doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com looking for my first side by side...

looking for my first side by side shotgun, 16ga. or 20ga.
have about $500.00. any ideas or advice on make, new or used.
thanks for any help.

Welcome to the BBS! I'm sure you'll get better answers than mine, but I'd suggest you look for an Ithaca made Lefever Nitro Special, though you might have to settle for an ugly one at your price point. These guns are good quality and made for modern shells (lead anyway)...Geo


Hmmm, I just read through the 4 pages of additional answers to your question...guess I was mistaken about you getting any better answers than mine!

Easy one, Husqvarna 16ga.

save the money and wait till you have 1500-2k.The 500 you spend will be a short term solution which you will regret not waiting until you could buy something better.

You might be able to find a Miroku-made Charles Daly or Ithaca SKB Model 100 (SKB's more common, but you're more likely to find a Japanese Daly at that price) within your budget. Both used, but modern and solid guns.

What will you be hunting? The answer could be different if it's quail over dogs or preserve type hunting, mainly dove hunting, pheasant hunting, wild birds, ect.. hopefully not ducks with a 20 gauge.

I assume you're considering a modern gun for "off the shelf" loads. If so, this could be helpful, a few years ago I literally went through just about every double under $500.00 , Russian, Brazilian, American (Stevens, Savage Fox, ect.), Spanish (Zabala, Richland, Sarasqueta, Laurona, AYA for Sears, Ect)., Japanese, (Westernfield/Miroku), Belgian (lucked in to that one, still have it.) .410, 20 ga, 16 ga,12 ga.

The first thing I would recommend, even though 16 is the "classic" gauge, is to get a 12 gauge. You can shoot 20 gauge loads (7/8oz) in the 12 and anything else you'll need for just about any situation.

The second is if you're seriously limited to around $500.00 there are still some good choices, in my experience and opinion mostly Spanish. (Except the chunky TriStar/Zabalas)

Here are a couple of good examples, that are available.

http://www.crosnoeguns.com/itemdetail.asp?ID=4361

http://www.crosnoeguns.com/itemdetail.asp?ID=4381

If you like a pistol grip with a beavertail forearm, I enjoyed these type of Saraqueta's more than the other 'budget' Spanish guns and thought they had better attention to detail/quality.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=134653891


Though, I found 30" barrels was the best for my type of shooting and height.

If you're heart is set on a small gauge, look for a Westernfield by MIROKU, (not the Stevens Westernfield) in 20 gauge , this is a great gun that I wish I had back. They're a "needle" in a haystack kind of thing.

My situation and tastes have changed so most of what I shoot now is Damascus. But don't let someone's opinion about more expensive guns delay you from enjoying a decent low priced double. I'm sure even they would agree that almost about any double is better than a synthetic pump gun..

Doug

Hi pacrat, I have a couple for sale in your range. If you want to e-mail me, I can give you some details at wesbutte@westriv.com

Good luck!!

Greg

IMO Dave is giving you good advice here. The difference in what you can get for $500 and $2000 is enough to make the wait worthwhile. Additionaly from what I see doubles are not currently escallating in price like other firearms related areas.
Jim

Thanks Jim,
very good points. I addition my concern is as we all know doubles,as with most guns, are very addictive and shortly after you have your $500 double you will see what it is lacking in quality and want to "trade up".A $500 double is not a equity builder and the market is full of them(most bought at half that).At least with a 1500-2k double there is a much better chance of selling it and getting some equity back.The time to consider what a guns worth is not when your selling it,its when you buy it.A $500 double may well be more "expensive" then a $1500-2000 one.

better off looking 4 an ithaca/SKB model 100 in 20ga....used huskys are alright and are being imported by the barge load... but the jerks bringing them in are not bringing any extra parts....1st break and youll pay more to fix it than you paid 4 it...
older belgian guns can be alright but you have to be able to judge each gun on its own merits + they will have the no extra parts problem....
nitro specials, 311s, savage foxes, ect can be alright also and some parts can be found if you dont mind rummaging around a bit...but I still think one of the 60s/70s vintage Ithaca/SKB 100s would fill your bill........and make a fine 1st SXS