horseman308
New member
A while back I started looking for a decent SxS - mostly for informal trap/clays (a few hundred rounds a year). I kinda got distracted, but I'm looking around again for one. I don't want a pump, auto, or O/U. I've had them all and don't care for them. I guess I'm strictly an old-school guy. The only shotguns I've kept are my Grandfather's Stevens 311 and Winchester 37, both in 16 gauge (which makes ammo really hard to find, even before the 2020 ammo shortage) and a 12 gauge coach gun - not really suitable for even the most informal of clays shooting.
I'd especially like an old-school American SxS, but my budget will be dependent on selling/trading some things in my collection I don't use. So, here are the criteria I'm sticking to for now:
SxS only
Budget: no more than $2000.
Gauge: 12 or 20 gauge.
Double triggers preferred. Not a complete deal-breaker, but like I said, old-school mentality here.
I'd like something a little more refined than the Stevens. I like it fine, but it's a little clunky in some ways. I'd like one with some checkering, maybe a little scroll-work or engraving if the price is right.
I've been looking pretty hard at an LC Smith, and there are several Field Grades on GB that are within that range. But I'm a little out of my depth here. Fox, Parker, and others are classics, too, but I'm not quite sure what I should be looking for. Are there particular brands, years, models I should be looking for or avoiding?
I'd especially like an old-school American SxS, but my budget will be dependent on selling/trading some things in my collection I don't use. So, here are the criteria I'm sticking to for now:
SxS only
Budget: no more than $2000.
Gauge: 12 or 20 gauge.
Double triggers preferred. Not a complete deal-breaker, but like I said, old-school mentality here.
I'd like something a little more refined than the Stevens. I like it fine, but it's a little clunky in some ways. I'd like one with some checkering, maybe a little scroll-work or engraving if the price is right.
I've been looking pretty hard at an LC Smith, and there are several Field Grades on GB that are within that range. But I'm a little out of my depth here. Fox, Parker, and others are classics, too, but I'm not quite sure what I should be looking for. Are there particular brands, years, models I should be looking for or avoiding?