doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gamba Oxford 90 Opinions

I am considering purchasing a 20 ga sxs for upland game as well as casual skeet and clays. I have looked at the RBL in the past but have not “pulled the trigger” as I could never get past the laser engraving and the gun never felt very lively to me. Although not in the same price range, I have come across a Renato Gamba Oxford 90 with a single trigger and English grip. Does anyone have experience with this model as well as the performance of this single trigger vs. their double trigger?
Thanks
Z

First time I have posted and not gotten a reply. Guess it is either not a very interesting topic or tells me something about the gun.
Thanks
Z

why not look at a w&s 700, a really great gun.

MC thanks for the response. Are you talking about the "original" Birmingham guns or the later guns made in Italy? I have never handled either and there is a significant price difference between them as far as I can tell. I will be at the Vintager shoot in a few days and I am sure I can find one to at least look at. I liked the Oxford as it has side plates to give it a little more elegant look on a box lock and I am familiar with the Gamba Daytona competition guns but otherwise I have no strong opinions yet.
Thanks
Z

Have owned several Gambas but not Oxford. The Oxfords I have handled (3 different 20s) seemed a bit heavy but decent quality, like Gambas in general.

Wish I had more info to offer. Luck!

If you like sideplated 20's, look for a Vincenzo Bernardelli. Somewhat readily available, and probably cheaper than the Gamba. I own one VB and have never owned a Gamba, but would like to.

I remember seeinng one at a gun show back in the 80s, that was held at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. and remember seeing a Oxford 90 that was made in Italy. It came with a box lock action, splinter foreend, straight grip stock, and double triggers. I am not too keen on this style of gun, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it mounted to my shoulder, along with its' balance. Overall, it was a nice gun and when I opened the action, I could see the quality that went into it.

I have owned 2, a 20 which I sold, and a 12 which I still own as a general purpose gun. Solid boxlock, a little nicer fit and finish than a Uggie. Way cheaper than an RBL. Actually Gamba brought 2 guns into the US as "Oxford 90"--one a scalloped back boxlock and one a sideplated boxlock. Mike MacIntosh did a complimentary write up on the sideplated boxlock Oxford 90. It is in his book of gun evaluations. My guns were double trigger models, which I prefer, so I have no experience with the single trigger. I paid $1795 for the 12 a few years ago. I would expect to pay about the same today. I would not pay the premium prices I see some folks asking.