Opinions wanted on double Barrel Shotguns

ArmedCorgi · Feb 7, 2020

I've always been partial to side by sides. You don't see many being used with trap though. Most people I encountered were using o/u or single shot. Some guys were using pump or semi also. Not saying people don't use them, but other than me, I have yet to see another person using a SxS.

Deplorable Me · Feb 7, 2020

I have a coach gun. Useless for trap. Nickel plated. Great short range house gun noise maker. When I take newbies to range great psychological fun gun.

96coal449 · Feb 7, 2020

I'd be the traditional side by side type. There is just something menacing about them.
I remember a throttle bodied air intake for drag engines .....side by side. Menacing.

SomeSoldier · Feb 7, 2020

2WheelGnnr said:
im ready people tend to go for O/U these days as better truer Point of aim...

Also they say the SXS kicks more or harder due to the location of barrels....Im thinking more on an O/U for me as I may want to birds someday if the pheasant population every goes up again or I go out west. I use my pump now for trap and skeet and its fine but I guess I just want another gun of a different style... you all caught me....I think really just to curb a craving of wanting another gun.

It told my wife like saws...there are many types of saws and all used for something different....thats why I need many guns?? I think she might be buying it!!!!!!!!! it worked when I had to explain all my saws to her??!!

For bird hunting I think SxS is still popular.

thegatman · Feb 7, 2020

O/U for trap and skeet. Browning Citori or my favorite Beretta. Pricey.
SxS Stoeger makes one cheap or you can go with a Fox. I had a Savage SxS once. Great for pheasants as it was a light 12 gauge. Nice for skeet. Pointed great.
You have to see what fits you.

vanderblack · Feb 7, 2020

I have a Stoeger Uplander side by side. I always liked the style. Price was not bad but some would question the quality. I recently saw a Stoeger coach in stainless. Nice looking but probably kicks like a mule.

JohnD13 · Feb 7, 2020

I have had one O/U in 12 gague and a S/S in 16 gague. I never shot the O/U well and one shooting friend couldn't miss with it. The 16 gague was, still is, a natural pointer for me. Thegatman is right, shoot the one that fits you best

BDinPutnam · Feb 7, 2020

I have a Stevens-Savage s/s coach style in 20 gauge that comes out once or twice a year along with the 1894 in 30-30 when I want to scratch the cowboy itch. It doesn't really fill much of a use for me otherwise as I have other shotguns more suited for hunting and the like. My FiL swears it is a good slug gun for deer but I have that covered anyway and I did NOT enjoy shooting slugs through it, lol! (my go to slug guns are my 870 in 12 gauge and my Mossberg 500 in 20). With a longer set of barrels I could see a s/s being very good for small game and certain bird hunting. Though I would think an o/u would be even better given the more intuitive point of aim for both barrels.

For me overall I prefer my semiauto 12 gauge Mossberg 930, and the aforementioned 870 and Mossy 500. They're just much more versatile and easier to swing/aim/shoot. The semi is my go to bird gun and the 870 and 500 have their places for deer (and the 870 is my loaner for a buddy of mine for pheasant since I have a 3 barrel set for it).

Pound for pound if I were buying one or the other I would look at o/u before s/s but its as much a preference thing as anything. I think you'l find there are more o/u's out on the market now at various price points and lengths etc., than there are s/s's.

PS- I don't have one but to @Robin's point below, I think 16 gauge is hugely under-rated and discounted by many.

Robin · Feb 7, 2020

When I was eleven my folks sent me off to a camp that had an NRA class that entitled one to get a hunting license. Part of that class was familiarity and shooting of the great American shotgun. It was a double barrel, and a sixteen gauge if I remember correctly. Everyone got ten shots at clay pigeons hurled into the air by one of those traps with the swing arm that locks back in the cocked position. When It came to my turn I was pretty nervous but determined and when questioned, I told the instructor the truth, I had never held nor fired a shotgun before. He had already chewed on a few tyro's before me and That only added to the sense of dread that was building. Well, I hit the first six in a row, the guy comes over and was pretty pissed off looking and asked if I had lied to him about my experience with a shotgun. No Sir, I humbly replied, I'm just doing what you told us to do, where upon a giant grin beamed across his face as he addressed the awaiting hopeful's about what a good instructor he was. I missed the next two and my peer's let out a groan, much to my surprise, but I kinda reviewed what I had done and was ready for the last two, which I then dusted.
I got my NRA card even though I was only eleven. I guess they figured if you were there at the camp, you were the minimum age, 12.
So to this day, the side by side is my gun of choice, something about looking down that broad runway of steel the puts me on target I guess. Still love the 16 as wall, and thats what I make for my own brand of bird hunting.
Robin

Saltwater60 · Feb 7, 2020

I used to shoot clays with an old side by side. I got pretty good with it. The new over and indeed are the way to go for clays though.
Get a nice one if you’re serious about it.

I bought a benelli semi auto and I’m glad I spent the extra few hundred bucks. I love it. It’s light, it’s balanced, shoulders and swings great. Get ones that has adjustable comb and drop.

Twogunwilly · Feb 7, 2020

Sadly I don't own a coach gun; yet.

kemo357 · Feb 7, 2020

I primarily shoot sporting clays and I use a Ruger Red Label o/u. I would like to own a Beretta but can not justify the cost.

dsdmmat · Feb 7, 2020

I bought a coach gun in 2014 still haven’t fired it. I was going to get into cowboy action shooting, just haven’t got there yet.

ArmedCorgi · Feb 7, 2020

Twogunwilly said:
Sadly I don't own a coach gun; yet.

I had one and it was cool but I rarely used it. I decided to trade it towards the PCC9 I got this past summer.

1075tech · Feb 7, 2020

For $350 I have a 20ga o/u you can try out for as long as you want.

I bought it for trap, until I realized that I suck at it. I didn't have the time or $$ to practice enough to get good at it.

spat · Feb 7, 2020

2WheelGnnr said:
I've always wanted a double barrel shotgun. Just wondering what flavor people tend to like...side by side or over unders??

I need to shop around a bit and get a feel for what I might like better but what do you guys prefer......for trap and skeet.

Break those clays?? Boom Boom Three shots go of!!!!!!

O/U may be technically better, but SxS is the classic.

If you want technical superiority you don't want a break action design anyway. So, if you're going for a double barrel for all the "I want a double barrel" reasons, you want a SxS.

JMHO.

Or you could upend the whole apple cart and get one of these...

Chiappa Triple Crown - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Acer-m14 · Feb 7, 2020

I have a O/U in 12 .. SKB aka Ithaca

i went with the O/U for shooting skeet .. just one trigger .. most SBS i have seen are dual trigger ..

almost bought a Italian O/U ..it was very nice looking and i was in joy .. found a O/U in my price range had the NICS done ..
ohhhh this thing has dual triggers wait wait stop . lol .

BDinPutnam · Feb 7, 2020

1075tech said:
For $350 I have a 20ga o/u you can try out for as long as you want.

I bought it for trap, until I realized that I suck at it. I didn't have the time or $$ to practice enough to get good at it.

1075 your post reminds me I have a CZ 612 Trap in the back of the safe we bought for the wife under similar circumstances... should probably offload it but I'm terrible at the idea of selling anything.

ArmedCorgi · Feb 8, 2020

vanderblack said:
I have a Stoeger Uplander side by side. I always liked the style. Price was not bad but some would question the quality. I recently saw a Stoeger coach in stainless. Nice looking but probably kicks like a mule.

I have the Uplander as well. I have had a Stoeger coach gun in 20ga way back in the day that I later traded towards a Stoeger coach in 12ga. I can honestly say that the fit and finish of the Stoegers has improved over the years. I would definitely swap out the firing pins though. I guess the stock ones have a tendency to mushroom with repeated use. I did on my Uplander. It's very simple and inexpensive to do.

Bob · Feb 8, 2020

I picked up a Century SxS coach gun a couple of years ago. I almost never shoot it because it's such a piece of garbage. It does occasionally make special appearances at range days with da boys though, and it's always a hit. Lots of nostalgia associated with guns like that, and people tend to really enjoy seeing them.

Bustedknees · Feb 8, 2020

I have two side x sides only because they came from my grandparents.. if I were buying new for field or clays it would defiantly be an over under.. I'm still kicking myself for not buying one last year on a store closing deal at 25% off..

spat · Feb 8, 2020

2WheelGnnr said:
im ready people tend to go for O/U these days as better truer Point of aim...

Also they say the SXS kicks more or harder due to the location of barrels....Im thinking more on an O/U for me as I may want to birds someday if the pheasant population every goes up again or I go out west. I use my pump now for trap and skeet and its fine but I guess I just want another gun of a different style... you all caught me....I think really just to curb a craving of wanting another gun.

It told my wife like saws...there are many types of saws and all used for something different....thats why I need many guns?? I think she might be buying it!!!!!!!!! it worked when I had to explain all my saws to her??!!

I like the golf club analogy. You don't play golf with just one club, they each have their purpose.

For explaining it to your wife, the shoe analogy might be better. She probably has more shoes in her closet than you have guns in your safe.

Ok, now you've got me thinking. I want a range bag built like a golf bag. Holds a half dozen guns with a nice shoulder strap, you pull them out the top...

Maybe we need a new shooting sport. Kinda like 3 gun, but more leisurely, with caddies and golf carts.

"This "hole" is a 340 yard 2" steel target sir, would you like your .223 semi or the .308 bolt gun ?". Next "hole" it's clays...

Tisto · Feb 8, 2020

I have many shotguns, of all kinds. O/U, SxS, single shot break actions, autoloaders, pumps, and even a couple drillings. They all do different things. Although I can use one of my O/U for trap, it is designed as a sporting clays gun. The sights are set up differently. The BT99 is a trap gun, and nothing else. Other O/U are skeet guns, and while they could be used for bird hunting, the thought of scratching a Perazzi is too painful. My turkey hunting gun of choice is a 3-1/2" 12ga auto. A SxS is what I will pick out when it's pheasant season. All have their own purpose.

You don't see people hauling plywood in their corvette, and pickup trucks don't drop off celebrities at the red carpet.

Decide what the purpose of your purchase is and go from there. If your purpose is "I just want a double", ( a valid reason ) then go with what you fancy.

Tisto · Feb 8, 2020

spat said:
I like the golf club analogy. You don't play golf with just one club, they each have their purpose.

For explaining it to your wife, the shoe analogy might be better. She probably has more shoes in her closet than you have guns in your safe.

Ok, now you've got me thinking. I want a range bag built like a golf bag. Holds a half dozen guns with a nice shoulder strap, you pull them out the top...

Maybe we need a new shooting sport. Kinda like 3 gun, but more leisurely, with caddies and golf carts.

"This "hole" is a 340 yard 2" steel target sir, would you like your .223 semi or the .308 bolt gun ?". Next "hole" it's clays...

You're gonna need Arnold Schwarzenegger to be your caddie, because that bag is going to be HEAVY !

Mk44 · Feb 8, 2020

I prefer an O/U for trap/skeet.
I can go with either SxS or O/U for bird hunting.

There's a range near me that rents out shotguns for trap/skeet. If possible, try to rent them out to get a feel for which one is right for you.

spat · Feb 8, 2020

Tisto said:
You're gonna need Arnold Schwarzenegger to be your caddie, because that bag is going to be HEAVY !

Nah, just get that little cart.

GTN · Feb 8, 2020

I have a Browning Citori 725 O/U for clay games.

HEX · Feb 8, 2020

Personally, I don't really see the point... buuut, if you just like and want something then there doesn't necessarily have to be a logical point to it.

l believe somewhere around 2005 or thereabouts I bought a fairly inexpensive Remington (rebranded Baikal) coach gun just for the novelty appeal. It was an impulse buy kind of (back when I had any money at all to even ever consider buying any new gun), but I never shot it and I do recall regretting it and being frustrated with myself for wasting the money on it. It was something I thought was kind of cool to have, but realistically pretty pointless when I had a couple of other shotguns that were better suited to any task one might use a shotgun for.
However, it turned into a win when I did manage to trade it after having it not at all long; in what is probably still the best gun trade/deal I've ever made. (Straight trade for something at minimum 3 to 4 times it's price).

Other than for the obvious trap/skeet purpose (fun, but never got too deep into it myself), I don't really see much of a point to a double barrel other than that novelty/nostalgia factor. I get it though, and am totally susceptible to that myself, because when I still had any money at all I'd been pretty close to buying another one on several different occasions.

Opinions wanted on double Barrel Shotguns

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.308 Win

6.5 Creedmoor

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.308 Win

.357 mag

.357 mag

.475 A&M Magnum

.475 A&M Magnum

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.45 acp

Donut Master

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.475 A&M Magnum

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.308 Win

6.5 Creedmoor

.700 Nitro Express

.308 Win

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