Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Looking for a Classy SxS

Been searching Gunbroker for a while looking for a nice older SxS shotgun or maybe a drilling. I can't afford a Merkel, Winchester 21, Parker. So I've been looking at Sauer and Fox.
After Looking though the threads in this subforum, I should add Webley and Simson to the list.

I've saw a couple nice, Charles Daly shotguns on Gunbroker. Now I'm young enough that the only Charles Dalys I can remember were cheap, like they came from sears. I assume the name was built on quality at some point or they wouldn't have kept the brand around. Am I right on this point?

Any other names I should be searching for in my quest for a deal?

Budget is around 1500, and I'ld like it to be shootable, 2 triggers, hammer or hammerless.

Any help for a heathen like me?

Thanks

AYA

👍

Or Urgarteccha

What guage?

The only $1500 AYAs I’ve seen have been the Matador, pretty cheap looking to me.

Cabelas had some lower end Merkels online in their gun library if anybody wants to comment on those?

Gauge doesn't really matter to me. 10,12,16,20... I wouldn't use a 28 or 410. Most guns I've seen in my price range seem to be 16, probably because of lack of readily available ammo.

With a $1500 budget it shouldn't be too hard to find a nice sxs.

I shoot a Bernardelli Elos 12ga at 5 lb 15 oz all steel and walnut around a $K now.



It is a down market for 2 trigger sxs's now, you should be able to find something nice.

You might want to look here.

http://www.757arms.com/c-4-sxs.aspx

I shoot a 1961 Beretta Silver Hawk and have had it since 1987.

You can get one for less than your budget.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/795698076

This is the best thing going so far. Great gun for the money provided the price doesn't escalate fast at the end of the auction. I have a later one if I remember right mine is a 1969.

I just cant get behind a sxs with a beaver tail forend, I can live with a PG but prefer POW or straight grip.

Not fancy but my favorite waterfowl shotgun 1941 Husqvarna Mod 51, I have a pair of these, 2 1/2" 12ga 7/8 oz ITX 6's let the come in close.

I’ve nearly bought this Zoli-Rizzini 20 guage a few times. $1250. Seller has a good reputation over there.

http://uplandjournal.ipbhost.com/topic/68863-jan-15-prices-on-my-3-sxs/

Your link is blocked. But I have a 12-ga Zoli Rizzini sXs which is badged Abercrombie & Fitch. Very nice workmanship.

That zoli-rizzini is blocked for me too, I did try to register for the site though.

The beavertail forearm isn't a deal breaker for me, but I do prefer the regular forearm and a Straight or Prince of Wales grip.

As far as newer guns go, I hadn't thought of the Beretta's, and these SKB's look nice but I don't know anything about them.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794400451

And examples of the vintage Charles Daly I was referring to
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/796650258
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/796145002

I really like that bottom link, 10 gauge.

I missed 1 a couple days ago because I have a standing bid in on a drilling. I should have just "watched" the drilling instead of commiting 9 days before the end of the sale. My luck I would have won both playing that game.

P.S. Should I stay away from Damascus if I plan to shoot it? Need to stick to low brass lead... Probably could just google that.

Thanks guys.

I would stay away from Damascus barrels. Not that there aren't quality damascus barreled guns still out there. But unless you have someone that really knows how to inspect them and just really like the looks to me it isn't worth it.

If you have big hands like me, you will learn to love a beavertail forearm. No they aren't as pleasing to the eye but much more functional. Shoot driven birds and let me know how you like the splintered Forearm.

As for the wrist sure straight grip is faster handling, but a pistol gives you better control. There is a reason Trap, Skeet, Sporting clays, and Pigeon shooters all use a Pistol grip versus a straight grip.

As for a 10ga I don't see a viable reason to own one. Too many negatives for me anyways.

The Zoli-Rizzini isn't a bad gun at all. But so far from what I have seen posted here the best one going is the Beretta SilverHawk.

Just a little bit of a warning, "low brass lead" and "low pressure" are not synonymous. Modern low brass shells are loaded to top pressures to operate modern semi-autos. Feeding of a fine OLD sxs means low pressure shells to protect 50-100 year old wood. Companies like RST and Vintagers shells(Polywad) make good performing low pressure shells and there is plenty of load data for low pressure shot shell reloading. I miss the passing of B&P High Pheasant 2 1/2" factory loads.

Most of the pre-war Euro sxs's will have 2 1/2" chambers usually marked with the gauge and chamber length such as 12-65 for 2 1/2", 12-70 for 2 3/4" guns with out a chamber length will most likely be of the shorter length as they were built before 2 3/4 became available.

I grew up shooting a fine old 16ga Damascus sxs being young and dumb long before the internet and in some place even a telephone was a rarity. I shot factory 2 3/4" shell through it and is as loose as a goose today and is nothing but a wall hanger now.



Older SKB's are fine shotgun, I shot a pair of SKB 100's 12ga for waterfowl and a 20ga for upland. I sold them and went back to a two trigger gun.

I'm pretty partial to drillings and have the in 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R Sauer, 16ga/16ga/7x57R and 16ga/16ga/9.3x72R. I hunt coyotes with the 6.5 and big game with the 7x57R, still working up a load for the 9.3. The 9.3 and 6.5 have 65mm 2 1/2" 16ga chambers and the 7x57R is a post war Sauer with 70mm 2 3/4" chambers

I don’t know if you need to be a member or contributing member to see the adds there.

Here is the text from his original add (has since dropped price to $1250


Zoli-Rizzini 20ga, 26". Scalloped boxlock non-ejector. Semi-PG (or Prince of Wales)/splinter/double triggers. Abercrombie & Fitch import (this one made in 1963) when they were looking for a less expensive alternative to their higher priced European guns (like Francottes), and they chose these well-made Italian doubles. Chokes are IC/M (.006/.014). Weight: Just a hair over 6#. Dimensions: 14 1/4" to a 1 1/8" leather covered pad (by Wisconsin gun dealer/gunsmith Mark Beasland) x 1 5/8" x 2 5/8". Neutral cast. 3" chambers. Perfect bores. Excellent blue. Retains most case color, but with some tarnish on the receiver. Minor handling marks. Sharp checkering. $1550.

If anybody is interested, pm me and I’ll give you his email address for pictures.

I believe those newer SKB guns are made in Turkey. SKB has been bought/sold a few times over the years. The older Japanese guns are quite nice and are well regarded. No idea about the Turkish manufactured guns.

Watch Turnbull Restoration website. They occasionally have some listed in the used section that they have not refinished that are old classic shooters. Usually within your budget. SKB as mentioned above are outstanding shotguns. The field models are in the $800-$900 range.

Have a very nice Merkel model 8 in 12 gauge that I paid much less for. Also have a 20 Gauge Ugartechea from lion Country and a 12 Beretta 471 Silver Hawk.
Look up doubleshotguns.com and Upland Journal. Auction arms works also

There is a Browning BSS 20 ga for sale in the 'Fire classifieds at a reasonable price. I believe these were made by Miroku and have a very good reputation for quality. It has a straight English stock (which doesn't work for me) or I would have bought it myself. I suggest you take a look at it.

The seller is Phil99 and the asking price is $1495.