Let's see some pic's of your SxS's & O/U's

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pharaoh2 - Some more details on the sxs please, I'm quite curious. What make is that? The design/layout of the triggers inside the guard, the somewhat large(r) "tear drop" carving on (what appear to be a) English stock is a bit unusual for a Brit gun......of course, I may be mistaken as images could be deceiving at times.



Springfield - Very nice specimens you have there. Thanks very much for sharing those images.
 
pharaoh2 - Some more details on the sxs please, I'm quite curious. What make is that? The design/layout of the triggers inside the guard, the somewhat large(r) "tear drop" carving on (what appear to be a) English stock is a bit unusual for a Brit gun......of course, I may be mistaken as images could be deceiving at times.

It's a Stevens, it says right on the receiver. I like how Pharaoh2 snuck it in will all the higher-end shotguns, chances are 90% of the people in this thread would see no practical performance difference between this and their multi-thousand dollar doubles.
 
It's a Stevens, it says right on the receiver. I like how Pharaoh2 snuck it in will all the higher-end shotguns, chances are 90% of the people in this thread would see no practical performance difference between this and their multi-thousand dollar doubles.

That would have to be the 90% that don't know much about doubles, and SXS's in particular. I own a Savage/Stevens Fox Model B (essentially a gussied up 311) and I can tell you without reservation the differences in performance are striking.

The balance of the Model B (or more precisely, the lack of it) makes it harder to effect a smooth swing. With the "B", I find myself working hard to accelerate the swing and just as hard to control the swing at the point of target acquisition. Stevens 311's and comparable guns are too heavy to be carried comfortably in the uplands all day.

On the plus side, 311 variants' barrel assemblies are well regulated (at least, those I've handled all were). This means that at least the gun hits the POA with a decent shot pattern using most conventional loads. The Fox B has a different finish than other 311 variants - a particularly rugged finish, it seems. Despite being dragged through the bush annually, it never displays the nicks and dings that other guns do with the same use.

By far the biggest difference is the reliability. The Savage/Stevens design is one of the poorest box lock designs I've ever seen. Over the 10 years I've owned the "B", it has broken down in the field 5 times - more times than all my other shotguns put together.

My trap U/O goes through 4000-5000 rounds per season. My hunting guns, of which the "B" is one, see less than 50 rounds each per season. 5 failures in a max of 500 shells is POS territory.

Other than the fact that both have two barrels, a Stevens 311 has little in common with most of the guns in this thread.

Thanks for trolling the thread and trying to stir the pot, though. :nest: I needed a good laugh.
 
Straight shooter sorry if I raised any hackles, I was merely expressing my observations.

I did not mean what I said as an insult, I meant that many folks won't notice the difference between a more utilitarian gun and some of the guns being shown in this thread.

How many hunting guns do you have? If each only fires 50 shells a year and you had 5 or so you must be starved for birds.
 
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On the plus side, 311 variants' barrel assemblies are well regulated (at least, those I've handled all were). This means that at least the gun hits the POA with a decent shot pattern using most conventional loads. The Fox B has a different finish than other 311 variants - a particularly rugged finish, it seems. Despite being dragged through the bush annually, it never displays the nicks and dings that other guns do with the same use.

By far the biggest difference is the reliability. The Savage/Stevens design is one of the poorest box lock designs I've ever seen. Over the 10 years I've owned the "B", it has broken down in the field 5 times - more times than all my other shotguns put together.

My trap U/O goes through 4000-5000 rounds per season. My hunting guns, of which the "B" is one, see less than 50 rounds each per season. 5 failures in a max of 500 shells is POS territory.
I had two SXS's that were 311's when I guided, and repaired both exactly ONCE - then I sold them!!:cool: Sears, triggers, crap i didn';t need that stuff - one of them doubled on me when I was down on my knees trying to duck under some diamond willow and the bear decided at that time time to get away - towards me!!:eek:
I could not afford to have a bear gun go sour on me at the worst moment, Guns normally don't break unless they are being shot, and whenever these guns were shot it meant trouble!:eek:
I eventually picked up a hammer double and my troubles went away.:p
Cat
 
WOW!!! 37 pages of beautiful guns to look at (so far) :D ... But I didn't notice any O/U's with double triggers, so I found a couple of pictures on the internet of the exact gun which I have now owned for 26 years. It's a Luciano Rota 12 gauge and I'd buy another one in a heartbeat!!! Mine got a new recoil pad last year...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=304279
 
Straight shooter sorry if I raised any hackles, I was merely expressing my observations.

I did not mean what I said as an insult, I meant that many folks won't notice the difference between a more utilitarian gun and some of the guns being shown in this thread.

No worries. I wasn't riled about what you posted - just concerned that someone might misinterpret your meaning and run out and buy a 311 thinking they are as good as any double out there. Nothing wrong with a Stevens(Savage) as a starter SxS, but I would expect most folks would want to trade up after they have some experience with one.


How many hunting guns do you have? If each only fires 50 shells a year and you had 5 or so you must be starved for birds.

I'm at work and don't have my database handy. I'm probably forgetting a couple but, from memory, I count 23 hunting shotguns. I'm sure lots of guys have more. These are just the ones I currently own, as opposed to all the makes and models I've owned and tried over the years.

For sure, this past year wasn't the best year I've seen for upland birds - neither for bird populations, nor for days I was able to get out in the field. As a result, I didn't shoot 100% of my hunting shotguns this past season. I did manage to shoot 12 of them and had to settle for a bag of 15 birds total.:(
 
TsKIB SOO

I had promised myself I wouldn't buy another O/U. Then i saw this one one the EE and bought it, still not sure why. The price was right (thanks Kevin). This is a Russian TsKIB SOO (Model MU-8 1966) believe me this is no Baikal. It is well balanced and beautifully made with very tight tolerances and incredible workmanship.
The first thing to go on it will be the rock hard Morgan pad and adjuster probably in favor of a Kick-Eze. I haven't had a chance to measure the Chokes yet but with my "Dime" test they are tight. So some barrel work may be in order. Anyway here's some pic's.













 
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Merkel

My Winter projects.

Picked up the last couple Merkels that Trade Ex had. Presently at F / F and one destined to be Sk / IC and the other IC / LM. Will likely redo the stocks and add a old english pachmayr pad. Nice gun for the price. Didn't need them but wanted to play the SXS game on a informal level.

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Nice pair of Merkels. Any idea on weight of each? May not be entirely out of place to add - those will make nice waterfowl guns too :).

Tradeex should bring in a variety of sub gauges for a change ......
 
I have a 20ga Citori Upland Spl with 24in bbls.....the only Browning that fits me the same way as a Beretta.

You are lucky at least one of them fits you. I have not had much luck with either. As far as fit goes. Semi Autos excluded.
 
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