sxs for upland ? (bss sporter 20 or....)

Don't have time to read all the replies tonight, but a Browning BSS straight grip in 12 G was my idea of a perfect field gun for Canada, with the constant exception that I'd prefer a double trigger ("the single selective trigger is a triumph of technology over common sense"). Anyway the guns were closely fitted, nicely finished, wonderful checkering for such a low cost gun, but not so beautiful that they'd be ruined by days of pounding in the rocky bush most of us hunt in- and who are you gonna impress with your engraving and gold plating out here? For perspective, I paid $850 for mine new in 1980, and those were real dollars at the start of the inflation era, equal to two or three times that now. But a used gun is a used gun, they are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. I agree that $1000 is closer to the real value than $1600.
 
Let me also throw in that I favoured the BSS in a straight grip partly because it was the traditional British preference and that was part of what I was buying into... but the kicker was that the wood in those guns was superior, as was the checkering, and they had a scratch-resistant natural oil finish that was easier to keep a grip on than the 'pistol grip' BSSs. The Brits favour the straight design because it allows for greater speed in choosing the desired trigger, but of course the BSS has a single-selective- and we're back to complaining about that. The SS trigger was the only thing that went wrong with my BSS and it required a visit to a gunsmith.
 
Not only is the BSS a handsome, well built sxs , it is also a performer!!!

Love the ones I have

Lucky
BSSpair_zps8a128d80.jpg
 
Both guns are 26" barrels, SST, 3"mag, 12ga., mod/IC made solely in Japan //// 1981, 1983 vintage. All original and neither has seen much use.

I bought the second one because the 1st was such a gem ......... and they both fit & shoot beautifully.

Oddly , prior to me having them,I was fixated on 30" barrels. I must say that this model in 26" handles and shoots better than the 30's I own(owned)

Would reccommend these shotguns to anyone looking for a sound sxs that handles well in any shooting situation. ( and they are so reasonable $ )

Lucky
 
Just thinking out loud... and, sorry, a bit OT! A long time ago (1980's) I had a 26 inch, 12 gauge BSS bought mail order as a "parts gun" (serial numbers did not match) but it had all new parts. Full pistol grip, decent wood but plastic finish... I never got around to stripping this off and refinishing in oil. Anyway, It worked very well. Certainly heavy for a s/s, but since I was shooting skeet and not carrying it hunting, this was OK - indeed, an advantage! I recall I took out the automatic safety as I had too many "misfires" on the range (embarrassing!) Manual safety left in, of course. BTW, to do this there are three pieces to be modified, including reversing one rod in the action which then needs to be controlled by a small, added coil spring - easy to do. Lock work was very nicely finished. After modification, target use was fine. Sold it to a s/s skeet shooter in the mid 1990's... Not a "best gun" by a country mile, but I still wish I had kept it.
Cheers.
 
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