doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Browning bss sidelock

I too would like to see the engraving.

TIA
Bill

James Wayne has had this grade II sitting around a looooong time:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100566588

Nice wood, but, I have to say I prefer the scroll engraving. The gamescene is typical to what I have seen on that model.
A few of the dealers have the lower grade 12s (if that is what you want to call it) re-priced to around 4K, but, they aren't selling, even at the reduced prices.

I've been looking for a while.

Best,
Ted

Here is the engraving as you requested gentlemen;

The Belgian ones were called BSL's, which was supposed to eliminate confusion with the BSS, but did not do so.

Ted, if you look long enough, you may find a Miroku-marked sidelock at a bargain price, at least compared to the BSS. But then it's worth less on the market--even if it's essentially the same gun--because it doesn't say Browning. Kinda like the Miroku-marked boxlocks (which I prefer) compared to the BSS. If you don't care whether the gun has ejectors, some of the Miroku-marked sidelocks are extractor guns.

I've been looking long, Larry. I've seen a few Mirokus, and the sidelocks are about the same as the Browning EXCEPT, they seem really, really, hard for people to sell.

It doesn't seem like it is a picnic to sell the Brownings, either, the same guns have been for sale for a few years in some cases.

We will see what happens. It isn't like I NEED to have one, either.

Best,
Ted

I don't understand why these guns are so hard to sell?? They are very well made, and more than one gunsmith has told me the Miroku actions are very good, being made of very high quality steel. As opposed to many of the Spanish guns with poor quality steel, I think these Miroku guns are a great alternative at a similar price point. Really, a much better gun in my opinion. The only downside I see to the Japanese made guns are the somewhat short, 14 1/4" LOP which many, if not most of the Browning guns have. It would have been nice had they been a bit longer.

I don't think they are hard to sell, when the price is within the realm of reality.

I'm not convinced that "many" Spanish guns suffer from poor quality steel, either. A few, here and there, maybe.

But, 12 gauge double guns of any stripe are becoming a bit of a drug on the broader gun market. Further, you would be very surprised at the number of actual English gunmakers and 'smiths that own a BSS sidelock or a different Miroku product, and they are almost universal in praise for the guns. But, at current dealer asking prices, you are solidly into pedigreed English ejector boxlock territory, usually with a case, and some history, and a Japanese gun from the 1980s will be thought of differently by someone who has a notion of doubles, and their history, who is in the market.

I am looking simply because I am pragmatic, and the notion of a high quality copy of the H & H action, with Southgate ejectors, built of quality material, suitable for off-the-shelf ammunition, and not used to death, seems like a good enough reason to consider one.

As I noted, we will see.


Best,
Ted

Idk Ted. I'd rather have one of these Browning Sidelocks than most of the $5000 Spanish guns with similar price point. Now, the higher end Spanish guns, like an Arrizabalaga and some others are a different matter. But these Miroku made guns are ALL very high quality for a reasonable amount of money. I don't think the same thing can be said for ALL the Spanish guns. But, maybe I'm missing something here?

I'm not so keen on the lower grade Mirokus with the blued frame, the rather odd fit at the head of the stock, and usually seen with pistol grips, beavertails, and single triggers. Are they very high quality? Well, maybe, but, the look of the gun leaves me cold. A few of the guns Miroku made for Winchester are 20 gauges that "hit like a 20, and carry like a 12", quite heavy.
I've never owned a $5000 Spanish gun, and, I probably won't. The only Spanish guns I have direct experience with are the Uggies, model 30s and their ilk, produced in the last 50 years, and owned by myself, and a few friends. All of the boxlock Uggies are quite reasonable in cost, and none have had any failures. Mine is not exceptionally pretty, but, it does what I ask of it.
I'd buy a boxlock Uggie before I bought ANY Turkish gun.


Best,
Ted

Yeah Ted, but I thought we were talking Sidelocks. I've always been fond of many Browning products, and although I have never owned one, the BSS Sidelock is no exception. They are pretty nice guns for not a ton of money.