Home Forums Reloading 16 Gauge Society IFG/F.A.I.R. - Iside

This may have been previously discussed, but does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of the IFG/FAIR Iside in 16 gauge?
I am curious about this SXS with 28-inch barrels. Over quality perceptions, fit and finish, wood and would you make this purchase again.

Thanks in advance.

StarchedCover

I looked at them hard when I was shopping for a 16 gauge sxs and thought them an excellent value for the price. They seemed very well fit and finished.

I ended up buying a used German sxs in spectacular condition with British proofs, but I'd have been happy with the Iside. The only knock I have on the FAIR sxs is that only the Iside comes with double triggers as standard. All of the higher grades are single trigger guns and the double trigger is an additional charge. Since I shoot sxs almost exclusively, I'm accustomed to double triggers on my sxs and a single trigger gun would require some mental adjustments.

My one concern with the Iside is the double triggers; I don't have a lot of experience with them, and it doesn't quite feel right.
This week I hope to handle one in 20 gauge and just see how it fits.

The base model Iside may offer only extractors also. For a hunter, that wouldn’t be the better option.

I have one on the way. Ejectors would be better, but I can live with extractors.

I prefer extractors . If faster reloading is needed I'll switch to my Semi Auto.

I have a 20g, and really like it. The only issue I have had is that the case coloring wore off extremely quick (one season). They said that since I wore leather gloves (orvis upland gloves) almost all the time they could not help me.

Solidly built gun, but chemical case color shows its true colors!

SERIOUSLY ???????

One year of use............leather gloves or not............ That does NOT qualify as abuse or mis-use. Refusal to stand behind their finish raises some serious doubts in MY mind.

Are these built on a 16 sized frame? Another forum somebody recently stated the 16s were built on a 12, but I am pretty sure I've read a couple of times that they were built on a true 16 sized frame.

I've seen multiple posts on multiple sites stating they really liked these.

Yeah, gun was bought new in Feb 2021.. Mabey I got an odd ball, idk. like I said I really like it and it shoots great..

I offered to buy a 28g barrel set of they would refinish, but was told no.

There are two frame sizes a large and small large is 12/16 and small is 20/28 from what IFG the importer told me.

By all accounts, I think the F.A.I.R. guns are good guns. But it sucks arse they won't stand behind the finish.

I would agree.. like I said above I like it and it shoots great!

I've considered buying one...just haven't pulled the trigger.

What are the weights:

16ga?
20ga?

None of the chemical case colorings hold up much longer with use. Parker reproductions had the same issue. The wash is sitting on top of the metal and not baked in like the real thing. It is not a real bone charcoal finish. They could "stand by" it and it would repeat just as fast.Some go over it with a light clear varnish to have it last longer.