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

Larry,
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbt...;gonew=1#UNREAD

How's your math?

By the way, have you EVER heard of a problem with the Western Arms iron frame?

Handled perhaps half a dozen BSS guns, and shot league with two of them-trigger trouble on both guns. Even when it works, it isn't what you would describe as a good trigger. Kinda' crunchy, as I remember.

Noticed you didn't argue the point of even a lowly 311 in 16 being far more lively than a BSS in 12.

Wouldn't be because a BSS is a fat pig, would it?

Best,
Ted

Buddy of mine had a BSS single trigger had a lot of trouble with it, sold it in less than a year and bought a 311.
Beats the livin heck out of it, still shoots, still locks up tight....no problems.

ALCON,
Not to be the one to drop a turd in the punch bowl but wasnt the original post that started this mess an inquiry for advice on purchasing a used 16 or 20 gauge double?
Seems we have gone off on several tangents.

Looks like the BSS single trigger issue could be its own post and arguements all on its own.

My pick goes to a 12 ga Sterlingworth and I will stick by that all day long. Unless he wants modern. Then an Ithaca SKB or Miroku would be fine.
He might find an Ithaca SKB 12 for 500.00 or so. But a SW in good shape will go 800 or better.

I figured with a little shopping, he might be able to get an older gun of the types I mentioned in his price range. Maybe not a 20, but a 311 or a Western in 16 would seem to fit the bill.
It's been many years since Browning has built a product I would pay my money for. And the BSS was never one of them.
Best,
Ted

You'll probably find the occasional 12ga Sterly for $800.00 or less; doubt you'll find many shootable 16's or 20's in that range. I know of a 20ga 311 in nice shape for $500.00 if that's of interest.

I own both an SKB 280 and Miroku/Daly SXS; niether makes a 16. You could find a really nice 311 16 for $500.

Think this one would be lively? 311A 20ga.


http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/cpg1410/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=120

Ted, do they have a lot of trouble with apples and oranges up there in Minnesota? Just having elected a comedian to the Senate, following a rassler as governor, I can understand you guys have problems. But you really don't know that a Bowood is not a 700? Price on the Bowood was 1606--pounds, not dollars--in 1980, at which time a pound was worth a bit less than $2.50. So Ted, YOU do the math: $2.50 x 1606, compared to the current asking price on the Bowood; vs $400 for a BSS Sporter 20ga in 1980, compared to the current value (I've seen asking prices over $2,000.) Or, for that matter, even a standard BSS 12ga purchased at the same price, selling for $1,000 now. Looks to me like the % increase in value is in favor of the BSS. Heavily so, if one was smart enough to buy the Sporter model, especially in 20ga. Just to help a poor Sotan out with stuff like different models of shotguns, history, math, etc.

And can't say I've ever heard of a problem with a Western Long Range iron frame . . .any more than I've heard of any "roll pin" issues on a BSS. Looks like a tossup to me. As for the trigger, I've always felt that the BSS has one of the best ST's available on any modestly priced sxs. I'd take it LONG before the ST on either a Parker Repro or a Winchester Model 23.

Whether a 311 16 is livelier than a BSS 12 . . . depends on the vintage of the 311 (never cared much for their triggers, for that matter), and the configuration of the BSS. I'd take a 12ga Sporter over a 311 in that department, for sure. Not to mention the fact that the BSS doesn't have a problem with excessive drop, as do the stocks on older 311's, as well as some Nitros and Long Ranges.

12ga Standard BSS is far from my favorite. As noted above, I'd much sooner take an SKB 100, saving both weight and money. And I'd take an SKB 100 WAY before a 311, Nitro, or Long Range. But again, we're having apples to oranges issues here. 311, Nitro and Long Range--standard issue, that is--did not have ST and ejectors. What's on the market today, with those features, that's a better buy than a BSS 12? Nothing, as far as I know.

Quote the guys first post:
"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. "

Here's the issue Brian.
Many of us agree with your recommendation and my first decent double was and still is a Sterlingworth in 12 ga. The problem is just where are you going to find a decent Sterlingworth for $500 in 12 ga? And I think we are all aware that it will run him about 4 times that amount for a 16 or a 20 which is what this guy really wants.
Jim

Unfortunalty,he has champagne taste (20 or 16) and beer (POS 12 ) budget.
Save some more money-or sell one of your other guns,at least 1500 and then you can find s 20 or 16 (SW that Brian Suggested in a good example)that you will enjoy a lot longer and be able to sell to the next entry level S/S buyer.

For just north of $600 I picked up 1950 vintage 12ga 7lb 3 oz 'Silver Hawk' extractor which was the least expensive sxs Beretta ever made. I would put that gun up against anything mentioned on this topic thus far.