MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
I’ve been looking at a Husqvarna 350 SXS, 12g, full chokes both, 2-3/4, 7.2 lbs, supposedly only a faint amount of pitting, but supposedly in great condition apart from marks on the stock.
Old or New double barrels
- Thread starter MosinMan13
- Start date
I’ve been looking at a Husqvarna 350 SXS, 12g, full chokes both, 2-3/4, 7.2 lbs, supposedly only a faint amount of pitting, but supposedly in great condition apart from marks on the stock.
Made between 1952 and 1960. Replaced the 610/615 series built after the war, which replaced the 310 series that had a long run from close to 1900 until WWII. As a general rule of thumb, and this is true for most gun makers operating between 1890 and 1990......the earlier the gun, the better the craftsmanship. The history of 20th century manufacturing is trying to make it less expensive to produce in a factory. And with that slow push to reduce costs came a slow slide in quality.
If it were me, I'd wait until I found a nice 310. The price range on all of them is going to be somewhere between $300 and $800.....not much money for a quality sxs. Now, my Husky loving friends are going to send me nasty messages for saying this stuff out loud. Mostly we try to keep this stuff quiet. LOL
Assuming decent condition, any Husky is a good gun.
Forgot to say.....a benefit of the 350 is original 2 3/4" chambers and barrels designed to manage modern SAAMI pressure levels....11,000 psi. Just don't shoot steel out of it if you can avoid it. If you must shoot steel, then the chokes need to be modified or more open and the shot size needs to be #6 or smaller. No #4 or bigger.
If it's Intersurplus, make sure to take screenshots of what you buy and inspect very carefully. They try to describe the guns accurately and post lots of pictures but the first Sauer I got from them was pitted really badly. Good thing as I returned it and the replacement I'd picked was exceptional. Always best to view these in person before buying but as we know, not always possible. Also check the LOP.... some are over 15 inch which wouldn't work well except for the tall folks.
There have been a few nice Spanish sxs for sale recently in the $600-700 range. One gentleman from B.C. sold 3 in last two weeks. I was tempted to buy all 3, they were so nice for the price. But, I'm up to my glutimus maximus in nice sxs already and I thought maybe I was getting greedy - let some other folks get some great deals on quality guns. I couldn't resist buying at least one, though.
If this price range is workable, and you're not in a hurry (not many nice hunting days right now), consider sitting on your cash until a killer deal comes along. A sub-7 lb, straight stocked, double-triggered Spanish sxs (1960's or newer) would be an ideal entry into the magic of side by sides.
Depending on whether you expect the majority of shots to be in the 20-40 yard range. or the 30-70 yard range, you should consider guns choked MOD/IC (shorter ranges) or FULL/MOD (longer ranges). Buying a gun choked FULL/FULL will require having one barrel opened up to MOD, or the use of specialized ammunition. You didn't mention wanting a project, so keep that in mind.
I own and shoot many quality sxs made well before 1960. But, I've been in the market for 50 years, so I know those to avoid. Well made shotguns dating back to the latter 1800's from master British, Italian, German, and Spanish gunmakers (to name a few) are available in excellent condition, but they're expensive. Generally speaking, though, the older they get, the fewer good ones remain.
I believe your best bet is with guns chambered in 2 3/4" and made after 1960.
If this price range is workable, and you're not in a hurry (not many nice hunting days right now), consider sitting on your cash until a killer deal comes along. A sub-7 lb, straight stocked, double-triggered Spanish sxs (1960's or newer) would be an ideal entry into the magic of side by sides.
Depending on whether you expect the majority of shots to be in the 20-40 yard range. or the 30-70 yard range, you should consider guns choked MOD/IC (shorter ranges) or FULL/MOD (longer ranges). Buying a gun choked FULL/FULL will require having one barrel opened up to MOD, or the use of specialized ammunition. You didn't mention wanting a project, so keep that in mind.
I own and shoot many quality sxs made well before 1960. But, I've been in the market for 50 years, so I know those to avoid. Well made shotguns dating back to the latter 1800's from master British, Italian, German, and Spanish gunmakers (to name a few) are available in excellent condition, but they're expensive. Generally speaking, though, the older they get, the fewer good ones remain.
I believe your best bet is with guns chambered in 2 3/4" and made after 1960.
IIRC Intersurplus offers a 30 day return for any reason when buying those used shotguns. Their predecessor Tradeex offered the same deal and it's hard to go wrong. All you pay is the shipping if you don't like the gun.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Personally, I prefer older gun (unless I win the jackpot and get to commission something "new" built just for me, but that's a different story 
) and just like cars, you let someone else byte the initial depreciation.
- Beside the Husqvarna's, there are also a number of nice older BRNO, Ithaca/SKB, Charles Daly/Miroku floating around
Depending on your budget, this seems like a decent deal over at Prophet... But don't take my word for it, as I know nothing about it and been wondering why they've had it for a while
- IC/M chokes would be great for chasing grouse
- Wonder what's the weight?
) and just like cars, you let someone else byte the initial depreciation.- Beside the Husqvarna's, there are also a number of nice older BRNO, Ithaca/SKB, Charles Daly/Miroku floating around
Depending on your budget, this seems like a decent deal over at Prophet... But don't take my word for it, as I know nothing about it and been wondering why they've had it for a while
- IC/M chokes would be great for chasing grouse
- Wonder what's the weight?
MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
Well I did it! Thanks to everyone for the help, I ended up going with a Husqvarna 350 off Intersurplus. I know it’s not fancy or super high grade but based on the info you guys provided me, it was the most comfortable place to start. For a farm gun, it’ll suit the ease of available ammo and won’t be too nice that I’ll be afraid to take it out.
I certainly have a lot more info to work off of for what I’m sure will eventually end up more of these lovely things.
The 350 I picked up is surprisingly in great shape, I’m impressed with the quality even for what it is. One last question I have for anyone with an intersurplus or similar grade of shotgun, and I know some folks will cringe at the notion.
Disclaimer I’m not looking for anyone’s word on what I’m asking: Can I inspect this myself before using it? Intersurplus suggests you have a gunsmith over the rifle before firing it, I’m just wondering if I’m fairly experienced working on my own rifles, could it be theoretically be inspected by ones self? Is there anything I should be checking in particular? The action locks up crisply with absolutely no play, firing mechanism is in working order, safety works, barrel visually seems perfect.
I certainly have a lot more info to work off of for what I’m sure will eventually end up more of these lovely things.
The 350 I picked up is surprisingly in great shape, I’m impressed with the quality even for what it is. One last question I have for anyone with an intersurplus or similar grade of shotgun, and I know some folks will cringe at the notion.
Disclaimer I’m not looking for anyone’s word on what I’m asking: Can I inspect this myself before using it? Intersurplus suggests you have a gunsmith over the rifle before firing it, I’m just wondering if I’m fairly experienced working on my own rifles, could it be theoretically be inspected by ones self? Is there anything I should be checking in particular? The action locks up crisply with absolutely no play, firing mechanism is in working order, safety works, barrel visually seems perfect.
Attachments
I think if you check for play in the action, both open and closed, as a first step and do a thorough scouring of the barrel to look for pits, you're probably good. Some of the Euro guns have been safe queens, others have been carried and shot to death. I'm sure the lawyers made them put the inspection piece in there given they sell old guns.
Also, take the barrels off and holding them at the breech end, lightly "gong" them with a piece of wood. In this test, you're checking for the integrity of the rib between the barrels. It should "gong" cleanly, with no rattling sound, which would indicate the rib weld failing .
Also, take the barrels off and holding them at the breech end, lightly "gong" them with a piece of wood. In this test, you're checking for the integrity of the rib between the barrels. It should "gong" cleanly, with no rattling sound, which would indicate the rib weld failing .
If there are no obvious dents in the barrel and the bores, after being cleaned, are shiny with little evidence of pitting (which is often hard for a beginner to identify the severity) I'd say shoot it. I know I would. Buy the lightest load you can find, likely an ounce, maybe 1 1/8 oz, and fire away.
I mentioned cleaning the bores. I am always surprised at how often I buy a gun and the seller hasn't bothered to clean the bores. It's like not washing a car you are trying to sell. If you aren't familiar with what bores look like, dirty bores can look like they have pits. Also, you can't see the pits that may be there until the bores have been well cleaned.
Congrats, BTW.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I guess supply and demand.
- Same reason why we can buy older BRNO SxS, O/U and combination gun for not much $ in Canada... all the while they sell at a premium in the US
It not just those......I only really follow the vintage SxS market and it's all of them. American, British, Continental. The market is always more vibrant with higher prices in the US. I like buying here but I hate selling!
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Older BRNO’s are scarce and relatively unknown in the US. There was a little thing called the Cold War, there were no products of any kind imported to USA from Iron Curtain (soviet block) countries like Czechoslovakia for perhaps 30 years - including firearms. To this day Soviet produced products are seen as inferior quality in the US (think Lada) and valued accordingly.
MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
Thanks, and thanks for the help! I did a good clean. There’s no dents in the barrel. The barrel rings and there’s no play in the rib. There’s no play in the action, open or closed. Everything seems to check out, there is some marks in the barrel which I can’t decide whether they’re just fouling/dirt or pitting. They don’t look consistent with any pitting I’ve every seen, almost more like a faint scuff or streak running length wise down the bore. I’m going to pick up a better bristle to give it a good scrub this week.
Sounds like plastic fouling. Needs extra scrubbing using bore cleaning product designed for breaking down fouling. Clean it further when you have a chance, but it can be shot in the meantime.
Looks like you found a nice entry level sxs. Lots of Husqvarna 350 are chambered in 2 3/4". Best to confirm this, though.
