I have been fortunate enough to have owned both the BSS 20 and the Ithaca SKB 200E and shot both quite a bit, likely in the vicinity of 10,000 rounds or so each.
The Browning was manufactured by BC Miroku in Japan. The Ithaca by SKB (Sakabara) also in Japan. The SKB was first introduced by Ithaca in 12 ga. only in 1972,
and in 20 ga. a year later. The Browning was introduced in both 12 & 20 in 1973, the same year that the Citori O/U's were released. I picked up the Browning 20 in 1974.
The retail price (CDN) at the time was $ 237.50 ! The Ithaca came along a year later, I believe at around $ 275.00.
No real complaints with either, no malfunctions, parts breakage, stock cracks, whatever over the 5 or 6 years I owned both. Both good, strong & functional.
As a testament to Browning, many were bought by a U.S. gunsmith and converted to larger bore double rifles !
Of the two, I prefered the SKB ... although fit was good on both, the Ithaca was a little lighter and handled better. The Browning always felt a little "clubby".
The first model BSS 20's ( silver NSST ) seem to go for as a little as $ 800 to as much as $ 2000 ... with the average being somewhere between $ 1200 - $ 1500. The second models
(gold SST) go for $ 100 - $ 200 more. The 12's are typically a couple of hundred less ... are quite heavy and handled to me, too slowly to make a good grouse/woodcock gun.
The Ithaca 100's can be found for approximately the same price as the first model Browning's, the 200's for about the same as the SST BSS's and the 280 for a couple hundred more.
Another decent SxS in 20 ga. IMHO, is the Smith & Wesson "Gold Elite". Now discontinued, they are inn the $1500 range, and are a pretty fair upland gun. Many also find the CZ's to be of their liking, with a current new retail price in the $ 1,000 range.
I don't have strong feelings either way about pistol grip, PoW or straight - English style stocks, single or double triggers, splinter or beavertail forends (as long as they aren't too oversized and clunky) Likewise, extractors or ejectors don't matter .... just how often do you need (or are effective on) a third or fourth follow up shot ??? What I can't stand is an automatic safety. Any double I've ever owned that came that way - was quickly converted to a non-automatic safety.
Which ever way you go, gun fit and balance are critical. Good luck with your search
