SPM-12 or 20 side-by-sides, from Century Arms?

[Big Paulie]

Dear Guys,

  Sorry for the double post (I originally put this in the shotgun forum), but it dawned on me that you guys may have more particular experience with doubles.

    Century Arms International is now importing these SPM side by sides, from China.  I am not sure who the manufacturer is. They come in both 12 and 20 gauge.

    I have seen these in the gun store.  They are very cheap.  Around $200.  But they seem well made, with external hammers, and a pretty nice looking stock.  They can only be used with lead shot, not steel.  The blue is more of a matt, stove-top finish, than bright.

    Has anyone had a chance to shoot one of these?  Do they shoot to point of aim?  Are they reliable?  Do we know what Chinese manufacturer is making them and what their reputation is??

    Any information would be appreciated.  My Problem is:  I would like a side by side 20 gauge, with external hammers, and 20 inch barrels, for home defense and just knocking around.  But, the Liberty II and the new TNN copy of the Colt shotgun, only come in 12 gauge.   The Bounty Hunter II  with external hammers is advertised as coming in 20 gauge, but I have never been able to find one with 20 inch barrels.

   I only weigh 145 pounds, and I don't want to wrap myself around the butt end of a 12 gauge double when it goes off.  Yes, I have done it. Yes, it hurts me bad.

    Thanks for any advice and information.  

P.S.-Please do not advise me to gain more weight.

P.S.S.- Please do not advise me to buy a 20 gauge pump gun.  I have a bad habit of "short-shucking" when I am trying to shoot fast, and I can just picture myself doing that in a self-defense crises.
 
Big Paulie

[Holiday]

Howdy! I used to own a Norinco sxs just like the current CAI imports. It was a good gun. In fact, it shouldered and pointed better than my current sxs! There have been a couple of differant manufactuers of these guns. Right now Norinco is banned from importing from the U.S. Intratec may be the manufatuer now. From what I have seen at the matches and in the gun store, the current guns are of a higher quality than my old Norinco was. They should be just what you are looking for.

[Stoney Creek]

Howdy Paulie

These are good shotguns and the first pard has it right about Norinco being the "importer" not the maker.

Advise usually given is to try the guns at a match(if you shoot CAS).

If self defence is your main reason for buying a hammer gun then in my opinion go with the 12 gauge. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, the availability of 12 ga ammo is much greater in choice than 20 ga.

Secondly, 20 ga ammo is mostly available in game loads that have way more recoil than a low noise low recoil AA Winchester (feather lite) or other trap or skeet loads which are loaded light.

Thirdly, if you want a gun for home (self) defence then you better be ready to practice with that gun and shoot it enough to become real familiar. A light 12ga load is a LOT more comfortable to shoot than a 20 ga game load. Plus you want to pick a load that will not go through the walls to other rooms or the outside. At room distance light shot is still a stopper.

Last, go for the Colt 1878 replica...TNN.... they are the best .....it is way cool and might turn you into a cowboy action shooter.

Stoney

[Big Paulie]

Thanks for the advice.  I had a 20 gauge Browning SxS for a while, and you are right.  Unless you were shooting with an upward swing on a rising bird, that thing kicked like a mule when I shot game loads.

   Maybe for self defense, I should get the TNN, and use the reduced recoil buckshot loads that are now being sold.  I know that you would cry to see it, but I would also have to have a recoil pad put on it.  I know it ain't Cwboy, but as I have gotten older, I have started to avoid pain more.

Big Paulie