Hello everyone, I own a Mossberg 590, thinking about trading it in for my first double barreled shotgun. I am set on getting a Side-by-Side and looking for advice on which one I should get. What should I pay for one? Do these shotguns accept OO Buckshot without any problems? Or any other high brass shells? 90% of the time I plan on just shooting bird shot anyway so ALL advice and personal opinions will be appreciated. Thank you.
Double Barrelled Shotgun
- Thread starter clarkford
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RNB65
Member
Not many companies make SxS's anymore. Due to the lack of demand, there's very little middle ground with SxS's. They're either very cheap (<$1000) and are a bit fragile. Or they're very expensive ($2500+) and are built for a lifetime.
At the low end, take a look at the CZ/Huglu guns.
At the higher end, Ruger and Weatherby.
If you really want to go nuts, you could contact Holland and Holland in NY and order a handmade English SxS. Of course, new H&H shotguns fall into the if-you-have-to-ask-you-can't-afford-it category. But it sure would be lovely!
At the low end, take a look at the CZ/Huglu guns.
At the higher end, Ruger and Weatherby.
If you really want to go nuts, you could contact Holland and Holland in NY and order a handmade English SxS. Of course, new H&H shotguns fall into the if-you-have-to-ask-you-can't-afford-it category. But it sure would be lovely!
If you want a basic, no frills type SxS to get you started into them, check out the Remington Spartan/Baikal shotguns. They are beefy, rugged and delightfully unrefined. I have an older Baikal back from when they were imported by EAA and it's a good solid little gun. Well worth the $200 I paid for it. It doesn't fit me like a Browning Cynergy, and doesn't point as well either, but it will get the job done nonetheless.
If you're on a budget, check the pawn shops. Just learn what to watch for in a used double. I saw an old Ithaca the other day for $300. Looked to be in good shape. So good I would have bought it if I had a free $300. Look for the places that aren't really into guns. They will usually either be really over priced, or so cheap you might as well steal them. Alot of these shops don't really care about the guns and just want to turn them out, quickly. Good places to find a deal, if you know what to look for.
If you're on a budget, check the pawn shops. Just learn what to watch for in a used double. I saw an old Ithaca the other day for $300. Looked to be in good shape. So good I would have bought it if I had a free $300. Look for the places that aren't really into guns. They will usually either be really over priced, or so cheap you might as well steal them. Alot of these shops don't really care about the guns and just want to turn them out, quickly. Good places to find a deal, if you know what to look for.
Vairochana
Member
Gday,
I have an old Belgian made SxS (30") and a Baikal coach gun (1960's vintage)
Both are great shooters and regularly get used for clay games-the coach is a great pig gun too.
I have an old Belgian made SxS (30") and a Baikal coach gun (1960's vintage)
Both are great shooters and regularly get used for clay games-the coach is a great pig gun too.
Stoeger Coachgun SxS
Well, about 6 'r 8 years ago, I decided to try CAS, Cowboy Action Shooting,
I didn't like it. Too complicated, in the scenarios, & competitive, for this old
man. But, I did buy a Stoeger Coachgun SxS, as one of my guns.
It's a SxS 12 gauge, with 20" Barrels, choked modified & modified.
Cost me about $325, then. They are prob'ly higher now.
It took a little breaking in. But it shoots just fine.
It only has extractors, no ejectors, ala old timey.
It's a great, little bird gun. DS has borrowed it to use on doves, a
time or two. I've knocked down quail with it.
And, it's a fine rabbit gun in close cover.
Yeah, I've got several pumpguns, of various kinds.
But it's kinda fun, just to pick up the little doublegun, shove a handful
of shells, in y'ur pocket, and take the dogs for a walk, up on the hills,
out back.
And, I didn't give $1000, for it.
Shoot, I've got an old NEF sinlge barrel, I carry sometimes too.
Simple tastes, I guess.
Well, about 6 'r 8 years ago, I decided to try CAS, Cowboy Action Shooting,
I didn't like it. Too complicated, in the scenarios, & competitive, for this old
man. But, I did buy a Stoeger Coachgun SxS, as one of my guns.
It's a SxS 12 gauge, with 20" Barrels, choked modified & modified.
Cost me about $325, then. They are prob'ly higher now.
It took a little breaking in. But it shoots just fine.
It only has extractors, no ejectors, ala old timey.
It's a great, little bird gun. DS has borrowed it to use on doves, a
time or two. I've knocked down quail with it.
And, it's a fine rabbit gun in close cover.
Yeah, I've got several pumpguns, of various kinds.
But it's kinda fun, just to pick up the little doublegun, shove a handful
of shells, in y'ur pocket, and take the dogs for a walk, up on the hills,
out back.
And, I didn't give $1000, for it.
Shoot, I've got an old NEF sinlge barrel, I carry sometimes too.
Simple tastes, I guess.
BozemanMT
Member
HOw much do you want to spend?
if you want a truck club, err gun, get one of the Russian ones.
If you want a decent entry to SxS's, check out the DeHaans/CZ's (same maker--Huglu)
if you really want to experience the joy of a SxS, you'll have to step up to the 3 grand plate and start looking at a Beretta, Weatherby, etc.
Then, you go to the 5000 dollar door and start looking at used Winchesters, Spainish guns (Aya, etc) and then the sky is the limit.
try one, you might not like it. Short and light and they do not swing. It works perfectly for my style, but others can't stand them. (heathens
)
Ask around, look around.
I wouldn't go below the CZ's, below that the makers miss the whole point of a lithe fast handling little gun.
if you want a truck club, err gun, get one of the Russian ones.
If you want a decent entry to SxS's, check out the DeHaans/CZ's (same maker--Huglu)
if you really want to experience the joy of a SxS, you'll have to step up to the 3 grand plate and start looking at a Beretta, Weatherby, etc.
Then, you go to the 5000 dollar door and start looking at used Winchesters, Spainish guns (Aya, etc) and then the sky is the limit.
try one, you might not like it. Short and light and they do not swing. It works perfectly for my style, but others can't stand them. (heathens
)Ask around, look around.
I wouldn't go below the CZ's, below that the makers miss the whole point of a lithe fast handling little gun.
ocharry
Member
hi clarkford,, check out the stoeger upland special,, i have two of them,, one in 20ga. and my wifes 12 ga. these guns come with choke tubes and 26,28 and 30" barrels,,, they are built pretty good,,, i got the 20 ga. because i stole it and the 12 for the wife when we were cowboy shootin... i used an old aya for my cowboy gun
,,,, think about the double triggers,, alot of guys don't like them BUT if you give them a chance they work pretty good,,,and you can have either barrel...... on most of the lower end guns if you have a single trigger it will be nonselective,,,which means you don't have any choice in the firing order,,,, not a real biggy but it's a nice option.... if you want a nice one check out the BROWNING BSS but they are not cheap but oh so nice... if you are just interested in a beeter,,,, you might look at the stevens 311,,, there should be a bunch of these old doubles around if you look.... just my .02 YMMV
ocharry
,,,, think about the double triggers,, alot of guys don't like them BUT if you give them a chance they work pretty good,,,and you can have either barrel...... on most of the lower end guns if you have a single trigger it will be nonselective,,,which means you don't have any choice in the firing order,,,, not a real biggy but it's a nice option.... if you want a nice one check out the BROWNING BSS but they are not cheap but oh so nice... if you are just interested in a beeter,,,, you might look at the stevens 311,,, there should be a bunch of these old doubles around if you look.... just my .02 YMMV ocharry
scout26
Member
1. Do not sell the 590. It's a great HD tool.
2. I'll second the Stoeger's. I've got a Uplander with 28" barrels. Fits me real nice and swings like a dream. But try the DeHaan's, EAA's, Baikal's etc. and find what fits you.
3. Don't forget the old Hardware Store SxS's that you can find at Gunshows. I've bought a couple for +/- $100 at gunshows. (make sure you have a smith check them out before shooting them.) While they are not all that fancy, it's nice to occasionally carry one of these old workingman's guns out into the fields and forests and use it for its intended purpose: An inexpense way for a man to put meat on the table. Sometimes I think I can hear them thank me as the dog puts up a bird or goes on a tear after a rabbit.
2. I'll second the Stoeger's. I've got a Uplander with 28" barrels. Fits me real nice and swings like a dream. But try the DeHaan's, EAA's, Baikal's etc. and find what fits you.
3. Don't forget the old Hardware Store SxS's that you can find at Gunshows. I've bought a couple for +/- $100 at gunshows. (make sure you have a smith check them out before shooting them.) While they are not all that fancy, it's nice to occasionally carry one of these old workingman's guns out into the fields and forests and use it for its intended purpose: An inexpense way for a man to put meat on the table. Sometimes I think I can hear them thank me as the dog puts up a bird or goes on a tear after a rabbit.
I was in the market for an AYA Spanish sxs. I met Jack Rowe at SHOT 2005 in the AYA booth and got to talking. He's listed as a U.S. point of contact on their website. Very knowlegable fellow and great to talk to.
eta: I ended up getting a used Ugartechea.
Ugartechea Shotguns,
Lion Country Supply
eta: I ended up getting a used Ugartechea.
Ugartechea Shotguns,
Lion Country Supply
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4fingermick
Member
Those urgetheas or whatever you call them are nice. I just layby'ed one which looks like the base grade (still excellently finished) in 12Ga for $AU650 ($US506). It looks like new.
When you check out old guns, be careful. When they are closed they should be tight, twist the barrels against the action/stock, there should be no real discernable movement and there should be virtually no gap between the action and barrels. The firing pin holes should not be enlarged around the pins and the pins should not be chipped, broken or rough. The face of the action should not be pitted (much). Where the barrels locate around the hinge pin,it should not be worn apart from a bit of shinyness and there should be no hammer/peen marks on the hinge part (shonky trick to take up sloppy headspace). hang the barrels by a bit of string preferably or hold with your fingers and tap along the bead and the loin below the barrels. If there is any rust underneath there will have a different 'ring' to it. Use a plastic hammer or your tightly clenched knuckle for this. Check very carefully near pits in the barrel especially. Pitted barrels are best avoided, but if you only use the gun occasionally and there is no other damage, it might be ok if you get the gun reeeeeeel cheap. Get this checked out though. Explosive forces will taked the easiest way out, and if that happens to be out the bottom of the barrel near your hand, bad luck. I just bought a very old gun which had seen lots and lots of use with black powder, but had been well looked after The barrels look virtually new on the inside.
When you check out old guns, be careful. When they are closed they should be tight, twist the barrels against the action/stock, there should be no real discernable movement and there should be virtually no gap between the action and barrels. The firing pin holes should not be enlarged around the pins and the pins should not be chipped, broken or rough. The face of the action should not be pitted (much). Where the barrels locate around the hinge pin,it should not be worn apart from a bit of shinyness and there should be no hammer/peen marks on the hinge part (shonky trick to take up sloppy headspace). hang the barrels by a bit of string preferably or hold with your fingers and tap along the bead and the loin below the barrels. If there is any rust underneath there will have a different 'ring' to it. Use a plastic hammer or your tightly clenched knuckle for this. Check very carefully near pits in the barrel especially. Pitted barrels are best avoided, but if you only use the gun occasionally and there is no other damage, it might be ok if you get the gun reeeeeeel cheap. Get this checked out though. Explosive forces will taked the easiest way out, and if that happens to be out the bottom of the barrel near your hand, bad luck. I just bought a very old gun which had seen lots and lots of use with black powder, but had been well looked after The barrels look virtually new on the inside.
ZeSpectre
Member
Another one to look for is if you find an old Interarms of Alexandria "Star Gauge" shotgun and the barrels have the stamp of either Hijos de V. Aramberri or sometimes Victor Aramberri and Sons (or more infrequently Aramberri Y sons). You might find one hanging around someplace for $300 or so.
Aramberri was a small Spanish shop that vanished somewhere in the late 70's but they seem to have made damn fine shotgun barrels. I have one from c1969 that I would never sell.
Aramberri was a small Spanish shop that vanished somewhere in the late 70's but they seem to have made damn fine shotgun barrels. I have one from c1969 that I would never sell.
reloader_555
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 1
Don't forget the Sauers and Merkels
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Sauers or Merkels. They are both available for reasonable prices on gunbroker and gunsamerica and the quality is very high for both manufactures. A new merkel will set you back thousands, but a used one in good shape, could be under $1000. Sauers could be even cheaper. I’ve seen working Sauers down into the $350 range (obviously they’ve seen some wear and tear though). I've owned and shot a variety of SxS shotguns, but have always been very pleased with my german shotguns. The guy who said that the "cheaper" guns were fragile, must not have had much luck. All the old german stuff I have used is rock solid. My favorite shotgun is an 1930's Sauer and it works like a champ. Action couldn't be tighter and the guns never failed me.
Some other german names to keep an eye out for:
Simson
BSW
Geco
Suhl
I'd look at http://www.757arms.com they always have a bunch of SxS shotguns and generally they are on the cheaper side of things.
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Sauers or Merkels. They are both available for reasonable prices on gunbroker and gunsamerica and the quality is very high for both manufactures. A new merkel will set you back thousands, but a used one in good shape, could be under $1000. Sauers could be even cheaper. I’ve seen working Sauers down into the $350 range (obviously they’ve seen some wear and tear though). I've owned and shot a variety of SxS shotguns, but have always been very pleased with my german shotguns. The guy who said that the "cheaper" guns were fragile, must not have had much luck. All the old german stuff I have used is rock solid. My favorite shotgun is an 1930's Sauer and it works like a champ. Action couldn't be tighter and the guns never failed me.
Some other german names to keep an eye out for:
Simson
BSW
Geco
Suhl
I'd look at http://www.757arms.com they always have a bunch of SxS shotguns and generally they are on the cheaper side of things.
Speedo66
Member
Ummmm, the last post was three years ago, hopefully he's found the gun of his dreams by now.
earlthegoat2
Member
stevens model 311 on the used market, 3-4 hundred bucks but well worth it. It was a good value then and it still is today. Available in 12, 16, 20, and 410.
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