side by side help - The Firearms Forum

kravi · 11-18-2011, 08:25 PM

Hello folks, I could use some advice.

I'm in the market for a side by side (maybe I'm just old fashioned). I'm looking for something reasonably priced, wood stocked, reliable and used. I don't buy cars new, so why should I buy guns new?

Problem is, I don't know too much about shotguns, so I'm hoping for some recommendations about what to look for, what is good (for the price), etc.

Much obliged,

--Me

StoneChimney · 11-18-2011, 08:32 PM

I'm going to assume that the big names (LC Smith, AH Fox, Parker, etc) are out of the budget.

For a decent shooter, look at the Savage 311 series. They were made in one variety or another for many years, are readily available for affordable prices on the used market, and are good reliable shotguns.

StoneChimney · 11-18-2011, 08:40 PM

Or, if you want vintage I've got a Lefever Nitro Special 16ga...

cpttango30 · 11-18-2011, 08:47 PM

Why buy a used gun when you can get a new gun for the same price?

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...r_uplander.php

myfriendis410 · 11-18-2011, 09:26 PM

Weatherby offers a line of good S X S shotguns and they are made by SKB, which also has them for sale. I have to say that a bare bones S X S that will hold up is going to be three times as expensive as a decent pump. If you buy something made in Russia or Turkey you will be sorry.

CHW2021 · 11-19-2011, 07:45 AM

+1 FOR STOEGER. If , as you state, you do not know much about shotguns you would do better to go with either a new gun or a purchase from a trusted friend.
When buying a used gun knowledge is your best friend. As we all know, there are a number of pitfalls for the unaware.

Fast Forward · 11-19-2011, 01:06 PM

If you are going to buy a new Inexpensive SBS or an OU I would opt for Double Triggers,

mr.t7024 · 11-19-2011, 02:19 PM

cpttango30 is right, I have one of their O/U's in .410-I was and still am impressed with it!

:

CHW2021 · 11-19-2011, 03:11 PM

One of the bigger problems with a used side by side shotgun would be that there are relatively fewer of them made in recent times. The o/u and repeating shotguns have dominated the sales market for the last 30 years. Yes, used ones are about; but, they would be more likely built by a "higher end" maker such as Browning. There is nothing wrong with any gun Browning ever built, they would just be on the high side of cost.

What is your budget and what do you intend to use a shotgun for?

If you want to be a tad more practical than nostalgic, widen your scope to include o/u and single barrel repeaters. My reasoning is that if you are "less familiar" with shotguns in general a gun with a narrower sighting plane might be easier for a beginner to learn to shoot well.

Neverhome · 11-25-2011, 09:27 PM

If you want a short barrel coach gun or a traditional 28" side by side, Stoger makes both. Most of their SXS shotguns are made in Brazil and are well made firearms. I have owned two side by sides over the years and have never had a problem with them. The are reasonable priced too.

Neverhome

michaelcj · 11-25-2011, 09:38 PM

Might want to check out CZ's offerings in an under $1000.00 range.
MJ

JLA · 11-26-2011, 11:01 AM

Another fan of the stoeger imports here too.

Heres a shot of my 12 ga coachgun... Its a 420 dollar NIB SXS... I paid 300 for mine.

Well built, nickel plated, double triggers, checkered walnut stocks.

I love it.

11-18-2011, 08:25 PM	#1
kravi V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 135	side by side help Hello folks, I could use some advice. I'm in the market for a side by side (maybe I'm just old fashioned). I'm looking for something reasonably priced, wood stocked, reliable and used. I don't buy cars new, so why should I buy guns new? Problem is, I don't know too much about shotguns, so I'm hoping for some recommendations about what to look for, what is good (for the price), etc. Much obliged, --Me -->

11-18-2011, 08:32 PM	#2
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: side by side help I'm going to assume that the big names (LC Smith, AH Fox, Parker, etc) are out of the budget. For a decent shooter, look at the Savage 311 series. They were made in one variety or another for many years, are readily available for affordable prices on the used market, and are good reliable shotguns. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

11-18-2011, 08:40 PM	#3
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: side by side help Or, if you want vintage I've got a Lefever Nitro Special 16ga... __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

11-18-2011, 08:47 PM	#4
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: side by side help Why buy a used gun when you can get a new gun for the same price? http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...r_uplander.php

11-18-2011, 09:26 PM	#5
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 543	Re: side by side help Weatherby offers a line of good S X S shotguns and they are made by SKB, which also has them for sale. I have to say that a bare bones S X S that will hold up is going to be three times as expensive as a decent pump. If you buy something made in Russia or Turkey you will be sorry. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

11-19-2011, 07:45 AM	#6
CHW2021 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 467	Re: side by side help +1 FOR STOEGER. If , as you state, you do not know much about shotguns you would do better to go with either a new gun or a purchase from a trusted friend. When buying a used gun knowledge is your best friend. As we all know, there are a number of pitfalls for the unaware.

11-19-2011, 01:06 PM	#7
Fast Forward Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chaska Minn Posts: 529	Re: side by side help If you are going to buy a new Inexpensive SBS or an OU I would opt for Double Triggers,

11-19-2011, 02:19 PM	#8
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near a brook & pond in Ma Posts: 734	Re: side by side help cpttango30 is right, I have one of their O/U's in .410-I was and still am impressed with it!:

11-19-2011, 03:11 PM	#9
CHW2021 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 467	Re: side by side help One of the bigger problems with a used side by side shotgun would be that there are relatively fewer of them made in recent times. The o/u and repeating shotguns have dominated the sales market for the last 30 years. Yes, used ones are about; but, they would be more likely built by a "higher end" maker such as Browning. There is nothing wrong with any gun Browning ever built, they would just be on the high side of cost. What is your budget and what do you intend to use a shotgun for? If you want to be a tad more practical than nostalgic, widen your scope to include o/u and single barrel repeaters. My reasoning is that if you are "less familiar" with shotguns in general a gun with a narrower sighting plane might be easier for a beginner to learn to shoot well.

11-25-2011, 09:27 PM	#10
Neverhome V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 199	Re: side by side help If you want a short barrel coach gun or a traditional 28" side by side, Stoger makes both. Most of their SXS shotguns are made in Brazil and are well made firearms. I have owned two side by sides over the years and have never had a problem with them. The are reasonable priced too. Neverhome

11-25-2011, 09:38 PM	#11
michaelcj Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lopez Island, WA Posts: 21	Re: side by side help Might want to check out CZ's offerings in an under $1000.00 range. MJ

11-26-2011, 11:01 AM	#12
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,320	Re: side by side help Another fan of the stoeger imports here too. Heres a shot of my 12 ga coachgun... Its a 420 dollar NIB SXS... I paid 300 for mine. Well built, nickel plated, double triggers, checkered walnut stocks. I love it. Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! Last edited by JLA; 11-26-2011 at 11:03 AM..