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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614 |
I'm stealing a page from Field & Stream in an effort to bring some informative and interesting double gun discussions back to this forum. Keep it clean but pick your favorite of the two and briefly explain why. Think if you only had the choice of one gun below to bring to an upland, waterfowl or clays "gunfight"! Also please don't directly compare the guns in the pictures below to one another, they are just representatives of the brands and models in the fight. May the best gun win! Gunfight Friday Round #1 - Modern Middleweights
Winchester Model 23 vs. Browning BSSWinchester Model 23The Winchester Model 23 was built by Olin-Kodensha in Japan and introduced in 1978. The list price in 1981 was $1,150.  Browning BSSThe production of the BSS side-by-side shotgun began in 1971 (12ga) and 1972 (20ga). Production ceased in 1987. 
Last edited by CMWill; 02/13/15 12:50 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 70
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 70 |
I liked the overall appearance and styling of the Browning a little better, but both good guns. The BSS sidelock was really classy.
Hunt with vintage classics.
The right of the people to keep & bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,703 Likes: 103 |
That Browning finish is ok once you give it the rottenstone treatment, but why do they believe that shine improves the look of that pallet grade wood? Might have been unfair to picture the Winchester with great wood together with the plain Browning wood...Geo
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 614 |
I agree 100% George the bowling pin high gloss finish is pretty ugly especially on plain wood. Even though we aren't directly comparing the pictured guns to one another I changed the BSS picture to one with nicer wood. Anyone know what the MSRP on the BSS when it was introduced?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,174 Likes: 39
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,174 Likes: 39 |
I believe the Winnie was offered with 32" barrels in some rendition.....that would be my choice.
Dodging lions and wasting time.....
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,136 Likes: 37
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,136 Likes: 37 |
I've owned two BSS with pistol grip stocks and beavertail forends. One 26" which I still use for ducks and geese and a 28' which I recently sold. They are beefy/blocky guns with poor balance and styling. In many ways they remind me of my Savage 311 I grew up with. My only reason to keep one is so I can pour any combination of steel shot out of it without worry.
I have not owned or shot a M23 but have handled one and conclude they come a close 2nd to the BSS.
Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,377 Likes: 105 |
The BSS pictured is the seldom seen Grade II. On the used market, asking prices seem to be nearly as high as the sidelocks! I think there were even fewer Grade II's made, which may explain that.
I bought a BSS Sporter 20ga--that's the straight grip gun, smaller forend than the PG but not a splinter--brand new in 1980 for $400. I think that was a sale price, maybe $40 off what was on the tag. The BSS was a Miroku-made gun, and IMO had some advantages over the Model 23--like a better single trigger. WAY more versions of the 23 to choose from, as well as 28's and .410's. BSS was 12 and 20 only. The 23 is a more handsome gun, and I think was also the first sxs with factory screw-in chokes (although a lot of them were fixed choke guns). The BSS was either 26" or 28" in 20ga; 30" also available in 12ga Standard (PG/BT) guns. The photo of the Grade II is the BSS Sporter version.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,149 Likes: 1147
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,149 Likes: 1147 |
I would ordinarily choose the BSS, as I shoot a 30" one for ducks and clays. But, this one has a straight grip and a straight grip sucks for heavy loads, IMO. So, it would be the 23 because it is pistol gripped. And, like Ken, especially if I could get it with 32" barrels.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,071
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,071 |
Well, I had a BSS with pistol grip stock. I still have the model 23. I just liked the 23 better all around.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 90
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,558 Likes: 90 |
Great thread! I believe the Winnie was offered with 32" barrels in some rendition.....that would be my choice. I believe the Model 23 Heavy Duck max'd out at 30" barrels for the 12 gauge, 28 inchers for the 20. I've owned both, 12's and 20's for the BSS (including a 20 ga. Sidelock), all gauges in both Classic and Golden Quail for the Win's. I've kept 1 BSS 20, English, 28", Brily's.
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