New to side by side shotguns. Which one?

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I'm looking into getting a side by side soon (16 or 20 gauge). It will be used for upland birds. I usually shoot pumps and autos but I rarely use the 3rd shot. I really don't know much about side by sides other than they are fun to shoot. I don't want to break the bank. I don't want engraving and all that fancy stuff, just an inexpensive yet reliable shooter that goes bang. Any suggestions?
 
are you set on SXS or is an over under an option? typically better for your stated purposes... charles daily has some very clean nice looking Over Unders available at a reasonable price... likely one in my future....
 
I'm not opposed to an over and under. I guess I'll go for any gun that feels good. I think the nostalgia bug has got me and that's why I'm looking at the sxs. I used a pretty expensive one a while back and it felt/shot awesome. Downside is I can't afford one like it
 
Look for a used Stevens 311 or Savage Fox B in 20 gauge. Double triggers are usually cheaper and more reliable, especially in a less expensive gun. They are not Purdeys, and they are not featherweights, but they are solid and dependable and I don't thing they handle all that badly. I have owned five figure SxSs, but my first was a little Steven 311 20 gauge, and it never let me down.
 
My local shop has a CZ that has been calling my name for about a month now. At a little under $800 it looks really nice. I don't need another shotgun at all, but This is the best deal I have seen on a SXS in a while.
 
All of my experience is with older guns so I can not even tell you who is making SxSs at this time.

I like the old ones, Baker, L C Smith, Parker, Fox, to name a few. Often they can be found at online auctions and found reasonably. However, they are not for everyone and you should probably handle one before you buy it.

Check in gun shops, pawn shops, garage sales and ads.

Good luck.
 
Mine is this one, a Spartan 20 gauge. It ain't fancy, but it's rugged to the max and a great shooter. I had to lengthen the stock a bit, was a little short, but fit is pretty good on ME. YMMV Interchangeable chokes are a bonus over those old Stevens and such. I wouldn't take 2 new Stevens 310s for mine. :D

http://www.remington-spartan.com/category/937-Remington_Spartan_220.aspx
 
A used Savage/Fox BSE in 20 gauge seems to be selling for around $600 nowadays. I bought one new in the 80's and it was over $250 then. Old SxS's can sometimes be had fairly inexpensively, (under $1,000), but there can be issues to consider - stock dimensions were very different back in the 20's and 30's so you need to check the fit. Chamber dimensions can also be something to watch - many older guns were made with 2-1/2" chambers, not the current 2-3/4. While 2-3/4 will easily fit in, the pressures from the crimp opening into the forcing cone can be dangerous. You would also have to consider whether parts are still available, or if you have a knowledgeable gunsmith who can make a spring or firing pin if necessary.

SxS's today seem to come in two groups - fairly cheap from China, Turkey, etc., or fairly expensive from Spain, Italy, England, Germany, etc.

A basic used Ugartechea, (aka Uggie), can be found usually for around $1,000 and will be a well-made gun.
 
Stoeger Uplander.

Bought one for CAS shooting. Rugged and Reliable....and most importantly CHEAP!!

BTW, when asking a question like this, you really need to identify what you consider inexpensive
 
I handled (did not shoot) a Fausti Stefano 20 Gauge double at Cabela's (NIB, Cabela's exclusive model AFAIK).

It was full-coverage engraved, nice walnut, English/splinter stock. Handled like a dream. I was really impressed.

$1499 marked down to $1199.

Anyone know anything about these guns? Do they stand up well to regular use?
 
AB - from a review in the March 09 issue of Shooting Sportsman:

Fausti has replaced SKB in producing the over/unders and side-by-side shotguns for Weatherby. Fausti now makes the L.C. Smith over/under for Marlin and the Verona side-by-side for Legacy Sports International.
Click to expand...

Bruce Buck did the review on the DEA roundbody, which Cabela's is selling for about $4K, and gave it good remarks.

They have established a Fausti USA presence, so hopefully that means parts and or repairs will be easy to have done.

IMO, foe the price you're looking at, I would take it over one of the Chinese or Turkish imports
 
Bruce Buck did the review on the DEA roundbody, which Cabela's is selling for about $4K, and gave it good remarks.
Click to expand...

Those are really nice guns, from what I can tell. To save $2500, I can sure deal with a square boxlock instead, especially one that handles like that thing did.:D

I have an ancient SKB 20. Wonderful gun. I wonder if Weatherby's going with Fausti indicates a similar quality level. Weatherby has done pretty well at picking their jobbers, but they've also made a few glaring mistakes (which they've done a lot to make good on).
 
Thanks everyone. Sorry for not being clear but I'm looking to spend between $500-1000. I'm interested in used and new guns. I'm not picky, except on the price I guess. I'll check around for an older guns like a Fox B. I'll also look into to new ones. Whatever one feels/fits the best I'll get. Thanks again
 
I had the opportunity to handle a CZ Bobwhite SxS in 20 ga. a couple of weeks back in the Cabelas "Preowned" gun dept in Buda,Tx. It sure doesn't look or feel like a Turkish POS. The fit and finish were as good as I've seen in the $1K - 1.5K priced doubles including O/U's. I couldn't help wonder why it was in the used section, obviously very unused, with a $700 price tag.
 
I'm looking to spend between $500-1000.
Click to expand...

Look at an older SKB & maybe a Browning SxS. On the Browning I haven't priced one lately but if they are like the A5 Light 20 they may be well over the $1000 mark now used!
 
The Stevens 311 and the Fox B are the same gun internally. The Fox B has nicer wood and a different name stamped on it, along with a fox'x head on the bottom of the receiver. I actually prefer the 311 due to double triggers and the price. 311s usually can be had for less tha $400. in fact, I bought a nice 311 20 gauge for $290 from a gun shop Saturday. This makes my 5th 311and I've never had a single problem with them.

With double triggers you can estimate the range and swap triggers for a different choke quicker than you can snap the barrel selector. They don't make them any tougher than the 311. They aren't pretty, but they are tough.

The last time I priced Fox Bs, they were in the $500 range. Every internal part on the Fox B will interchange with 311.
 
I bought a used Fausti a few months back for basically 450 bucks, bought a 1911 I didnt like and traded it for the Fausti. I havent gotten it out yet, but its really nice looking and feels good in the hand. Got a dove hunt next month and she's the one Im taking.
 
You bought a used gun and haven't seen how it runs before taking it on a bird shoot?

Even new, before I hunt or do ANYTHING "serious" with my guns before I put a box or two through it.
 
I just ordered a 16 CZ Bobwhite SxS for $499 shipped. CDNN is closing them out (maybe making room for new models)
 
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