--night
Member
Why do most all of the really expensive sxs shotguns have ~30" barrels? I'm looking for a sxs that isn't collectible/expensive tho, with about a 20" barrel, for possible hunting/hd are there any models that are good for this?
SXS barrel length/advice
- Thread starter --night
- Start date
- Status
Gunner4h1r3
Member
Stoeger Uplander Coach Gun. I got one for $280 new with 20" barrels, 3" chambers, and dual triggers. Fun gun and well built. Good price too. You can get the Uplander series in any major gauge out there (12,20,410).
Mountie855
Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2008
- Messages
- 170
Very satisfied with my Remington Spartan (Baikal) Coach gun in 12 Ga- got it on GB for $250 w/ 4 screw-in chokes.
Good value in a low price double.
Good value in a low price double.
Two Cold Soakers
Member
Good SxSs have long barrels for one very good reason....
Long barrels (up to a point) balance better, swing smoother and allow one to be a better shot.
Long barrels (up to a point) balance better, swing smoother and allow one to be a better shot.
Iirc,
the shotgun great Churchill (can't recall first name) was a strong advocate of relatively short (23-25 in.) barrels in side by sides, and they became all the rage for awhile. Then everybody pretty much drifted back to the old 28-30" barrels because they just worked better, for reasons stated above.
the shotgun great Churchill (can't recall first name) was a strong advocate of relatively short (23-25 in.) barrels in side by sides, and they became all the rage for awhile. Then everybody pretty much drifted back to the old 28-30" barrels because they just worked better, for reasons stated above.
evbutler462
Member
Khornet, the brand name was Churchill and the barrel length is 25". I still own one of these fine shotguns. Seems that 25" is a well balanced gun. Personally, all the rest of my guns are either 24' or 26". I am not a lover of long barrels. The only gun that I own that is shorter is my turkey/deer gun. It has a 22' barrel. It is a semi, not a SXS.
win71
Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2005
- Messages
- 694
Generally Speaking
The higher grade doubles usually have less metal in both the frames and barrels. They are lighter in weight albeit only slightly. At least as compared to mass produced guns. I think the main reason 30 inch barrels are almost the norm is balance. Barrel length is measured from the bolt face or breach face in the case of break open guns, to the end. A 30 inch double will have a shorter overall length than a pump or semi auto. It's usually balanced where you fell no weight down at the barrel end and conversely no minus weight. It feels like there is nothing at all ahead of the balance point which is usually just ahead of the trigger guard. Balance and point ability being the goal strived for.
Because of the added weight and length of the frame and bolt assemblies shorter barrels actually help the balance of pump and semi auto guns.
The higher grade doubles usually have less metal in both the frames and barrels. They are lighter in weight albeit only slightly. At least as compared to mass produced guns. I think the main reason 30 inch barrels are almost the norm is balance. Barrel length is measured from the bolt face or breach face in the case of break open guns, to the end. A 30 inch double will have a shorter overall length than a pump or semi auto. It's usually balanced where you fell no weight down at the barrel end and conversely no minus weight. It feels like there is nothing at all ahead of the balance point which is usually just ahead of the trigger guard. Balance and point ability being the goal strived for.
Because of the added weight and length of the frame and bolt assemblies shorter barrels actually help the balance of pump and semi auto guns.
JohnBT
Member
I vaguely remember reading that Robert Churchill, designer of the Churchill XXV introduced in 1914, liked shorter barrels because he was either short or had short arms.
Maybe I misremember.
John
Maybe I misremember.
John
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Churchill was stocky and short, built like a fire plug in fact. And a very good wingshot, semi pro live pigeon shooter,etc.
But, he popularized the 25" barreled doubles after WWI for the simple reason that the market was clogged with long barreled doubles.
WWI decimated the ranks of shooters so there were far more shotguns than shooters. Churchill's XXV was a new niche and the guns were superbly made and balanced. And sold well....
I've shot a couple for a few shots each. Feels lively but not twitchy, and I'd have to think very hard to come up with a better quail gun.
However, most folks wingshoot with longer barrels because they can hit better.
Look at the big money shotgun sports, Sporting Clays, FITASC,and live pigeons. The top guns in all those go with long barrel,usually in O/Us.
If there were any benefit to short barrels for them, they'd all be packing coach guns by Perazzi, Kreighoff, et al.
But, he popularized the 25" barreled doubles after WWI for the simple reason that the market was clogged with long barreled doubles.
WWI decimated the ranks of shooters so there were far more shotguns than shooters. Churchill's XXV was a new niche and the guns were superbly made and balanced. And sold well....
I've shot a couple for a few shots each. Feels lively but not twitchy, and I'd have to think very hard to come up with a better quail gun.
However, most folks wingshoot with longer barrels because they can hit better.
Look at the big money shotgun sports, Sporting Clays, FITASC,and live pigeons. The top guns in all those go with long barrel,usually in O/Us.
If there were any benefit to short barrels for them, they'd all be packing coach guns by Perazzi, Kreighoff, et al.
Kingcreek
Member
my favorite gun for pheasants and quail in brush choked bottoms is a Browning SxS with 26" tubes. come to think of it, I've shot a lot of open country birds with it also. its built a little heavier than those wispy european doubles and therfore swings just fine with no more tube than it has.
--night
Member
I never thought about the overall length being reduced even w/ the 30" vs. pump or semi. Definitely a good point tho.. What would swing faster, a glock 17 or a 28-30" sxs? I will probably get a sxs after the m1a
(or rem700) thats coming up before another gun ban is passed.
(or rem700) thats coming up before another gun ban is passed.- Status
