Over under VS double barrel

Z

zackstab

Regular
Rating - 100%
84   0   1
Location
Regina sk
What do you like and why. Assuming you can only have one. Positives and negatives of each. Can include hunting and sport shooting.
If you want to add.... hammers, no hammers, short long? Whats the BEST.

Talk it up.
 
I have more side-by-side shotguns (3) than over/under (1). I prefer the aesthetics of the side-by-side and prefer the wider forearm, but the single sighting plane of the over/under is superior, which is why that is what you see on the competition line.
 
I have a large selection of all types of break action guns, but I prefer the classic sxs for all my upland hunting. This includes a number of hammer guns in the harem as well.
I still break out the o/u guns for shooting trap, but pretty much restricted to that.
 
I just got my first side by side. I like them both but I've owned 5 over/unders and decided it was time to change things up. I traded a Fausti Traditions over/under for a mint condition Brno ZP-149 sidelock w/straight English stock. I'm very satisfied with the trade even though I still have not fired the side by side yet.
 
stubblejumper said:
I hunt with SxS shotguns with English stocks and splinter fore ends, but for the clay sports, I prefer O/U.
Click to expand...
Ditto. With a semi-auto for waterfowl.

If I had to choose one configuration for both hunting and clays it would be an o/u.
 
Last edited:
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
I just got my first side by side. I like them both but I've owned 5 over/unders and decided it was time to change things up. I traded a Fausti Traditions over/under for a mint condition Brno ZP-149 sidelock w/straight English stock. I'm very satisfied with the trade even though I still have not fired the side by side yet.
Click to expand...

If you haven't fired it how do you know it is better?

Anyhoo aesthetically sxs are my favs but for quick shots on flushing game I prefer a single sight plane.
 
I bought my first sideby this year, purely for sentimental reasons. I've always wanted one since I was a boy, in 20 gauge. I'm not interested in waterfowling. Upland and turkeys for me. I have always been fairly utilitarian when it came to my shotguns. They were pretty much always an afterthought, but everyone needs one, right?

That being said, just a couple days ago I purchased a little used Beretta AL391 Teknys in 20g that had just come into my LGS about an hour before I got there. I have been wanting to get into clays, which will be a new venture for me.

But back to the original question: from a purely practical standpoint, I think the single sighting plane of the o/u is probably superior from a firing perspective, but a graceful little side by side cradled in the crook of my arm in the fields just seems oh-so-right.
 
Last edited:
MajorMalcontent said:
That being said, just a couple days ago I purchased a little used Beretta AL391 Teknys in 20g that had just come into my LGS about an hour before I got there. I have been wanting to get into clays, which will be a new venture for me.
Click to expand...
Excellent find. Good timing because they don't last long when they become available. Don't be surprised if you like it enough to use it in the uplands.
 
I assume you mean o/u vs sxs as an o/u is a double barrelled gun as well? Though I like the clean lines and slim look of a quality built sxs I just cannot get used to looking down that wide sighting plane. My preference from a shooting standpoint is an o/u.
 
Claybuster said:
Ditto. With a semi-auto for waterfowl.

If I had to choose one configuration for both hunting and clays it would be an o/u.
Click to expand...

Same here , semi auto for waterfowl


Though I like the clean lines and slim look of a quality built sxs I just cannot get used to looking down that wide sighting plane.
Click to expand...

You need a smaller gauge with a narrower sighting plane.:p
 
Have both, use both, plus a dedicated waterfowl auto that can take a bit of a beating without tears and can be easily replaced. I own and use over/unders for trap and most sporting clays and my side by sides for upland hunting and some sporting clays. I find the over/unders with their single sighting plane better for predictable targets where precision plays a more important role and a well fitted side by side shines for instinctive shots on unpredictable birds where you point and swing. Plus a fine side by side with it's low centre of gravity handles better for me and looks so right doing it. J.
 
Sxs for looks and feel. Dual triggers dual chokes. I have 6 sxs 12ga one sxs 10ga and one sxs 45/70

Less angle to open the barrels is easier and faster reload in a boat or blind or thick cover

The single sight plane I've never got as you should be focused on your target not the bead

I only have one ou now. I shoot sxs much better
 
Right, used the old "single sighting plane" phrase, I really should have said "narrow sighting plane" which seems to be preferred for predictable targets like trap and skeet. However I find the sxs better suited for unpredictable targets and I currently have about a dozen versus only two over unders, one of which is a 12 gauge Beretta with adjustable comb and a good assortment of choke tubes that is my all purpose target gun and the other a Silver Pigeon V in 28 gauge that is sweet to shoot and too pretty to sell. You won't find serious trap, skeet or sporting clays competitors using side by sides because they can't win with one and winning is everything if you're serious. However, the acknowledged most difficult shotgun sport is live pigeon shooting where tens of thousands of dollars as well as pride can ride on one shot, hit or miss. In this high pressure, high stakes game many of the top competitors use side by sides mostly because they handle so well on erratic birds.
 
I've owned pumps, semis, O/U and SxS. I sold half a dozen guns last fall and am left with about 15 SxS, 1 O/U and 1 pump.

I have zero desire to add to the O/U or get more semis. I have my eye out for the right M12 and M31 pumps in 16 gauge. However, the urge to add to the SxS pile continues unabated. I'm carefully weeding through the ones I have, confirming which are keepers and getting rehab projects completed. When I start buying seriously again, it will be with an eye to filling some specific holes I have identified.

To answer the OP, if there even was a question, I just feel better shooting a SxS. And I only hunt and shoot for enjoyment so I'm just trying to max that out.
 
Uplandguy said:
If you haven't fired it how do you know it is better?

Anyhoo aesthetically sxs are my favs but for quick shots on flushing game I prefer a single sight plane.
Click to expand...

I didn't say anywhere that the side by side is better. Just a Brno ZP-149 is a significantly better quality gun than a Fausti Tradtions. So the trade is to a "better" gun.
 
Every once in a while I'll bring a SxS to shoot sporting or skeet. There is just something about the SxS... but absolutely the O/U or a semi is what you want to use for the clay games. The bigger plane and typically quicker handling of the sxs helps for the "reaction" shots.

So the answer is not to have only one- the only question is how many of each...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom