Looking for a new SXS. What's available?

[skydiver386]

I have semi and O//U shotguns, but I'd like to have a SXS specifically for Quail and possibly Dove.

A 20 would work, but a 28gauge would really be the thing a true gentleman uses for such noble birds.

The budget would be $2,500 and under.

This leaves out most of the semi custom house guns, and most from Turkey are below what my heart desires.

What's left in the new market between $1,000 and $2,500?

It may take a month or two to build up my mad money reserves, as my good friend @krish has recently acquired a large chunk of that cash, but I'd like to have something before the fall season.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

CZ offers quite a lot of SXS shotguns & I think 28ga too.

 

[BonUm16]

New to you or a new, currently produced double?

Current production, F.A.I.R. Iside. You won’t do better in the under $2500 category.

 

[skydiver386]

I'd certainly consider a good used side by side, but some are priced far above what I believe them to be worth.

For nearly the same price, the new guns would get the nod.

I have looked at the Franchi Esprit online, but it doesn't appear this is one they are importing into the U.S.

Beretta shotguns have given me excellent service in the past, but I believe their current SXS is a tad over budget.

The FAIR is an excellent suggestion and one I wasn't aware of.

 

[FlyGuy]

Ignore FAIR shotguns at your peril.

 

[BonUm16]

I'd certainly consider a good used side by side, but some are priced far above what I believe them to be worth.

For nearly the same price, the new guns would get the nod.

I have looked at the Franchi Esprit online, but it doesn't appear this is one they are importing into the U.S.

Beretta shotguns have given me excellent service in the past, but I believe their current SXS is a tad over budget.

The FAIR is an excellent suggestion and one I wasn't aware of.

IMO, there really is nothing currently being made that competes with them in the price range you’re considering. I have a modest accumulation of doubles, mostly very early 1900s thru the 1940s. The “newest” I had prior to my current Iside was from the mid-60s. With the increase in regs requiring the use of non-lead shot, I wanted at least one double I could run any type shot through, if needed. I have not been disappointed having listened to a number of friends who own and suggested the Iside.

If it is a gun you’re considering, I’d make a couple suggestions. Unless you shoot light guns well, opt for a 20ga over the 28ga. Assuming FAIR has not changed things with the latest offerings, a 28ga with 28” barrels will run 5lbs, give or take a couple oz. My 20ga (30” barrels, 15” LOP, Ejectors) weighs 5lbs 11oz. If a 28ga is really what you want, get one with 30” barrels. I’ve tried to shoot a friend’s 28ga with 28” barrels (5lb, 2oz) and I really struggle to hit with it. He has said the same and wishes he had gone with longer barrels.

 

[rookhawk]

I have semi and O//U shotguns, but I'd like to have a SXS specifically for Quail and possibly Dove.

A 20 would work, but a 28gauge would really be the thing a true gentleman uses for such noble birds.

The budget would be $2,500 and under.

This leaves out most of the semi custom house guns, and most from Turkey are below what my heart desires.

What's left in the new market between $1,000 and $2,500?

It may take a month or two to build up my mad money reserves, as my good friend @krish has recently acquired a large chunk of that cash, but I'd like to have something before the fall season.

Gross stuff you don't want to own.

The whole point of a SxS is how easy they carry and how lively they shoot due to perfect balance and light weight. Modern, new SxS in your price range will be hideous, missing those goals entirely. Options like CZs, Turkish stuff, Russian stuff, just horrible and way inferior to an O/U Ruger or Beretta.

Then you threw the loop into the equation that it has to be a 20 or 28 gauge, so you want the most expensive gauges as well.

If it were me, I'd get a really nice Vintage english boxlock 12-bore that weights a mere 6.5lbs with 28-30" barrels and has 2.5" chambers. That will run you $2500 for a really good one and would have a brand-new equivalent replacement cost of about $60,000. Once you change that up and say "No, I want a 20 gauge instead!" then you're dropping $7000 for the same exact gun, or $14,000+ if that same gun was a 28 gauge.

You might be able to find a so-so used Spanish gun in 20 gauge for your pricepoint. It will be heavy, but it will be better than any of the new choices, but vastly inferior to the british 12 bore boxlocks I recommended.

 

[Tango]

I'd look at the Upland Gun Company SxS's, made in Italy. Their Zeus model starts at $2500, though you're probably going to be in for $3K by the time you spec it up. The real beauty of the UGC shotguns is that they'll build the stock to your dimensions, which in my opinion, is the most critical factor when it comes to shooting a shotgun well. I had a UGC Venus model 28ga built 2 years ago and it's excellent. My favorite upland shotgun. Due to the personalized fit and barrel length, it's the shotgun I shoot best. They offer live fire, pattern plate fittings across the country to really dial in your dimensions. It's a super enjoyable process and the resulting gun is wonderful to shoot. A properly fit 28ga with longer barrels is an absolute joy to hunt with. The fitting process will be a real eye opener as well. It's unbelievable what a properly fit stock will do for your shooting. The UGC owner is a great guy as well.

Shop - Upland Gun Company

uplandguncompany.com

rookhawk's advice on an English boxlock is also good and something to consider, though I've had trouble lately finding good service on them when they need gunsmith work. He's right about the CZ's, Turkish, Russian etc stuff........avoid it all. It's crude trouble waiting to bite you.

 

[Flipper Dude]

FAIR

Plantation series by Dickinson

 

[skydiver386]

Gross stuff you don't want to own.

The whole point of a SxS is how easy they carry and how lively they shoot due to perfect balance and light weight. Modern, new SxS in your price range will be hideous, missing those goals entirely. Options like CZs, Turkish stuff, Russian stuff, just horrible and way inferior to an O/U Ruger or Beretta.

Then you threw the loop into the equation that it has to be a 20 or 28 gauge, so you want the most expensive gauges as well.

If it were me, I'd get a really nice Vintage english boxlock 12-bore that weights a mere 6.5lbs with 28-30" barrels and has 2.5" chambers. That will run you $2500 for a really good one and would have a brand-new equivalent replacement cost of about $60,000. Once you change that up and say "No, I want a 20 gauge instead!" then you're dropping $7000 for the same exact gun, or $14,000+ if that same gun was a 28 gauge.

You might be able to find a so-so used Spanish gun in 20 gauge for your pricepoint. It will be heavy, but it will be better than any of the new choices, but vastly inferior to the british 12 bore boxlocks I recommended.

One of the issues with a 12 or 16, is that some very nice hunting lodges prohibit them for Quail. 20 Gauge and smaller is clearly stated on their website. Pump's and Semi-auto shotguns are also prohibited.

I could have a decent Winchester 21 in 12ga for around 5k, or a 20ga for possibly 8k, but because I tend to be rough on shotguns, I'd prefer to leave these to collectors and buy something new.

 

[Flbt]

CZ offers quite a lot of SXS shotguns & I think 28ga too.

I like the cz bobwhite stright stock splinter for grip and duble triggers but it’s Turkish made I believe. Handled a 16 ga a few years back like that.

 

[Tango]

Good point on the 20ga and lighter rules at some lodges. After 2 good seasons of shooting wild SD, Iowa and NE roosters, sharptails and prairie chickens with 28ga 3/4oz copper 6's (over good dogs at reasonable ranges of course) I just don't see the need for more than a 28ga or 20ga.

 

[Tango]

I like the cz bobwhite stright stock splinter for grip and duble triggers but it’s Turkish made I believe. Handled a 16 ga a few years back like that.

Careful with the CZ's/Turkish guns, they often build 16ga's on 12ga frames and 28ga's on 20ga frames etc defeating the purpose of going to a lighter, more lively upland shotgun

 

[Hunter-Habib]

If secondhand is not an issue, then I’d highly recommend a British made Webley & Scott Model 700. I wrote an article about them last year.

Thread 'The Last Of The English Side By Sides'

Jul 26, 2024

Today, an English made side by side shotgun is invariably a bespoke sidelock affair, commissioned from one of the heritage British gun houses (James Purdey, Westley Richards, Holland & Holland, Watson Brothers, John Rigby, Joseph Lang, E.J Churchill, John Dickson, A.A Brown, William Moore or Charles Lancaster) and they‘ll set you back a pretty penny. But such was not always the case.

At one time, there was a wide variety of commercially manufactured English side by sides that could easily be found on the gun racks/ gun cabinets of any self respecting gun shop in Great Britain (or any of...

• Hunter-Habib
• Replies: 38
• Forum: Articles

• 
• 

Amongst newly manufactured side by side shotguns, you might want to give Huglu a try. They’re Turkish, but quality is better than most other Turkish shotguns. Here’s their 28 gauge Model.

200 A MINI ENGLISH TYPE - Huglu

We as Huglu Hunting Firearms Cooperative manufacture shotgun and air rifle by using high technology and craftmanship for the customers looking for quality, durability and performance together on a product.

www.huglu.com.tr

 

[Firebird]

no experience with them but check out Heritage badlander line. Fabarm also is producing one this year but I think only in 12 gauge-good luck in your search
May I suggest finding “the one” that you want and saving until you can get it, rather than settling for what is available in your price range-

 

[Flbt]

Careful with the CZ's/Turkish guns, they often build 16ga's on 12ga frames and 28ga's on 20ga frames etc defeating the purpose of going to a lighter, more lively upland shotgun

If everything works out. I will have a Ithaca sxs 16 for this hunting season. A cousin from south fl told me he had one of grandpa guns he believed and since neather of his sons hunted the next time he was up he was going to bring it to me.

 

[mitch4570]

Save a little more money and buy a AYA no. 2. I bought 2 of them used for just under 3000 each. One is a sweet little 28 ga I have named Bonita. I have shot a load of pheasants and chukars over my dog with it. 81 to date.

 

[BeeMaa]

One of the issues with a 12 or 16, is that some very nice hunting lodges prohibit them for Quail. 20 Gauge and smaller is clearly stated on their website. Pump's and Semi-auto shotguns are also prohibited.

I could have a decent Winchester 21 in 12ga for around 5k, or a 20ga for possibly 8k, but because I tend to be rough on shotguns, I'd prefer to leave these to collectors and buy something new.

If it MUST be a 20 or 28 bore, you have a few options...

1. Increase your budget and stay with a British boxlock SxS to have good quality piece at a reasonable price.
2. Keep your budget and get a good quality modern O/U. Not top quality, but good. Browning 725, Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I.
3. Maybe something like this...GB Aya Deluxe 20 Bore

 

[gcbailey]

It's a bit more than the price range you stated, but I think the Beretta 486 Parallelo is one of the best current sxs on the market.

 

[skydiver386]

It's a bit more than the price range you stated, but I think the Beretta 486 Parallelo is one of the best current sxs on the market.

I've looked at them on Beretta's website, but wasn't sure if they brought them into the States.