will2490 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Have a notion in my head to swap my old o/u for a sxs. might just be the novelty of not having a side by side before... just need a knock about gun for the odd walk around a field, nothing special .. Anyone else switched from one to the other? good idea or not so good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Most people find it easier to go from sxs to o/u going the other way can be difficult, but everybody is different,I tried but couldn't manage it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I love my side by side. It's harder to shoot with unless whatever it is your shooting is coming straight at you or going away. But I wouldn't be without it, I think everyone should have one in there cabinet and for a decent aya for around £200 it's not going to break the bank.. And ideal for walking around with. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I use both regularly, s/s more than o/u. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Good idea - on weight if nothing else. Putting to one side the clays and for the purpose you intend, over many years I've used both and provided it fits, there's no difference. You'll get used to two triggers - even if you've not used them before - by the end of the first trip out - assuming,of course, you get lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will2490 Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 "assuming,of course, you get lucky."haha you're telling me wymberly! last trip out was a nice 4 hour walk, may as well have left the gun at home. but sure, that's how it goes sometimes.. probably will go for a sxs. local rfd is willing to do a straight swap (within reason of course) on the '80s Baikal I have for one. so I wont be out of pocket. Ran short on time though when I was in, and only seen a little Italian one which didnt do much for me, too light, stock too short and in worse overall condition than my Baikal, which is in surprisingly good nick considering its age,a repaired crack in the wood at the bottom corner of the butt is its only real flaw, but anyway.Viking you mentioned AYA.. any other makes you guys think I should keep an eye out for? any I should avoid like the plague? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) Plenty of single trigger SxS out there also. depending on your build finding one that fits could be easy or could be a nightmare! If your Baikal fits you then shouldn't be too bad as they are known to be short,loads of baikal SxS out there. I would say look at WInchester Model 23, Miroku 500 and BSA/SKB 200E but these are likely £500 ish and the baikal OU isnt going worth that http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/BSA_Shotgun_200E_For-Sale_140605144152015 http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Winchester_Shotgun_Model-24_For-Sale_140925183141981 http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Miroku_Shotgun_Boxlock-Ejector_For-Sale_140829164839001 Baikal SxS isnt a bad place to start there are loads out there so dont rush to buy the first you see you may just find something special http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Baikal_Shotgun_MAE_For-Sale_140906121014001 Edited October 19, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Viking you mentioned AYA.. any other makes you guys think I should keep an eye out for? any I should avoid like the plague? An AYA Yeoman is a good old standard. Sold one last year and wish I hadn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will2490 Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Have heard recoil on a sxs is heavier than an o/u. would there be a sort of "upper limit" on heavier carts to use in a sxs, or is it just as high as you can go, without getting a sore face lol thanks for the links too HDAV. some cracking looking guns there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmiffy Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Personally dont do it. I swapped from o/u to SXS years ago lasted about 2 months! Hated the thing bruised second finger on trigger guard and couldnt get on with 2 triggers. Went straight back to o/u never looked back. If you want lighter weight gun for walked up try a 20G o/u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Loads of good British side by sides out there for very little money often advertised on here at ridiculous prices. I own four British sxs at the moment all double trigger but I am prejudiced as never have shot any other than above other than a brief flirtation with a Spanish s x s. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 AyA are a good sound make. Avoid single triggers. Generally, Spanish (and English) s/s single triggers can be bad news.. Other nations seem to be better sorted. Double trigger is fine, less to go wrong, and once used to it, no problems. Recoil tends to be weight and fit based. Assuming the s/s fits as well as an o/u - and is the same weight, perceived recoil should be much the same. However, s/s are generally significantly lighter - and hence recoil can be higher for a given load. On a 12 bore, 1 oz (28g) loads are usually fine for recoil, but if you intend to shoot heavy loads regularly and in quantity, you need to think about a heavy s/s. In my view, the relative low weight and fast handling are all part of the attraction of a s/s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will2490 Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 the weight isnt much of an issue. can dander around with the O/U no problem. as i said think its a curiosity thing, having never owned one... Have only had the O/U for 5-6 months, and as I would mainly use my 22LR for lamping rabbits etc. it doesnt get much abuse. So maybe changing to a sxs wouldnt be as big a change as someone who has had nothing but o/u's for say..5years for example..thats my theory anyways! haha. It's one of those "suck it and see" situations really isnt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I bought an AYA no. 3 magnum a few years ago and I love it. It's got a semi-pistol grip so is definitely a side by side for OU shooters if that makes sense. I've shot all sorts with it and would not be without it. It even has the correct amount of cast for me. Cost less than £200 as I recall. Would I use it for clays, no, unless it was in an SxS comp. As always with things like this, if it suits you and fits you it'll be ok. Anyone who advises against doing it because they personally cocked up or didn't get a suitable one so advise you against doing it are using flawed logic and don't make much sense. Try a few and see how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 AyA are a good sound make. Avoid single triggers. Generally, Spanish (and English) s/s single triggers can be bad news.. Other nations seem to be better sorted. Double trigger is fine, less to go wrong, and once used to it, no problems. Recoil tends to be weight and fit based. Assuming the s/s fits as well as an o/u - and is the same weight, perceived recoil should be much the same. However, s/s are generally significantly lighter - and hence recoil can be higher for a given load. On a 12 bore, 1 oz (28g) loads are usually fine for recoil, but if you intend to shoot heavy loads regularly and in quantity, you need to think about a heavy s/s. In my view, the relative low weight and fast handling are all part of the attraction of a s/s. +1 The traditional 96:1 rule works here with the addition that it can be stretched if not too many shots are to be fired - something heavy in your pocket should Reynard show his face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will2490 Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) yea John have to say was surprised at the weight difference in the two. not sure why but find it surprising too that single trigger spanish/english guns are problematic, thought they would be well sorted. 28g are the usual carts I have also.. so all in all.. keep my eyes peeled for an AYA/ Baikal/British double trigger weighing around 6pounds as a starting point if I was to change Edited October 19, 2014 by will2490 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) yea John have to say was surprised at the weight difference in the two. not sure why but find it surprising too that single trigger spanish/english guns are problematic, thought they would be well sorted. 28g are the usual carts I have also.. so all in all.. keep my eyes peeled for an AYA/ Baikal/British double trigger weighing around 6pounds as a starting point if I was to change I have broken my own advice - and have a single (non selective) AyA - and it is fine. For whatever reason, the Spanish didn't get single triggers very reliable - especially selective ones. English single triggers are a whole field. The best (e.g. Boss) are (apparently) superb - when working right as set up by Boss. When 'got at' by local 'experts', they can be troublesome and VERY expensive to put right. There are many many variants, some OK. some very hard to get right - especially if they have been 'got at' in the past - as many will have been. Fact is - whilst on an o/u, double triggers are unusual and single triggers work faultlessly, on a s/s, double triggers are in the majority - and not all single triggers can be assumed to work well. I think you will find few at 6 lbs. Most are 6 1/2 to 7 lbs, which is fine. Edited October 19, 2014 by JohnfromUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 As a PS, I like the two trigger option. Different loads in each make for a great farmyard / walk-around gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Avoid single triggers. Generally, Spanish (and English) s/s single triggers can be bad news.. Easy buy a Japanese one...... chamber length will limit the max load a lot of older guns will be 2 1/2" with relatively low proof pressure. Comfort wise thats down to you but suggest you go and shoot some clays and take a slab of 21g carts to get used to the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I like the idea of a sxs, and even used to own a cheap Belgian import which I used to have for those without a gun which I eventually gave away, but for some reason I have never found one I can comfortably reach both triggers on without having to adjust my grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 SxS, O/U, Pump Action and Semi-Auto all regularly used over here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I like the idea of a sxs, and even used to own a cheap Belgian import which I used to have for those without a gun which I eventually gave away, but for some reason I have never found one I can comfortably reach both triggers on without having to adjust my grip. Try one like mine, the OU style grip makes it easy. I hardly notice which trigger I'm on to be honest. It's the AYA 3 Magnum. Such as this one (sold but you get the gist). http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/774-AYA-No3-Magnum-for-sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 That's a good point TB, one of my SxSs has a beavertail forend which as you say allows for a more comfortable grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) No problem going from o/u to sxs as long as it is single trigger.also I have to add about an inch to the stocks of my sxs. Edited October 19, 2014 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Try one like mine, the OU style grip makes it easy. I hardly notice which trigger I'm on to be honest. It's the AYA 3 Magnum. Such as this one (sold but you get the gist). http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/774-AYA-No3-Magnum-for-sale Must admit I've tried a few, including a Churchill XXV and a stunning Joseph Curry which belongs to my nephew ( it has now just occurred to me he wont be needing his this season as he's currently in New Zealand and not back 'til March... ) but never an AYA. Worth consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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