It will be used for dove and quail ONLY so I am thinking 20 ga.

I like the smaller angle opening of a SxS.

MUST have double triggers (my 12 has double triggers, and my 470 NE has double triggers)

extractors/ejectors...IDGARA

stock... Monte Carlo (I can always have it restocked if it is a straight stock)

safety: I would prefer a manual safety

So, what are my options

Think 16.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas...otguns&cm_ite=netcon

AYA, Arrietta, Ugartecha, Arrizabalaga, Beretta (single trigger), and lots of boxlock used British guns. A trade name Brit gun in a boxlock should be under $6000, and if it's rough $2400.

Take a look at www.guntrader.co.uk $6000 will buy you a LOT of gun there !
I dont know how you go about importing it to wherever you are.

quote:

Originally posted by crowrifle:
Think 16.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas...otguns&cm_ite=netcon

No disrespect to Merkel but at 6lbs 10 ozs. thats more like a 12 bore to my mind.
An English 16 or 20 bore should weigh in under 6 lbs.

Rine,

Do you mind me asking how much you're wanting to put in to this shotgun.

SxS's run such a gamut of prices.

I agree, though, a 16 would be nice.

Also, are you set on a new gun? Or would a "classic" be okay with you?

Ken

You might consider this litle 16 bore Holland & Holland I have listed here on the AR classifeids.

Sorry The photo did'nt come up the first time.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken in VA:
Rine,

Do you mind me asking how much you're wanting to put in to this shotgun.

SxS's run such a gamut of prices.

I agree, though, a 16 would be nice.

Also, are you set on a new gun? Or would a "classic" be okay with you?

Ken

Ken, those are great questions
Price less than 3k to include restocking and choke tubes (500 for a new stock and 500 for the chokes plus 2k for the gun)

16 would be hard to feed in central Texas not impossible but hard

I am leaning towards new as I don't want to be the guy who traded a straight stock on the sweet Holand to put a pistol grip on it, I don't think I could live with...well, I could, but you all would not let me live it down.

quote:

Originally posted by Akshooter:
You might consider this litle 16 bore Holland & Holland I have listed here on the AR classifeids.

Very nice, good price too, but out of my range. If my pop was still alive, I might have had to get that for him though.

My first Post

I have a Garbi
http://www.williamlarkinmoore.com/
These guys are near me in Arizona, GREAT people and GREAT guns!

I also have a pair of CZ bobwhite's (turkish) one in 20, one in 28.

Poole

Stay away from anything made in Turkey. The new Kimber is made in Turkey and the Kimber and Huglu, Artemis....etc are not good value.

I imported 17 Huglus and Artemis shotguns in 2000 and I cracked the reciver on two of them after 500 rounds.

16 b shotshells in 2.5 inch length are available from RST. Woodcock Hill in Pa. also sells British shotshells in 16 & other gauges.
Finding good quality ammo for your 16b will not be difficult. A 16b S X S is a nice bird gun- Good Luck!

Rine,
I would check out CDNN's catalog. They've got some great deals right now on a variety of doubles.
I went through much the same thing a couple of months ago. I was looking for something that was 20 ga. with SG and DT, plus tubes.
I ended up purchasing a Weatherby Athena D'Italia from CDNN. They had the absolute best price of anyone (by about $1,000).
I looked at several shotguns. I really liked the Beretta Silver Hawk and the Franchi Highlander, however, neither is currently available with DT.
The new Smith-Wessons look great and there are some really good reports out there on them, but I was never able to lay my hands on one to examine.
The most beneficial thing I did was put every SxS I came across to my shoulder. I weeded several out by doing that.
After all was said and done, the Weatherby one out. With that said though, there were several that I couldn't find to try including Aya, SKB, and some others.
The 20 ga. Athena is not a super lightweight as far as SxS 20's go. Mine comes in at just under 6.5 lbs.
If you decide you'd accept a used gun, then your options, obviously, increase exponentially. As far as used guns go, I don't think you'd be going wrong with an LC Smith. Solid, solid guns.
If you could find one, you might try to lay your hands on a Beretta Silver Hawk Featherweight. They were made in the late 50's to early 60's I believe. Wonderful shotguns, that won't break the bank account. I've got one in 16 ga. that's just a joy.
A SxS shotgun, IMHO, is a very personal thing (just like a double rifle). Only you have to be happy.
Ken

BTW, just realized you may not be familiar with CDNN. Here's the link: http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html

You have to download the catalog.

You might take a look at the C.S.M.S. 20ga RBL Launch Edition ---- starts at about $2800 and up depending on the level of wood. I have one for sale but it has a single-trigger and "killer" wood. They're very well made but I've been shooting heavy O/U's for so long it moves too quickly for me. Here's a photo of mine.









They come in a very nice leather case with lots of aaccessories --- mine was a few dollars more tha $4K with a single-trigger, beavertail forend and their highest grade wood.

I just picked this 16ga Heym up made in 1934. She's a sweetheart at 5 3/4 lbs. Just the features I wanted in a bird gun. There are plenty of nice ones around when you look. Just depends on what you like.

quote:

Originally posted by dukxdog:
I just picked this 16ga Heym up made in 1934. She's a sweetheart at 5 3/4 lbs. Just the features I wanted in a bird gun. There are plenty of nice ones around when you look. Just depends on what you like.

Duxdog,

I don't know.....@ 5.75 lbs, SHE might be a little bit chunky....

Beautiful shotgun.....Congrats!!

Rine,

I have been shooting a 28 gauge Parker Repro for the last 20 years..... very happy!

Double triggers, extra barrels (26" Quail 1/2 and 28" M/F).. English grip, and splinter forearm.

The Arizona quail and North Dakota pheasant HATE this gun.....

Good luck in your choice..

I do not know where you will be hunting dove? If it is in Texas, I would get a 20 gauge with a semi beavertail forend. Barrels can get to hot to hold in September down here (90-100 degrees). The CSMC RBL's are durable guns.
I am a big FOX fan for a nice light weight double and can be serviced easily in the USA.
16's are nice for pheasant.
I love 28's as well but unless you hand load they get pricey!

Has anyone heard of Fausti?

The Arrietta and the Ugartecha are ahead so far but someone told me to check the Fausti out as well and they look OK to me. I have had the opportunity to handle a 12 ga Ugartecha and a 20 Fausti (Style) but not an Arrietta.

I have a beautiful little Garbi 28g I don't shoot anymore if your interested.

Azguy,
You beat me to it. I shoot a Parker repro just like yours. Lovely gun. Great to carry and fun to shoot. I get compliments every time I step onto the range or out into the field.

quote:

Originally posted by Rine Everett:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken in VA:
Rine,

Do you mind me asking how much you're wanting to put in to this shotgun.

SxS's run such a gamut of prices.

I agree, though, a 16 would be nice.

Also, are you set on a new gun? Or would a "classic" be okay with you?

Ken

Ken, those are great questions
Price less than 3k to include restocking and choke tubes (500 for a new stock and 500 for the chokes plus 2k for the gun)

16 would be hard to feed in central Texas not impossible but hard

I am leaning towards new as I don't want to be the guy who traded a straight stock on the sweet Holand to put a pistol grip on it, I don't think I could live with...well, I could, but you all would not let me live it down.

Rine,

Your price for choke tubes is WAAAY off. Mike Orlen will thread barrels for $35 each and tubes from him are less that $20, plus shipping of course.

Roi

Side by side, quail gun, sounds like you need a 28. Merkel makes a great side by side. I have not shot one but if cost is a big factor, ruger makes the gold label side by side for about 2000-2400. I have not even handled one, just saw it in their catalogue, might at least see how it handles. I have a berretta. Side by side that's like an old friend so I can appreciate what you are after.

My wife and I have been very happy with our SKB's. Remember a light weight 20ga. will have some noticeable recoil. Look for the 28 and 30 inch models as they sure swing nicer and only weigh a couple ounces more than the 26 inch guns. John