doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com SXS sales

It seems to me that sales of SXS guns, particularly 12 ga, have really slowed in the last five years. Maybe it is a continuing slow down along with the aging of the US population...Whta,s your experience?

I do not think they have changed much at all. Seems remarkably steady or even a slight up tick, at least with the 12s that interest me (mostly English).

Hard for me to judge this. I don't see the number of AyA #2's in 12 ga that there once were but at least here in Mich there are more SxS shoots than ever before. There is a Society of American SxS shooters that are very active. There are a number of lower to med priced SxS in small bore on the market, primarily Turkish and Italian. The aging thing has me shooting almost all 20 and 410. so my 12's will be going at some point.

😄😄

Best,
Ted

I just bought a 12 bore Boss last week.

Depends on where you are budget wise, the $5k and above market seems to be doing ok.

Five to to years ago you could get an English sidelock or hammergun in decent to good shape for under $2k. I'm not seeing that anymore, the ones in the under $2k range look tired and worn.

Of course it will only a take a couple of collectors passing away or getting rid of their collections to swamp the market. That seems to be what happened 3 or 4 years ago when a couple of Randall knife collectors either passed away or had their collection sold for auctions. There were Randall knives up for auction from a couple of auctions houses every auction for a year or two.

English 20ga (2.5" 7/8oz proof) with Birmingham parts originally assembled or sold in the provinces can now be bought for < Ithaca, L.C. Smith or a Sterlingworth.

Its slowed zero doubt. I have gone to the NE SXS every year for the past 12 years in Pa. Also gone to the Southern for 5 straight years.

The NE SXS event is a shell of what it used to be. Most vendors no longer attend. Where there were 2 tents and the two bay garage stocked with guns and outdoor gear there is now one tent and it isn't full. CSMC always had a booth there as well as Vintage guns. They are now gone. Other vendors would bring their traveling rigs with guns in the back for sale and park on the grounds and they no longer come. It has turned into a shooting event.

The Southern is not that bad, but it has also dropped in attendance since the pre-covid days. I remember when it would take 2 hours to shoot a round and there was a steady stream of vehicle and foot traffic under the big tents. Folks are still there but not like before. Not sure of the reason, but I suspect most folks who attend are a bit longer of tooth as they say and no longer show up with the idea of buying. Many still shoot, but a lot of shooter go to Drakes Landing instead.

PS. Another case in point is the Vintagers Cup shooting events which I don't think are even being held this year after the problems they had in Pa a couple of years ago.

I am not an expert on the market. That said i do believe that SxS guns are a niche market. Those of us who like them frequently like them too much.

Further I think the following and I believe it common knowledge.

Smaller gauge vintage guns are in shorter supply than 12 ga guns, they are more desired in the market so they simply cost more. I do not believe the demand for good condition small bore side by sides is significantly down. Or that the prices are depressed. The occasional good deal on a small bore is more a matter of seller turn over. I revently sold off 13 guns from my collection simply to reduce the pile to something more manageable and that I was really using. They sold for for less than I had in them. Something I like to think of as gun rent

12 ga vintage guns being in greater supply costs less. This is further aggravated or better said complimented by the current non-tox situation in the UK. I think that the price of good condition and quality 12 ga guns will spur more interests and purchases will return.

SxS guns will remain a niche. The market will not collapse into ridiculous lows in the USA, unless the tom fool silliness of lead prohibition catches on here.

I believe the market for high end high quality guns, Boss, Purdey, high Parker L.C. etc will remain solid.