O/U vs. Side-by-Side?

kkb · June 24, 2005, 01:04 PM

Assuming shotguns of similar quality, which would you give the nod to as far as ballistics and mechanics go, and why?

Though I've never touched a shotgun, been a pistol and rifle shooter for a while, I can feel an itch comming on in a year or two and am starting the learning process.

Buzzkill · June 24, 2005, 01:49 PM

hiya kkb

I think this is all down to personal preference . if it was my choice id go for a side by side simply because they are so easy to take apart . You can take the gun apart in about 20 seconds with the know-how .

If your used to the single sighting plane on rifles and pistol then i think an over and under would . Plus you fit in with the clay pigeon crowd {if thats your thing }

Just try a number of different guns in both types .

Cheers
Bob

Jim Watson · June 24, 2005, 02:03 PM

The O/U rules in the USA. I don't know if it is performance or fashion. I was going to say that a Trap or Skeet shooter would use whichever hit the most targets, but I don't know if it would even occur to a modern shooter to try a SxS any more.
There are a few traditionalists who hunt with a SxS and they are of course common in Cowboy shooting.

LHB1 · June 24, 2005, 02:29 PM

O/U's typically disassemble in the same manner as S/S's. Have owned both and like both but now shoot O/U's exclusively due to wider variety of models and availability. I also slightly prefer the single sighting plane of O/U.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

Tacoma · June 24, 2005, 03:48 PM

Mechanics aside, I have never been able to hit anything moving with a side by side. The two barrel picture just messes me up

Dave R · June 24, 2005, 05:15 PM

If your intention is to hunt, then dual triggers are a nice thing. Can you get dual triggers with an OU?

Fall upland hunting here could mean either dove or hungarian partridge. I like the option of putting size 6 shot in one barrel and size 4 in the other, and then choosing based on what bird you flush.

I have no trouble with the sight picture on a SXS, but that's probably because I don't own an OU!

K80Geoff · June 24, 2005, 05:17 PM

The O/U is the gun of choice for Clay shooting. And the quality of O/U's is generally better than SXS for the same amount of money.

A well known shooting club I shot with gives SXS shooters a five bird handicap in a 100 bird shoot. They have found this to be equitable and have almost 20 years of scores to justify the handicap.

I suspect it has to do with handling and balance, and thhe large number of rounds put through the guns. Recoil may be a factor also.

However for upland hunting SXS guns are sometimes preferred because they are generally a bit lighter than O/U's. Unfortunately the lighter the gun the more it usually costs. And they do look nice.

Double guns do have a certain style you will not get with repeaters. IMHO they are more sporting.

And trying out a lot of different guns can be fun.

jvlip3 · June 24, 2005, 09:12 PM

I use a Stoeger S/S Coachgun for skeet and hunting. I just like it is all I can say.

Casp_A · June 24, 2005, 09:23 PM

I perfer SxS over O/U for one reason: it's difficult if not impossible to find an O/U with twin triggers. What can you do with twin triggers, I hear you ask? Hurt yourself pretty badly.

And for the record, I only own two shotguns: a pump action, and a SxS (with twin triggers

.)

kkb · June 24, 2005, 10:00 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments.

Quote:

Dave R Can you get dual triggers with an OU?

The only one I've seen during casual catalog drooling is CZ's MALLARD.

Quote:

Tacoma Mechanics aside, I have never been able to hit anything moving with a side by side.

Make ya a deal... I'll stop asking about ballistic performance on 'em if you'll stop shooting at 'em

Once you get to know them, mechanics are nice guys....mostly.

Dave R · June 29, 2005, 09:42 AM

Quote:

The only one I've seen during casual catalog drooling is CZ's MALLARD.

Awwww, geeeeeeeeeee.....

KKB, you're killing me. I just acquired what I 'thought' was going to be my last new firearm for a long time. And now you show me the fine O/U with CZ quality, and TWIN TRIGGERS for an SRP of $475?!?!?!?!

I'm gonna have to get one...

June 24, 2005, 01:04 PM	#1
kkb Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2004 Location: Western Slope, Colorado Posts: 403	O/U vs. Side-by-Side? Assuming shotguns of similar quality, which would you give the nod to as far as ballistics and mechanics go, and why? Though I've never touched a shotgun, been a pistol and rifle shooter for a while, I can feel an itch comming on in a year or two and am starting the learning process.

June 24, 2005, 05:15 PM	#6
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	If your intention is to hunt, then dual triggers are a nice thing. Can you get dual triggers with an OU? Fall upland hunting here could mean either dove or hungarian partridge. I like the option of putting size 6 shot in one barrel and size 4 in the other, and then choosing based on what bird you flush. I have no trouble with the sight picture on a SXS, but that's probably because I don't own an OU! __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

June 24, 2005, 05:17 PM	#7
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	The O/U is the gun of choice for Clay shooting. And the quality of O/U's is generally better than SXS for the same amount of money. A well known shooting club I shot with gives SXS shooters a five bird handicap in a 100 bird shoot. They have found this to be equitable and have almost 20 years of scores to justify the handicap. I suspect it has to do with handling and balance, and thhe large number of rounds put through the guns. Recoil may be a factor also. However for upland hunting SXS guns are sometimes preferred because they are generally a bit lighter than O/U's. Unfortunately the lighter the gun the more it usually costs. And they do look nice. Double guns do have a certain style you will not get with repeaters. IMHO they are more sporting. And trying out a lot of different guns can be fun. __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

June 24, 2005, 09:23 PM	#9
Casp_A Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2004 Posts: 495	I perfer SxS over O/U for one reason: it's difficult if not impossible to find an O/U with twin triggers. What can you do with twin triggers, I hear you ask? Hurt yourself pretty badly. And for the record, I only own two shotguns: a pump action, and a SxS (with twin triggers .) __________________ Johnny was a chemist's son, but Johnny is no more. What Johnny thought was H2O was H2SO4.

June 24, 2005, 01:49 PM	#2
Buzzkill Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2005 Posts: 138	hiya kkb I think this is all down to personal preference . if it was my choice id go for a side by side simply because they are so easy to take apart . You can take the gun apart in about 20 seconds with the know-how . If your used to the single sighting plane on rifles and pistol then i think an over and under would . Plus you fit in with the clay pigeon crowd {if thats your thing } Just try a number of different guns in both types . Cheers Bob

June 24, 2005, 02:03 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The O/U rules in the USA. I don't know if it is performance or fashion. I was going to say that a Trap or Skeet shooter would use whichever hit the most targets, but I don't know if it would even occur to a modern shooter to try a SxS any more. There are a few traditionalists who hunt with a SxS and they are of course common in Cowboy shooting.

June 24, 2005, 02:29 PM	#4
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	O/U's typically disassemble in the same manner as S/S's. Have owned both and like both but now shoot O/U's exclusively due to wider variety of models and availability. I also slightly prefer the single sighting plane of O/U. Good shooting and be safe. LB

June 24, 2005, 03:48 PM	#5
Tacoma Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2004 Location: SE New England Posts: 620	Mechanics aside, I have never been able to hit anything moving with a side by side. The two barrel picture just messes me up

June 24, 2005, 09:12 PM	#8
jvlip3 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2005 Location: Third Rock from the Sun Posts: 312	I use a Stoeger S/S Coachgun for skeet and hunting. I just like it is all I can say.