Side by Side, 20G, 26in barrel

Ready to buy, need to know

1) what gun makers still make them new
2) where to find and buy used ones, websites, gun shops, gun shows

I am having a hard time finding information online, best board to ask this question so thanks in advance

I had one made for me by Arrieta in Spain. Went through a dealer in Houston (Quality Arms). Lots of resales of high quality side-by-sides. However expect to pay, not a lot of gun makers have a large selection of field grade side-by-sides.

Budget?

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Budget?

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Big question.

CZ America. Decent guns at decent price.

Second thought, seems like may be I heard they quit making them. Reason????? Still should be some out there used.

http://cz-usa.com/product-category/shotguns/side-by-side/

They still make them Dr. Pete, and they are some pretty good shotguns (especially for the price).

They aren't going to compete with a Kriegoff or Perazzi by any stretch in terms of quality, but they also run about 1/10th of the price.

I'll look more into the CZ

Price range is $1,000-$2,500

I have looked into the custom route at higher prices but I'm not ready to go there.

This will be a field gun for pretty much only dove

CZ-USA imports some pretty good SxS for a good price. I've got a 28 gauge Ringneck and I absolutely love it. Somebody already posted a link.

Higher quality and higher priced, but check out the new SKB offerings. Made by the same company that produced the Kimber Valier and the S&W Gold Elite.

http://www.skbshotguns.com/

If you can handle them, don't mind them, or like double triggers, check out the Dickinson line at Cabelas in the Gun Library. Made by the same company as the SKBs, but different configuration (double trigger, straight grip vs single non-selective trigger and Prince of Wales grip on the SKB). The Dickinsons are priced between the CZs and the SKBs. FWIW, if you look at the Gun Library for these, also use the search function and type in "Dickenson". I made that typo and found the one I ended up with that I never would have seen otherwise.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&Ntk=GunLibrary&Ntt=dickinson&x=15&y=5

In that price range:

BSS

This is the only correct answer.

I picked up an AYA S X S a few years ago used for $350. He didn't know what he inherited and I caught a misspell in a classified. I now have 3 AYA's. Love them.

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In that price range:

BSS

This is the only correct answer.

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Nope - it's one answer.

I had one - handled like a cedar fence post. At least I made money when I got rid of that pig. Heavy for a 20 gauge and had a fat forend.


[This message has been edited by JR69 (edited 8/29/2014 8:56p).]

You must have had one of the Korean assembled ones. They notoriously were heavier and had fatter, thicker wood than the Japanese ones.

SKB makes, or at least made, some nice shotguns. I have an Ithaca that was made by SKB under contract that is my favorite shotgun. Light, very well put together and very smooth handling. Action is still tight after 30 something years.

Didnt realize they still made shotguns. Interesting.

What would a barely used Savage 20g SxS purchased new in 1980 be worth these days? There is nothing fancy about it but it's probably got less than 200 shells through it.

Gunbroker.com for research and pricing. There are several good shotgun forums out there where if your diligent you can find what your looking for...the beginning of dove season would not be the time!

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What would a barely used Savage 20g SxS purchased new in 1980 be worth these days? There is nothing fancy about it but it's probably got less than 200 shells through it.

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What model?

311's in very good shape are going for $300-$400.

5100's are a bit less.

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You must have had one of the Korean assembled ones. They notoriously were heavier and had fatter, thicker wood than the Japanese ones.

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I doubt it. It was a 1982 20 gauge BSS Sporter made by Miroku. 26" barrels, fixed IC/Mod chokes, very plain but nicely checkered wood, fit and finish not near as nice as my 1956 20 gauge Superposed. In fact it wasn't "Browning better" than my new Dickinson.
Nothing on the gun, box, owner's manual, or other paperwork said anything about assembled in Korea.

As I said initially - BSS is ONE answer, not THE answer. Some like them, some don't.




[This message has been edited by JR69 (edited 8/30/2014 12:37p).]

I've got a Model 21 with matched barrels imp/mod and mod/full I'll let go for $15k?

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SKB makes, or at least made, some nice shotguns. I have an Ithaca that was made by SKB under contract that is my favorite shotgun. Light, very well put together and very smooth handling. Action is still tight after 30 something years.

Didnt realize they still made shotguns. Interesting.

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The new SKBs are made in Turkey by Akus, the same company that made the S&W Elite Gold and Kimber Valier. They are darn nice shotguns.

[This message has been edited by JR69 (edited 8/30/2014 12:39p).]

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As I said initially - BSS is ONE answer, not THE answer. Some like them, some don't.

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You speak of Dickinson's and SKB's. You're clearly a double gun devotee, like myself. I respect that. I think you're selling the BSS a little short though honestly.

They're Anson & Deeley boxlock ejector guns made by the venerable Miroku with real walnut and beautifully blued steel. I know you know this, I'm just trying to give some perspective. They're excellent guns especially in the price range.

When I see CZ's and Dickinson's on the market 30 years from now bringing 500% of what they sold for new, I'll consider them of the same quality but for now they remain (in my mind) certainly quality guns but lesser so than the BSS, perception of weight be damned.

Check out the Stoeger Uplanders.

Btw

Dickinson 20ga straight stock 26" barrels - 6lb 4oz

Browning 20ga BSS Sporter 26" barrels - 6lb 9oz

Pretty small difference.

phideaux I didn't say the BSS wasn't a good gun. It was. It didn't fit me and the balance was not what I like hence it felt heavy. I'm sure the fat fore end contributed to that - whether perceived or actual.

I don't for a minute believe that my CZs, Dickinsons, or SKBs will appreciate anywhere near as much as a BSS has. They are Turkish made, and that alone clouds perceptions. I don't really care because I don't buy shotguns as an investment - I buy them to shoot. I'm old enough to remember when Spanish, and even Italian guns were generally considered to be inferior too.

I'm careful what I buy - a lesson I learned with the BSS - and do my best to make sure the gun fits or can easily be made to. My CZ fits as if it was made for me, as does the Dickinson. If you shoot SxS, then you know that gun fit is very important - more so than with an O/U, SA, or pump. That's especially true if you subscribe to the Churchill method of wingshooting.

FWIW, my Dickinson 20 ga has 28 inch barrels and weighs in at 6lbs, 4 oz on the nose, and balances precisely at the hinge as it should. Whether that 5 oz difference is significant or not depends on where the extra 5 oz is.

[This message has been edited by JR69 (edited 8/30/2014 5:27p).]

Fair enough JR and you're correct that 5oz can make a difference depending on where it's located.

I'm glad to have found another person on here who appreciates double guns. Thanks for the conversation. Differences of opinion are always interesting to explore.

Galazan is the only way to go

phideaux you know that SxS shotguns are, more than any others, personal. They have to fit. That's why we have differences of opinion.

We can argue all day long about quality, price, fit and finish and even snob appeal. I have to admit I like pretty shotguns.



But the bottom line is you'll never shoot an ill-fitting SxS well.

I have a 12ga CZ Ringneck and have been impressed to date but haven't put a ton of angels through it yet.

Pretty wood on that gun fella. Is that one of the Dickinson's?

Yes it's a Dickinson 20 gauge from the Gun Library in Buda.

Will you be shooting it Monday?

I bought a Stoeger Double Defense. Fun gun to shoot even though it is technically a home defense gun. 18.5" barrel.

Believe it or not, no. I don't like a double for doves. I'll shoot my Ithaca 20 gauge on Monday. For me, doubles are strictly quail, pheasant, grouse - upland guns.

I have the CZ Bobwhite and absolutley love it. I have been hunting with it for 4 years and never had a problem with it.

The Bobwhite is a solid great handling SxS. If you prefer single trigger, the Ringneck is equally solid. I like 'em both.