SxS and O/U

[dak0ta]

O/U are said to have a better sighting plane, but is there anything that a SxS does better? More stable swing due to the wider plane? Are O/U actions stronger or the same as SxS?

What does the SxS have going for it? I'm thinking of getting an old Brno with chopper lump barrels and hidden 3rd fastener (what does that mean?).

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I like the fact that SxS typically have two triggers, one for each barrel, with no gimmicks to using them. Only reason I don't own an O&U. Personally speaking, the SxS swings better for me, but can be a little harder to carry in one hand. I like them both.

 

[oneounceload]

SxS guns tend to be lighter and livelier; being lighter, they are less strong on a "per se" basis,
a SxS has going for it - lightness, handling, a svelte handling, fixed chokes, double triggers, straight stock, and on and on.................

 

[PabloJ]

Given equal weight and quality construction the vertical gun will be superior firearm. Chopper lump means that each tube (chamber, forcing cone, bore,....) along with "half" of each underbite is one piece. In demi-block design pioneered by Henri Pieper underbites plus chamber/forcing cone area of both barrels constitute assembly into which barrels are inserted and soldered. Third fastener is extra bolting surface between barrels at breech end of the firearm. It can be Greener round bolt type, square bolt type, 'Screw Grip-type, or Purdey type.

 

[oneounceload]

So where is your proof that one is better?

 

[dak0ta]

John Moses Browning developed the O/U with the Superposed model right?

 

[PabloJ]

My favorite design is "Vertical-Horizontal design" based on Greener 'Wedge Fast' side-opening over and under double shotgun. Modification of that design comes from Belgium is is often referred to as 'Superbritte Shotgun'. Griffin & Howe used to carry them and still may do so.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

Being SxS does not automatically mean that the gun will have fixed chokes.

 

[Jim Watson]

The SxS has less "gape" when open for reloading, is therefore faster.
Which matters when you have missed that buffalo twice and have to do something about it Right Now.
But of course that is significant only for double rifles... or Paradox, or Ball Gun.

 

[PabloJ]

So where is your proof that one is better?

Fewer missed rising targets, less felt recoil from the bottom barrel. Vertical gun can be built as light and quick handling as finest SxS along with double triggers (utilizing what is often called trigger plate firing mechanism). There is no arguing O/U is superior weapon in every way. Nothing beats classic James Woodward & Sons Vertical game gun.

 

[dak0ta]

Why didn't the English or whoever just create O/U from the get go? Why did they wait to JMB had to design it?

 

[Archaic Weapon]

Over and under is a nightmare to build a flintlock out of on anything with a passing resemblance to a budget or other workload.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

Double triggers are best for when carrying multiple payloads in one shotgun. And for the rare case of both-barrels-make-it-dead! situations.

 

[Jim Watson]

Why didn't the English or whoever just create O/U from the get go? Why did they wait to JMB had to design it?

I believe we have a misconception here.
Mr Browning designed HIS o/u, it wasn't the first.
Greener discussed them at length in 1909.

Europeans made a lot but most were combination guns, shot over rifle.
But the machinery is the same and it goes way back.


One Best Gunmaker said that grade for grade, his under-overs would weigh half a pound more than a side by side.

 

[dak0ta]

How about the German 'Drei-lings'/Drilling rifles?

 

[Jim Watson]

I didn't want to confuse the thread by making them count to three.

 

[huntsman]

I like carrying a SXS in the field an o/u not as much, I like reloading a SXS in the field an o/u not as much, shooting about equal. My first choice would be a SXS IF I had enough cash to buy a good one if not I fell more comfortable with a cheap Italian o/u as opposed to a cheap SXS from Russia, Turkey or Brazil.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

Stoeger Uplander. It's a no frills workhorse, and it's a beast at it. No comparison to an surplusy import piece of junk.

 

[dak0ta]

Isn't Stoeger imported as well from Turkey or something like that?

 

[Archaic Weapon]

Honestly, I'm not sure. Stoeger is owned by Berreta and that conglomerate.

 

[RPRNY]

Stoegers are made in Brazil currently. They have been made in Turkey, Japan and Spain. I cannot recommend a. Stoeger.

For clays, especially Skeet, an O/?U sight plane can be much better. For upland birds, I prefer a light, lively, shorter bareled SxS. As mentioned above, with the exception of live pigeon guns, SXS s are almost always light field guns and less likely to stand up well to hundreds of targets a day.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[CD8226]

I have owned several SXS's and I'm better off throwing my shells at the birds. I'll have just as much luck and my shoulder won't hurt after a day in the dove field. Really loved the O/U I owned at one time. Every September, I wish I had it back.

 

[Archaic Weapon]

I can say that my Stoeger shoots dandy, and the recoil is well managed enough to shoot buckshot through it with one hand.

 

[PabloJ]

The true bargains of SxS world are second-hand Ithaca-imported Sakaba Model 100s, Parker-Hale Ugartecheas and Husquvarna 300 series. The best bang for the buck in O/U category came from: Sears Ted Williams 400 (Olin-Konensha Winchester 101), Beretta S or BL-series boxlocks and Savage 300 series guns from Finland. The problem I see for future is non-toxic shot which may become standard is $100/25 cartridges for 'soft' old gun-friendly variety. Top pick for any upland gunner in double gun category should be now sadly discontinued lowly Beretta 'Essential' or 'Whitewing'. One gets light-weight shotgun with choke tubes so inexpensive steel shot could be used. Another winner was Winchester 6500 O/U (light weight version Winchester 101s with choke tubes made to be sold on European market). Hope this helps someone.

 

[dak0ta]

When I get my Brno SxS, I'll show you a bargain Husky's are great too!