Browning BSS 20ga or................?

There are many very good quality sxs shotguns on the market .do a little searching the used gun shops online to see what thy have on the shelves. You may get lucky and find a gem that fits you to a tee . you never know what you may find.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
It's never been in style elsewhere other than the NA continent ....... :)
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The problem is, most SXS shooter's are living a century too late... as in, there is nothing wrong with a semi beavertail forend... style is just that, an opinion... as far as functionality goes, I prefer a non-splinter forend... and I don't say that for the standard diatribe on how to "properly" hold a shotgun... after 40+ years of shotgunning I know what I prefer... I have had dozens of both styles, and I don't mind how they look either... but then, I like "most" guns.

P.S - We live on the NA continent.
 
hoytcanon said:
The problem is, most SXS shooter's are living a century too late... as in, there is nothing wrong with a semi beavertail forend... style is just that, an opinion... as far as functionality goes, I prefer a non-splinter forend... and I don't say that for the standard diatribe on how to "properly" hold a shotgun... after 40+ years of shotgunning I know what I prefer... I have had dozens of both styles, and I don't mind how they look either... but then, I like "most" guns.

P.S - We live on the NA continent.
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You guys are confusing me now with the different forends. I am going to have to look up different forends now.... splinter, semi beaver tail and beaver tail....Got it
 
hoytcanon said:
The problem is, most SXS shooter's are living a century too late... as in, there is nothing wrong with a semi beavertail forend... style is just that, an opinion... as far as functionality goes, I prefer a non-splinter forend... and I don't say that for the standard diatribe on how to "properly" hold a shotgun... after 40+ years of shotgunning I know what I prefer... I have had dozens of both styles, and I don't mind how they look either... but then, I like "most" guns.

P.S - We live on the NA continent.
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That line could also be construed by many as an overstatement of the century.

True, there isn’t anything wrong with a semi-beavertail or for that matter a full beavertail forend. It’s simply just that i.e. a style but significantly influenced by the individual shotgunner opinion – one for, the other against such design. To put that somewhat more subtly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – I prefer the splinter type forend as that offers (me) both form and function. Again, personal impression being expressed only and never geared to invoke any form of endorsement whatsoever.

Sure, we live on the continent of NA, however, we certainly don’t evaluate, prefer, procure, own, use and like all sorts of stuff simply based on NA standards alone.
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
That line could also be construed by many as an overstatement of the century.
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Hardly... I like all forms of shotguns... love the sleek styling of a splinter forend... and I like shooting them, but in reality I prefer to shoot with a broader forend. But on the interwebs, if it doesn't look like an English turn of the century (or older) gun, it gets pooh-poohed.


Ahsan Ahmed said:
Sure, we live on the continent of NA, however, we certainly don’t evaluate, prefer, procure, own, use and like all sorts of stuff simply based on NA standards alone.
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You brought up NA, like the semi-beavertail tail is a "red neck, Kentucky trailer trash" design, to be scorned by any "real" SXS aficionado... I'm saying, they are all legitimate designs and fit, feel and style are very personal and subjective elements. Diversity is a good thing.
 
I love the look of all the styles, and a splinter has a nice streamlined pleasing look but they do not feel good in my big hands. I do not care for the feel of my fingers wrapped around barrels or barrel sides resting against my hand. I am afraid I am with Hoyt on this one. Stranger yet is I just love the look of a nice SxS yet I cannot stand looking down those twin barrels when it comes to shooting? I have never owned a SxS for that very reason because I can't fathom owning a gun and not shooting it?!! :redface:
 
I have fired several SxS shotguns, but I have only owned a couple , with a third that is on the way. My Winchester Model 23 had horrible triggers, which took away from the enjoyment, but my 20 gauge AYA #2 fits perfectly, and has excellent triggers, so I enjoy shooting it. I actually shot 49/50 at skeet with it, so the SxS barrel arrangement obviously isn't a significant handicap for me. I have a matching 28gauge AYA #2 on the way, and hopefully, I will shoot that gun as well as I shoot the 20 gauge. I actually prefer the splinter fore end, but I also prefer 28" barrels , whereas many people prefer shorter barrels on a SxS sub gauge shotgun.
 
I've owned several SxS, not just the BSS & Ithaca 20's. I don't mind the semi-beavertails at all, and often wish they were a little longer overall. They definitely fit the leading hand better ( at least to me) and are a definite bonus on a warm day with lots of shooting e.g. a round of skeet with only 3 or 4 shooters ... those barrels get damn hot ... and the leather slip-on barrel sleeves that protect the fingers from hot barrels are an abomination. On the other hand, a splinter forend keeps overall weight down and is not a real problem for a field or upland gun. I'll take 28" or even 30" barrels on a SxS any day. I like good trigger pulls, whether on a single or double trigger guns. Anything over 4 lbs to me is heavy and even worse if there's a lot of take-up or creep.

The AyA no. 2 has been a very good gun for many years, excepting some produced in the "DIARM" years. If I were to order a new gun today, I would certainly consider AyA, but also
Arrietta and Grulla. In 20 or 28 ga, I would hold out for 30" barrels. I like "Skeet" and "Light Mod." chokes for most of the shooting I do. It would be straight stocked, probably double triggers with a somewhat extended semi-beavertail forend. I'm not crazy about engraving, but do like highly figured wood. In lieu of the standard checkered butt, I'd specify a leather covered pad.
Not a fan of "coin-finish" either, much prefer real colour case hardening, or even blue over silver. I'd also like it with a little wider than usual, tapered, slightly raised rib. Just the things I happen to like ;)

Unfortunately, the better Spanish guns are starting to get pretty pricey ... compared to what they were 20 0r even 10 years ago, however, they are very good quality for a bespoke firearm.
The "seven pin" models, based on the H&H SxS are of very good value, thousands less than the British counterparts and available a year or two sooner than one ordered from the U.K.

An upland double is a pretty personal thing. What one guy likes, another detests. No matter what, with good fit and balance, a good double that pleases YOU certainly goes a long way in making a days sport afield more enjoyable. Whatever butters your toast ! :)
 
What it boils down to is that if the gun fits you then you should buy it. If it doesn't fit you then you should walk. The rest is all smoke and mirrors.
 
Just went down to Triggers and Bows, they didn't have any 20ga sxs's but had a really nice Ruger Red Label 20ga on the rack. Fit like a glove and looked brand new. What would a good price for one of those be?
 
freddyfour said:
Just went down to Triggers and Bows, they didn't have any 20ga sxs's but had a really nice Ruger Red Label 20ga on the rack. Fit like a glove and looked brand new. What would a good price for one of those be?
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Freddyfour, if in the opening post you shot those grouse with your Baikal I wouldnt be changing anything.
Unless of course you are set on a SXS in a Browning 20g of course.
Why upset the apple cart when it has served you well?
But, to answer your Ruger Red label I can only offer this opinion....
They are few and far between in a 20gauge and command a hefty price from the two or maybe three I have seen both on CGN since I joined and in gun racks in stores (used gun racks).
Last one I seen was asking $1500.00 for an over under and iirc it was a second generation...ok second run that had some concerns addressed.
What those concerns where again I am not familiar with them because they didnt last long on the shelf or that popular in the stores I frequented, just urban myths and what the gun mags suggested about them.
So, I know what I have said is vague, but I do look forward to replies to freshen my memory on the Ruger Red Label.
Rob

here is a clip from Wikipedia on the Ruger Gold Label...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Gold_Label
 
FLHTCUI said:
Freddyfour, if in the opening post you shot those grouse with your Baikal I wouldnt be changing anything.
Unless of course you are set on a SXS in a Browning 20g of course.
Why upset the apple cart when it has served you well?
But, to answer your Ruger Red label I can only offer this opinion....
They are few and far between in a 20gauge and command a hefty price from the two or maybe three I have seen both on CGN since I joined and in gun racks in stores (used gun racks).
Last one I seen was asking $1500.00 for an over under and iirc it was a second generation...ok second run that had some concerns addressed.
What those concerns where again I am not familiar with them because they didnt last long on the shelf or that popular in the stores I frequented, just urban myths and what the gun mags suggested about them.
So, I know what I have said is vague, but I do look forward to replies to freshen my memory on the Ruger Red Label.
Rob

here is a clip from Wikipedia on the Ruger Gold Label...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_Gold_Label
Click to expand...

That you for the response, two problems with the Baikal. First is it never really fit me very well, was hard to get my cheek down far enough and it also gave me bad cheek slap. The second problem with it is that I have already sold it in anticipation of buying something that fits better.

This Red Label was priced similar and was in great condition for a used gun. They also had a CZ O/U there and when comparing the two side by side there was no contest, the Ruger was the clear champion. On the other hand it was priced $500 or so more.
 
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