Fords vs. Chevys and O/U vs SxS

[Questor]

Which do you prefer, Over/Under or Side-by-Side, even if you own neither?

I like the O/Us because they just feel better and handle better for me. They seem to fit me better than any side by side I've ever tried.

[hillbill]

i like the o/u myself for fit, but its hard to beat the nostalgic feeling yu get hunting with a s/s.

[dougk]

I prefer the double trigger SXS for hunting.  I dont shoot at the range anymore, but if I did it would be a single trigger O/U.

[1sourdough]

 I have 2 O/U's & like the sight picture better than the S/S's. It seems more normal to me going between my other shotguns.

[Questor]

I should have mentioned that I prefer the O/U because it's more comfortable to carry. Until you get to 20 and 28 gauge I think of even the 6.5 pound 12 gauge SxS's as feeling buliker than they are.

[Graybeard]

I like the idea of a SxS better than the reality of them. In .410 and most of the 28s I've owned they are just too darn tiny for me to use effectively. When you get to the 20 the size seems about right and I really do like a 20 gauge SxS gun and shoot them fairly well. The SxS 12 gauge is just too huge and I again don't like the way they feel so that kinda limits me to a 20 gauge or a smaller gun on a 20 gauge frame for SxS use.

I shoot better scores especially on clay target games with O/U guns but again I prefer them on the 20 gauge frame as the smaller ones often feel to tiny and light for my tastes and 12s just feel like I'm holding and swinging a 2x4 for the most part. Some 12s are slim and trim enough to feel OK in my hands and I do shoot them well in spite of it but the recoil is just too much for my right shoulder so mostly I stick to 28 and .410 these days and use Browning O/Us for that shooting.

For jump shooting birds such as is done in most upland hunting I do like the 20 gauge SxS as much as an O/U really.

[dougk]

The 12 ga SXS is rather large, I actually use a 16 ga SxS for jumping dove.  Interestingly this 16 ga is on the same receiver as the 12 ga but the lighter barrels make it a much easier carry and it swings great.  I found the kick is non existent, which might be due to the larger receiver.

[hrminer92]

GunTests recently had a review of a Stoeger SxS shotgun and complained that it didn't have ejectors because they aren't allowed in cowboy action shooting.  Are there any SxS's that do?

thanks.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I grew up using a cheap Spanish SxS that my dad picked up used at a pawn shop--but it was still very light and trim like a SxS should be.

I've had all sorts of pumps--auto's and O/U's when it came to spending my own money---but none ever felt right.

I now have a Beretta 471 and everything is right in the world again---NOTHING beats a properly made SxS.

The Beretta has a switch in the forearm to where you can switch between ejectors and extractors to answer a previous question----pretty sure the Fabarms SxS has ejectors too--but its kind of a beast of a gun.

[dukkillr]

I think it depends on what you're used to.  I grew up shooting pumps so when I look down the barrel of a SxS there's too much stuff in my field of view.  It's like trying to sight down a 2x4.  I don't shoot doubles much anyway, but I hate shooting SxSs. 

[STUMPJMPR]

I like both....I have always been a SXS man.  But, thats all i ever shot.  However, this weekend i purchased my first O/U.  It was a cheap gun a Yildiz from academy.  I know its not the same quality as some of the more expensive guns but it does have a very natural feel to it when shooting.

[jbmi]

There is an old saying among SXS purists "If God wanted you to shoot a O/U, he'd place your eyes that way"
I shoot both but for different reasons, SXS in the Grouse woods, O/U on the trap range.

[SHOOTALL]

like to look at SXS but shoot O/U , hit better with them . the first time i killed 12 doves with 12 shells it was a SXS hammer gun ! it was one of those days that were all easy shots ! but that was a one time thing years ago ! I'll stick to the O/U now days !

[gstewart44]

Hunting - SxS
Clay birds - easier with OU

That being said I have handled many SxS shotguns that were improperly balanced and bulky at the receiver and they feel like the proverbial 2x4.    I have also handled a few OU's that don't quite balance right, but the single rib makes it easier to get your sights on.

My all time favorite was my Grandpa's 28 g LC Smith SxS..................I never should have sold it......