SxS, or O/U????

[m14nut]

There is no denying that these two types of shotguns are classics in design both in America and Europe. both have their merits, both their uses.

Traditionally, I have found that I see the SxS as a hunters tool, more so than a trap or skeet gun, not that the SxS is not used for field games also.
The O/U is alive and well in the field, but also seems to be the choice of skeet gunners, over the SxS.

Pistol style grips, or straight English style, again, both have merits and shooter preferences. I find that for hunting, is is more comfortable to carry a straight English style stock over the pistol grip, although the older "rounded" style of the Brownings pistol grip tends to lend itself as the best mix of the two. [another example of JMB's genius]

Personally, I have and shoot both. The O/U design tend to point for me just as a pump, semi, or single would: sighting down the barrel's plane, aligning on my target and following thru.

My SxS', however present a w i d e r sight picture; I have found that for my eyes and brain, relying on the width of the barrel-rib-barrel allows me to follow my target more efficiently.

So suppose you were to go out tomorrow, and purchase a new or used upland gun. Which design would be your choice, and why?

 

[MCgunner]

I'd buy an O/U because I've never owned one, but also, I think the single barrel sights more naturally and allows more vision either side of the rib. The double restricts your vision of the target at some angles.

That said, I absolutely love a side-by-side. I have one I've hunted with for years, but is now retired due to steel shot laws on waterfowl and lack of upland game to hunt for me. I don't have bird dogs and know noone who does, though there's quail on my place to hunt if I ever find someone with dogs that wants to hunt it. My life long passion is waterfowl and, really, an auto or pump works best for that anyway. So, my old side-by-side takes a well deserved retirement.

I'd buy a 20 gauge O/U in a heartbeat if I really thought I had a use for it that my auto or my pump couldn't fill. Quail would be such a use. Doubles are in their element on upland game, so quick to the shoulder and light to carry.

 

[45auto]

For shooting I like O/U's. For "looks", it's hard to beat a SXS with an english stock, splinter forend, etc.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I enjoy both but when I really want to be sure of a hit, I take my SxS. Some friends feel the same way about their O/U. I also have pumps and semi-auto but the SxS balance and fit make it my choice.

 

[Shawnee]

Hi M14...


After decades of experience with shotguns of all manner I can assure you "either/or" has no application whatsoever to SxS and O/U shotguns.
Get both. Get many. Use them often.

 

[BozemanMT]

Although I started shotgunning with big heavy guns, that gets real old real fast.
Now I have lithe little english stocked, spliter foreend, 6lb 12ga SxS's and I shot all the clay games (ok, not much trap, but I shoot it). I love it, it fits me, it fits my style and hey it looks good.

My wife, shoots as well as me and she shoots a big heavy sporting clays O/U and it works for her. Whatever floats your boat.

I personally shoot much better with a SxS, but that's just me. I like 'em all.

I do notice as the sporting clays ranges that SxS's are becoming a lot more prominent in the last year or so. Not a majority, but I usually see at least one other out there, where it used to be just me.

A SxS points, a O/U swings. Depends on your style.
I like 'em all. ( I will admit I want to get an english stocked O/U to see if that's the best of both worlds, and hey, there's room in the safe. )

 

[PJR]

It's not sxs OR o/u.

It's sxs AND o/u.

Both have their places. I like an o/u with a pistol grip and 32" barrels for targets.

I like a light 28" sxs with for hunting with a straight grip, auto safety and double triggers.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Don't rationalize which should work better. Just go with what feels right.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

As a matter of fact---I am buying a new O/U tomorrow----I chose the Beretta Deluxe Ultralight. Listed at 5.95lbs in 12ga only.

I really really wanted a SxS---but for the same money---I'm getting a higher quality O/U from a more highly reguarded manufacturor than the SxS I was looking at----a Fabarms Beta Classis 12------and actually the Beretta was $300 less.

Pretty much if I'm spending a load of cash on a higher end shotgun---it will be a Beretta---Benelli or Browning. Better resale and a greater support network should something go wrong with your "B" gun.

I was also looking at the Beretta 471 Silverhawk---but can't justify in my head dragging a $3000++ shotgun through the field.

 

[azflyman]

SxS

I have both. I like to shoot both. I have a indescribable love afair with my English SxS. It is almost sick, could be sick, probably very very sick.

az

 

[m14nut]

I'm actually tormenting myself with a new DeHaan SxS, english/splinter, 12 or 16. If I go with the 12, I will take advantage of their new left handed option.
The only thing that is holding me back is the weight of these guns; not bad, but not the lightest.
I'm looking at the S2.

http://www.dhshotguns.com/index.html

 

[Dave McCracken]

T'were I craving for a pure upland doublegun, the SxS would almost certainly be my choice. They just plain work on targets that jink, gymbal and gyre.

T'were my purchase for a clays gun, with or without a spot of dove shooting, I'd go for a vertically stacked double.

But, there's lots of happy hunters out there with O/Us. To each his/her own.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Never saw an O/U I liked... but they seem to be less spendy than a decent sxs.

 

[hossdaniels]

I got a o/u, but i wanna s x s. Hopefully in time I'll figure out which is better for what, but my finances are keeeping me down to a gun a year so it might take a while.

 

[kb2iaw]

I recently purchased a .20ga sxs model210 made by spartan imported by rem. @6.5 lbs moves fast ,not fancy but nice comes with four chokes,and trigger lock .

 

[ArmedBear]

there's quail on my place to hunt if I ever find someone with dogs that wants to hunt it

Why not just throw rocks?

Do your quail never fly unless forced?