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I've always wanted a nice side-by-side. 20 or 28 ga.
Decent quality, screw in chokes, would rather NOT have a checkered butt plate, somewhere around $2K (maybe a bit more).
I'm looking at SKB models (not wild about the checkered butt plate), but was wondering what else was out there.
Any specific used models to look for?
Is this doable in my price range? Or just go find a nice over/under?

Thanks!

F.A.I.R (Rizzini) Iside gets good reviews. $1500ish up to $4,000 depending on what embellishments you get.

A checkered butt plate just needs a saw, a sander, and a Pachmyer Decelerator pad and it is no longer a checkered butt plate.

Dickinsons seemed to be a decent product for price point. The only knock I've heard on them is that the trigger pulls are sometimes very heavy, but the company will address the issue if asked.

ugartetachia(spelling) or parker hale, bernadelli

I have a new Dickson Plantation model SxS 16 ga. The wood is superb though maybe I have a one-of. All the features I wanted at just a click over 2k.

These are very well thought of in spite of Turkey’s rep for making some real junkers. FWIW, I was told by a Scheels gun salesman that in their network of buyers they feel they compare well with 3k Spanish and Italian guns.

Edit to add: the trigger pulls are superb.

F.a.i.r. iside

CSMC makes some nice SXSs in all gauges but think they start in the low $3000 range.

Ugartechea is no longer in business but their shotguns are still available on the used market. Same with Parker Hale defunct 1992. I am quite fond of my Lion Country Grade III Ugartechea 20 gauge SxS.
Have been fighting an itch , Beretta Parallelo SxS 28 gauge @ about 5K. If the kayak I ordered doesn't come in soon the Beretta will find a home in my safe.

Check out gunsinternational . over 700 28 gauge shotguns listed.

I have an AyA matador in 28ga I like a great deal.Their entry level gun and can only get them used anymore I think. I also have a CZ Bobwhite in 20ga and 28ga. Got the 20ga new this year and the 28ga used. 20ga new was I thin about $640 and got two box's of factory ammo with it. got a 5% military discount at Sportsmans Whse. The 28ga was a super deal. Like new and came with 10 bxs of factory ammo for $400! The Dickson seem's to be nice but all I've ever seen is photo's. Guns International has a ton of 28's new and used!

Thanks for the input guys!

I'll keep looking. Wasn't planning on buying till 2021. Would like to see how all this is gonna wind out with my job before I drop 2 grand on a shotgun. Still employed and hope to stay that way.

It's kind of funny, I told my wife earlier today that now that I'm in my mid 40's, and my career has started to take off, and there's a bit more money floating around, gun prices have doubled (at least everything I like!)!

And thanks for turning me on to Guns International Sidepass, I can already tell I'm gonna kill a lot of time on there.........

Quality SxS’s are never going to be inexpensive in real dollars because of what it takes to bring two barrels together and shoot together. Then add on good wood and any degree of artistic embellishment and there you have it.

I’m very pleased with the Dickinson but my go-to if this proved folly was a used Spanish- or Italian-made, used double although from everything I’ve seen of the CSMC shows it makes quality O/U’s and SxS’s too and frame-appropriate ant reasonable prices.

Generally, American made double guns have paired the sub-gauges with frames too large with heavy barrels thus guns result that are too heavy and unwieldy for the gauge.

RBL's are great guns if you like American made it is for sure the right pick.

I have a base model FAIR Iside that I like quite a bit and is well made. For the money a Dickison’s Estate is a prettier gun. My Iside has plain wood and a chemical case hardening. The Estates seem to have nicer wood and and real bone case hardening.

I bought the Iside because it’s Italian made. I’m sure the Dickinson guns are well made but I’d rather not support a Turkish company if I can avoid it.

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