SxS or O/U

[viking499]

I have an empty spot in the gun safe. Everytime I look at it, it asks for a sxs or an o/u. Would like to have both, but can only get one now and the other somewhere down the road. I have no particular chore in mind for it other than for right now saying I don't have one and I need one. It would be used for simple hunting - birds, rabbits, etc. and maybe the lone clay my son and I throw up a couple times a year.

Not sure if I want something older with fixed chokes (mod and improved) or something new that has changable chokes.

Which one do you recommend getting first?

Anything out there worth the money in either gun right now?

 

[bensdad]

I have a Beretta O/U. Very nice. Very expensive ($2,200). Awsome gun.

I have a Verona O/U. Very nice. Pretty cheap ($800). Not nearly as pretty, but shoots just as strait and patterns just as well as the Beretta.

Some people think sxs's are the goodness. I can't stand them. Maybe as a conversation piece, or if I was hunting birds in europe, wearing those dorky pants with the socks over them and smoking a pipe.

 

[BozemanMT]

SxS
so natural, such a pointer, such lightness and perfection.
they just work
esp if you don't put 100's of 1000's of rounds thru them.
I've sold all my O/U's, not my style of shooting. I'm a pointer, not a long swinger, and the SxS works perfectly for that.

plus of course, serious cool factor.

 

[gcrookston]

It would be hard for me to choose between the Model 21 and the 682... Both are great. I think it comes down to preference, and I prefer both

 

[RNB65]

Don't ask us. If you had a specific use for the gun, we could certainly make a reasonably educated recommendation. But since you're just looking for a general purpose fun gun, it's entirely up to you. Either an O/U or SxS will fill the bill nicely. Go to gun stores, handle as many as you can, and buy whatever feels right and fits your budget.
-

 

[coltm]

dont know your price range if you want a cheap gun stoeger makes some pretty nice sxs and o/u's I have the condor and love it. i personally like the o/u's better (better swinging guns) but all i do is shoot clays and birds. http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/condor.tpl
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/uplander.tpl

 

[PJR]

I own both but if I had to pick one it would be the o/u. It's a more versatile gun IMO. The o/u works for clays and hunting. The sxs, with the exception of certain special events, pretty much a hunting gun only.

 

[kentucky_smith]

How much money you want to spend?

 

[MCgunner]

Okay, now I'm not rich and I don't mind the budget guns, have one I've owned since 1971 and it's still tight and still shoots great! But, I like side by sides. I sorta want an OU just because I don't have one, but given the choice, I really like the looks of the SxS and that's personal taste.

Now, if you want a high quality gun, you can get into the lower end of quality with an O/U for in the 1000 to 1500 dollar range. You won't touch even the lower end of the quality SxS stuff for near that. Now, this is not to say that a Spartan or a Stoeger won't shoot, great shooting guns in my experience, but some folks need braggin' rights more than just a shooter. I've always been more utilitarian, though I do love to look at a finely fitted, ornate SxS.

Okay, I hunt, I can't eat clays so I don't shoot 'em. It's an ethics thing, don't shoot what you can't eat. Okay, occasionally I'll shoot country doubles with the club, but it's not something I live for. I'm a hunter, it's what I do.