Which one?

[tenbears10]

I was out rough shooting for about 5 hours yesterday and my arm was knackered from carrying my O/U. I have been thinking about an S/S for a while now and the ache in my arm made me think a bit harder.

 

So what I am after really is what do I need to look for when buying a S/S? I have had a look on guntrader.co.uk and there seems to be a lot of difference in price (I looked at a couple of listings and realised the price was £45,000 )

 

Can you get something decent for £300 - £400? If so what makers should I look for? There seem to be hundreds.

 

Should I be looking at the same barrel length and stock length as my O/U?

 

Any other info you can think of gratefully received.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Bill

[converse320]

I've had an AYA No 4 for years and like it a lot - certainly prefer to my Webley 900. You should be able to find one for around that money i would have thought - got a 20 in nice condition for my wife last year for £400.

[mossy835]

i bought a larona s/s for £95 had it for a year now no trouble at all with it light as well.

[Cranfield]

Was your arm "knackered" by the weight of the gun, if so you can get lightweight over and unders.

Don't assume that all side by sides are lightweight, because they ain't.

[Down South]

Definately won't go wrong with an AYA, Yeoman n/ej or for a bit more No 4 ejector, both box lock. Built in the English style. The right Sable can be good too, a side lock in your price range.

[tenbears10]

Cranfield my O/U is about 7Lb. It is a game gun so not as heavy as some O/U's.

 

Is an S/S going to be a similar weight? If it is I suppose I better get down the gym.

[bobt]

I have an Arizaga S/S sidelock cost me £400 IIRC, people look at it thinking its a purdey or similar.

 

I used to shoot a Berretta S/S hammer gun but it wasnt an ejector, only comes out for knockabout days now.

 

I found I had trouble with the O/U after a few years with a S/S,

 

plenty out there to be had look in your local gunshops, and try a few.

[tenbears10]

My other question, which bobt has mentioned, is that once you use an S/S regularly is it possible to go back to an O/U for clays and the like?

[bobt]

I suppose if you swap about you can, but then you never get really comfortable with any gun.

 

I shoot clays with the S/S.

 

and now the semi auto as well.

[dunganick]

depends if you have a raised churchhill rib, these help get a more familiar sight picture, but you still have those two barrels stopping you seeing the bird so easily.

 

i only recently shot a s/s for the first time, having only used semi's and o/u for the rest of my shooting, and to be honest i couldnt see why everyone makes such a fuss about it, it only bothered me when i lost sight of the bird on a looper target becuase of the barrels stopping the view either side of the rib.

[darren m]

i use an AYA no 3 for game shooting , i love it and it does pretty well on the clays also , cost me £150 . bargain .

[Cranfield]

An AYA No 4 and the AYA Yeoman SbS weigh 6 1/4 pounds.

You have to consider whether 12 ounces will make a lot of difference to your comfort.

 

For further comparison, the Beretta Silver Pigeon OU weighs just over 6 1/2 pounds and an Ultralight version is available that weighs 5 3/4 pounds.

[tenbears10]

I see what you are saying Cranfield. Definately something to think about. Looks like it might have to be the gym

 

It was a cold day and standing still for a while holding 7lbs is going to make your arms ache. I haven't noticed it being heavy before.

 

Thanks for all the comments guys.

[fert]

i have the berreta ultra light delux model it is as light as a 20 bore a very good gun imho but you wouldnt want to shoot 200 heavy shot cartridge through it.well you could just depends on how much of a man you are

[cramp]

i have just bought a baikal spartan s/s single triger multi choke 3"mag and i love it

[markbivvy]

I shoot clays with the S/S.

 

hi bobt

do you shoot at the royalty.