Recently got a Baikal side by side in 20 gauge for upland hunting. Tried it at Trap the other day and did awesome with it, I find the twin barrels really line your eyes up with the bird, just seems very accurate. Why don't more manufacturers make SxS shotguns? I'd love a nice high quality one that can shoot steel shells (Bakail is for lead only).
Where are all the side by sides?
- Thread starter FLYBYU44
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gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Why is your Baikal for lead shot only?
As to why there aren't more "new" sxs's made there are several reasons. The cost to make a quality double is labour intensive. If you want one, you can order one. There are of course "budget priced" sxs's but it depends on what level of quality you want. Plus, right now the sxs market is not where the money is to be made. Nowadays young shooters want the latest and greatest in plastic guns with cammo attire. Many want semi-autos with 3 1/2" chambers and guns that can hold more than 2 shells. Many also want zombie killer guns that can be tricked out with every after market gadget available. Not too many young shooters want a tried and true double barrel that only holds 2 shells. The market is small.
As to why there aren't more "new" sxs's made there are several reasons. The cost to make a quality double is labour intensive. If you want one, you can order one. There are of course "budget priced" sxs's but it depends on what level of quality you want. Plus, right now the sxs market is not where the money is to be made. Nowadays young shooters want the latest and greatest in plastic guns with cammo attire. Many want semi-autos with 3 1/2" chambers and guns that can hold more than 2 shells. Many also want zombie killer guns that can be tricked out with every after market gadget available. Not too many young shooters want a tried and true double barrel that only holds 2 shells. The market is small.
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I go told the same thing by the previous owner when I bought my Baikal SxS that they were fine with lead ammunition but steel ammo could damage the barrel and/or chokes.
Word ?
I only shoot lead with it anyway, and got other shotgun to shoot steel from
Word ?
I only shoot lead with it anyway, and got other shotgun to shoot steel from
Not sure why, it does not have the markings for steel shot on the barrels and the chokes are only marked for lead. Fine anyway, I only use it for upland and shooting clays. Really like the handling of the SxS, wouldn't mind paying more for one, who makes more costly versions?
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Winnipeg, Manitoba
If your gun has removable chokes, just get some rated for steel and you'll be good till the cows come home.
If you are looking for a nicer sxs, how much you wana pay? The sky is the limit depending on what you want. However, if you want a sxs mainly for upland, I would look for a used english or french gun. You can get a very good quality older english sxs for around $1500.00 that you wouldn't touch new for $3000.00 today.
gunsaholic
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- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Glad you decided on one. They are well suited to upland game and great value for the buck.
It says in my manual that the barrels are not rated for steel shot either, I guess they are not pressure tested to the same pressures as steel shot barrels and the forcing cones are likely not suitable for steel. I would like something similar to the Baikal that I can shoot steel shot with and also a little more decorated than my Baikal which is pretty plain looking, either 20 or 12 gauge, but prefer 20 gauge, something I will have to save up for, but would love to get one.
turbo_bird
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- Kamloops, BC
I prefer side by sides as well, but have never shot a new one. Every now and again I go drool at the Holland and Holland website, but that won't happen unless I win the lottery. Until then, I think I will stick with old field grade guns instead.
Kristian
Kristian
Ive got a beautiful old Browning BSS 12 gauge that I love to shoot.I don't shoot it as well as my Maxus,but its pure class and I do like it. The Browning isn't the highest quality,like Holland and Holland or anything,but plenty good enough for me.
Unless you have money to throw away, and you want a "nice, high quality SxS" don't look for new. Buy used. To get what you want may take a little time and effort but you will end up with something of value and compared to what your money will buy new....well there is no comparison. So, for example, I'll use one of my Fox guns.
This gun is a Fox A grade 12 gauge with Krupp fluid steel barrels (high quality) and chambered for 2 3/4" shells. It came from the factory in 1909 choked full and full, as many did, so can be opened to whatever you want. On this particular gun, I had the barrels re-blued, the stock refinished by first removing 100 years of oil that had soaked into and weakened the head, the entire inletted area epoxied for long term strength and then a nice finish and re-chequering job. And it has been re-case hardened. The end result is essentially a brand new gun built to a quality level that would cost at least double and probably more if bought new.
So what's this cost? Fox 12 ga. A grades can be found for $500 to $1000, depending on the condition and the day you see the ad. I am in process getting another fixed up that has beautiful wood that cost me $550. The work I just described above can be done for $1500. The key is finding the right people to do the work. So for between $$2000 and $2500, you can have a "new" gun of a quality level equal to a $5000 to $8000 SxS.
The key is to find a gun that the barrels haven't had the crap honed out of them or are pitted beyond salvaging. Foxes are well suited to this kind of approach because they were built to a high standard at the time (and relatively undervalued when sold new, contributing to the company's demise), often viewed by the English as the best American SxS and the design is recognized for both it's simplicity and strength, both features that encourage a long and active lifespan. But they aren't the only good ones.
JMHO
Note, in the second picture it looks like a blemish in the finish/wood. It's not. The gun is perfect. It's my photography that is the problem! LOL
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Nice looking gun James. I agree that looking for an older "classic" is the way to go over new if you want a quality gun at the fraction of the cost .
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
double post-oops
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gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
We are referring to older higher quality guns that the OP might be interested in such as Fox, Parker, Ithaca, Scott, Greener, Clabrough and a whole lot of other vintage quality guns that you won't find at tradeex.
Exactly! I just took a quick look at Trade ex, which I don't usually because they usually don't have what I'm looking for....guns that fit the bill as described above that had a relatively high level of original quality.
I'm not looking for guns that are "good for the money". I'm looking for good guns, period. On the Trade ex site, there are some Simpsons and some Sauers that might merit a closer look but its hard to tell as not much info is offered. What I do know is Simpson and Sauer made some nice guns.
Guns I would look for are American guns, Foxes and Ithacas, especially the NID. Good, strong basic boxlocks from the heyday of double guns. Parkers are generally too highly valued and have quite a complicated action. Lefevers are also highly sought after while Elsies are known to have stock issues (I am hugely generalizing here).
It's also important to note these guns aren't for magnum shells or steel shot. There are some compromises necessary to achieve the value equation we are talking about.
