Buying My First SxS - New or Used?

chele

chele

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I was reading the sticky thread of the SxS and O/H shotguns and WOW, what a beautiful shotguns some people on this forum have!

For some reason, I have always like the side-by-side shotguns over any other type of shotgun. Perhaps, it is how simple they are or the great details of the high end guns.

I have been searching for a new SxS shotgun in the $500 price range, being the Stroegers the only shotgun I can afford in this price range. However, after reading the SxS thread some members have gotten great SxS shotguns for less than $500.

My question for you SxS owners ... Should I buy a used SxS as my first hunting shotgun? or used SxS shotguns should be limited for range shooting? What are your experience with the newer Stroeger SxS guns? do you like them or do you regret not buying a used shotgun instead?
 
No question in my mind, picking up a well kept older sxs is the only way to go. The steel shot issue is something you will have to keep in mind.
 
My experience with budget SxS shotguns has been less than stellar. This is with ones in the 7-800 dollar range, if you have 500 bucks head to Trade-ex.

SxS are generally too light for a good day of range shooting in my opinion, they are made to carry as well as shoot. Great for upland hunting, but the weight problem will come into play again if you put waterfowl or turkey loads in it. I might also be projecting because my SxS had a hard plastic recoil pad, it was the only gun I have ever put down mid range session because of the recoil (hevi-shot patterning).
 
I would be going used and don't be in a hurry. There have been a few quite decent doubles on the EE in the last 6 months. Of course there has also been junk. You can pick and choose. And there are other places to buy besides the EE. You also need to decide what your majority of shooting is going to be, especially if you only plan on having one. A nice fitting light double is great for upland but not so great for waterfowl whereas a heavier more robust gun is great or waterfowl but not so much for upland. It's trying to strike that "perfect" balance. Depending on your shooting, a double barrel is usually a case of application specific if you want to get the most out of one. If you intend to shoot a lot of trap, then I'd be looking at an over and under of a known brand suited to that purpose. Or a semi-auto if you are going to shot a lot of clays. I have no experience with a Stoeger but I'd be looking for used over that. Baikals are pretty reliable but not all that well refined. With a SxS it is also important that it fits you well or you likely won't hit squat.
 
Yesterday there was no less than 3 Browning SXS's.
Two 12 gauge and one Twenty gauge...
Then there is the Beretta 409 too.
So, if those classics dont float your boat one can always get a Baikal...
Hmm B-guns over a Baikal???
Yup, Anyone of the three afore mentioned over the baikal....
...Golden Jerry I tell Its Golden !!!
Rob
 
Sxs are pretty limited for use on a range. Fine for a clays from a trap in the bush but the wide sight plane will limit ability to shoot consistent scores in trap and skeet. The main advantage is they are lighter than o/u and quicker to load so perfect for a general field gun.
 
anorden said:
Sxs are pretty limited for use on a range. Fine for a clays from a trap in the bush but the wide sight plane will limit ability to shoot consistent scores in trap and skeet. The main advantage is they are lighter than o/u and quicker to load so perfect for a general field gun.
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Although I haven't shot a lot of skeet with my 20 gauge AYA #2, I have shot some clean scores, and my scores have been quite consistent. That being said, I haven't found a lower prices SxS that I would want to own.
 
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Great answers, everyone, thanks. Buying a new Stoeger is out of my list now ... I will now focus on finding a good quality used SxS. I didn't realized that older SxS shotguns can't handle steel shots. How do I know which shotguns will be able to take a steel shot? My intent for the shotgun is to be used mainly for waterfowl and occasionally for upland hunting. I wont use it that often at the range. I will use it every once in a while to sharpen my shooting skills.
 
Unless it is a very modern double, ideally with choke tubes, steel shot in a double is not a good idea.
 
Doubles require too much hand work in assembly to allow mass production and the cheap prices common to simple, single barrel repeating shotguns. A new double for less than $2000 or so is a waste of money in my opinion. A decent quality used double can be had for under $1000, and would last for decades.
 
I buy and sell lots of older SxS guns and like them, there are some good deals out there.
have as much fun wit t cheap guns as I do with the expensive ones.
M man goose gun has hammers, screw in chokes, and s steel approved, a good Italian made gun by Pedersoli
It wasn't $4,000, in fact t wasn't $3,000.:)
The skate tape is on the barrels to protect the finish from part of the bare frame on my layout- have since padded the frame up:cool:.

Cat
 
I'd check out some of the local gun shows as well. I used to go every year with $300 in my pocket and look for old SxS shotguns. Found quite a few over the years... Baikal, LC Smith, Savage, Remington, CIL & others. Admittedly the prices have gone up since those days... but decent prices for decent guns can still be found. And you can at least pick them up and get a good feel for them before committing. Older guns with steel shot can be an issue, but as far as I know, it's mainly related to chokes? If the chokes can be opened (or removed, as I have done, by cutting off the last 2" of the barrels) then steel shot is OK, from what I understand. Works OK for me, anyhow.
 
chele said:
I was reading the sticky thread of the SxS and O/H shotguns and WOW, what a beautiful shotguns some people on this forum have!

For some reason, I have always like the side-by-side shotguns over any other type of shotgun. Perhaps, it is how simple they are or the great details of the high end guns.

I have been searching for a new SxS shotgun in the $500 price range, being the Stroegers the only shotgun I can afford in this price range. However, after reading the SxS thread some members have gotten great SxS shotguns for less than $500.

My question for you SxS owners ... Should I buy a used SxS as my first hunting shotgun? or used SxS shotguns should be limited for range shooting? What are your experience with the newer Stroeger SxS guns? do you like them or do you regret not buying a used shotgun instead?
Click to expand...

Like Cat and Gunsaholic, I have a lot of SxS. Shoot them pretty much exclusively, and 90% of that is hunting. I go to the range simply to keep my eye in. I like to use them all and need to practice because every gun is different in fit and handling. A couple thoughts.

First, comfort at the range vis a vis recoil is only a function of gun weight, shot load and gun fit. Newtonian forces could care less about barrel configuration or internal mechanics. There are light SxS in the marketplace and there are heavy ones out there. Find what you want that suits what you are using it for.

SxS may be many things but simple they are not. The reason pumps and then autoloads came to rule the marketplace is they could be machine made cheaply. Even O/U are typically a bit simpler. So that reality is reflected in the cost of a new gun and the cost to repair old guns. And the number of smiths qualified to do quality work on a SxS is small. And thus a little more costly than for a pump. Be ready for that.

Thirdly, for the money and the effort to find suitable loads to feed your SxS, IMHO it is insane to buy a newer, cheaply made SxS. For someone paying attention and who knows what to look for, there are regularly high quality SxS up for sale. The fit and finish, along with gun handling characteristics, that can be had for under $1000 (and I mean the range between $300 and $1000, not $900 to $1000) are equivalent to new guns that are in the $2500 to $5000 range. And for a little more money you can buy guns that the engraving alone would cost over $10,000 to replicate today. I have several guns in my safe that cost me under $2000 to buy that if made today to the same quality level would be in the $25,000 range. I call that value for money.

There are members here who would happily give specific advice.
 
DT741 said:
Look for a Baikal IJ-58 and you won't regret it. Built like a tank. They come in 20" and 28" barrel.
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Right on. Have a smith open the FULL barrel a little and go duck hunting with steel. I love my IJ58. Former owner and good friend simply removed 3/4" off the muzzle leaving MOD and IMP MOD choking. I installed a bead and it is now waterfowl ready. By the way I like extractors and double triggers on my sxs.

Darryl
 
My current favourite new toy is an AyA model 106 SxS in 16 gauge, 6 pounds and six ounces, fits like a dream. A modest extractor gun that shoots where I am looking ad cost just over $400. It will see some upland bird hunting nrext autumn. This gun is much better made than the current crop of CZ Turkish made guns, with disc set strikers. You have to look at a lot of used guns and buy the sweetheart of the lot.
 
Quote (For someone paying attention and who knows what to look for, there are regularly high quality SxS up for sale. The fit and finish, along with gun handling characteristics, that can be had for under $1000 (and I mean the range between $300 and $1000, not $900 to $1000) are equivalent to new guns that are in the $2500 to $5000 range.)

Quote (You have to look at a lot of used guns and buy the sweetheart of the lot.)

Both statements hit the nail on the head!
 
saskbooknut said:
My current favourite new toy is an AyA model 106 SxS in 16 gauge, 6 pounds and six ounces, fits like a dream. A modest extractor gun that shoots where I am looking ad cost just over $400. It will see some upland bird hunting nrext autumn. This gun is much better made than the current crop of CZ Turkish made guns, with disc set strikers. You have to look at a lot of used guns and buy the sweetheart of the lot.
Click to expand...

Would enjoy seeing a few pictures of your Aya 106. Sounds like a great buy at $400.
 
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