Side by Side Trap Gun

Back in the early days of Trap, they had them, but Trap is one shotgun shooting sport where you are at a decided disadvantage with a SXS, and that's why you don't see them at Trap shoots. Trap birds are all rising and going away and the SxS blocks your vision of the bird, and may tempt shooters to start moving their gun before seeing the bird. Trapshooters use/should use every oportunity to see the bird as early and as well as possible.
 
There is no real reason why a SxS cannot be built as a trap gun, and as Ben pointed out they used to be used in the game. The trick is to find one (hen's teeth will be easier to locate). If all else fails, CSMC could build you an 8 1/2 lb. Model 21 with raised rib and comb, and 30 or 32 inch barrels. It would be tough enough to take the pounding (game guns are not). It would be pretty useless for anything other than trap. Think 15 to 20K$, more if you like fancy wood and engraving. For that kind of money you can have a nice Perazzi, Krieghoff or Beretta competition U/O, all of which will be more finely tuned to the sport.

As much as I like SxS's, the current crop of U/O's make much more sense for serious trap shooting. I keep looking for an old SxS pigeon gun for use at international trap, though.

Sharptail
 
Thx for the replies fellas. My question though was one of curiosity, not an attempt to find one. Our household secretary of defense/finance would severely limit my walkaround time and money if I attempted to add to my firearms inventory at this time.
 
Yes there is ... with both "raised" and raised ventilated ribs.

You can often find them listed in such publications as the Double Gun Journal & Shooting Sportsman ... they tend to be older US models like the L.C. Smith, A.H. Fox, Parker Bros, Lefever & Winchester Model 21. Most good ones are getting "up there" in price ... $ 5,000 to $ 10,000. Older "Live Bird" or "Live Pigeon" guns often will do nicely for Trap guns as well ... and are generally in the same price range. I recently saw an Flli.Poli (Italian) custom Sporting Clays gun, in Maine, ... $ 6500 that would also serve nicely as a Trap gun with wood just a tad higher ... single trigger, raised rib, beavertail forend.
 
I shot my first 25 straight with a model 21 trap gun. It had 32 inch barrels, vented rib and a monte carlo stock.
 
SxS Trap

I had CSMC build a M-21 SxS with 32 inch bbls. with .032 /.038 chokes.
It has a raised rib and works well on International Trap and flyers.

If you are shooting for pleasure use a gun type you prefer.
 
My grandpa has a nice older Fox 20ga SXS we were busting clays with yesterday. I really liked the quick handling ofthe 20ga over my 870.
 
If you can find a Winchester model 21 they are awesome trap guns . The blocking of the target does bother me when i call for the bird I'm looking above the trap house not down the bbl when your eyes pickup the target the gun moves to the bird.
 
My favorite trap gun for fun is a Parker Brothers DHE with 34" barrels choked full and full. I shot international a few time with it and was surprised how well I did with it in spite of the double triggers. Firing the first shot doesn't even slow those long tubes down. Not too many people will walk by it in the rack without stopping and taking a look at it. It also works well for other things.
ParkerandGeese.jpg
 
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North of 58 said:
My favorite trap gun for fun is a Parker Brothers DHE with 34" barrels choked full and full. I shot international a few time with it and was surprised how well I did with it in spite of the double triggers. Firing the first shot doesn't even slow those long tubes down. Not too many people will walk by it in the rack without stopping and taking a look at it. It also works well for other things.
ParkerandGeese.jpg
Click to expand...

What a pretty gun. Is it original? Please don't leave that one "in the rack".
 
It has been refinished, but other than the recoil pad it's all original parts. I should really put a period correct silvers pad on it. It was made in 1907 and shipped to to a sporting goods store in my home town of Winnipeg.
 
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North of 58 said:
My favorite trap gun for fun is a Parker Brothers DHE with 34" barrels choked full and full. I shot international a few time with it and was surprised how well I did with it in spite of the double triggers. Firing the first shot doesn't even slow those long tubes down. Not too many people will walk by it in the rack without stopping and taking a look at it. It also works well for other things.
ParkerandGeese.jpg
Click to expand...



I love that gun! A real beauty. Nice piece of wood! The birds arnt half bad either.
 
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