I have always wanted a decent o/u 12 bore and just recently found a Ithaca model 500-made by SKB. It is a field grade gun
in NRA 95% cond. $450 OTD. I have not heard alot about any
SKB models so any thoughts would be welcome....

They're a fine shotgun, one of the best for the money in my opinion.

I have five SKB's, from M500 to M600 to M685.

Love them!

A $450 M500 in 95% condition? I'd be grabbing it!

back in 85' or so i had a pair of model 500's, one 12ga and the other 20ga. they were wonderful shotguns. sometimes i wish i had held onto them. you won't regret getting a model 500 imo.

I have a 500 12ga
shoulders and points good,comfortable iron.
nice to shoot.

At that price, you should be shelling out the Grants as fast as you can..

SKBs are excellent shotguns.. The M500 is merely their entry level shotgun, mainly just missing fancy-work and choke tubes..

The internal parts are outstanding - easily rivaling Browning Citoris.. They're durable and retain lockup actually better than the Citori..

If it fits you, buy it and go hunting...

Redneck, I have a question if I can draw from your experience? I know you are an SKB fan and if you don't mind... A fellow I know recently bought one of those CDNN "NIB" Weatherby Orion close out guns. When it arrived everything seemed about perfect with one exception, the top lever is in the middle of the tang or maybe just ever so slightly left of center. The lock up seems smooth and tight as a new in box gun should be but he is a little concerned the lever isn't a bit to the right of center and is already in the center of the tang with the gun unfired. Is this something to be concerned about for him? He expects to shoot some casual clays and hunt some with the gun, he won't be a high volume shooter with this gun, but it will get shot more than the usual casual "huntin'" shotgun. I pulled the forearm off and there is zero play in the lock-up with the no forearm and everything else checks out, but that top lever has him a little concerned.

Bought one way back in 1969 I think. Paid $239 for it if I recall right. Wouldn't sell it for less than $1500. And maybe not then.
The only gun I have that I've had longer is my old Smith 29, .44 Magnum.
They are really good guns. I've shot so many different kinds of birds with mine that I'd have a hard time describing them. E

The SKB's locking lever is supposed to be centered.. It's the Browning's that are right-of-center, due to the different way they lock up..

The SKB has a cross bolt, the Brownings have a locking bolt that fits in the breech cutouts.. Completely different locking systems.. In this particular case, the SKB is (IMVHO) much superior to the Brownings..

In 35+ years I've never had to replace a crossbolt.. I've replaced several locking bolts on Brownings..

One good thing is, when you're looking at buying a used Browning, ensure the top lever is about 1/8" to the right of center.. If it's centered or nearly so, it's 'replacement time' for the locking bolt.

Thanks Redneck... appreciate the feedback.

I've got a 500 in 28 gauge, I wouldn't sell it for twice what I paid for it. Would snag a 12 gauge version for less then $500 in a heartbeat.

I just picked one up myself for about the same $$$$ near 99% condition. It may not have ever been shot.

Yep, that's the gun. That's some really light colored wood on it. E

That is a very nice SKB! It's a shame they are out of business now.

I just bought one too. I paid almost double what you paid for one in what I would consider 98% It didn't have 100 rounds thru it. Now that I shot it I'd by another one for the same money

SKB's not out of business.. Where did you hear that??

http://www.skbshotguns.com/

That is the buzz on the SKB Forum at ShotgunWorld.com. It seems to be verified, I dunno. If it is true I hate to see them off the market. The thread...

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=204872

I'll try to find out more..

Let us know, I am interested in this, thanks.

Redneck:

I have not heard much about SKB shotguns, so I am very interested to read your comments above!

I have an Ithaca/SKB 20 ga side by side (3 inch chambers) that is a dream to handle and fits like it was tailor made for me.

I have likely shot it 2 thousand times (skeet and as many grouse as I could manage!).

Are the SKB side by sides fairly durable guns? I ask because I like the gun so much that I have reduced the amount I shoot it at skeet to make sure it does not get loose. Wise move, or unnecessary precaution?

Many thanks for your expert opinion (others with firsthand knowledge welcome too)!

John

2000 rounds? No need to slow down yet. Your gun should keep chugging along well past that mark.

Myself, I just bought another SKB today. A beautiful 685 that I plan to use for sporting clays. I already have a 28 and 20 ga in the 685 variety, and now have a 12 on the way as well. It is slated to replace a Citori sporting gun, if that tells you anything about what I think of them.

I actually break more birds with my 28 and 20 ga SKB's than I do with my 12 ga Browning.

I love my SKB's....

They are every bit as durable as any Browning. Totally unnecessary.. I'm pretty sure I have over 10,000 rounds through my 85TSS un-single and I've not had a single failure of any kind.. Another one, a M700 has well over 10K rounds through it and only shows a little discoloration of the receiver through use.. I've replaced one trigger return spring, one sear and one sear spring on it to date..

The 685s are sweet.. I have a 3-barrel skeet set in the M685..


I just wish I had more time to use it..

I took the longer, and more expensive , route. I got the three gun set. 12, 20, and 28.

Love them!

Many thanks for you comments, Redneck!

I did not know if your high opinion of the SKB's extended to the side by sides... Great to hear that it does!

I have been thinking of replacing my 12 ga Ruger O/U with something. Not a bad gun, but although I hit well with it, I have never warmed up to it like my side by side SKB.

I had been considering a Beretta O/U, but after reading this thread, I now think that I perhaps should get a 12 ga SKB over and under! I will have to see which fits me better, but at least I will not have to sorry about shooting an SKB loose at trap...

It is great to be able to get information like this from somebody like you, Redneck. Many thanks.

John

You're very welcome..

Redneck,
Any news through your sources about the info in that link I gave about SKB shutting down?

Just called my source..

The factory did close. But my source has bought the rights and the drawings for their firearms and is looking for a manufacturer to take up the line.

As to parts, he feels they have enough on hand for about 20 years.

As to new shotguns, they have quite an inventory but they are selling.. He says the trap lines in inventory are fully intact..


It was due to the economy over there which , according to him, is every bit as bad as it is here and the yen/dollar ratio sux..

I'm bummed.

So that information is correct, SKB as we know it is out of business. Damned shame...

Well, it's mine. Picked it up after work yesterday. Took it out this morning and busted some clays between the raindrops.
Very delighted is a understatement. I am in love with this SKB.
MANY thanks to all for your input.

Krupp

I also have a very seldom seen variant SKB side by side. The 400. Most books list the 400 as a side plated boxlock. But after Ithaca dropped SKB, Mitsui imported this version of the SKB 400, mine has 2 3/4 inch chambers and is in IC/Mod.

According to one source, SKB shotguns imported by Mitsui (Chicago, IL) were manufactured from 1981 to 1984.

This version is extremely well made and I've probably put at least 10,000 rounds through it over the years that I have owned it without a hiccup. It's purty too!

VERY purty... !!

VERY purty... !!

You can say that again!