|
|
12-08-2009, 05:34 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Northern MI
Posts: 530
Likes: 4
Liked 51 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
S&W Elite Gold
Anyone own a S&W Elite Gold side x side 20 ga? How do you like it? Positives, negatives?
Thanks
|
08-09-2010, 10:15 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Exactly my question. Apparently not many Elite Golds sold. Did you go ahead and buy one?
|
08-09-2010, 10:55 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 668
Likes: 38
Liked 104 Times in 65 Posts
|
|
Elite Golds
I would sure like to hear about these too.
They are being closed out at CDNN for $1190.00
It looks like a lot of gun for that money !!
|
08-22-2010, 09:48 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 531
Likes: 1,140
Liked 474 Times in 130 Posts
|
|
I've asked this question on this forum (w/no replies) and over on xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx forum.
After reading as much as I could on forums and the few magazine articles I could find, I would say the responses ranged from "Don't buy Turkish-made shotguns" to "Best Buy". Almost all responses were complimentary of the fit and finish of the gun.
Shotgunworld forum had a lot of opinions, and some bickering (they seem to do a lot of that there). Anyway, a gunwriter and his shooting friend chime in now and then. They both bought one and claim it is a best buy in the CDNN price range. I should point out, that I personally have no experience with this firearm.
Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 08-25-2010 at 08:45 AM.
|
08-24-2010, 03:56 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: N. DE.
Posts: 307
Likes: 465
Liked 211 Times in 50 Posts
|
|
Saw one at the range recently and it was beautiful. Owner seemed pleased with it. Sounds like a great price (CDNN).
|
10-07-2010, 09:54 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I own an Elite Gold, as do half a dozen of my friends. I got my 28" double trigger English stocked one from CDNN in August 2010, but I see them for sale now (Oct 2010) from Cabela's Gun Library, James Wayne and Bill Hanus. Prices vary from $1200 up, depending on the desirability of the configuration. 28" sells first.
Other than a heavy trigger pull on some of the early single trigger ones, the gun is excellent. Forth far more than the price. It is made by UTAS in Turkey, the same plant that made the Kimber Marias and Valier. It has nothing to do with Huglu quality.
It has a modest amount of real hand engraving, the barrel is properly rust, not hot, blued. The case coloring is bone/charcoal, not cyanide.
None of our seven guns have required any work or have had any malfunctions. My gun has a bit over 3,000 rounds without a hitch.
My 28" gun weighs 6# 7oz with a slight weight forward bias. It would be easier to carry if it were a couple of ounces lighter and a bit more neutral, but it shoots better the way it is set up.
The fixed chokes are all listed as IC/Mod. Mine measured .010" and.015". Others I measured were .011" and .017" and .014"/.014". Barrels are chromed, OK for steel. 3" chambers for the masochists among you.
At under $1500, this gun is the best deal I've seen around. It's a pity that S&W abandoned it. I hope that UTAS can get a US distributor because these guns are simply too good to fade away.
|
10-14-2010, 10:33 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 46
Likes: 11
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Bought one from Cabela's (on sale) about a month ago 28" dt.sg.Have only put a few hundred rounds through it , but no problems.Other than the glossy polyurethane type finish on the stock it's really well put together. It's going to be my go to gun in N.Dakota next month.
Last edited by bullseyebill; 10-14-2010 at 10:34 PM.
Reason: added info
|
11-26-2010, 09:13 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I have a 26 inch, single trigger in route from CDNN, $1209.00 delivered to my dealer. First S by S, I'll try some skeet next Tuesday and see if I can shoot it. I'm tall and long armed, not sure it will fit me w/out a slip on pad...
|
02-16-2011, 05:12 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I recently purchased a ST model...both trigger pulls pretty much the same I'd say about 4lbs...traded my used 20 gauge 525 pretty much even steven...I think the S&W is way more gun than the browning 525...I always wanted a decent side by and S&W will refund your money if you have a problem and they can't fix it so I took a chance..chances are though we will be able to find parts for it if needed (ejectors, firing pins, usual wear parts)...my take is the gun is extremely well made...in my case it seemed like a very good deal....wood is pretty good grade 2 maybe 3...fit and finish absolutely beautiful....haven't start shooting it yet...bought it strictly for hunting pheasants woodcock and shooting some skeet...If this gun holds up it's a very very good value..I've held the Merkel 47e...I didnt see much difference between it and the S&W and the Merkel retails for 3K plus....The Elite seems a tad (2 oz's of so) front heavy, but still well balanced and much better balanced than my 525...Per my experience, for upland bird hunting, the easier a gun snaps up the better..This gun will fit that bill very well I have no doubt.... I'm therefore curious about what anyone (bullseyebill in particular) has to say about this gun after using it for a season of hunting...
Last edited by Huck1; 02-16-2011 at 05:40 PM.
|
02-20-2011, 02:00 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
I can vouch for the workmanship on their elite silver over and under is very good.
|
02-20-2011, 02:10 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 46
Likes: 11
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Huck1,
The gun performed just fine out west.Carried well and got the job done when I did my part.Had to remember to move the finger for the second trigger but that's part of the learning curve.Was shooting it well a couple of weeks ago at sporting clays until gravity cut the round short with a broken leg.Looking forward to healing up and getting back out there.
Bill
|
03-01-2011, 09:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
...I just picked up your reply...getting used to where to look for replies on the forum..I have shot about 100 rounds or so out the S&W Elite...I like it a lot...it swings well...just heavy enough to shoot clays not so heavy that you can't carry in the field....I was shooting trap with it and using the tighter choked barrel...it reaches out no problem...if you put the gun where it's supposed to be it breaks them very well...I have not patterened it yet but seems you can float the clay a bit...too much snow to even put a target up on our range right now...I am really pleased with it...I think if the gun holds up it will appreciate in value...but I didn't buy it for that..I just wanted a good solid well made upland bird gun I would enjoy carrying in the field..In any event, get better soon.
|
03-02-2011, 03:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
I did however find out that the heirloom warranty isnt worth as much as toilet tissue is.
They cant get parts and dont have any so keep your receipt. They will give you your money back.
I threw mine out and now I have one with a cracked forearm.
The last two s&w that were new ended up going back to the factory. After this heirloom warranty ordeal me and smith are through.
Last edited by martyj; 03-02-2011 at 03:31 PM.
|
03-19-2011, 08:44 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Deep South
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by martyj
I did however find out that the heirloom warranty isnt worth as much as toilet tissue is.
They cant get parts and dont have any so keep your receipt. They will give you your money back.
I threw mine out and now I have one with a cracked forearm.
The last two s&w that were new ended up going back to the factory. After this heirloom warranty ordeal me and smith are through.
|
Thanks for sharing. Interesting information.
Did S&W tell you they had no access to parts for the shotgun?
I certainly would not want to purchase this model without being able to replace a part.
Anyone else have this probelm with this model?
|
04-01-2011, 09:36 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Independence, OH, USA
Posts: 6,911
Likes: 28,790
Liked 7,158 Times in 2,579 Posts
|
|
Hopefully some more people own one. I hunt with a 12ga Merkel model 8 and the S&W looks interesting. I like 2 triggers and a 20ga would be nice. Anyone with any more feed back? Anyone have some pics? Larry
|
04-25-2011, 01:32 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
S&W Gold Elete SXS 20 ga.
Hi All,
THis is my first post. I recently bought a Gold Elete 20. ga 26 inch POW stock. The gun is fantastic, excellent workmanship! Fit and finish Excellent, bluing Excellent. This is my first double and I cant seem to hit anything with it. The main concern I have is adding a recoil pad, the butt is checkered and I wonder how they will install a recoil pad over the checkering. Any thoughts?? The quality of this gun is excellent.
1 1/8 oz.
|
04-25-2011, 01:37 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Martyj,
the stock is excluded from the warranty anyway.
1 1/8 oz
|
07-22-2011, 10:52 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Elite Gold
I have now shot about 1500 rounds or so out of my elite gold 20 gauge side by side. It has worked flawlessly. Very, very nice gun...works well on sporting clays and skeet....at 6.75 lbs. it swings through or to targets very well....if you can pick this gun up for a grand or so it's a great deal....no doubt....no issues with trigger pull either...very well made gun....I look forward to bringing it out in the field this year for pheasants and woodcock...also other sxs owners stop me to take a look at it all the time...they told me I should have bought 2....you can't go wrong with this gun at that price...
|
12-12-2011, 10:27 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 2,364
Liked 2,962 Times in 1,115 Posts
|
|
As one of the friends that The Technoid mentioned, I can say the SxS is suhweet to shoot!.. I reload a 3/4oz reload and the IC/M combo absolutely SMOKES the 5 stand and skeet targets. The 28" barrels with DT are a joy to shoot - and I am a LH shooter. I had a fear of doubling a DT guns for decades (as I did that once, the first time I ever fired a gun as a kid) - it took me exactly one station on the 5 stand - 5 targets - to get used to it. The English stock, splinter forearm, and DT are such a classic version of the SxS - it would be a shame to get any other version, but this gun is a great deal
As is the Kimber sidelocks at approx. 2500 (down from 5K) if you can find one
|
12-14-2011, 02:30 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 709
Likes: 529
Liked 542 Times in 218 Posts
|
|
Glad to see a thread about these shotguns. I really like the way these look and have been wanting a 20 ga sxs for years. There's a nice one on GB right now. But please, everyone, post pics!!!
|
12-15-2011, 03:19 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 709
Likes: 529
Liked 542 Times in 218 Posts
|
|
I've recently gotten fascinated with these shotguns. I found some in various places, CDNN, but they only have POW 26"ers left for $1299 it appears. However, I saw that Cabela's has a few, and then discovered there is a shotgun nearly identical called a Dickinson Arms. It's a really strange story, very convoluted. Over on another forum, there are a couple of individuals that seem to know a lot about them and here's a link that's a little old, but is very informative. I've asked Lee (handejector) the administrator for permission to link this forum thread:
Shotgunworld.com • View topic - Dickinson Arms/ Elite Gold, UTAS, Commando Arms AKUS 12 ga
There's a rather long ongoing conversation about the Elite Gold vs. this "Dickinson Arms" model, which appears to be a name that the importer made up. Apparently, they are no longer being imported, and Cabela's bought up much of what was left. They also include 12 Gauges. Thought everyone might be interested. There's one individual (2fewdaysafield) that seems to know a lot, and several of them own both Elite Golds and these others. There is some hope that they will be re-imported by someone; would be nice if S&W would pick them back up.
|
12-15-2011, 07:15 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 2,364
Liked 2,962 Times in 1,115 Posts
|
|
Dickinson Arms IS the same guns, just badged by some importer who may be trying to act upon the Dickson and Son name
2fewdaysafield and others on SGW acted upon my recommendation and others to get one. Shot mine today - it does really well with handloaded 3/4oz reloads
|
12-16-2011, 04:09 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 709
Likes: 529
Liked 542 Times in 218 Posts
|
|
Hey oneounceload, I had seen your comments, didn't mean to slight you and didn't realize you were on the S&W forum, but am glad to see you here.
I'm debating on buying one or the other. It's a complicated issue for me; the "Dickinson" has DTs and an English untouched stock and 26" barrels, but the S&W has an altered aftermarket buttpad and a POW stock with 28" barrels. I would prefer a S&W just for the warranty possibility, but not sure S&W really honors that. I do have a chance at an overpriced S&W with 28" barrels, untouched english stock, but it's a good $500 more than the modified one, however it's a gunshop I don't mind paying a little more for. On the other hand, just up the road I could pick up the earlier mentioned S&W or DA for $1199(S&W) and $1399(DA). What do you think?
I really want a nice 20 ga. double, had one thirty years ago and sold it: it was an SKB with 26" tubes same choke config as the DA/S&W. These turkish made ones look like a lot more than what you pay for them, and I really like that, to include their more tradtional looks. I just wish the single triggers came with selectors like my SKB did, then the trigger issue would answer my question; I never liked double triggers. I have a Drilling I use a lot, and switching to a shotgun with double triggers could cause some confusion to my limited brain (double triggers on Drillings are a different setup as you may know).
Would be interested to hear more of your experience with either and recommendation if any. I can only really justify buying one, but don't want them to get away as after reading you guys conversation on SGW, I suspect that someone will pick them up again and then jack the prices up. I've got an unusual situation; I live in Germany, but will be in the US (Texas) for Christmas and intend on picking one of them up while there; I found the two mentioned online at a Texas Cabela's and the expensive on in a shop in San Antonio. Ordering online is not going to be an option for me, sadly. Getting one here to Germany would be a huge and cost prohibitive problem. I can't determine if they are sold here, but if they are they would be expensive as everything is expensive here, except apparently S&W revolvers (!).
If you can, please post a pic of your S&W and/or DA.
Thanks!!!
|
12-18-2011, 09:14 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 2,364
Liked 2,962 Times in 1,115 Posts
|
|
I bought mine after Bruce Buck's review and his purchase. He brought it out to the gun club and "persuaded" 9 of us to also get them. Some of us went traditional with DT, English, 28', and splinter, others went with POW, ST, BT.
As for the warranty, keep your receipt - if they cannot fix the gun, they will refund your money with your receipt
Most of us have a lot of rounds through them without issues looking to use mine for decades to come
|
02-28-2012, 11:15 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Blue State, NE US
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I decided to buy one, after a ~3-year wait-and-see. It arrived a couple of days ago - the 26" POW model.
1st impressions:
1. The fit-and-finish are fantastic for the price range. It will not put Abbiatico out of business, but is very nicely put together.
2. The wood grade was nowhere near as nice as on the samples I saw at the SHOT show introduction a couple of years ago. Still, there was some figure, I would say - A grade.
3. The checkered wood buttstock means me having to carry it in a slip when shooting a course, or hunting. No big deal.
I will pattern it, then take it to a SC match.
More later.
LT
Last edited by Linear Thinker; 02-28-2012 at 11:32 PM.
|
03-09-2012, 09:29 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
I think some of the Turk guns are well built but just won't hold a good resale price point. I handled the S&W o/u and it was very nice but the seller just had it priced a little high or I would have picked it up. If there had been a barrel selector I probably would have paid his asking price as it came to point perfectly for me. Need that selector for the occasional long shot first set-up.
|
05-02-2012, 03:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Out for the duration
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 62
Liked 520 Times in 264 Posts
|
|
I've got one, and it's nice.
I've shot maybe 2K rounds through it, and it got to where it would shoot both barrels at once and so I sent it back to the factory for service. It spend a little over a month up there and it's now fine- I shot 10 rounds from it to see if it functioned fine, but have shot it no more, as I'm a bit scared to.
__________________
Lost it all in a boat accident
Last edited by Andy Griffith; 05-02-2012 at 03:48 PM.
|
10-05-2012, 06:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Deep South
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Linear Thinker
I decided to buy one, after a ~3-year wait-and-see. It arrived a couple of days ago - the 26" POW model.
1st impressions:
1. The fit-and-finish are fantastic for the price range. It will not put Abbiatico out of business, but is very nicely put together.
2. The wood grade was nowhere near as nice as on the samples I saw at the SHOT show introduction a couple of years ago. Still, there was some figure, I would say - A grade.
3. The checkered wood buttstock means me having to carry it in a slip when shooting a course, or hunting. No big deal.
I will pattern it, then take it to a SC match.
More later.
LT
|
Linear, what do you mean when you say carry it in a slip?
|
11-16-2012, 10:56 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 3
Liked 27 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
Parts for elite gold?
Anyone know if parts are available? Have one here (20 ga) with a broken mainspring. hate to take all the trouble to make one, if theres a replacement available.
Thanks, Greg
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|