Pls reccomend slim side by side 12 gauge shotgun

[Sheepdog1968]

I have plenty of pump and semi-auto shotguns. I'm looking for a slim side by side 12 gauge. Mostly to be used for clay sport shooting. The Stoger coach guns are nice but a bit chunky. Are they that are a bit slimmer that you could reccomend? Many thanks for your input.

 

[owlhoot]

My situation is the opposite of yours. I have lots of SXS's and not much else. You're right, the Stoeger is chunky and ugly, but it is servicable for its purpose.

If you want a coach gun then certainly the CZ is worthy of consideration, very trim with a Greener lock, I believe. But I would think the short barrels would be less than optimal for sporting clays. I think I'd go for 26" barrels.

The really nice doubles are prohibitively expensive for the average guy. The best option would be to keep an eye on the doubles on Gun Broker. The older guns are the way to go. Ithica, Fox, Miruko, LeFever, L.C. Smiths, and a host of un-named Belgium knock offs, many of which were very nice guns. And there are some very nice Spanish guns that are affordable. Sometimes it is possible to come across a nice older Beretta or Benelli double. They are choice if you can find one.

 

[oneounceload]

Look for a good Spanish gun with a splinter forearm. AyA, Ugartechea, among others, will fit that bill. You should be able to find one weighing a nice 6.75-7#.

You WILL want a recoil pad on the standard wood buttplate and will typically want a glove on your barrel hand

 

[Fred Fuller]

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Darne-Shotguns.cfm?cat_id=751

Different...

lpl

 

[huntsman]

I'm looking for a slim side by side 12 gauge.

think game gun either original or copy

+2 on the Uggie if money is an issue

 

[CCCP]

I recommend to have a look on a Huglu o/u. They are the best value for money IMHO. Have a look here http://www.trimports.com/. By the way CZ shotguns are re-badged Huglu shotguns.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

I have a Huglu and love it!! Greener cross-bolt action is stronger than the proverbial garlic milkshake......

 

[oneounceload]

Huglu's triggers seem to leave a lot to be desired - gritty, creep, heavy pull, etc. They also have/had issues with their barrel convergence. Hopefully yours do not suffer from that issue. An Ugartechea (Uggie), from here:

http://www.doubleshotguns.com/ugartecheauplandclassic.html

is a well-balanced nice handling SxS. Used, they are in the same price range as a Huglu. Older AyA's, several decades old, are also another sleeper good buy in the decent quality SxS market - even the ones they made for Sears

 

[BCRider]

I've seen dozens of nice looking field grade SxS's at gun shows and for sale through the usual online places. Almost all of them have decently slim and light feeling stocks. Most of them were models that were sold through Sears or that came from the "regular" companies made in the USA. Until you get a feel for what size of grip you want on the stock I'd likely just haunt the local shops that take in used or consignment guns and wait for the area Swap meets. I found that some of them were actually too slim to get a nice grip. But there's no doubt that a lot of the coach guns are too clunky feeling. True love is likely somewhere between the two extremes. Unless you have smaller hands. Then the slim feeling options would be ideal.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Thanks all for the feedback.

 

[Capstick1]

Does it have to be a side x side? The
Browning Citori is a pretty solid O/U that can provide years of trouble free service.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Does it have to be a side x side? The
Browning Citori is a pretty solid O/U that can provide years of trouble free service.

Yes, I want a side by side. Mostly, its just one of those firearms I'd like to own. My brother has an over under and its very nice.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

I also like the SxS and the slimest one that I have is an AyA. Very nice but also expensive. Gunsamerica usually has a decent selection. Some gunshops will have good prices as not everyone favors the SxS.

 

[oneounceload]

For the slimmest, you'll want to also look at round action guns -AyA, John Dickson, and a few others have those - by making the action "rounded", it sits in your hand for carrying very easily and nicely

 

[huntsman]

It's a shame Ruger couldn't pull off the Gold Label that would have fit your bill.

 

[Capstick1]

The LC Smith shotgun company is now owned by Marlin firearms. I've shot with someone in sporting clays that has one of these. They look like they're just as durable as a Browning Citori. If I was shopping around for a good reasonably priced SxS right now I don't think the LC Smith would be a bad choice.

 

[straightshooter9]

I have a Huglu and love it!! Greener cross-bolt action is stronger than the proverbial garlic milkshake......

What's the "green" cross bolt action mean???

 

[Dave McCracken]

WW Greener was a British 19th century gun designer and maker. One shotgun action he made uses a very strong crossbolt. Quite durable.

HTH...