New Grouse Gun (20 Gauge SxS)

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AlbertaRimfire

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Hello all I am thinking of adding a SxS 20 gauge to my collection for grouse hunting and was wondering what you all have handled. Looking for something light with 24 maybe 26 inch barrels. (would also like to keep the price $1500 or lower)
 
Are you talking new or used? Personally, I would go the used route as you can find some nice upland SxS's for $1500.00 or under. If you are thinking new, then perhaps look at CZ or Yildiz for that price range.
 
$1500 is not cheap and you should be able to pick up a quality Italian SXS, even new.

About two years ago I was in the market for the same. I was told for that price range, I will have to settle for a Turkish/Brazilian made too. That is until I came across new Franchi Highlanders which were imported by Prophet River. Picked one up for $1800 and it truly is a quality gun. The catch was that it was discontinued due to Franchi being purchased by Beneli (I believe). look for opportunities. If functionality is what you need, pick up any used one for now, until you find what you want.
 
You should not have a no problem finding a nice SXS in your price range. If you are patient on the used market every so often a Ithaca SKB comes up or a Browning BSS. Both which are very high qulity shotguns and will hold there value as long as you take care of them. Also be on the look out for Franchi highlander or Beretta silver hawks.
 
I've had an SKB 20 SxS for about 20 years. Several of my hunting buddies have had them as well. Great upland guns. If I remember correctly they came in 2 grades. Models 100 and 200 as well as a straight stocked model (280?). Open chocked guns had 26" barrels. Paid $600 for mine used (excellant condition) 20 yrs ago but I have seen a couple sold in the last few years for less than a thousand. Used ones come up for sale once in awhile.
 
Cheap / expensive is subjective. I don't own a high dollar sxs - mine is a rather pedestrian, late 50's model from an unknown Italian maker. I doubt it would fetch $500. However, if you asked me to elaborate on the parameters of what I consider entry level, it would start at $2K and end at around $5K for a brand new firearm. For new or lightly used around your price point, I would be looking at proven, Turkish-made, models: Huglu/DeHann, S&W Elite, CZ.
 
Home3 said:
$1500 is not cheap and you should be able to pick up a quality Italian SXS, even new.

About two years ago I was in the market for the same. I was told for that price range, I will have to settle for a Turkish/Brazilian made too. That is until I came across new Franchi Highlanders which were imported by Prophet River. Picked one up for $1800 and it truly is a quality gun. The catch was that it was discontinued due to Franchi being purchased by Beneli (I believe). look for opportunities. If functionality is what you need, pick up any used one for now, until you find what you want.
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It was most likely discontinued because it's price point was too high and they didn't move. I believe the original retail price was around $2800.00. Same thing happened to the S&W Gold Elite. Gun tastes change over the years and a lot of the younger shooters today could care less about owning a SxS. And many young shooters are on a very tight budget. So if they do look into a new SxS, they look into brands such as CZ or Yildiz that can be had for much less. Maybe the quality isn't the same, but for the average shooter on a budget, there is nothing wrong with the CZ or Yildiz to break into the double gun arena.
But there are other things to consider in a SxS. Do you want a single non selective trigger or a selective trigger or do you want double triggers. Do you want ejectors or extractors. Do you want a beavertail forearm or splinter. Do you want straight stock or pistol grip. These are some things you should ask yourself before buying any SxS. If you get the gun you want (and it fits you) your experience with a SxS will be much more pleasurable than just going out and buying a SxS because it's the right price. And when you start figuring out what it is you want, you may have a much better chance finding such features in a good quality used gun for the price.
 
Cz has the ringneck in a straight stock now. Sharp looking gun. That price range don't overlook the higher end spanish gun like AYA and ugarethea I know I spelled that wrong but they are of good quality
 
The only problem I seem to be having with the CZ SXS shotguns is finding someone that has a stock of them. Impossible right now to find a 28ga SXS and may have seen three 20ga for sale in the past 6 months.
Who stocks them??
 
MacDonald's Sporting Goods in Portage La Prairie, Mb. stocked CZ a couple of years ago. I don't know if they still do.

Edit--I just checked their website and they still show CZ shotguns. It says contact to buy.
 
Find a nice little Ithaca/SKB 100 or 200...got one myself...25" barrels, choked imp cyl/mod...what a beauty for grouse...shot 3 with it yesterday evening. Super light, superb pointing and handling!!
 
Thank you all for the great advice! Myself being a young shooter I do enjoy the modern trends in firearms however I would take a SxS over a semi or pump and a lever action over an AR anyday of the week! All the doubles I have shot have had the beaver forend but I have handled and prefer the slender forends I am ok with eithr straight or pistol grip and double triggers are prefered. I do like the CZ shotguns however I have heard that the screws on the side plates trnd to back off but I guess a lityle blue locktite will solve that. I still have lots of looking around left to do so any more sugestions are welcomed! I do have a CZ and Yildiz dealer aboyt an hour from my house.
 
GameStalker30-06 said:
Find a nice little Ithaca/SKB 100 or 200...got one myself...25" barrels, choked imp cyl/mod...what a beauty for grouse...shot 3 with it yesterday evening. Super light, superb pointing and handling!!
Click to expand...
A few years back I really wanted one of these SxS Ithaca/SKBs.
I lost hope and finally settled for the SKB Model 500 O/U in 20 gauge and fixed chokes of Mod/IC. No regrets here.
 
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