SxS for under 500?

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dimeN

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Hi
i'm looking for a decent sidebyside to hunt birds with.. i've shot a boito 12 and really liked it ( no over/under, don't like those at all or their price )

-is there any reviews of the SxS on tradex?
- it would just be a hunting gun...so i'm not looking for super wood, just decent dependable steel !

i've seen the IGA website, just don't know anything about them..

the CZ looks nice but pricey
 
Brand new? Mossberg O/U is like 400 bucks I think. Never handled one though so I can't say much other than price.
 
Reviews

dimeN said:
Hi
i'm looking for a decent sidebyside to hunt birds with.. i've shot a boito 12 and really liked it ( no over/under, don't like those at all or their price )

-is there any reviews of the SxS on tradex?
- it would just be a hunting gun...so i'm not looking for super wood, just decent dependable steel !

i've seen the IGA website, just don't know anything about them..

the CZ looks nice but pricey
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It would be difficult to review most of the shotguns offered by Trade-Ex. They are generally used guns, and only one or two of the same model. On some there are quite a few of the same type, but all are used.

I have ordered three side by side doubles from Trade-Ex and have not been disappointed. One was an AYA, another a top grade Hungarian FEG Victoria model with ejectors, and a Brno with ejectors. All were under $300.

Trade-Ex has one of the best reputations when it comes to Dealers. Their service is outstanding, and they are excellent in pleasing their customers. I have found that their description of firearms is conservative, and you generally get a much better gun than you expect.

.
 
You mention Tradex in your post. They have an excellent selection of shotguns, with very fair pricing. Check out the 12 ga. Suhls/Thalnmann's (German) for +- $200.00 you cannot go wrong. This would be my choice over a new SxS in your price range.

X2 on Buffdogs comment about Tradex:
"Trade-Ex has one of the best reputations when it comes to Dealers. Their service is outstanding, and they are excellent in pleasing their customers. I have found that their description of firearms is conservative, and you generally get a much better gun than you expect."
 
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Yes, I agree with going for a used SXS if looking for $500.00 or under. I have a number of SXS's. On the low cost side,I have a 20 gauge J.C.Higgins (Stevens 311A) which is a sturdy, well built no thrills gun. I also have the 311A in 12 gauge and there is a night and day difference in the handling between the two. The 12 gauge is heavy and handles like a 2x4, not much for carrying around. The 20 gauge is a lot nicer but still not a dream as far as handling. In my opinion, I would be looking at a 12 gauge Brno as mentioned that tradeexcanada has listed. I have 2 of them in 12 gauge, one straight English stock, one pistol grip. The pistol grip one I just got from tradeex for $375.00 and it was better than described. I think these are sleeper guns and greatly underappreciated in this country as far as shotgun value goes. I find them a dream to handle, point and swing. They are not heavy. They are a true sidelock gun with double triggers, chopper lump barrels and hidden third fastener. Because of the chopper lump construction, they are of a slim build which accounts for great handling. A 311 Stevens doesn't even begin to compare. It would cost a lot to buy a new gun of this construction and quality today. I believe their value will increase as people begin to wake up to these Brno's.. They have already begun to increase in price in the US. I also just picked up a very nice like new Feg 12 gauge. It is also a well built, quality gun but not near the handling of the Brno. Of course condition factors into price.
 
the boitos and iga shotguns are the same as Stoegers

fit and finnish is OK. and quality for hunting is acceptable

I wouldnt use it on those dove hunts down south, or as a clays gun, but for something to pop the odd upland birds, or rabbits, its fine.

also heard great things about the baikal sidebysides.. except heavy
 
dimeN said:
Hi

the CZ looks nice but pricey
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I forgot to add. I have a CZ Ringneck in 12 gauge that is 2 years old. It is made by Huglu not Brno or CZ like the older guns. While the ringneck is a very nice looking gun , it does not handle at all like the older Brno/CZ and weighs a lot more. You probably won't find one for $500.00 either unless it is really rough. The CZ Bobwhite in the sub gauges are supposed to be fairly nice handling guns. But again, it may be tough to find a good one right now for $500.00. If looking at newer CZ's you should try and find one built after 2006 if lookig at one of those. A lot of earlier ones had problems that have been dealt with since 2006.
 
thats what i needed to hear... good to know that tradex is alright !
-think i'd like to get a brno
as long as they take the 2 3/4 shells, then that would be perfect

a friend has a savage fox.. they are nice field gun

thanks for the advice ... i'm excited to pick one up !!
 
Yes they are 2 3/4". Of course the best one tradeex has will be the highest priced one because they price according to condition and they are usually very fair on grading. Still, the most expensive Brno on there is below $500.00.
 
Teapot said:
How do the JP Sauer guns compare with the Brno?
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J P Sauer has had a number of models/ quality over the years. I don't yet have one so can't really say much about them except I believe they are fairly good shotguns. I do know that a lot of the older guns had a problem with the stock cracking/splitting in the wrist area on both sides of the opening lever. My Uncle has one that my grandfather bought new I think around 1960. It too cracked on both sides of the wrist and the wood is missing. The gun apparently wasn't very old when this happened. Also, most of the Sauers you see are boxlocks as opposed to sidelock like the Brno.
 
i just emailed tradex and they also said the sauer is good quality like the brno
-i'm not sure which is better...the box lock or side lock

(since i've been into pump guns for years, i had no idea that there was so much to SxS guns )

also.. in the email i asked about the rust spots ....they said that they should not affect the performance or dependability of the gun... and it would be a fine bird gun ... and they were 2 3/4 inch aswell !
 
Having seen the Sauer my Uncle has (was my grandfathers), and knowing what the Brno is like, I prefer the Brno over it. I find the Brno just a tad better fit/handling over the Sauer. Of course that is for my build. Sidelock or boxlock becomes a personal choice. One may not be better over the other if they are of quality build. Sidelocks used to be the norm many years ago. They are more expensive to make and are often seen only on elite guns today. I have a liking toward the sidelock. That being said most of my SXS's are boxlock because that's the way most have been made in the past 75-100 years.
 
dimeN said:
(since i've been into pump guns for years, i had no idea that there was so much to SxS guns )

QUOTE]
Actually there is more to a SXS or over/under. That is why they are more expensive to buy for new ones if you want to get a quality gun. You have to be leary of new, low cost SxS's or o/u's. When they are built to a low price point, something has to give. It could be in dependability issues or fit/finish or handling or all three.
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If you really keep your eyes peeled (or is it pealed?) in the Exchange, you may happen upon an Ithaca/SKB 100 or 200 for close to that amount.
 
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