Thread: Old doubles (SxS) shotguns anyone?

Originally Posted by rhensley

Mine also have been altered. I have a friend that's also a gunsmith. He did lengthened the forcing cones and modified the chokes. He also re-fitted the stock. When he fitted the stock that helped on the recoil a lot. It makes a difference when the gun fits. Improved modified and modified are the chokes on the browning and the CZ has screw in chokes. I like the browning best but there is a lot to be said about the CZ. A fine gun for the price.

That is another thing about many of the older guns, the stocks had a hefty drop to them. Consequently the recoil is driven downward into your shoulder (exact opposite of a modern AR style straight, level stock) so your buddy re-fitting the stock to a more modern and personally fit geometry is golden . Those old guns have so much character, built like tanks and have so may good years and days afield in them it's really wonderful when they get resurrected and made to work for the owner.

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

I once had a SxS 12 Spanish make, cannot recollect the maker but it was a real looker. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it but it I still regret the day I let it go.
A 20 is on my short list now.

Could it possibly have been Ugartechea? :: UGARTECHEA :: ARMAS / SHOTGUNS

In the early '70s Marlin did their version of the L.C. Smith side lock side by side double and I had a field grade. I did do some shooting with it, but I've never been a hunter so it got sold long ago. I love the look of those old doubles though. True classics.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In the early '70s Marlin did their version of the L.C. Smith side lock side by side double and I had a field grade. I did do some shooting with it, but I've never been a hunter so it got sold long ago. I love the look of those old doubles though. True classics.

The Marlin SXS double is a fine looking shot gun. If the one you had is like the one i'm looking at at Gander Mountain it's really a box lock with side plates which according to my gunsmith is a very fine gun. From what I've found out the side locks are beautiful but the box locks were more reliable. I do love the old side locks though. I watched a TV program where a company in England fitted a shot gun to a man and when they were through he went from missing the target to making dust out of the clays.

Originally Posted by rhensley

The Marlin SXS double is a fine looking shot gun. If the one you had is like the one i'm looking at at Gander Mountain it's really a box lock with side plates which according to my gunsmith is a very fine gun. From what I've found out the side locks are beautiful but the box locks were more reliable. I do love the old side locks though. I watched a TV program where a company in England fitted a shot gun to a man and when they were through he went from missing the target to making dust out of the clays.

That's how gun shops used to operate. Now they just open boxes.

I learned a valuable lesson from our old 'smith. He fitted a shotgun to you by having you close your eyes, then throw the gun up into shooting position. If you weren't looking straight down the barrel, he would adjust this mock-up stock until you did. Two weeks later you came back and your stock fit. My Benellis came with shims to achieve the same effect. Pretty cool.

That method also works for me when picking a handgun to see how they naturally point.

Originally Posted by Natty

Could it possibly have been Ugartechea? :: UGARTECHEA :: ARMAS / SHOTGUNS

I don't this so, it was a single trigger but looked pretty similar

Originally Posted by rhensley

I did like the 12 GA but the re-coil was a bit harsh on me. I wish I had kept the browing 12 and just hand loaded for it.

Ya, I seek out target loads for it. Lighter loads, but reqular powder. FAST! . Wish I could find the Winchester super-speeds, but cannot find them anymore.
I was deadly on the birds with those!

So as you all discussed lengthening the forcing cones....Educate me?

So on Side by sides, they have been quite expensive as I have looked....

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Ya, I seek out target loads for it. Lighter loads, but reqular powder. FAST! . Wish I could find the Winchester super-speeds, but cannot find them anymore.
I was deadly on the birds with those!

So as you all discussed lengthening the forcing cones....Educate me?

So on Side by sides, they have been quite expensive as I have looked....

When the chamber is cut on a shot gun it leaves a slight ridge where the cutting tool stopped. when the forcing cone is lengthened it means that that edge is smothed out. before the edge is smoothed out the shot can deform a small amount and give pattern not as even as when the cone is smoothed out. Or to put it better the pattern has less holes in it. As far as the cost of the SXS doubles go you may find some very good used ones in shops that trade guns or on the web. The old Stevens model 311 was pretty good old gun and not as expensive as the browning or those fine English doubles. Also It's kind of fun looking for them. I like going in different gun shops.

18 posts & not one photo of a SxS shotgun.
At least the Black Rifle & Glock guys show some pics.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

18 posts & not one photo of a SxS shotgun.
At least the Black Rifle & Glock guys show some pics.

Shotguns are really hard to photograph well. Especially when you're a lousy photographer to begin with