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3 members (oskar, Tom Shaffer, 1 invisible),
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Most Online9,918 Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180 |
Hey Karl! Would you take a moment and compare the 12 and 20 ga BSS Sidelocks please. Do you find the 12 as light and lively (for a 12) as the 20? Thank you.
Fudd, I don't mean to hijack, we're still in BSS land, right?
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 278 Likes: 94
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 278 Likes: 94 |
Fudd, I don't mean to hijack, we're still in BSS land, right? Assuredly. Kinda curious about the 20s myself. Ill go make some popcorn.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180 |
I'm a fan. Kinda like to hear about the 12ga Sidelock. 
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,723 Likes: 126
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,723 Likes: 126 |
Both the 26" IC & M and the 28" M & F versions of the 12ga BSS Sidelock are splendid guns, well balanced light in hand, and beautiful. I wish there were more modern sidelock guns like them on the market...Geo
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330 |
Where I shoot clays in the SE part of Michigan, I see more than just a few guys shooting their SxS's. It seems as if it's getting more common, especially since we have several SxS shoots in the area each season. Karl
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226 |
Last edited by skeettx; 10/05/17 08:31 PM.
USAF RET 1971-95
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330 |
Bob, I'd happy to comment on those guns. My first BSS boxlock was a 12. ga. 28" barreled sporter that weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and I shot it well at clays and game. I came across a BSS sidelock 12 ga. with 26" barrels that weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. that handled great and had to have it. It has become my go to bird gun shooting RST 2 1/2" papers with #8-7-5 shot at 1175 fps. I came across a 20 ga. BSS sidelock with 26" barrels weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz. in mint condition and it followed me home. I love my 28-20-12 ga. Merkels, but those BSS sidelocks are special to me. I regret letting go my BSS sporter that got me started. Doublenut had a 20 ga. BSS sporter with 26" barrels at 6 1/2 lbs. for sale here that still haunts me. Karl 
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330 |
Bob, Come to think of it, James Flynn had a great write up about the virtues of the BSS sidelock guns. Karl
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,676 Likes: 180 |
Compare your 20 to your 12. Copy this URL and paste in google for Flynn's article.
http://doublegunshop.com/weber/doublegunshop.com%20-%20James%20Flynn%20Article%20-%20One%20Gunsmith's%20View%20-%20The%20Browning%20SxS%20Sidelock.pdf
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,541 Likes: 330 |
Bob, My BSS boxlock had 3" chambers, while my sidelocks have 2 3/4" ones. The barrels on the sidelocks are trim and light giving them a lively feel. My 12 and 20 handle similarly with the nod going to the 20 for being lighter and trimmer. I feel that with the 26" barrels both guns have a more neutral balance, something I now appreciate having had shoulder surgury. I have learned through muscle memory to shoot the lighter guns effectively. If a little more weight forward would be desired, the one's with 28' tubes should be considered, although they are not encountered as often. DJG had an article a couple of years back about "Brownings Best" showing the two different engraving patterns. The article was by Colin McLagan in the Autumn 2003 issue. Nick Hahn wrote a nice article in the Summer 2009 issue of DGJ on the BSS boxlock and it's different grades. Karl
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