Side by Side Shotguns

[mohavesam]

MIne are limited, but not for lack of want.

I've two LC Smith 16s, a CZ Bobwhite 20 and a Ringneck 16, and a much-fondled AYA 16 Matador selective. And a wallhanger - an ancient Ithaca 12 that my Grandfather carried for decades.

All are preferred by my #1 tailwagger, a Llewellin princess who considers pumps and autos beneath her talents. If I uncase anything but a SxS, she drops her head and sighs...

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[n4zov]

Not even a NIB Registered Magnum can get me excited like a beautifully stocked and engraved little 20ga. side-by-side. Add in a couple of good English setters, a cool morning, a covey of quail, and it just does not get any better!

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Beautiful Rem 1894, EQguy. One of my big shotgun regrets is not picking up a very rare high grade 1894 many years ago, in an antiques store of all places. It had beautiful chain damascus barrels but otherwise was in great shape, and cheap beyond belief. I'm not too worried about damascus in good shotguns now (too late!) being a follower of Sherman Bell's Double Gun Journal articles on using them with some good sense.

 

[35Rem]

I practially grew up around a Springfield-Stevens 5100 in 20 gauge. I used a 410 version for a brief time before I was "worthy" of the 20. My dad, cousin, and I all killed our first turkey with that gun. Dad still has it. I picked up a 16 version while I was dating my now wife. We went to the gun show together and picked it up. I took it home and dad and I took it out. I hit the first 6 clays he threw...It was love! They just fit me, I guess. I am always looking for a 12.

 

[jgh4445]

I'd like to have a nice 12 or 20. I had heard of the Franchi One of 500 SXSs. I heard they were really beautiful and had great fit and finish. I also heard a lot of them were junk as far as working properly goes. I read that they have a problem with not firing. I picked a new one up in a gun shiop last week. It did look really good, the fit ( wood to metal) could have been better but was OK for the price. I asked for a snap cap and lo and behold, the left barrel would not fire and after snapping the right barrel it wouldn't break open. Oh well.....the search continues.

 

[M29since14]

http://www.joeletchenguns.com/used127a.JPG

Franchis just don't seem to be made for doing much shooting. A shame. Berettas seem to have a much better reputation. Here's one. Not everyone's cup of tea, especially those who like English style guns, but I have been watching this one - hoping someone will buy it!

Beautiful little gun, a notch up from what I have, but way short of the best the Italians can build.

 

[Jellybean]

I have a few, but they aint purdy enough for no pictures. SXSs are a family tradition.

 

[R Cubed]

I had to ask - I saw a long barreled double and first took notice of the lines - must admit the doubles is easier to look at than autos and pumps. I don't have one, maybe I should correct that.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

Browning Superposed Broadway Trap
Winchester 101 field gun
Browning SXS 12 gauge 18" barrels(hey I didn't do it)
Ruger Red Label
Ruger Gold Label
Browning Upland
6 "coach guns" including a Condor, located in convenient places around the house, concealed but ready to go with 5-6 rounds in butt cuff and 2 ready rounds on the barrels.
Everything is in 12 gauge.
Yes I really like doubles.

 

[tops]

There are nice pictures of L.C.Smith's and M21's but none of Ansley H's "The finest gun in the world" This is an AE grade with 30 inch barrels. I should have used a dowel rod instead of a small screwdriver to hold the gun up, but it eas easier to leave it than take another picture. Larry

 

[dkees]

Only have one, a Winchester M24. I found it in a corner, upside down in an old corn crib. The owner kept it there to shoot rats. The ends of both barrels were deeply rusted both inside and out. The rest of the piece, including the wood, needed only a good cleaning. I found that the last 1.5 inches of both barrels were almost rusted through so I had them removed. I sent it to Briley's and had a new choke set installed. It's my favorite bird gun.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally posted by mississippi revolverman:
Got two doubles. An Itacha SKB with English stock 20 ga for rabbit hunting. The other an old Stevens 16 ga "altered" to 18 1/2 " loaded with #2 buck for Bad guy hunting

Don't shoot 3" duck loads out of that Ithica-it will bring tears to your eyes-speaking from experience
the only double I own now is a BSS 12ga F/M 28" that I plan to open up to IC/IC to use as a duck gun over decoys-been holding on to it for going on two years-it's LNIB-just need to remember to send it off.

 

[Qball]

I have three Husqvarnas, two 16 gauge and one 12
Just shooters, not in mint condition or fancy.

 

[M29since14]

the only double I own now is a BSS 12ga F/M 28" that I plan to open up to IC/IC to use as a duck gun over decoys-been holding on to it for going on two years-it's LNIB-just need to remember to send it off.

A gun in that condition, and owned by a prosperous barrister, should have Briley thin-walls. I have been thinking of doing the same with mine but just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Would add a lot of versatility.

 

[fiasconva]

I "inherited" my grandfather's Fox Sterlingworth 12 gauge when I was in high school. It was manufactured in 1920 and is one well made shotgun. Kicks like a mule but I used to win all the turkey shoots with it. 30 inch full choke barrels.

 

[Bassamatic]

I've got a few, here is my favorite. I hunt with it all the time. Ithaca/SKB 300 with special order wood.

 

[Pioneer461]

Mine's a Stoeger coach gun. I'm sure the $15,000.00 shotguns are good bird and skeet guns, but mine is a trunk gun. Once the shot leaves the muzzle, it doesn't matter who made the gun, how pretty it is, or how much it costs.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

the only double I own now is a BSS 12ga F/M 28" that I plan to open up to IC/IC to use as a duck gun over decoys-been holding on to it for going on two years-it's LNIB-just need to remember to send it off.

A gun in that condition, and owned by a prosperous barrister, should have Briley thin-walls. I have been thinking of doing the same with mine but just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Would add a lot of versatility.

I thought about that but after talking with the guy at Briley and telling him what I wanted to use the gun for-it was decided that an IC/IC configuration would be ideal for steel #3's over the dekes-I ain't gonna use the gun for anything else-it's too heavy to carry a lot and it will cross your eyes if you shoot it a lot in a dove field. ( I used to own it's twin years ago that I had bored IC/M until I bupdged the barrels and I shot everything with it and neve felt handicapped-I think that interchangeable chokes are a bit over rated anyway-on my guns that have them, I usually screw in the skeet tubes and leave it at that-take away turkey and goose hunting and most people are better served with a more open choke anyway).

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

SXS? I've gotten so I can't shoot a pump; can't get the second shot off. Not that I need one...
First 12 ga Lefevre AE DT twist bbls. so I was nervous enough to buy;
An AyA Matador 12, with SST, and AE. Mail order from Klein's in Chicago (Oh the horror of it all!)
Obviously both prior to '68.
A fellow at work went through some tough times-needed $200. He offered as collateral an L.C. Smith Ideal grade as well as some other things. This was in the mid 80's. Heard he had passed away so I took another look. definatly a project piece-stock work finish etc. Had some function stuff I was able to take care of.
Finally, my BIL had a beater Zoli O\U that he gave me. I used it as a winter project, and tried to give it back to him-he didn't recognize it. Still have it as well as all the rest. For some reason none of the doubles have hit the trade or sell frenzy...

 

[Marshall 357]

I would like to have one.Who makes a good solid 12ga.with the rabbit ear hammers and 18'' BBL.?