Any S/S shotgun specialists on here?

[Si-Bore]

Hi guys

If anyone knows a serious amount about different S/S shotguns (not just guessing) I'd like to ask you a few questions please:

 

Which quality S/S shotguns have relatively high combs/pattern placement?

What do you feel is the best quality S/S gun for under £1000 (2nd hand) that would last a long time and be easy to find replacement parts for etc and one that would also retain value.

Also feel free to PM with any info.

Thanks

Si

[clayman]

Shot placement depends on two things, the comb height and the rib type.

 

Any S/S that has the bead buried between the barrels will place shot high ( a circle over the bead), and if you add a comb raiser the shot placement moves up further still.

 

Don't worry about gun make here, just alter the comb to suit. Beartooth or rubber saddle adjusters, or have the stock bent with Infra Red heat. Use a pattern plate to test the lift ( or a laser device - Arrow Laser Shot or similar).

 

One gun to buy is AYA.

 

Easy spares, reliable gun, plenty about - inside your budget. The come in grades, so for a grand you'll get an older higher grade ( no 2) or a newer No3 / 4.

 

You can buy new at this budget, Ugartchea box locks are about a grand, or a second hand side lock. The SL Ugartechea is a wonderfully handling gun. These are imported by David Nickerson ( of Lincoln fame) and well supported for spares etc.

 

Jerry

CPSA Senior Coach

[Baldrick]

I'm not a S/S specialist, but I have several boxlocks and sidelocks, and have used S/Ss since I was a kid. Gun fit will dictate where the pattern is thrown, to an extent, but if you're set on a S/S with a raised comb, I would steer you towards a S/S with a pistol or semi-pistol grip (see Beretta 471 Silver Hawk).

 

Why do you want a gun throwing a high pattern, if you're not shooting DTL or Olympic Trap etc? S/Ss are traditionally flat-shooting guns.

 

The best S/S you will find for a grand will be the best AYA that you can track down. They are made to last, they are superb value and there probably isn't a gunsmith in the land that hasn't worked on an AYA.

 

You will find a lot of elderly English S/S guns for less than a grand, but unless you know exactly what to look for, I would go for a more modern European gun. Some examples are refurbished to look gorgeous, but are mechanically unsound and often have marginal barrel wall thicknesses.

 

If you are planning to buy and never sell a S/S, don't discount re-sleeved guns. It's effectively a new set of barrels on a vintage gun.

[Si-Bore]

Shot placement depends on two things, the comb height and the rib type.

 

Any S/S that has the bead buried between the barrels will place shot high ( a circle over the bead), and if you add a comb raiser the shot placement moves up further still.

 

Don't worry about gun make here, just alter the comb to suit. Beartooth or rubber saddle adjusters, or have the stock bent with Infra Red heat. Use a pattern plate to test the lift ( or a laser device - Arrow Laser Shot or similar).

 

One gun to buy is AYA.

 

Easy spares, reliable gun, plenty about - inside your budget. The come in grades, so for a grand you'll get an older higher grade ( no 2) or a newer No3 / 4.

 

You can buy new at this budget, Ugartchea box locks are about a grand, or a second hand side lock. The SL Ugartechea is a wonderfully handling gun. These are imported by David Nickerson ( of Lincoln fame) and well supported for spares etc.

 

Jerry

CPSA Senior Coach

 

Thanks mate.

I rather like the AYA number 2 as I am impressed with the quality of my number 4. I definately require a comb raiser over the standard number 4 setting as with it I can snap-shoot approx 50% of the shot above and below the bead when patterning. Without the 6mm raiser I would be too low on the target. Before anyone mentions it I point - and don't aim. The rib as you prob know is a low one on the number 4 (not raised). I have been playing about with gun fit in terms of comb height and correct LOP. I feel I have it rather close to perfect now but wanted to finally end up with a gun that does not require a leather pad stuck on it to get the right sight pic - if you understand what I mean refering to asthetics.

All advice appreciated

Thanks

Si

[Si-Bore]

I'm not a S/S specialist, but I have several boxlocks and sidelocks, and have used S/Ss since I was a kid. Gun fit will dictate where the pattern is thrown, to an extent, but if you're set on a S/S with a raised comb, I would steer you towards a S/S with a pistol or semi-pistol grip (see Beretta 471 Silver Hawk).

 

Why do you want a gun throwing a high pattern, if you're not shooting DTL or Olympic Trap etc? S/Ss are traditionally flat-shooting guns.

 

The best S/S you will find for a grand will be the best AYA that you can track down. They are made to last, they are superb value and there probably isn't a gunsmith in the land that hasn't worked on an AYA.

 

You will find a lot of elderly English S/S guns for less than a grand, but unless you know exactly what to look for, I would go for a more modern European gun. Some examples are refurbished to look gorgeous, but are mechanically unsound and often have marginal barrel wall thicknesses.

 

If you are planning to buy and never sell a S/S, don't discount re-sleeved guns. It's effectively a new set of barrels on a vintage gun.

 

I understand what you are saying and realise that traditionally s/s guns are lower shooting relative to modern o/u guns etc. I started shooting with a trap gun (unknown to me) and I must also have a high cheek bone as when I mount the number 4 without a comb raiser - all I can see is the back of the receiver or the bead (just), none of the rib which puts the pattern way low. That is why I have fitted a 6mm ISIS leather comb raiser so that I can experiment without serious costs and when I next but a gun I will know exactly what to look for in terms of sight pic and gun fit.

 

Cheers

Si

[clayman]

Don't really agree about trad S/S being lower.

 

Basically a rib is set up for the purpose of the gun.

 

If you shoot driven game, you want the load to run high to the head, hence ribs on S/S that taper away to nothing. Skeet ribs tend to be flat ( crossers), trap ones high ( good vision of target coming from underneath). American semis mostly have game ribs ( ventilated and tapering to the bead).

 

A O/U set for sporting should through 2/3 over the bead. I'd expect a S/S to through full pattern as a circle above the bead - takes the shotload to the head on driven).

 

This is a can of worms really, as truth is its the shooter who has the biggest effect on the shot positioning through gun mount and technique.

 

If you are tuned into your gun you just "know" where the shotloads going, and you control it as needed.

 

Jerry