sxs for a first shotgun

andre66

andre66

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While i wait for my PAL to come in the mail i have to decide on what shotgun will be my first. It seems that everday i change my mind about what to get, pump, semi-auto, double barrel.
I seem to lust after the sxs more than any other type but i am unsure as to whether this is an appropriate gun for me.
My future shooting plans will consist mostly of trap, nothing organized, just going to the range and blasting away, and perhaps some grouse/wabbit hunting.
The budget i have in mind is 700.00 and i know there are guns in the price range for all the different actions i have looked at.
So will a sxs bring me true happiness? Until i buy another shotgun that is.
Andre
 
Well... The way I see it is... For a good sxs or over under, your gonna pay more for quality... The thing is, they have to true those tubes to each other so the barrels both shoot to the same point...

I'd go with a pump if you want a "all-round" shotgun. Get the 3.5 inch chamber 12 gauge of your choice and you can do anything with it... Heck, if you got the 870 combo bun, you'd even have the extra barrel for deer hunting!!!

Cheers
Jay
P.S. I have a Benelli Nova, 3.5 inch chamber, 26 inch barrel, it's a compromise for me of all features...
 
If the s x s turns your crank then by all means pursue one.....the CZ line of side by side shotguns is reasonably priced and of excellent quality...I'd rather carry a well balanced double than any pump gun and most doubles are chambered for 3" and come with screw-in choke tubes.
 
andre66 said:
So will a sxs bring me true happiness? Until i buy another shotgun that is.
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If a SxS is really what you want...then get it! I find that if I'm really set on something...guns or otherwise...settling for something else just doesn't cut it.

Certain actions/guns are better for certain tasks, but for what you want to do with it the SxS will handle them just fine.

the CZ line of side by side shotguns is reasonably priced and of excellent quality
Click to expand...
I'm with Ben on the CZs. I've been eyeing a Redhead for my next shotgun!
 
As much as I love the sxs I don't think I'd recommend one as a first shotgun. If it is your only shotgun it needs to cover multiple roles and I think an o/u or a semi-auto is more flexible to varying roles.

For several years the only shotgun I owned was a 28" o/u that I used for everything.
 
I too have just aquired the flavour for shotguns so I bought one of each last week.....its been 25 years since I had a shotgun - .410 single shot, and now I have the itch something bad.

I didn't spend much on mine, $ 775.00 total....I bought the cheaper models all used and in very good condition....Winchester 1300 pump, TOZ 34RE O/U and a Baikal SxS...all 12ga, next on the list is a .410 in either O/U or Pump - then I will be finished my little buying binge.

Many would wonder why I would buy the cheapest models, but for me it was the right move. I will only be shooting these guns for very informal trap a few times a year(a couple friends and I just messing around for a day here and there)...and I do find even the cheapest shotguns very fondleworthy, I like the design and styling of the different configurations.

Perhaps later down the road if I find myself shooting more shotgun and I have found a preference between the different designs I may then step into a higher grade...till then I am happy with what I have.
 
As long as the SxS has interchangeable chokes, or middle of the road fixed chokes, balances and handles well for you it will serve you as well as any pump, semi or O/U.

I'm more of an O/U guy, but a nice SxS is hard to beat. Pumps are good guns, but only better than a SxS or O/U for tactical stuff or meat hunting in a duck blind.

Visit as many gun stores as you can and handle as many shotguns (of all types) as they will allow. You will get a feel for what suits you best.
 
This is a real "boxers or briefs" kind of question.

I use a SxS for everything except waterfowl, and that is only because my little honey 12 can't shoot steel.

I adore them.

I concur with the boys on the CZ as well. I would buy a CZ ringneck 20 if I were in the market. Gorgeous and not too pricey.

Buy one and shoot it a bit. If you don't like it - pass it on to a new shooter for a good price and buy something else. It will make you feel good.

Best,

V7

:D
 
Sxs

Hay Andre. If you want a side by side by all means get one. I shoot SxS, OU, semi & pumps. I shoot all equally. That being said I do make sure that all my shotguns FIT. Decide what you can afford to spend and then buy the gun that fits your frame best. Take your time to make your choice -- to many folks buy the wrong gun in the heat of the moment only to find that they cant hit a darn thing with it because the gun dosent fit. Throw any prospective purchase to your shoulder repeatedly and then choose the one that feels best - no matter what the make it, if it fits you will shoot and hit your target more easly.
My two cents.
Cheers & goodluck
 
That first shotgun can be a hard choice, given the variety available today and the range of duties you may expect that to perform :)

I would support Claybuster's rationale on this matter. However, if you are really keen on acquiring a sxs (and a new one) then recommend look at the CZ Bobwhite as already mentioned. On the other hand, if you have the time and patience :) then suggest explore the "Used" gun racks for a good deal.

P.S. Sharptail - thought you were planning on offering a comparison review between a Ruger GL and the Bobwhite?
 
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For hunting grouse or small game, go with a SxS in .20 ga. It's light, point well and doesnt recoil as a .12 ga. I try different things for hunting grouse (.22 rifle, 12 ga. single and pump) and finally I borrow a SxS .20 and did my best shot at a grouse (don't know why, the head disappear:D ). I also REALLY like the handling and pointing capability of this shotgun; so I decide to offer him around 250$ for his shotgun (he paid 125$ 10 years ago from a neigbourgh) The problem is that after research with him (blue book, internet etc.)I said to my father in law that his Savage/Sterlingworth worth about 1800$ U.S.:eek: :eek: I don't have to say that he did not want to sell it anymore:(
So I search for one in my budget range and bought it. I did not receive it yet but I can't wait to!!!
I'm pretty sure you will be satisfied with a SxS. In fact you will maybe want a more versatile shotgun, but you will probably never want to sell your SxS.

My opinion!
 
Ahsan, you have a good memory. The Bobwhite review is for the most part written, it is currently too long to post and requires editing. For the last 4 1/2 months I have had no time at all and can now (at last) devote some time to it. Straightshooter is the co-author of the review, and since he is in an industry that is very busy right now (gotta love Alberta) you may understand the delay. Hang tight, it'll get posted soon.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Sharptail
 
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