Which side by side?

[funkysimmo]

Hello,

 

I'm looking for a sxs, mostly for clays but may in the future have a dabble at game. I know sxs arent the norm for clays but my budget doesnt allow for berreta and browning etc and I quite like the look and feel of a sxs.

 

My budget is around £600 and Im at a loss with what to look at first, I've been pointed in the direction of a Zoli but dont seem to be able to find one on anyones gun list or even any stockists. Whilst looking I have come across a lot of AYA yeomans and the occasional No's 2,3,and 4. will these still have much life left in them and what should I watch out for? I'll be putting about 2-300 cartridges a month through it at the most.

 

Im not all that bothered if the woodworks a bit tatty as I can have a stab at refinishing it.

 

Any opinions would be most welcome, thanks in advance

 

Peter

[HDAV]

Tough one, SxS are lovely I have one 1967 BSA made by SKB in Japan single trigger ejector 1/4 and 3/4 chokes should find one SKB or BSA for your budget apart from not being multi-choke and steel proof its as versatile as you can get for clays (dont shoot game/vermin etc) There are some nice newer SxS from other makes that might crop up Fausti Miroku etc you could get a new Yildiz 20g or pointer 12G for £600 with a bit of a haggle. Fashion has been for O/U since the 80's alot fewer SxS on the market as they tend to be kept for longer and used less. For a first gun i would say buy from a dealer/gunsmith who comes recommended

 

Not a recommendation but http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/100117131213001 or http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/100508181340003 or http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/090522153538000 or http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/100813130027000 (multichoke) or http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/100908194036000 Miroku O/U have a top reputation Zabala look them up but http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/101011100745005 seems good on paper

 

Or get a brand new Baikal made from recycled tanks tough as old boots? IZH-45E-1C is £562 list price for a 28" Multi choke (not sure if steel proof) http://www.yorkguns.co.uk/baikal_shotguns.php

Edited October 22, 2010 by HDAV

[wymberley]

AYA

[GBS]

AYA

No 4.

[mattslaptop247]

get somthing English

[skyshooter]

get somthing English

Just beat me to it! A good English boxlock, not fashionable at the moment esp N/E but a lot of gun for the money

[Guest cookoff013]

i bought a merkel, fixed choke,

 

if you intend to do some wildfowlinf with it. check the chokes are compatable with your shot!

[Photoguy2910]

I have a lovely AYA Yeoman, got it for £200, you might want something a little heavier if you're going to do wildfowling though. I've had it out on the clays and it was fine (barrels kept my hands nice and warm )

Edited October 23, 2010 by Photoguy2910

[bornfree]

Try a zabala i paid £350 for mine multichoke pistol grip raised rib single trigger works well on clays.

 

bornfree

[welshwarrior]

Love my AYA No 2 but doubt you'll get 1 for £600 used an No4 which was also nice and should be in your price range.

[arjimlad]

You should have a lot of choices of AYA no 4 for that money. Mine is still tight and strong after 30 years. I would rather not put 300 per month through it though.

 

Buy on condition not on age. I checked a good few out before buying mine in 1999.

 

I looked at a Fausti recently, it seemed very short in the stock and more bling than substance.

[funkysimmo]

Hello,

just a quick update, I've been up to the Weldon Gunroom today and put a deposit down on a Black sabel deluxe sidelock. It's got 27" barrels that are choked at 1/4 and it feels lovely in my hand.

I was really impressed at the service I received in the shop and was made to feel very welcome even though I explained that I couldn't buy today as my licence still hasn't arrived so the shop wouldn't have known I would be buying from them. I was given the opportunity to put a few cartridges through the gun and they checked to see how it fit me and answered a lot of my newbie questions.

 

The gun was £495 and is in excellent condition, I've tried searching google for info on the make an model but haven't got very far, could anyone shed any light for me?

 

Thanks in advance,

Peter

[mattslaptop247]

Hello,

just a quick update, I've been up to the Weldon Gunroom today and put a deposit down on a Black sabel deluxe sidelock. It's got 27" barrels that are choked at 1/4 and it feels lovely in my hand.

I was really impressed at the service I received in the shop and was made to feel very welcome even though I explained that I couldn't buy today as my licence still hasn't arrived so the shop wouldn't have known I would be buying from them. I was given the opportunity to put a few cartridges through the gun and they checked to see how it fit me and answered a lot of my newbie questions.

 

The gun was £495 and is in excellent condition, I've tried searching google for info on the make an model but haven't got very far, could anyone shed any light for me?

 

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

I had one of these, excellent guns, often with some good timber on them. Keep us updated!