs. They all work with similar functions. Numrich will be your friend for both parts and schematics.

Look for a used Savage/Stevens 311; not sure what your budget is, but if making a SBS, remember to factor in for the tax stamp

Cvans said:

I can't blame you for wanting a SxS. I hunted over a Savage Stevens 311 for many years and recently purchased another one. It's probably the only gun that I shot so much that it was getting worn out. If you can find one of these they would make a good candidate for your project if a hammerless action will work for you. Prices usually are reasonable and they are pretty common in the condition your looking for.

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A 311 is what I immediately thought of as something the OP could use for his project. Nice, basic SxS, reliable and not too expensive.

Still, it's a shame to hack off the barrels of a well-functioning shotgun and ruin it for anything practical. And even the 311 is becoming more expensive to find one in good condition. The problem with finding any old gun to modify is that if it's cheap enough to pick up just for the purpose of doing what the OP wants, it's usually on it's last legs as a reliable gun. The action doesn't lock up tightly, or one barrel has FTF issues, or the furniture looks like a frat house yard sale. Some of the older ones that you might dare to cut up are hard to find parts for, too, if something breaks (firing pins and hammers). As for the cost, generally as gauge gets smaller, the price gets higher on older shotguns. I would love to find a .410 double to complete my Fox B collection, but every one I've found is as much as I've paid altogether for the three I have.

If the OP really wants a short-barreled SxS, I'd recommend a new one like a Stoeger carriage gun. I have three Savage Fox B SxS, and even though they are old and weren't expensive when new, I'd never cut them or modify them in any way. Top is a 12 gauge, 30" barrels, made in 1976; middle is a 16 gauge, 28" barrels, made in 1966; bottom is a 20 gauge, 26" barrels, made in 1950.

Why not look for a used Stoeger coach gun with double triggers and be done with it ? I don't like hammers, but I bought a Stoeger Uplander -not Deluxe or Supreme - for CAS and it was fine.

I got this Richland Arms Model 200 from a friend of mine when he decided to get out of hunting. Don't think he had more than $200 in it when he bought it used many years ago. It's a fairly well made 20 gauge by G. Zabala of Spain and it's held up quite well even after a lot of years of upland game hunting. It has 28" barrels choked Modified/Full, and both barrels still throw a really tight pattern.

Years ago I owned a Stoeger Coach Gun. It was a fun little gun. You also get the benefit of being able to use the various mini shells without worrying about feeding issues.

That's one of the guns I need to replace someday

2 years ago I picked up a Stevens 511, has a chipped stock that someone filled with bondo. The gun is tight,blueing is all there. Because it is a 16 gauge, I was able to snag it for $85. Been thinking, as you, about cutting it down to 18" to make for a "coach" gun.

I had a Stevens 511 cut down to 20" it shoot great POA was spot on with shot or slugs I bought it used at Cabelas maybe 10 years a go
for $200 bux and another $50 to have it cut down and solder the rib wish that I would have kept it also had a Baikal this is a solid shotgun vary well built and as far as a 10ga SxS nooooooo I have a single shot 10ga has been shot 3 times by me and my two brothers