SS or O/U shotgun?

[LeatherneckPA]

Let me start by saying that I am NOT interested in dropping $1000+ on a new shotgun. Ok, now that we have the disclaimer out of the way...

I'm looking to buy a new shotgun this spring. I know that I want either a SS or an O/U, and that's about all that I know. For the O/U I am considering a Mossberg Silver Reserve ($450 is my best price locally). The only SS I know of locally available is Stoeger. I'd even buy a nice used one if I found one I liked.

ETA: I already own a camoed Mossberg 500 turkey gun and an H&R 12 ga single. We can't use semis to hunt in PA.)

From what I've read the O/U is preferred, having something to do with lining up the barrels in the sight plane or some such. But I kind of like the looks of a traditional SS. Obviously, the majority of my shooting would be practice at a local skeet/trap club. I hope to train my new Airedale pup on grouse and pheasant for this coming fall.

I'd be interested to hear what you folks have to say, maybe even hear some brand recommendations and such.

[gunsmoke]

I honestly think it is a personal preference thing.

I Have several SUPERPOSED and 2 Richland 810s.

OUs are nice and slim and for lots of folks think that makes them much more comfortable and faster handling than a SxS. I still prefer my SxSs for hunting especially wing shooting. I find the "natural built in lead" afforded by a SxS to be an advantage. I have always been a much better wingshot with my SxSs.

Now I have no doubt there will be at least ONE person who will bloviate here how stupid and wrong I am for everything I've said, but then that is just going to prove my point that any inherent advantage in the differing designs is really in the mind of the beholder.

Try them both out, find what fits you best, what you are most comfortable with and that will be the right one for YOU.

SxS for me.

[kawalekm]

I've got a side-by-side Stoeger in 20 gauge. Bought it on sale for 300$. That's my reach for gun whenever I feel like going out birding. I don't think my sight picture is hindered in any way by the barrels being side by side. And I think it's a little faster on reloads than an over/under.

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

I think you might be more likely to find a bargain in older economy model SxS guns. There were quite a few Savage/Stevens/Springfield label guns made through the 50's,60's and 70's. There are some new imports from Russia; some of which are sold under US labels that also might be a good deal.
O/U's are a pretty recent American trend since the 80's that shows no end to the demand. Some of the imported Spanish or Turkish guns under US labels may prove to be your best bargain if you go that route. Make a decision, shop hard, spend carefully.OzarksJohn
P.S.
Do a search on Grulla, Fausti, and Baikal brand names...

[hunter63]

Picked up a Baikal 20 ga O/U in a trade, use it for casual bird hunting.
Also couple of old SXS's, retired.
I would prefer the SXS over the O/U, no reason, just do.
Serious hunting, 870 Pump, hands down.

[gunsmoke]

There were also many many very well-made SxSs made in Spain and imported at economy prices (many no-name many store-branded) in the 50s 60s and early 70s. You can often find them in more rural gunshops and gunshows for under $300. wood tends to be plain straight grained walnut but the receivers are usually nicely color-case-hardened and lightly engraved.

Another brand name that you can keep an eye out for at gunshows is NOBLE a German made SxS imported in the pre-1970 years, OCCASIONALLY you will find one at a gunshow for around $300 ~ on auction they usually start at three times that figure ~ I've had a 12 ga NOBLE with nice short 24" barrels choked F/F, full beavertail forearm, REAL nice walnut very fune cut checkering, since about 1971, its built typical German style like a Tiger tank. Bore and chambers are CHROME LINED, scalloped boxlock is Greener-style double cross bolt locked.

[DM]

I have both and i much prefer the S&S's, but, if you go to a trap range, everyone will tell you you should have bought a O/U... I say, handle both, and buy the one that's "fits" you best and that YOU like the best.

No one here can tell you what shotgun to buy, because no one here knows what shotgun will fit you best, and that's BY FAR what is most important!

I will tell you, that if i had your budget, i'd buy a Remington 870 Wingmaster!!

DM

[LeatherneckPA]

I will tell you, that if i had your budget, i'd buy a Remington 870 Wingmaster!! -DMIt's not so much a matter of budget as practicality. I've NEVER been bird hunting, duck hunting once, and played with some clay once or twice. I don't want to drop $1000+ of unrecoverable money on a gun for purposes I may find I don't enjoy.

Case in point, I've ridden motorcycles for over 35 years and never spent over $7000 (even for the brand new ones). My current Suzuki is as close as I've ever seen to being the UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle). It even goes off-road fairly well. In 2002 I finally tried, loved, and bought a Harley. It's undoubtedly the most comfortable machine I've ever owned. But it doesn't do dirt or gravel anywhere near as well as my V-Strom.


I am of the opinion that a more sensibly priced weapon will suffice to either fan the flames or put out the fire. Either way, there is time afterward to blow the wallet if I want something "special".

[Teg]

As the others have said, I think for the average person who plans on small game hunting it's a matter of personal preference, for competitive skeet shooting and such I would lean to the O/U, but for general use a S/S is just as good in my inexpert opinion. ;) Both will do the same job and the S/S will be a bit easier on your pocket in general.

[hunter63]

It's not so much a matter of budget as practicality. I've NEVER been bird hunting, duck hunting once, and played with some clay once or twice. I don't want to drop $1000+ of unrecoverable money on a gun for purposes I may find I don't enjoy.

Case in point, I've ridden motorcycles for over 35 years and never spent over $7000 (even for the brand new ones). My current Suzuki is as close as I've ever seen to being the UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle). It even goes off-road fairly well. In 2002 I finally tried, loved, and bought a Harley. It's undoubtedly the most comfortable machine I've ever owned. But it doesn't do dirt or gravel anywhere near as well as my V-Strom.


I am of the opinion that a more sensibly priced weapon will suffice to either fan the flames or put out the fire. Either way, there is time afterward to blow the wallet if I want something "special".

Good point, but remember, you won't lose money on firearms and airplanes..............

[dksac2]

The O/U shotgun may be a little more accurate because both barrels are in the same plane. With the S by S, you may get a little cross over. As long as both barrels are regulated correctly, it really not a problem. A friend sent a mid priced S/S shotgun into one of the choke manufactures to get screw in chokes installed. He got a phone call from the company and they told him the one barrel shot approx. 2.5" off at 40 yards. They wanted to know if he wanted them to fix it. He said yes. He then told me he always seemed to miss with the first barrel. This was the reason why. I love S/S shotguns, always have. The one thing to do if you have one is to pattern the two barrels at the range you shoot the most. Most guns are on or just slightly off, but if you have one where one of the barrrels is way off, patterning the gun will show you. This can be corrected by a good shotgun gunsmith with the right equipment and know how. See if you can borrow both types of shotguns and see which works the best for you. Me, I like older guns so the S/S shotgun just appeals to me. If accuracy is your biggest concern, try both types and then but the one that works the best for you. Length of pull and comb height if the gun has a comb are very important to shooting the gun the best it can be, so a good gunsmith with the equipment to measure both can fit the shotgun to you. It can make a major difference in your ability to make consistant shots and not batter yourself in the process. If hitting what you are aiming at is really important and you have the money, get the shotgun fitted to you. Most shotguns are designed for the average person. You may not be average, whatever average is. Lastly, you must take into account the thickness of the coat you will be wearing when you are hunting. If it is a thick coat it will make the pull too long. Take the coat that you will be using when getting fitted for the stock. Spacers can be added under the recoil pad that can be removed for those times you are wearing thinner clothing. Hope this helps.

Best Regards, John K

[DM]

I'm going to say that it's not uncommon for a cheaper S&S to not be perfectly regulated, but what most don't know is, it's the SAME for O/U's...

The only advantage between these two is, you have to spend a LOT more money to get a "quality" S&S compared to an O/U. Plus there's a lot more quality used O/U on the market to choose from too.

Go to a dedicated shotgun forum where the shorgunners hang out, and you will learn that the above is true.

DM

[rice paddy daddy]

I don't hunt- having been the hunted gave me a different perspective on things.
That said, I have both Stoeger SXS's (20 & 410) and a Mossberg Silver Reserve 12/20 set. I like the way the Mossberg feels in the hand, but to me, the single trigger is a drawback. When it's 10 PM and the dogs are telling me somethin ain't right, and the chickens are raising a ruckus, and the wife "suggests" I go out to check things out, the Stoeger 20 with a #6 birdshot in one pipe and a #2 buck in the other and two triggers for instant barrel selection gives me options in case it's just a possum, or something bigger sniffing around the hen house.
The Stoegers are well made, in Brazil. The Mossberg is Turkish. Both have choke tubes and come with multiples thereof.
I really like the way the O/U handles and points.

[Builder Ken]

I recently bought a Fox B in 16ga SXS for under $300.00 and I love the thing. It has double triggers and as RPD said above I prefer them over a selector. I can also say one of the reason's I prefer a dbl gun is I reload and have had shells for whatever reason not get the powder charge correct, which will result in a squib so to speak. What will happen is the wad will become hung in the barrel. If this was a semi or a pump and another round was sent down the tube it could be a bad day. With the dbl I always check the bore before reloading. Ken

[LeatherneckPA]

After reading everyone's input it seemed to boil down to no clear cut winner, just a matter of personal preferences. Having no previous experience with either and weighing my personal tastes I opted for a SxS. Brand new this year is Mossberg's first SxS double, in the Silver Reserve series. I couldn't find an MSRP on the website, so I called Mossberg. According to their customer service rep the gun won't be available until some time this summer. I called my dealer and asked him if he had any info on when it was going to be released. Lo' and behold, he could get it for me in two weeks.

I still have no idea what the MSRP on it is but Dave got me mine for $780 + tax. The gun and 4 boxes of #6 Remingtons cost me $840 out the door. I'm hoping to take it to the range this week and pattern it. I'll be taking it to the Hunting Airedale Field Nationals in OH the last weekend of March. I'll let you know what I think.

[recoilless_57mm]

IMO I would go for comfort. What I mean by that is, when you bring it up do you have a natural point of aim? Does it catch on your clothing. How do like the way it handles, swings left/right and maintains point of aim. How heavy is it? Would you like carring it all day? Can you change chokes in the gun? You might want to use it for upland hunting and then go duck hunting as well. What chambers does the gun have? Shorter shells will work in magnum chambers but not the other way around.

To me a firearm is simply a tool. I purchase it to do a job for ME and no one else. JMO.

OT

[LeatherneckPA]

What I mean by that is, when you bring it up do you have a natural point of aim? Does it catch on your clothing. How do like the way it handles, swings left/right and maintains point of aim. How heavy is it? Would you like carrying it all day? Can you change chokes in the gun? You might want to use it for upland hunting and then go duck hunting as well. What chambers does the gun have? Shorter shells will work in magnum chambers but not the other way around.My only shotgun experience is with Remington 870 riot guns. So I don't know what a NPA would feel like on this yet. It felt ok, I guess. But it wasn't one of those things like my Colt 1911 where every muscle in my hand just sighs and my body says "THIS is is the way a pistol should feel."

It's only 6.5 pounds. Pretty light. Shouldn't be any problem carrying it all day.

It came with five chokes included and the wrench.

I bought it specifically for upland birds and ducks to hunt with my new Airedale.

3" chambers, but the Remington 6's my dealer set me up with are only 2 3/4".

I'm guessing with a little shooting in my shoulder I'll develop either a liking or a dislike for it pretty quick. Time will tell. Worst case scenario, I still have my 12 ga pump.

[Teg]

I couldn't find an MSRP on the website, so I called Mossberg.

Not sure if they have the price for your particular weapon but Lipsey's (http://www.lipseys.com/) has a pretty decent firearm finder, works for most current production weapons.

[Fortyfour]

I have a few O/U's and SXS's. From Stoeger to original Parkers, from Gazelle's to Rugers.

I like shooting SxS's informally, but when push comes to shove and I head out the door with a shotgun and the bird dogs, I ALWAYS reach for my Ruger O/U in 20 ga. Even my dainty little Parker in 16 ga on a 20 ga frame will stay home when serious hunting is on the menu.

But if you are on a budget, there are good cheap (inexpensive) SXS's out there. I just picked up a NIB Stoeger SXS in 20 ga for $190. Its hard to go wrong with a deal like that.

44

[Mikee Loxxer]

Personally I like the sight picture of an over under better than that of a side-by-side. That being said you will be hard pressed to find a quality over under for less than $1000.

[raytwnmt]

About 6 months ago I was in the same boat...needing a 20ga. I was walking with my wife in the wallyworld parking lot. I was thinking about a good pump when I saw a table set up with a 20ga. O/U CZ Mallard (New) 5 bucks a chance. 5 bucks and 1 day later I got a phone call and you guessed it.When I picked it up,(still in the box). It is a beautifully engraved, with walnut stock and 5 screw in chokes. (even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while) I have owned a browning citori 20ga. and this gun is not as good but I can't complain. I think you would be happy with the O/U, points and handles better. Pick up an example of each gun and try both. YOU are the one that has to be happy.

[duckidaho]

I have a Charles Daly sXs 20 ga. that I love. It is super light and fits and swings perfect. Great for walking all day looking for grouse our running up and down hills for partridge.

That said I have a Winchester SX2 semi-auto 3.5 inch for geese. Big medicine.

[str8sh00ter]

I used to use nothing but pump guns, but after walking all day after a pointer, the weight got old really fast. I switched to doubles, and in the grouse woods where every gun WILL get scratched I only take inexpensive doubles. My standatrds are a Stevens/Springfield 311 in 12 ga and a stoeger uplander in 20ga. I bought both for $200 a piece and each is a perfectly functioning tool that can take anything the thick brush can dish out. (both sxs) I like the sxs because the wider sight plain works for natural shooting for me at about 30 yards. Swing the barrels to catch the bird and start pulling the trigger when the first barrel passes, trigger pull is finished by the time the rib passes, and a second shot still ready if the bird isn't down whe it clears the second barrel