The development of 3D printing has allowed the build of a design lurking for years in my mind and various CAD drawings and notebooks. It is a technical plus philosophical approach to the SXS, with minimalism being the major driver. The idea was to make it as simple as possible and yet elegant.

See it here: http://www.oplognosia.com/english/sideBySide.php

and let me know what you think.

I like it, mostly. Any SxS shotgun is not realy needed in Europe just now, but a double rifle version of it would be useful for the all important boar hunting here. I would like to try one in 7x57R or 8x57 IRS.
Bravo for your bold approach.

With kind regards,
Jani

Who among us hasn't dreamed of crafting a gun from scratch to meet our every desire! While you say there is nothing 'new' in the concept - I don't think there is anything like it in the world today. The action looks georgeous, even if this is only a mock-up...how much more intriguing it would be with light reflecting off steel.

I hope you are able to carry it through to actual construction, and I hope you'll keep us posted when you do.

I am impressed. There is a place for a dependable, yet extremely simple design S x S, IMO. I have some comments, if they are appropriate.

It is admirable that you provide several options, on such a simple design, of hammer types and designs for opening. I would probably opt, sight unseen at this point, for the self-cocking "hammerless" option. How you can convert such a simple action to self cocking as easily as is described is a mystery to me, but nonetheless attractive. One reason is that I am skeptical that the openings in the top tang for the external hammers look to be an invitation for trash to enter the lockwork. Hard to see how it can be avoided, due to the location of them. As much as I like the idea of being able to instantly look at the positions of the hammers I can't get past the concern for trash getting into the works.

Will the receiver be an alloy, or steel?

Lastly, this design screams ".410" !! With 30" barrels, a dream.

SRH

I love the lines--kind of reminiscent of another round action, the Manufrance Ideal. Really cool! I share Stan's concern that the hammer openings at the top of the action would be practically guaranteed to allow water and crud to enter the action. Please make mine with underlever and external hammers!

I prefer a side lever.
danc

On opening levers, I like where you are w/your prototype & the simple stud. However, I can say for a fact that I have friends shooting both Alfermans and Ljutics (sp? for both) and another that presently slips my mind [Cole?] that all utilize the 'stud' action opener and that works fine .... until you get old or develop stiff joints in your fingers and hands and the pain associated with it. I have one friend who tapes his fingers together to be able to operate the opening stud on his Alferman as he can no longer do it like he used to w/his index finger alone. in all these cases, I'm speaking of a LOT of clay target shooting.

If I am reading what you have written & depicted correctly, you are speaking of being able to enclose the hammers rather than take them or make them external. Rather, you are speaking of providing a cover incorporated in the action's design or a separate one or a pair of them. I don't know that I'd personally be that concerned in a target environment, but afield for some uses, conditions tend to be harsh and anything from seeds to chaff to freezing rain and sleet and ice & snow are all very possible when hunting waterfowl or rough shooting pheasant or quails.

I very much like what you are proposing and find your reasoning & thoughts wonderfully sound. If you get to the point of building several for sale, please send me a PM, I may like to get on the queue. I'd hope that you can go forward with it in the form your have shown. Refinements or tweaks can come later.

don lik hit.

I like it.Put a long tang trigger guard on it. Bobby

I think that perhaps a simple removable trigger shoe added to the opening stud would add utility and give the gun a more substatial look as well.

I like the gun, its simplicity and nice clean lines. Lastly, I agree with Stan's .410 comments, it'd make a lovely .410!

Steve

So basically you have a double barrel semi hammerless gun that is based on a single barrel design lever work like a Bikal, hammers like several others including Webley ,BSA and a couple of others I can not remember the names of .
Fun to do as project but that's about all .I can see no commercial future and I do not think it would be safe or strong enough for a rife as suggested ..All credit for actually building it .

I like the concept, contour the hammers to look a little more conventional and add an internal dust cover to keep debris from behind the hammers while your negotiating heavy cover would work. Adding a shoe to the lifter like an old Parker would look good although I do like the idea of a side lever.

Thank you all, I am grateful for the input. It is hard to be a judge of your own design, so a third party angle is always useful.

Mentenegrin- the guys over at Nitroexpress are looking into the rifle ability. The solid bar and round bolt are strong enough for medium intensity cartridges at around 40 000 psi, a mod is needed to prevent bolt bounce and a solution is available.

Stan- the long hammer tails cover the hammer slots when uncocked. THe stock can be pulled in seconds and the action cleaned- airhosed but it is a concern, which is balanced by the simplicity of the manual cocking. If trash is a problem there is always the self cocking underlever option.

Billwolfe- yes the Ideal, alond with the Dickson and the Dominion were the inspiration for a round shape. It was hard to decide just how round so that it looks good but sits comfortably in the arm when carried.

tw- arthritis is my concern too. The stud needs no active pressing, letting the weight of the gun onto it is enough (in the prototype anyway) to open it. A shoe is in the plans.

bbman- a long tang would mean two screws added and harder to pull the stock. It is possible to add a separate long tang to keep the fast stock removal feature and have a long tang too.

Rockdoc- no problem going to a smaller caliber design wise. The worry is the non toxic shot regulations. If they impose a blanket non toxic shot rule in Europe then 20 gauge is about the smallest practical option.

gunman- it is not a commercial venture as stated in the write up. Baikal I assume you mean the IZ18, a lever cocker pressed to cock, there is not much in common there. The BSA Single XII design and its hammer tail dust cover was part of the inspiration, but that design cannot be adapted to a SXS, I know cause I tried. It uses a integral one piece trigger-sear that limits spacing the hammers (tumblers) at the right distance. This one has separate trigger blades and sears. Look more towards Winchester Model 21, and the Blanch Removable Trigger (Philips patent) and the French Jupiter for the source.

Any design is a compromise and a balance between often conflicting features. Here the two overriding values (after safety) were external elegance and mechanical simplicity. It is a poor mans Round Action if you like. It can be turned into a conventional layout barrel cocking ejector, but then the cost would skyrocket and the simplicity would be lost. It would be just another hammerless ejector, probably more commercially appealing but less unique.

Soon I will know about a barrel source, which would be the first step towards making the "real" one. Fingers crossed.

oskar- it can be turned into a side pedal opener in about 10 minutes with no special tools. I love side pedals till the time comes to fit them to a case! IF only I can figure a way to fold them out of the way!

It reminds me of a Ruger Gold Label, which I like, but the semi-hammerless design does not make sense to me. As was said earlier, it appears that dirt and water could get down in the receiver. Also, the monobloc and barrel junction is ugly. I've seen that on French guns and I've never understood why. Aside from that, kudos on an interesting SxS platform.

I like sidelevers, too. In keeping with the minimalist approach a toe-under case would be ideal for the sidelever.

eeb- the monobloc step was necessitated by the available tube diameters. The actual, if it happens, will have a faired contour.

Semi hammerless is for simplicity. So far, handling the prototype, feels easy. If it proves inconvenient it can be made into an underlever self cocker. But then a safety will have to be fitted. Pluses and minuses.

The Ruger never made it to Europe.One person who handled one in a hunting show in Belgium reported that it felt solid and well balanced. Being a round action form it must be graceful enough. The stainless action is an interesting idea though.

The open hammers are an obvious deal breaker. And the trigger guard is beyond devoid of grace.

All in all it looks like the answer to the question no one has asked.

JMO of course

have a day

Dr.WtS

What I would like know if this real or a exercise!?the shotgun looks like a
gold label Ruger maybe Mr. Ruger should take a page from this gentleman
post.