Thinking Of Buying A Side By Side...

[Axholmeman 3]

I'm thinking of buying a side by side and I'm asking for a bit of advice.

Ideally I'd like an ejector and single trigger with switchable barrel safety but on a budget of £200-300ish I know that I'm highly unlikely to get all this.

My reason for this purchase is I have become a member of a local shoot and would like to take something other than my semi.

My main questions are:

1. What make/model would be in my budget?

2. What make/model should I avoid at all cost?

3. When I pick one to look at what should I be looking for? ie: common S/S faults.

 

Cheers

[slipper 116]

Think aya yeoman maybe? Can't remember if they are single trigger though

[SportingShooter 0]

Lots of Spanish guns out there for around that price mark, you'd have to check the individual spec though.

 

None that I can think of you should particularly avoid, the main thing with any gun is that it fits you and is fit for purpose,

 

Check for pitting in the barrels and chambers if its an older gun, make sure the barrels are tight against the breach face and the top lever is still springy,

 

Other than that, just what you'd look for in a normal gun,

 

Many people will tell you buy an over and under and be done with it but a good fitting side by side I find are usually lighter to carry around all day, almost all of my live shooting is with a side by side now.

[celticrusader 78]

I picked up a FIAS Gower o/u a few years ago and I think that would be in your price range.

[celticrusader 78]

Apologies I should've paid more attention as I've seen your looking for a side by side.

[tomburras 2,721]

Although double trigger you can't beat an AYA yoeman you could find one for half your budget and for the price they are unbeatable . There's plenty around with some lovely stocks too. Double trigger is great as you can choose your barrel instantly and I'm sure you would soon get used to them. I love mine, it was my first ever starter gun and over the last 10 years and after going through well over a dozen guns I always keep going back to it. Its all I use now when taking a shotgun out and I wouldn't swap it for the world.

[charlie caller 3,654]

SKB 200e single trigger, flat rib, superb Jap engineering, be prepared to pay a bit more but it will be well worth it they are superb, or a Winchester 23, again a very nice sbs

[trenchfoot 4,243]

SKB 200e is a good choice. just make sure you get the single trigger mechanism checked over by a gun smith as they are known to play up a bit at times. Also the AYA matador should meet your requirements and do double duty for a bit of wildfowling/fox drives too

[shropshire dan 467]

Also Aya no.3 is worth a look. I have one and love it

[slipper 116]

Yep there's one for sale on here

[andyf 144]

Sorry bud £300 won't make the spec you've got.

But the only 'common' ones like you want are indeed SKB or Winchester Model 23, (I've got a 23).

Expect to pay £600>£950 for the above.

But a half tidy AYA SS ejector can be found in the £300+ range, nothing wrong with them.

AndyF

[shropshire dan 467]

Yep there's one for sale on here

Well worth £180 imo

[trenchfoot 4,243]

SKB, Hampshire

 

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/SKB_Shotgun_200E_For-Sale_140405094440001

[andyf 144]

A £300 SKB must be a nail, leave that well alone.

As much as I like my Model 23 Pigeon Grade, be aware they have coil springs, that means light strikes, also mine has a tendency

for the right barrel ejector kicker to be a bit tired, so Left ejects Right does 'most' times.

But I wouldn't trade it for an SO Beretta.

[Axholmeman 3]

Cheers guys. My local RFD has a few AYA's in, I shall go in and take a look, shoulder a few and probably add another gun to my cabinet.

I will also search for the sales thread.

Edited July 6, 2014 by Axholmeman