Author Topic: Questor's objective assessment of side-by-side 12 gauge's (Read 593 times)

Questor · « **on:** October 10, 2005, 03:37:26 AM »

Garbage. I don't see how anyone can prefer one of these junkers when comparing them to a good over-under. I got to try three side-by-side 12 gauges this weekend, a SKB, H&K, and an italian that I can't remember the name of. These were cumbersome guns that were a real pain to carry because of their width and bulk. They were all in the $2500 to $3500 class. There was a fourth, a 20 gauge that wasn't too bad, but it was like handling a 12 gauge over-under.

Shotgunners beware. Try a good over-under before wasting your money on one of these side-by-side mechanical monstrosities. A good over-under costs a lot less too.

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:19:22 AM »

Your opinion and I kinda agree with you to a point! To be honest I have had several side x sides and I do not like them for the reason I do not lile that wide look looking down the barrels compared to a single barrel. But then to be honest I really would not care for a over and under either as I grew up using a pump gun and prefer it. That is my preference and a lot of guys like side by sides. I think they are a classic looking scatter gun and for those who like them fine they kill just as well so that is what counts. A well made double is sleek and a nice gun so if the ones you looked at were cumbersome then they were not made well or maybe they just felt that way to you as your used to a O/U. To each their own I my self would agree with you that I do not like the feel of them, but to many it is the shotgun for them. To each their own. We are lucky we can choose from doubles,O/U, semi auto, pumps and lastly single shots or even bolt guns so what ever your preference their is a gun for you.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:38:27 AM »

Agree to a point Rudy but your comparison was too limited in nature. In general 12 gauge guns are bulky hunks of guns and just too dang big to ever feel good in the hand. Applies to them all no matter the type. Twenty's are or at least can be quite nice but often are still too big and bulky.

The 28 ga. and .410 bore SxS and O/U guns are a thing of beauty to behold and feel extremely nice in hand. Some 20s are just as nice and feel just as good and some feel like swinging a 2x4.

Had you included a nice English 12 bore SxS or a Spanish copy of them you'd have come away with an entirely different opinion. They are not heavy or bulky and are in fact quite lovely feeling in the hands. But they are NOT for the magnum loads American's typically want to shoot.

To me O/Us are no more sleek and feel no better than SxS guns of comparable construction. But you must compare apples to apples not to oranges. Compare a Berretta SxS with a Berretta O/U or otherwise use same brand and you'll see what I mean.

A 12 ga. Browning O/U almost always feels like a 2x4 or at times a 4x4 in hand. I shoot them well but hate the size of the things. Their 20s are nice and the 28s and .410s are just so nice you cannot imagine it if you've not shot them.

popplecop · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:48:38 PM »

I own a number of each in everything from 12 ga. to .410 bore. A good 12 SxS that is properly balanced is a sweet firearm. Price doesn't always mean that they handle well and let's face it SxSs aren't for everyone. Some do a lot better with the single sighting plane. I shoot both quite a bit and it doesn't bother me to go back and forth. Even tho I was raised on a pump gun, I own only one and a couple of self loaders and they are fine shotguns but give me a SxS that fits and I'm in heaven. Second choice is an O/U. Guess it boils down to what ever you shoot best is the shotgun for you, have seen very few shotguns I didn't like.

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2005, 10:19:29 AM »

Popplecop:

We would make interesting neighbors. I have seen very few shotguns that I DO like. I sing the praises of those very few I like.

I'm still waiting to find a really nice 12 gauge side-by-side, but I haven't found one yet. There are a few 12 gauge over-unders that I've liked, but they aren't mainstream guns. For example, I haven't found a Browning OU that I like. The Berettas really are the finest in my opinion.

Here's my motto regarding shotguns:
"You don't buy a shotgun, you marry it."

while99 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2005, 08:55:49 PM »

I had a Beretta Onyx O/U 12 gauge that I liked very much for clay targets because of its single sighting plane but I never cared for it much for hunting. I much prefer a side-by-side 12 gauge for all of my bird hunting, which these days consists mostly of ringneck pheasants. To each his own. I doubt that I'll ever go back to an O/U.