Recommend me a SxS!

vultr

vultr

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East of the Rockies, West of the rest.
I've been shovelling money at my black gun habit and I thought I would mix it up with a shotgun. I'm a very satisfied owner of a Silver Pigeon (Sporting clays) an M2 and Franchi affinity (duck blind) and a tricked out grizzly (blaster, truck gun, slug dispenser). However, I've always wanted a classic, English stocked SXS for chuckar, pheasant, and casual clays. I'd like something relatively new or new, 26-30" barrels, 12 or 20g only. Budget is relatively low compared to a top tier scattergun (I'd look at something higher if it made sense but $3500ish is probably my price ceiling). Not interested in turkish but would consider Spanish, English, German, American or Italian. Is this possible given the price point?

I've got a local smith to take care of fitment (LOP, comb, etc.) so that's not a complete deal breaker. I'd really appreciate any suggestions folk out there might have!
 
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You wont get a new budget sxs from any of the places on your wish list. However, I first had experience with the new Churchill SxS and I believe it to be the best budget sxs in the market. An excellent quality gun....not cheap Turkish or Brazilian crap. Comes optioned with English stock as well

Here is a review I did on mine
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1768358-Akkar-Churchill-SxS
 
Just re-read your original post and missed that $3500 was your ceiling. I initially thought you meant you didn't want to spend that much. Anyway, with that amount of money, you have have a lot more options. You’ll also have to decide if you want single or double triggers, ejectors vs extractors, fixed vs removable chokes, barrel selector vs none.

Before investing that kind of cash, you’ll want to make sure you pick a sxs that fits you well. Otherwise it will be an expensive lesson on how fast you can miss a target
 
Beretta 471 would be a consideration, Ugartchea would be another option 3500-4000$ would get you into one of these guns . Never owned a beretta sxs it’s a beretta how bad can it be Lol . I have owned a ugartchea 28 ya very nice
 
I'm definitely interested in the beretta, didn't think it was possible to get into a Ugartchea for that kind of price point. Any vendors you would recommend? I know Prophet has some higher end shotguns, if it was the right one I'd consider upping the spend. Some of the AYA shotguns look pretty but I know nothing about them. How do they stack up against the other mid grade guns?
 
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A used Beretta like a 471 would be a good choice. So would a used Bernardelli, AYA, Merkel, browning BSS or original Webley and Scott. A new AYA is far more expensive than $3500 amd Ugartechea is no longer in business. For a new sxs in the price range I would look at FAIR and Fausti.
 
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vultr said:
Is that a store or a CGN user?
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He's an online retailer that operates in the EE here. There's actually one for $450 in the EE right now. Side lock action, can't get a SxS for that money.

I see that you can spend more money so I'd consider what others have recommended.
 
Don't think for a minute that you can have a better gun than the Fabarm Classis for the price. Price wise they are way ahead of any other SxS. (sold by The Shooting Edge )
 
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vultr said:
would consider Spanish, English, German, American or Italian. Is this possible given the price point?
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I think you are on the right track here and should be able to find something quite nice in in your price range. I think used Spanish can have some risks, but if you are careful to buy in the higher end maker realm, they are great value and provide an "English" gun for less money. In English or American, you are likely looking at a vintage gun (unless you consider a CSM gun priced as new). Vintage guns are great fun and finding a good ones to put a shine on and use in the field is rewarding and enjoyable, but this can also be risky. German guns are currently among my favourites. They are VERY strongly built and not hugely expensive. Again, I tend to favour "vintage" examples from before WWII. Many have dimensions and a feel though that is not "English". Italian guns like an older Beretta SxS are solid as a rock and would serve you well too. I just find them a bit heavy and they don't really excite me...that's just me though.

My advice is handle a few different examples of each style and see what feels good to you. A nice AyA or Ugartechea boxlock would be a good start. A Sauer Royal, LC Smith, Parker Trojan...Lefever. Get ahold of a Beretta 470 type gun. One of them will speak to you. you may even find you like cheek pieces and sling swivels like I did...LOL
 
I purchased a very nice AYA #2 for $3200 from Prophet River, a few years back, and if you shop around, you may find a similar deal. Prophet River often has an assortment of used SxS shotguns available.
 
New side by sides such as FAIR and Fabarm can be had in your price range and are good guns. A lot of the used Italian guns such as Beretta and the US guns such as Browning BSS's were made for the US market with pistol grips, single triggers and beaver tail fore arms while many others that were made for the European market and have things like sling swivels and cheek pieces on the stocks. From your post I take it that your looking for more of an English style of gun with a splinter fore end, straight stock and double triggers and if that is the case then you may find more selection in the Spanish guns such as a used AYA or Ugartechea. Modern used Spanish guns are generally very good at imitating the English guns and can be had in your price range but new ones can be many times what your looking to spend. Older used Spanish guns can be had for hundreds, (not thousands) of dollars and can be fun and satisfying but pose a bit more risk as far as dependability and finding parts for goes.
 
I agree with looking at used. Just be selective as to condition and you can find some nice guns at a reasonable cost. I also agree with German guns being of quite decent guns for the price. I just acquired a couple of German guns. One being a Merkel 47E 20 gauge in very nice condition for a very reasonable price.
 
Guns last a long time. SxS aren't typically used as heavily as O/U. Depending on the use you have targeted for it, $3500 buys you a hell of a used SxS.
 
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