Winchester 23 or Browning B-SS

[marlin39d]

I'm getting ready to buy my first side by side shotgun.

I've located a Winchester M-23 Pigeon Grade Lightweight (25.5" Barrels) in 12ga in about 99% metal and 97-98% wood and a NIB Browning B-SS Sporter (Straight Grip w/slender forearm, 28" Barrels) in 12 ga. Virtually the same price but very different guns.

Now the question, which is the better shotgun, the Browning BSS or the Winchester Model 23?

 

[Gordon]

The BSS is a better mechanical design. HOWEVER a pigeon grade 23 versus an assembled in Korea BSS (it will say so on the barrel) , the vote would slide to the Winchester!

 

[marlin39d]

Any other thoughts and/or opinions before I put my hard earned money down???

 

[huntsman]

I think sometimes the Winchesters tend to be over priced,the same can be said of 20ga BSS sporters.

IIRC the BSS was japan's copy of the winchester model 21,were the model 23 uses a model 101 type design with a flatened frame.

If the cost is $1000. or less I'd take the BSS,If it's more I'd pass on both. I would also look for an SKB 100 for less than $1000.

 

[bass806]

I've owned 3 23's and sold or traded them over the years. I kick myself for doing that though. The 23's are great shotguns. The 23 prices have skyrocketed over the last few years and you should not have trouble getting back what you paid for it. I never got what I would consider a deal on any of the three I purchased, but I sold them for at least my original purchase price. The pigeon grade is a beautiful gun. The finish and craftsmanship is very nice. They are not the lightest SS out there, but not overly heavy. They shoulder like they were custom fit for me and I'm of average build and height. I would go for the 23 if the price is reasonable for you.

 

[koja48]

Never owned a Winchester, but had a 20 gauge BSS I sincerely regret selling several years ago (moment of dementia when I fell in lust with a sweet 28 gauge O/U). The BSS was a fine piece.

 

[PJR]

BSS would be my choice because it's a better design and because it has longer barrels.

You also won't be paying the "Winchester" premum. Just about anything with the flying red "W" commands a premium in excess of its actual worth.

 

[Kingcreek]

BSS is a fine shotgun. a bit heavy-built but quite sturdy and dependable.
IMO, the Miroku (Japan) Brownings are a little nicer than the later assembled-in-Korea models. (Check the label.)
The straight grip and splinter forearm are less common than the pistol grip and wider forepiece. Many, but not all, had selectable barrels and gold trigger.
Which fits you better- neither shotgun is a bad choice.

 

[marlin39d]

Well, I ended up with the Model 23 pigeon Grade Lightweight (25.5" Bbls) in 12ga. and I think I'm really going to like it. I'd grade it at 99+% metal and 97-98% wood (tiny scratch on the toe of the butt...I didn't see it until I had good light and my reading glasses on). I can't find a thin spot of blueing or blemishes of any kind on the metal. I paid $2000 for it and it did come with a Winchester hard case. Didn't get royaly screwed but it probably wasn't a deal of a lifetime either.

I'm happy. But I think the BSS would have served me well too and it was new in the box.

Anybody have an idea of what this gun (the Model 23) would have sold for five or six years ago?

 

[Gordon]

$1700 used in the condition described.

 

[PJR]

A quick check of a couple of Internet sites suggests you did very well on the Winchester. At $2,000 an NIB BSS would be pushing the maximum while the various prices I've seen for a Pigeon Grade Model 23 in the same condition are higher than $2,000.

You will be able to shoot this gun and provided it's kept close to the same condition should you decide at some point to sell it you will probably get what you have in it if not more.

 

[bass806]

Good job. That's not a bad deal at all. You can sell it for that rather easily, but I would hold on to it. They won't go down in price, that's for sure. How about a pic? Enjoy.