doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Anyone shoot US Open Sporting Clays SXS Class?

The US Open Sporting Clays shoot is May 17-22 at M&M Sporting Clays in New Jersey. I see they have side events for side by sides and pump guns. Has anyone shot a SXS event at a big registered shoot? What kind of side by sides do shooters typically use at these events? Are there any vintage guns?

http://usopen.mmhunting.com/sites/default/files/2011-US-Open_0.pdf

There are vintage guns used at the U S Open in S x S events. Last year at the Open in Tunica, MS, on my squad, there was a Wm Cashmore, shot by "our own" Stallones, who shot it very well I might add. I shot a BSS, made in Japan, and there was also an American RBL, which had problems with the single trigger. I don't remember the other makes of S x Ss on our squad.

If you are considering entering, shoot what you shoot best, wherever it was built. Only thing listed on the scoreboard is the name and score, not the make of gun.

SRH

I've shot SxS competitions for years and have seen (and used) all kinds of SxS's on the tournament courses. However, at least up north, many of the serious competitors shoot single trigger, vent rib Model 21's. Also popular are Browning BSS, Winny 23 and Beretta SxS guns. Many of these have been modified by choke changers for Briley thinwalls. Many competitors want to use factory shells, same as in their competition over/unders and gas guns, and for that reason modern SxS's seem to be preferred over vintage double guns that may have service pressure limitations.

I'm still trying to make time to shoot the SxS event at the Open at M&M, and with all that said, if I'm there I'll be toting a double trigger Fox that's choked Mod and I-Mod. A good friend, Master Class shooter who uses a M21 32" VR Trap Gun, is always at the big M&M gigs, and he'll be some serious competition there, as he is everywhere I see him! Silvers

Thanks Stan, Yes, I shot my Hammer Cashmore at the Tunica US Open and also shot it in the Texas State Event for Side x Sides and won it with a 45/50. Previously I shot my Greener Hammergun
vintage 1880 in the events.I see a wide array of shotguns, all the way from the Turkish models to Purdeys and as always it is the Indian and not the arrow that is responsible for hitting the target.

One thing worth mentioning about sxs competition is automatic safeties on many sxs's. Unless you are VERY adept at knocking that safety off EVERY time you reload and close, be sure to either use a gun without an auto safety or have the one you plan on using disconnected if it is currently an auto. It WILL cost you some targets otherwise.
JR

Amen! It's not a matter of if, it will cost you targets, but when. I swapped ends on the safety rod in my BSS before I ever competed with it.

SRH

If you travel into New Jersey with any type of firearm and you do not have all of your New Jersey gun paperwork exactly correct be prepared to spend 3 or 4 days in jail in NJ and have your firearm turned into scrap metal. Do you think that I am kidding ??? We have examples of this behavior by NJ going back for 25 years. The most recent example was a Grandfather from Utah who was traveling by air with a connection in Newark, NJ. Another recent example is the young man that Governor Christie had to recently "pardon" because he did nothing wrong but a NJ judge put him in jail for 7 years for legally owning 2 firearms. I, and many of my shooting friends, will not travel to New Jersey with our firearms for any reason. Good Shooting To You, Jent

Yo Jent, you may have some misinformation there with regard to LONG guns used at shooting tournaments. The NJ state regulations specifically permit out of state visitors with long shotguns for lawful sporting purposes. I've shot MANY tournaments at M&M and in fact, the Matarese family who own the facility, always have a police presence there at the club during major shoots like the Open. It doesn't make sense that the NSCA would approve the US Sporting Open being held in NJ, if out of state shooters would risk being arrested, etc. I've also stayed overnight numerous times at nearby hotels, and people carrying cased long guns through parking lots and into the lobby and their rooms, don't raise an eyebrow. Even with police cars cruising the parking lots. Again, this post speaks to long shotguns, not black rifles with high capacity mags, nor handguns.

I personally have ZERO concerns traveling to, and shooting at the Open at M&M, with conventional shotguns like over/unders, gas semis, and SxS shotguns. If anyone has a concern, I'd suggest you call M&M and get the facts! Frank Silvers

Just don't attempt to take a nap at a rest area on I95 in NJ. The cops will shag you out...."You can't sleep here!"

"Yes, Officer Fife....can't keep my eyes open but I'll get back out in traffic where I belong."

It is "Depity Fyfe"

You should have replied "Now Barney, just calm down. I'll get back on the road in a couple of hours."

Barney Fyfe is one of my all time favorite fictional characters.

Best,

Mike