doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1st post introduction- purchase advice

Hi. I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. Been lurking on and off for years. I'm a hunter, clays shooter and a double gun fan but especially have a passion for SxSs. I have a Ugartechea grade 1 12 and an old Stevens 311 16 that I refinished. I also have a SKB 505 O/U for sporting clays.

I'm finally in a position to purchase an upgrade to my Ugartechea. I am looking for new and I am working with ABOUT an $8,000.00 budget. (maybe slightly more) I am still deciding if I want a 12 or a 20. The gun will be used for upland and some occassional sporting clays. It must have an english straight stock and double triggers. I have always been a fan of the looks of a side lock. (excuse me if I don't use the proper terms as I refresh my memory) I've not been on the forum for sometime so I have lost touch with the various available makers that might fit my needs. Any advice, direction and input will be greatly appreciated! Thank you for the time.

Dave

A pretty good 12b Brit Sle can be had for around 8K.
Find the right dealer, and ask the right questions.
The good ol'beans here are a great help!
Get a tweed cap in the meantime - it'll help when talking to those twit dealers.

I was in the same boat about a year ago. I now have generally gone the Parker reproduction route (20ga and 28ga), but I do have one sidelock a Grulla 216RL. It is a 6 3/4 pound 12 ga with 28" barrels (IC/M).

If I had to keep just one gun that would be the one without a doubt. Great quality and an absolute joy to shoot, it makes the ideal upland game gun and an all around shooter for any kind of clays. I found one in like new condition for $6000, but they generally run around $7,000 to $7,500.

Check out the book "Spanish Best" by Terry Weiland.

Don't make the same mistake many do -stay away from a 12, Buy a 20.

With a budget like that, you may want to consider getting a 12 and a 20. At roughly $4k each you can get a very nice pair.... One for sporting clays and one for the field. Most targer shotguns are too heavy to carry in the field for extended periods of time and most field guns will beat the crap out of you if you shoot them three or four hundred rounds a day.

Just a thought, I never said it was a good thought

Thanks for ALL the input. I'll definitely be looking into these options. I'd prefer to just stay with one gun for all my needs. I already use my Uggie quite often for clays without too much difficulty with recoil but I apreciate the advice.

I've always been fond of Merkels. Can't give an explanation as to why. However I've not really looked into them much so I don't know much about them. I've got a dealer close that I'll be stopping into. I have looked on-line at the Grulla and will give it a long second look.

Dave, You began by saying your torn between a 12 and a 20 gauge.
Why not consider the best handling and patterning gauge on the planet. 16 GAUGE !!!!!

For 8k there are some real strong original DHE 16 Parkers out there. I am a doubles nut but if you like the Merkels I gotta tell you that Schwandt Arms has a stunning 16 bore Prussian Daly O/U on their web site.

With these type guns not only will you have a fantastic and versital gun but also one that will gain substantial appreciation the longer you keep it. Take care of that Parker DHE and it will double in value before your eyes.

Best of luck on your quest.

Brad

You might be surprised at how soon non-toxic only shot regulations will be upon you.

No 12 will look like too much of a mistake, when compared with a 20, when that day comes.

Just a thought.
Best,
Ted

Only very few DHEs make money - a picky crowd and hard to please too.
There's no shortage, but only the high original condition ones are wanted by the players with the cash.
Anything less, and they're just another gun.

The way things are going I would seriously consider a steel rated 12 gauge that way you could be ready for anything the Government throws at you.
All the best