Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Who makes a good SxS shotgun now under $2K ???

Steelhead,

But the X's aren't used!

JB

I have a Parker VH made in 1903, I believe. I tried to sell it one time and found out real quick that no one wanted it, because it has been reblued, including the receiver. The action was a little loose and unfixable, according to one gunsmith, which was another minus.

That's probably the best type to look for in a decent SXS. Good brand with little to no collector's value. Of course, it could also be like my $20 Silver Snipe, by the time I get the barrels straightened and resoldiered and put new wood on it, I would have more in it than its worth.

Oh, the hinge pin on the Parker was rotated 180 degrees by a rookie gunsmith and it fixed the action as tight as new.

GRIN!

I'm a 2 trigger fan, so i think one of the very best buys on a modern double is the Charles Daly/Miroku 500. You can still find excellent condition Dalys for well under a grand. I think they are a little better built than the newer Browning/Miroku version (BSS) and of course they have the requisite 2 triggers. They haven't been built in years, but they are made of modern materials and have a reputation for durability.

Weagle

You always find neat stuff.

I have a Browning B-SS, and 12 and 20 gauge SKBs. They have all been good guns. I don't know what they would cost new nowdays but good used ones should be available for well under $1,000.

There are quite a few older but servicable American made SxSs going around this year. I bought a very nice Stevens 5100 in 16 gauge that shoots very well and looks good with 100% of the factory casehardening remaining. Yes, it is heavier than a Fox or AyA, but it kills birds (and turkeys) just as dead, and the price was nowhere near $1000.

I foolishly traded away my 16ga Sterlingworth. Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!
_

Shotguns and Mauser rifle guild guns are the best buys on the market. I saw a beautiful Mauser rifle the other day on the Internet (can't remember where) that was dirt cheap. If I buy another firearm right now, my wonderful wife would probably shoot me with it. Thanks...Bill.

This is an interesting thread. I am not familiar with SXS's but think thye'd be cool to own one. The only problem is I know schitt about these guns, but have seen/held these in gunshows. I presume there must be a book on how to evaluate SXS's? You know, to help a newbie A few months ago or a year, some guy lamented that he got a Merkel (sp?) on trade for a rifle and cash and he thought that's be a good deal. Of course, he had to know what to look for, know what he was getting.

Maybe its because SXS are better suited to the "western skies" and upland bird hunting. In the east, we got rabbits and surely do not need a SXS for this...

nonetheless, a new thread broughr up ideas...

Thanks for all the input everyone. Wondering if anyone has shot one of the new L C Smiths made by Marlin. Made in Spain I believe, but don't know by whom.

Valad my lad, SxS guns are very quick handling and the better ones point,swing and shoot like a dream. The A H Fox Sterlingworth double 12 my Dad gave me is a pure pleasure to shoot. It does nicely on every critter I have taken the time to use it for. Definitely a fine game getting shotgun.

Another vote for the SKB

I own 2 CZ SxSs. Both are the Bobwhite version (straight stock, 2 triggers). I used to own a Ringneck (pistol grip, 1 trigger).

I only sold the Ringneck because I prefer two triggers.

I have found the guns to be excellent value and wonderful for hunting. If I were to make one suggestion, it would be to put an automatic safety feature on them. That is really just a training issue, however.

One thing to remember is that the CZ guns are frame specific. In other words, the 20ga. frame is larger than the 28 which is larger than the .410. I really like the 28ga. I don't like a set of 28ga. barrels on a 20 ga. frame.

I dont' know why I like SxS guns. I'll just borrow a quote from a friend: "If we were intended to shoot over/under guns, our eyes would be on top of one another".

For $2,000, you can find a lot of nice used shotguns.
The thing is, you need to know what sort of gun fits you - LOP, drop at comb and heel, pitch, and cast on or cast off.

That will eliminate a bunch of things as you find them.
You will still need to handle them, but here are some examples of excellent guns:

* I sold a 20-ga Sterlingworth with 100% blue and case colors last year for $1,400.00.

* Friend bought a JP Sauer 12-ga that was 90%, and most of that 10% was just age, for $1,500.00.

* Found a 90% Parker 12 for another friend for $2,200.

* Matched pair of AyA 12 gauge sidelock SxS from the 1960s for $2,500.

* Beretta 470, 98%, for $2,000.

* Browning BSS for $1,100.