SKB Model 600

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Korunos

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I just picked up a used SKB Model 600 O/U ( made in Japan ) and wondered if anyone here had any experience with them? It was in very good condition and didn't cost me that much. After I bought it, I then found out the manufacturer is out of business. Shame on me, guess I should have researched before buying. In emailing back and forth with SKB in Omaha ( they bought remaining stock and parts from SKB Japan ) I have found out that it originally came with fixed chokes and that it has been modified to allow the swapping of choke tubes. I'm waiting to see if they can tell me what year it was made. I bought it for skeet shooting, maybe 4-6 times a year and my big worry now is that if something breaks I won't be able to get parts as SKB in the US only ships to the US.

Anyone have any input or suggestions on parts? I have up to 30 days to take it back. I'd rather not find out that I have a really pretty paperweight that I can't get parts for.

Thanks
 
There are a huge number of out of production guns out there, serving their shooters well, but hard to find parts for. Depends what you paid for it.
I suspect that you would have to pay a whole lot more to buy a gun with a secure parts supply like a modern Browning or Beretta.
It is pretty hard to buy something valuable for a song.
The gun has a good reputation, but yes, it is obsolete. Choke tubes make it more versatile, and marketable, if well done.
 
If you paid under $800 then it was a good deal. I've got a 20g SKB 500 here that is messed. Depending on what barrel is selected it fires off the opposite barrel as soon as you close the action like the pins aren't resetting on the barrel that isnt selected. Haven't taken it to a smith. Nice gun though.
 
A competent gunsmith can make you any part you might need but pretty unlikely if its in good condition now that you will need parts anytime soon with only a handful of skeet outings a year. To my mind you are further ahead with a used SKB than a new budget-priced gun. In 10 years can you find parts for those models?
 
I've owned several SKBs over the years. Most were SxS but a couple were O/Us as well. The combs were too high on the O/U and darned near gave me a black eye while at the 5 stand range. I sold them both and bought a Citori. Fits me a lot better. I see the SKB at the same quality level as the same vintage Brownings and the SxS do make vg field guns.

Currently own only one 20ga M100.
 
Good points all around. I did find out that parts are available through Numerich Gun Parts in NY. That makes me feel better. I love the look and feel of this O/U. Looking forward to trying it out.

Thanks
 
A lot of common parts are or at least were available from Ron Sharpe in Ontario. He's the Canadian guru for all things SKB, and a fine gentleman to deal with. Ron had some health issues a couple years ago, I haven't spoken with him since then.
If your gun works well now, it's unlikely you'll need much anyway with the frequency of use you've described.
I have an older SKB 500 with factory choke tubes (Browning Invector style), one of very few 500's that came with them. Most 500's have a raised angular boss on the side of the receiver, mine is slab sided as are the Weatherby Orion shotguns, also built by SKB.
In a conversation with Ron, he told me my gun was of mid-eighties vintage, built when SKB was emerging from bankruptcy. They had a bit of this, a bit of that, and built guns from available parts before production ramped up to normal volume.
They're fine quality firearms, IMO every bit as good if not better than Browning or Beretta.
 
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