What side by side?
- Thread starter conor_90
- Start date
I have always liked SxS shotguns over the last 50 yrs.
Looking @ my SxS gun rack of 18 guns I see none have screw in choke tubes. When I want non toxic shot for
ducks or geese to use through my Full Chokes I use Kent Tungsten Matrix Shells.
This will open up many older guns for you to buy , like ; AYA , Geco , Ithica , Fausti , Fox , Parker .
Looking @ my SxS gun rack of 18 guns I see none have screw in choke tubes. When I want non toxic shot for
ducks or geese to use through my Full Chokes I use Kent Tungsten Matrix Shells.
This will open up many older guns for you to buy , like ; AYA , Geco , Ithica , Fausti , Fox , Parker .
Will you be carrying FAIR or can you mention who will be?
Honestly with the purchase of the affinity I am no longer needing 3 inch chambers or chokes.
I'm thinking a newer production english gun may be the way to go. I'm a bit wary of the El cheapo ones on intersurplus; presumably some were imported because they could not survive re proofing? Maybe I'm paranoid and it's just related to the lead shot ban. Would still prefer 2 3/4 over 2.5
A BRNO Sidelock in 12 bore. Pay to get the chokes relieved if you really must shoot steel shot, or shoot bismuth shot for waterfowl;
A BSA boxlock in 12 bore; whose "hell-for-stout" barrel joining pattern Winchester shamelessly stole for their side by sides. See above for remarks about shooting so-called "non-toxic shot".
Better yet, buy 2 of each, for a grand total of ~$1,500.00. Set up 1 of each for upland & 1 for waterfowl.
Both types are built like tanks.
If you really want to go whole hog, get them refinished with an oil finish & pay to have them balanced to your physique and get twin oak & leather cases, with all of the correct case "bling" for them.
If you watch the BSA ads, look for the ones that have waterfowl engraving on the sides of the action. It denotes they were made for waterfowling; some had factory 3" chambers, others have 2 3/4" chambers, instead of the factory 2 1/2" chambers and are proofed for English waterfowl loads [roughly equivalent to US pheasant loads].
For the BRNO's, watch for the engraved ones. Much nicer. For upland, look for the English-stocked type; for waterfowl, choose the pistol grip type [your shoulder will thank you].
A BSA boxlock in 12 bore; whose "hell-for-stout" barrel joining pattern Winchester shamelessly stole for their side by sides. See above for remarks about shooting so-called "non-toxic shot".
Better yet, buy 2 of each, for a grand total of ~$1,500.00. Set up 1 of each for upland & 1 for waterfowl.
Both types are built like tanks.
If you really want to go whole hog, get them refinished with an oil finish & pay to have them balanced to your physique and get twin oak & leather cases, with all of the correct case "bling" for them.
If you watch the BSA ads, look for the ones that have waterfowl engraving on the sides of the action. It denotes they were made for waterfowling; some had factory 3" chambers, others have 2 3/4" chambers, instead of the factory 2 1/2" chambers and are proofed for English waterfowl loads [roughly equivalent to US pheasant loads].
For the BRNO's, watch for the engraved ones. Much nicer. For upland, look for the English-stocked type; for waterfowl, choose the pistol grip type [your shoulder will thank you].
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In the last 12 months I have bought 3 16 gauge SxS in Canada with an average price of $465 each plus shipping and taxes. Each of them is an extremely well made pre WWII but post WW1 Germanic origin gun. In each, the barrels and bores are in fine condition....bright and shiney, decent blueing etc. On each I will spend (one is completed already) somewhere between $1000 and $1500 ensuring the wood is strong, fits me and has a lovely fresh finish and that the pad or buttplate is either new or in fine condition. Additionally any minor mechanical issues will be taken care of. When completed, each will have the general appearance of a nearly new gun. They won't have choke tubes but SxS shouldn't. LOL Each of them has 29" well made and regulated barrels with plenty of wall thickness and would easily pass a proof test.
So for under $2000 I will have a very high condition gun, built to a standard modern $2000 guns can only dream about. They will be constructed better than the modern Savage Fox A Grade that sells for around $5000. And each of them was very shootable right out of the box, before I spent any additional money. I just like nice finishes. And as an aside, for comparable gun and condition, the 12 gauges will be cheaper than the 16s.
Two of the three were purchased from Intersurplus. There are lots I wouldn't touch on there. But there are some extremely well made guns that get sold for dirt because they get lumped in with the crap. I don't find them that often because i am specifically looking for 16 and 20 gauge guns. The vast majority of Intersurplus SxS offerings are 12 gauge. But if I can find 16s and 20s, you know the 12 gauges are there. The trick to Intersurplus is identifying the pre WW11 guns. A 1925 Sauer boxlock is a far different animal than a 1955 Sauer boxlock, whether the 1955 has the quality stamp or not.
jamesharrison in the post above also has the right idea.
Here is the first of the three:
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Very interesting thread! I'm just entering into a warranty issue on a Huglu as well, O/U 28 g. Light primer strikers, shoots very low. I think I'm cured of the turkish gun itch. I'm looking for a 20 gauge side by side now, or even an O/U, anything not turkish.
I've always been a baikal fan, owned several of them, never had an issue, but I wonder if they ever made a 20 g O/U or side by side. I've only ever seen 12's.
I've always been a baikal fan, owned several of them, never had an issue, but I wonder if they ever made a 20 g O/U or side by side. I've only ever seen 12's.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
What does a box of those kent’s go for nowadays?
Last I checked it was around $8 a shell. My inventory with an average price of &1.70 a shell looks like a bargain now. Should never have sold those two flats a few years ago. Those went at $3.50 so I doubled my money. But I’d rather have the shells now. Lol.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
As jamesharrison stated, there are nothing wrong with the Brno sidelocks. Great value for the money unless someone is out to lunch in pricing. Also as canvasback stated, I also have a few pre war German guns. Again great value for the money and excellent craftsmanship. It's kind of funny. One sees these threads where someone is wanting decent double barrels without breaking the bank. Yet when one comes up for sale these people are nowhere to be heard from. This past fall I posted 2 of my German guns for sale. Had them both under $500.00. No interest at all. Which ended up being okay because now they are no longer for sale.
QUOTE>>>>>I'm thinking a newer production english gun may be the way to go.<<<<<ENDQUOTE
Best be sitting down & have your American Express card wiped clean if that's where you're leaning. Figure close to and more than likely a fair bit over $20,000 Cdn, even for an inexpensive boxlock of English make, by the time it's over here & all paid for.
You're talking well into the 6 figures for a "name" sidelock and maybe even for a Best Grade Boxlock [is there even such a thing as a Best grade Boxlock? ;-) ] from one of the holy trinity [Purdey, Boss or Holland & Holland].
Best be sitting down & have your American Express card wiped clean if that's where you're leaning. Figure close to and more than likely a fair bit over $20,000 Cdn, even for an inexpensive boxlock of English make, by the time it's over here & all paid for.
You're talking well into the 6 figures for a "name" sidelock and maybe even for a Best Grade Boxlock [is there even such a thing as a Best grade Boxlock? ;-) ] from one of the holy trinity [Purdey, Boss or Holland & Holland].
QUOTE from gunsaholic>>>>>Which ended up being okay because now they are no longer for sale.<<<<<ENDQUOTE
And that, as they say "Is a Very Good Thing!
Contentment is not the Fulfillment of what you want, But the realization of how much you already Have!
And that, as they say "Is a Very Good Thing!
Contentment is not the Fulfillment of what you want, But the realization of how much you already Have!
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
Brutal! No way I’d be buying those.
And yes, sounds like you should have kept those two flats
That was about 2-3 years ago, Alvero. I'm guessing must be over $10 now.
I was thinking more along the 2000-3000 dollar 70's models on intersurplus as opposed to the 900 dollar 20's ones...
Having removed the need for chokes and steel rated barrels, I'm still looking for a
Boxlock with English styling
My ignorance of shotguns has me more comfortable with new guns to be honest
Eyeing up a couple:
https://intersurplus.com/collections/side-by-side/products/cogswell-harrison-12ga-sxs-2
https://intersurplus.com/collections...tt-sxs-12ga-11
Still very curious if this gun could handle the pressures generated by modern target and pheasant loads:
this gun does not exist buy a huglu instead
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Just checked my stash and got 12 boxes of 16 gauge tungsten kent matrix #5 shot ...suddenly feel abit more wealthy tonight
Cogswell & Harrison made more 2 3/4” guns than most English makers. If the gun is in proof, because it has 2 3/4” chambers it should be good for any standard North American 2 3/4” ammo, avoid magnum or 3” of course. Ask Denis about bore and wall measurements and proof status and get a picture of the proof marks if you’re truly interested. Be aware that original 2 3/4” English twelves are usually heavier than 2 1/2” guns although still perfectly balanced. Expect a 2 3/4” gun to weigh around 6 3/4 pounds.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Call me crazy, but I find the shape of the stock around the head to be very unpleasing. Maybe it's just the way the photo was taken but it looks a little bulbous and out of proportion.
