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Old March 2, 2013, 02:01 PM   #1
kh1911
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Double barrel

im lookin for a nice 12 gauge double barrel side by side shotgun. i was lookin at some stoegers but id like to get some other ideas to. im lookin for somethin under $500. i hope to use it for home defense and anything else really
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Old March 2, 2013, 03:03 PM   #2
nanewt02
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.

Stevens makes a good old double barrel 12 ga. But , if you really want more defense , get the zabala 10 ga double barrel
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Old March 2, 2013, 04:19 PM   #3
BigD_in_FL
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Quote:
im lookin for a nice 12 gauge double barrel side by side shotgun.
Quote:
im lookin for somethin under $500
Mutually exclusive terms, especially when you throw HD into the mix where absolute reliability is essential

This is the same as saying I want to buy a car that can go 200 mph and my budget is $15K

Sorry, for your budget (and reliability requirements) a pump is your best option. I own a Savage Fox - the upscale cousin of the Stevens and basic Savage Fox, and it is NOT that well-made mechanically on the inside
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Old March 2, 2013, 07:29 PM   #4
PetahW
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FWIW, like many other things in the world, cheap/unreliable shotguns are made with plenty of eye appeal, so the unknowledgeable will buy them, instead of a better gun.

SxS shotguns are the most expensive to make properly, so when one's inexpensive, you can bet the farm that the cost WAS cut somewhere.


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Old March 6, 2013, 05:52 PM   #5
edfrompa
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Get a Stoeger 12 gauge or 20 gauge. Bennili makes them. The 12 goes for about $450. The 20 goes for about $350. They are decent shotgun.
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Old March 6, 2013, 07:17 PM   #6
BigD_in_FL
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Decent for? a jack handle? Yep. A hunting gun? Nope

Stoegers are built to one of the cheapest price points in the Beretta family; that means costs were cut severely.............
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Old March 6, 2013, 10:41 PM   #7
oletymer
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They are not made by Benelli. They are made by company in Brazil.
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Old March 7, 2013, 04:15 PM   #8
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I've heard that it's more about round count than anything else, but that's just what I've heard. I don't own a double, and probably won't if 870 reliability in a 2-shooter can't be had under $3000. It'd be nice to see a serviceable gun under 500. Just remember, you don't have to have a double for defense. Joe Biden was wrong about a lot!

I'm happy with my 870 for the do-anything gun. Get a 20" rem-choke deer barrel with rifle sights, and you can change chokes and loads to kill everything from dove and squirrel to elk and moose. Mine will print acceptable groups with the I/C choke with slugs so I can be prepared for anything when woods bumming. That same gun also stays loaded with 00 buck for HD. I've priced wingmasters in good used condition as I'm looking for a 20 ga. The used 870s are within your budget. A barrel will add about $150-$200 to that price, though. My buddy's brother-in-law swears by the 500/590 series and uses a 500 "tactical" for woods bummin. So far, the impact on the squirrel population is noticeable! Not sure about battlefield tactics.
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Old March 7, 2013, 07:44 PM   #9
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All the nice doubles for under $500 are over on that side counter with the Holy Grails.
A Stoeger Uplander with double triggers and extractors is a pretty reliable gun. Not a Purdey, but they work. Popular with that Cowboy set and they are hard on guns. If you get the single trigger model with ejectors - all bets are off. If you go cheap keep it simple.
A Stevens 311/Fox B is also a good serviceable gun and I think they handle a little bit better than the Stoeger.
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Old March 10, 2013, 12:08 AM   #10
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Used is about the only choice at this price point. Stevens made a ton of their 311 guns, the workingmans double. They are also available with Sears stamped on the barrel for less money, pretty much the same gun.

They pretty much are a pig on a shovel handling wise. Hard to do better at your price point, look for good lock up with lever right of center, and decent bores. Great gun for the money.
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Old March 10, 2013, 12:12 AM   #11
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I picked up an old coach gun for just over a hundred, and it's extremely reliable. You can find remakes all over the place just keep your eyes peeled.
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