Any one have one of these? How are they? I have read that side by sides wear out or become loose over time, is this true? I am in the market for a nice shotgun that has some class and is affordable.

A sxs is not intrisically inferior. I have some that 100+ years old and are still tight.

A sxs that has been abused can go off face or have the lock-up become loose. These are quickly fixed by a good gunsmith who regularly works on sxs. I might add that an inferior, cheaply made sxs can have the same problems. You do get what you pay for.

For a good place to find out more about sxs shotguns, try http://www.gunshop.com go to the bbs. The folks there are very helpful and willing to share.

To the best of my knowledge the Ruger Gold Label has not made it to dealer shelves as yet. Everyone who has handled it, is impressed. It was even named gun of the year last year by a few groups. Kinda funny that a non-production gun can get that honor. If and when it comes out, they will be able to charge a premium. Simply because it will be 1st massed produced American made sxs in a long, long time.

In the mean time, if you want new, look at a Beretta Silver Hawk, for used, a good starter gun is the SKB 100 in 12 or 20 ga.

Pete

[ 05-11-2003, 06:30: Message edited by: Quail Wing ]

Franchi has introduced a new SXS this year called the Highlander I believe. It will list for about $1800 and my guess is that it will be a good one too.

Thanks guys!

I have two .41's and love them. A taurus and a black hawk. I have shot deer and antelope with them. I think the .41 is the best. But my dream is a smith 57 in .41! 6 inch barrel.

Joe,
Unless the gun was a sidelock that was a lot for a BSS. I have a 20 gauge that was chokes skeet x skeet from the factory. It's been well used and still is a great grouse gun.

Bob257

Whoops!
As far as the Ruger side x side goes, I work at a gun shop and we've yet to see one! Even the sales rep hasn't seen one! That's just crazy!

Bob257

I heard That the Weatherby Orion is nice, but I havent shot one.

I had the new Weatherby SXS on order from my gunshop here in Tulsa for over a year before I got fed up and got my deposit back. The dealer said the delay was because the first ones sent out were very hard to open and closed and generally did not work right. I'm now waiting on the Ruger to come out. I think that the Weatherby would have been too nice for me to take to the duck blind anyway.

Kudu--My SXS is an inexpensive Savage Fox. It is 50 years old, needed a little work, and is a bunch of fun! I like SXS's a lot, as I am becoming increasingly far sighted, and find the broad sighting plane much easier to pick up when shooting sporting clays. If the gun did not have so much drop, I would certainly shoot it better than my O/U. Fit first, but wide sighting planes are great....Chuck

I handled Ruger sxs at SHOT Show 2002 in Las Vegas as well as at the IWA Show in Germany. I was quite impressed save for one detail: comparing to European doubles I'm used to the wood to metal fit seemed rather inferior.
Regards, montenegrin

I've had a couple of doubles and always liked them. As someone else said any of them can loosen up over time, regardless of brand, and pretty much any of them are if they are shot ALOT (think sporting clays or something where they are shot thousands of times). For the average person using them for hunting a good one should last a lifetime. The one I've had the longest is a cheap old model that I've myself had for quite a few years now, and its still tight as a drum. I also just picked up a Winchester model 24 that was made in 1948, and its just as tight. Anyway, lots of quality used ones out there that are affordable.

[ 06-24-2003, 06:21: Message edited by: scubie02 ]

The latest issue of Shooting Sportsman stated that Ruger was having barrel joining problems with the Gold Label and would not ship guns until that problem was solved.