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Forums10
Topics39,489
Posts562,002
Members14,584
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Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355 |
In looking at the designs (BLE vs SLE) the one difference I find that seems to favor the SLE is the use of replaceable firing pins (stykers). I have had to replace the hammer on an A&D style action on which the pin had broken off. While it is an uncommon occurence it is much easier to fix on SLE. Is there a boxlock design which does not had the firing pin integral to the hammer. Many, many, boxlocks, have disc set strikers, which allow for servicing the pin from the front, as opposed to taking the gun down. This is a great idea on a boxlock, which, doesn't take down all that easily. I'm no fan of integral strikers, either. No, they don't break that often, yes, it will break right at the begining of the hunt of a lifetime. Best, Ted
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355 |
if you have ever been near an accidental discharge, due to a boxlock not having intercepting sears, you wouldn't say they don't need them and may actually consider selling yours in favor of sidelocks. Every AD I've ever been around (2) involved an old man and an LC Smith. I got to inspect the gun, some goul had worked the trigger pulls down to lower than a pound. In my part of the world, AD is similar to barrel bursts-you hear about them now and then, but, seldom see one. Best, Ted
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 704 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 704 Likes: 1 |
Not sure of its anything to do with anything but my sidelock seems to have a crisper trigger pull than my boxlock guns. That is something that makes a difference to me.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 57
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 57 |
Old Colonel, is the "German triggerplate action" you liked so much the same as the "blitz action"?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,571 Likes: 165 |
One thing we haven't brought up here is the fact that it's much easier to lump sidelocks together than it is boxlocks. Relatively few truly different sidelock mechanisms on guns made over the last century; a whole bunch of different boxlocks. (Each of the "American classics" was a different design.)
The point that one may prefer sidelock triggers to boxlocks because a higher percentage of sidelocks are higher grade guns is well taken. And there are certainly inexpensive boxlocks with good triggers. However . . . if boxlocks are really a better design, why do some makers--Francotte perhaps most famously, but also V. Bernardelli--make their boxlocks to look like sidelocks?? That would seem to indicate that sidelocks certainly have an advantage when it comes to "pretty".
And you have to love Cogswell & Harrison's euphemism for false sideplates: "ornamental strengthening plates".
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 239
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 239 |
The most common benefit of the sidelock is the potential for better trigger pulls. Unfortunately to prove this argument people tend to compare best sidelocks with less than best boxlocks, not a fair comparison. There are sidelocks with lousy trigger pulls and there are boxlocks with superb ones. If both are of the same quality the sidelock should have the edge based on the inherent design of the boxlock which can impede the best pulls.
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 978 Likes: 51
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 978 Likes: 51 |
Well, I went away for a day, and there are three pages of posts on this topic. Great! Aside from trigger pulls, it would seem this is mostly a discussion of aesthetics. On that note, I've seen many sidelocks that seem to have rather tall side plates (many Spanish guns come to mind), while others seem a bit more slim and graceful. Definitely an interesting topic to ponder.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,719 Likes: 1355 |
One thing we haven't brought up here is the fact that it's much easier to lump sidelocks together than it is boxlocks. Relatively few truly different sidelock mechanisms on guns made over the last century; a whole bunch of different boxlocks. (Each of the "American classics" was a different design.)
The point that one may prefer sidelock triggers to boxlocks because a higher percentage of sidelocks are higher grade guns is well taken. And there are certainly inexpensive boxlocks with good triggers. However . . . if boxlocks are really a better design, why do some makers--Francotte perhaps most famously, but also V. Bernardelli--make their boxlocks to look like sidelocks?? That would seem to indicate that sidelocks certainly have an advantage when it comes to "pretty".
And you have to love Cogswell & Harrison's euphemism for false sideplates: "ornamental strengthening plates". Do you like blondes, or redheads, Larry? Pretty is as pretty does, I think, at least when you are talking gun designs. Lets say the blonde is a "high maintenance" type, needs the best of everything. To me, thats a sidelock. The average gunsmith isn't going to fix it, and if you need a new stock, you might as well go find another gun. The redhead who is happy to go for a stroll down to the corner for a ice cream cone would be the boxlock. Any gunsmith should be able to at least diagnose trouble in it, and stock replacement would come far less costly. Parts, too. As far as the fake sidelocks on boxlock guns, well, they are for somebody I guess, but, I wouldn't pay a dime more for a gun that had 'em. I think the makers were banking that someone would. Make mine a boxlock, please. Best, Ted
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 680 |
When the gun is on the shoulder and the bird is on the wing can any of you really tell the difference?
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,028 Likes: 125
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,028 Likes: 125 |
When the gun is on the shoulder and the bird is on the wing can any of you really tell the difference? Only if I'm shooting an automatic or O/U which I'm sorry to say I shoot better than any SxS, box-lock or sidelock, no matter. Made the mistake of leaving my Browning Superposed at home for this year's grouse hunting. Told myself, 'boy you are gonna learn how to shoot those pretty SxS's with those fancy double triggers.' won't make that mistake again next year!! I will say, however, those pretty SxS's trim trees pretty darn good for me.
Socialism is almost the worst.
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