Used Side by side

ryan32

ryan32

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Haliburton Ontario
So while unlikly to happen soon my next shotgun purchase is gonna be a Side by side 12. That being said i dont really know much about them. I know that i'd like to buy a older used one because i feel that i can get more quality for the money that way.

My question is basically what makes and models should i be looking at on the used market.

My purpose is basically gonna be a ruffed grouse gun with the odd nostalgic duck hunt thrown in. Its not gonna see much duck hunting use because i've got my dedicated duck gun for that. Weight wise im thinking optimal for me will be the "game gun" size of around 6.5 pounds.

I'd be looking at the 5-800 dollar range used although considering that this purcahse is gonna be a few years off at least i'd entertain the idea of up to 1000 dollar range.

Any recommendations ,and or good reading material.

Thank you
 
check out trade ex i just got a beutiful german made shul for 300$ talk to the boys therethey have lots below and above your price range
 
If I as looking for a ruffed grouse gun it would be a over and under

Stoeger is priced at the lower end and can be bought new with out breaking the bank
 
Not interested in an over and under i find them ugly and i don't like how they feel. Also not really interested in any new manufacture shotguns. More looking at older guns that are around that value
 
I would watch for a older Savage / Fox (Model B) SxS. They were good old guns and are a classy looking weapon.

I used my uncles years ago and would make room in the safe for one today if the opportunity presented itself!

You should have no problem finding a good one within your budget.

fox_B_shotgun.jpg
 
You have the right idea of getting more quality out of a used SxS. However, many of the older ones are not really designed for steel shot as far as duck hunting goes. But if mainly for upland hunting, an older SxS is the way to go. If your budget will stretch to $1000.00 as you say, you can get a very good quality used SxS for that which will be better than any that have been suggested so far. If you want to discuss it further, pm me.
 
Hornhunter said:
I would watch for a older Savage / Fox (Model B) SxS. They were good old guns and are a classy looking weapon.

I used my uncles years ago and would make room in the safe for one today if the opportunity presented itself!

You should have no problem finding a good one within your budget.

fox_B_shotgun.jpg
Click to expand...

What he said! Mine gets more use than any other shotgun I own!
 
Brno ZP49, definitely. Light, excellent handling, available with either straight or pistol grips, beavertail or splinter forearms. A very classy, classic SxS with a "British" feel to it. They come up on the used market regularly, usually for under $500. And, in case you care...it's an actual sidelock gun. Check around to see what a new sidelock gun from any manufacturer will sell for these days.

Downsides: you should probably use bismuth or other non-toxic shot (i.e. expensive!) rather than steel for waterfowling. Also, they have fixed chokes, and a couple of gunsmiths told me that they would not thread the barrels of the ZP49 for chokes due to the thin walls. The one I had in modified and full chokes worked beautifully for ducks and even a couple of turkeys. My current one was reamed out to improved cyl and modified and is the best upland gun in the world!

The other potential complaint (not really a problem, more a marketing-induced mass delusion) is the 2 3/4-inch chamber. Yes, it hasn't the payload of a 3- or 3 1/2-inch gun...but it is just as capable within its limits as a .308 used for moose instead of a .300mag or .338. Check one out it you get the chance. It sounds like exactly what you are looking for.
 
If the gun is for upland game, most lovers of SxS's would not even consider a 3" chamber or screw in chokes. In fact, many are using the older classics with 2 1/2" chambers.

Regarding the Brno Zp47 or ZP49; aside from being true sidelocks, these guns also have chopper lump barrels and hidden third fastner. All parts were hand fitted. They are greatly undervalued in this country.
 
I bought a baikal IJ58 on the EE recently:) Very well finished, the seller was conservative about the condition, bluing is close to 100% wood have only fews scratches,for $300 i cannot complain. I haven't shot it yet but i dont worry about the performance at all. A fellow Nutz told me that i will probaly never have any problems and Baikal will smoke clay target in dust,put food on the table, built to last. Somes say that they are ugly,heavy but i found the IJ58 very nice. I dont need a expensive double, as long the shots go were they should, i will be happy with. Another good point is that the shotgun is maked made in USSR so he will fit nicely beside my various russian red rifles:D
Jocelyn
 
gunsaholic said:
If the gun is for upland game, most lovers of SxS's would not even consider a 3" chamber or screw in chokes. In fact, many are using the older classics with 2 1/2" chambers.
Click to expand...

I should emphasize that its really not gonna see much water fowling at all. Mostly a grouse upland gun. For the amount of water fowling that it would see i will be using a bismuth reload that a friend makes. Not looking for anything more than 2 3/4 inch gun.
 
And don't forget the Ithaca/SKB side-by-sides. A used Model 100 can be had for $500 (post-haggling) and is one of the best values out there in a quality double. More common than the BRNO too.
 
If you can, try out the fit of the gun as much as you can before purchasing. I don't know much about shotguns, but I have discovered that fit is extremely important, not just for accuracy, but for comfort and/or pain avoidance.

Case in point; I recently bought a nice old Spanish SxS 12GA from my brother-in-law. Beautiful gun, nice solid action, shoots on target with great patterns, but... My middle finger takes a severe beating (did not notice this when initially testing, but noticed it later, after putting a box of 1-1/4 oz loads through it). It is a double trigger gun and the front trigger is forward enough that my middle finger sits very close to the back of the trigger guard and gets hammered every time I touch one off. This is a pretty common issue with double-trigger guns, apparently.

I have since learned that a longer LOP and lighter loads can help avoid this, so I am adding a 1" recoil pad and will buy some 1oz "Pure Golds". If that doesn't work out, I might have to consider selling the gun and getting a single trigger model...

I'm learning the hard way. Maybe you won't make the same mistake...
 
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