Side by sides

Rancocas

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Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
551
Location
Ocoee Country/Cleveland
I'm an old codger who first began hunting with an ancient single barrel back in 1958. At that time pump-action shotguns were gaining in popularity. I remember one of my uncle's showing up on a family rabbit hunt with a pump. It was quite a sensation.
However, for my 12th birthday in 1960 I was given a used Ithaca side by side double. I still have it. I have loved the doubles ever since then. I only have 8 or 10 of them. I have 2 or 3 over/unders too, but I prefer the S x S. And, I like double triggers. I even have a pump. :D
There is an organization called "The Vintage Gunners" who hunt and hold shotgun matches with antique double barreled shotguns. They often dress up in Victorian or Edwardian era clothing, and just have a lot of fun.
 

Wobblyshot1

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Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
3,396
Location
Rutherford County
I'm an old codger who first began hunting with an ancient single barrel back in 1958.
Dang! You must be an old codger. It was at least 1959/60 before my dad took me squirrel hunting for the first time. I was using a German drilling that he had liberated during the "War".Top barrels were sxs 16 guage over a 8x57jrs rifle barrel.
 

Rancocas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
551
Location
Ocoee Country/Cleveland
SxS shotguns are now so outdated that people hold reenactments to have an excuse to use them. Makes sense. ;)
No class. :rolleyes:
Actually, the SXS is becoming more popular once again. Several Italian, Spanish and Turkey (the country) gun companies are making them. Then of course there are the popular Czech CZ double barrels. The problem is that they are more expensive to build than a pump or semi auto.
The balance and handling qualities of a pump or auto cannot even begin to compare with a good double.
 

infoman jr.

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Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
8,724
Location
Louisville, KY
No class. :rolleyes:
Actually, the SXS is becoming more popular once again. Several Italian, Spanish and Turkey (the country) gun companies are making them. Then of course there are the popular Czech CZ double barrels. The problem is that they are more expensive to build than a pump or semi auto.
The balance and handling qualities of a pump or auto cannot even begin to compare with a good double.
No class? Well that's a bit of a stretch. I'll admit, I don't don a tweed vest and take an elevenses break on a morning driven hunt, but I can certainly recognize a nice gun when I see it. What you've omitted in your comparison is an over/under which contains all of the positive attributes you mention and then some not that there's anything wrong with wanting a SxS. I own many guns for novelty's sake.
ER4k89f.jpg
 

Rancocas

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
551
Location
Ocoee Country/Cleveland
LOL I was referring to your joke about reenactments being necessary to use the old double barrels.
Those Victorian and Edwardian gunner's affairs are, indeed, classy events with tweed jackets, and shotguns such as Parkers, L.C. Smith, and some English brands such as Boss. Even the ladies dress up in 1880-1910 period costumes. Fun.
Twenty some years ago I had some involvement with English Springer Spaniel field trials. (there are two distinct types of ESS, the bench show type and the field bred type) Anyway, I was sometimes invited to be one of the gunners at a field trial. It was our job to shoot the pheasant or quail that the dogs flushed. Then, the dogs were expected to make a good retrieve. The point is that traditionally it was only double barreled shotguns, mainly sxs but occasionally an o/u were used. If you showed up to gun a ESS field trial with a pump or autoloader you would have been shamed off the field.
I don't know if that is still how it is today. I haven't been to a trial in many years.
I sure do miss my dogs!
And, in my first post on this topic I did mention that I have a couple of o/u's. It is just a matter of personal preference whether you prefer a sxs or an o/u. I like both, but I prefer the sxs.
However, my waterfowl gun is a pump.
But, these days I am mainly a traditional flintlock and percussion muzzleloader. 😉
 

DaveTN

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 4, 2006
Messages
10,087
Location
Middle Tennessee
I just bought a new SxS. I had absolutely no desire to own one, but if you want to do CAS; it's one of the least costly options.

I bought a new Stoeger Coach Gun Supreme, but haven't shot it yet. I have to do some work on it before it will work for what I might want to use it for.

Stock image from website....
PtkU1Dr.jpg
 

Chiflyguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2019
Messages
5,146
I have a Stevens 311 20ga double trigger improved x modified 26" that belonged to my grandfather When I rabbit hunt I wouldn't leave home without out it The fit for me must be perfect. I wish I had 5 or 6 more just like it. I even patterned it and killed a turkey with it.
Yup
20 gauge is my next one.
The .410 is a cool gun and my 16 is good for rabbit and pheasant.
At 40 yards I get a decent enough pattern on my 16 to use for Turkey.
 

GUNNERX2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2018
Messages
812
Location
Ridgetop, TN
I bought a Ithaca 20 ga SXS back in the early 70s to quail hunt. I had a dang good dog at the time and what better way to chase the gentleman bob. I couldn't shoot that gun for crap, just never did feel right. Couldn't hang onto it with low finances so traded it for a Citori 20 ga. Still have the Citori and shoot it very well.
 

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