doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Help Needed Choosing a Side by Side

Joe:

Ruger SXS's, AyA's, Model 21's, RBL's....CAN you buy those for 12-1500.00...(Alans price envelope)....?...........I don't think you named one that is under $3,000.00, or am I missing something......

I do agree with Stan that the Browning Japanese BSS is a very good gun and well suited for heavy use if you like single triggers......

if you want a heavy, reliable, steel shootin sxs then a japanese/korean made browning bss or a russian/baikal made stevens 411 is a way to go. however, the bss has a glossly finish that scratches easily and it has fixed chokes and often a non selectable single trigger. whereas, the 411 has an easily fixed oil finish, choke tubes and a selective single trigger. and o yeah, the bss often costs twice as much as a 411.

if you don't want a heavy, steel shootin sxs, then there is most everything else.

There is absolutely NO comparison between a BSS and a 411 for clay shooting. The handling characteristics of the BSS are light years beyond the 411, and the trigger is, too.

And as for fixed chokes, the best way to deal with that AND the non-selectable trigger is to do what I did with mine, have both barrels choked the same and FORGET ABOUT WHAT CHOKE IS NEEDED FOR THE STATION. Concentrate on the bird, it's line and speed, which one of the true pair to break first, and just shoot it.

I love to see a man I'm shooting against start fiddling with chokes before he shoots a station.

SRH

I'll second/third/fourth/fifth the Browning (Miroku) BSS boxlock recommendation. Modern gun, modern steel, modern dimensions, heavy enough for clays, right in your price range, available with PG or straight grip. At 5'7", you may prefer the 28" barrels. That would save some money and be easier to find than the 30" version (also, the 30" was available only in the PG configuration). If you prefer double triggers, look for the Miroku or Charles Daly (Miroku) 500, generally with double triggers and a splinter f/e, somewhat lighter barrel profile. You can often find a very sweet Miroku/Daly 500 for well under $1K.

Another option would be the SKB 100/200 series. I love Spanish guns, but there are very few that I would use for volume clays shooting. In the American classics, Fox Sterlingworth would be the choice, followed by a Parker VH or Trojan. If you want an American sidelock, the Smith Ideal is way better looking than a Field gun, but watch out for stock cracks behind the locks if you are going to use it a lot with promo loads. The BSS, SKB, Sterlingworth, and VH/Trojan will eat just about any reasonable target loads you would want to feed them. There are lots of light factory target loads out there, but I like the Fiocchi 7/8 oz training loads.

If you must have a sxs and stay within that price range (in the states), I recommend the BSS 12 ga in 28" or better yet, 30" barrels.

For a little more, say 1800-2000 in the states, you can easily find a BSS 20ga.

the only time a BSS trigger let me dowm was one that had been messed with by the previous owner. I fixed it quickly by undoing the hack's work.

Winchester Model 23 guns are of similar quality and performance.

Keep an eye out for an SKB 385 in sporting clays configuration, with the ventilated rib. Great for clays and field work too, and steel shot compatible. One seems to come on the market for a reasonable price at Gun Broker every few months. They are more modern in design than a BSS, come with screw in chokes, and are far better made in terms of workmanship and materials, IMHO. I've compared the 385 and the BSS side by side, and the choice was clear. The down side is that you will have to pay a bit more for the 385, and spend far more time searching for it, but then again, that's part of the fun.

now if you wana go the 20 gauge route, and stay under two grand, then why spend your money on a clunky ole bss, when a nice little fox, smith or ithaca, that weighs a pound less and swings like a dream, would be a far better choice, in mah umble opinion...

Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate the good advice. I was thinking about having a gun with a splinter fore end but had not considered the hot barrels. I guess with field shooting this is not a problem as you are not shooting that rapidly.
I was looking at the Browning BSS before it was suggested -- looks like a good solid gun. I was also looking at an AYA with a 30" barrel but the dealer said there was a pending sale on it -- will have to wait and see. It is made in Japan who I have heard make good guns.
I measure the LOP on my two and they are right around 14.5" to the front trigger. I guess that is what most guns are. Interestingly the 16 gauge I have that was made by WP Jones, is the same gentleman who invented the try gun.
Again thanks for all the advice. I think I will look for a Browning BSS.
Alan

Gunsinternational had a BSS 12 listed yesterday with 30" barrels and a Simmons vent rib for $950.

Not trying to head you off at all...but...please consider the time and expense to shooting Sporting Clays before jumping off the deep end. Especially if you plan to shoot registered targets.

Good luck,
Ken