doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Subgauge Sidelock OUs

I am trying to identify options for a subgauge sidelock OU for under $20k. Anything British is way over that price range. The early Beretta SOs are all 12 ga., and all recent Italian sidelock OUs, Beretta or otherwise, seem to be trading well above $20k. I have seen a couple Belgian or French options but they were also pricey and all seem to built on some unusual patents. Verney Carron and Chapuis are making OUs in subgauges, but both are non-sidelocks. Spanish sidelock OUs are all Merkel clones.

The only options I have been able to identify are either a CSMC A-10 or Merkel. Am I missing anything obvious?

Thanks in advance, Doverham

I searched GunsInternational with serach terms "sidelock over under" and then picked these three out of the list. As you say not very many.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Abbiati...un_id=100252195

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Abbiati...un_id=100121337

http://www.gunsinternational.com/PIOTTI-KING-20GA-with-EXTRA-BARREL-SET-CASE.cfm?gun_id=100211698

It would be far easier to look for mass produced knockabout trigger plate gun. Here is my severe weather little birdie, bunny, squirrel gun:



It's 5lb10oz 20ga with 70mm chambers. Manry thousands were made and most are still serving their owners 50+ years later. Remember the only true status symbol is having spouse much younger than yourself.

If you must I believe Ugartechea made something like what you're seeking out. Years ago I recall John Mann found second hand 20br at William Larkin Moore. He was pretty excited about it. The gun was built on action not unlike Boss or Woodward.

Thanks Mike. 26" barrels on a subgauge is not the best configuration to my way of thinking.



I agree. I have a couple of those mass-produced trigger plate guns and like them for what they are - good, reliable shooters. But I am looking for something a little more interesting.

Merkel 303E is a very fine gun - and available in 20G, though few and far between. I can't comment on the 20G, but the 12G has wonderful handling - FAR better than the rather heavy looks would suggest.

That Piotti is a lovely "over under"!

Thanks Mike. A friend is selling this Merkel 303 20 ga. I have handled it and it is a very nice gun, and has the advantage (to me at least) of having a solid rib.
Merkel 303
But both of these guns weigh 6.75lbs, which is close to the same weight as my Beretta S2 and a Merkel 203 12 ga. I owned at one point. For whatever reason, I don't think the Merkels scale down weight-wise as much as other OUs do.

Your friend's 303 Merkel is a nice gun...handles well, too. It has always impressed me.

Just don't look at the other stuff he has lying around. Those guns ruins you forever.

OWD