best side-by-side available for small game and field gun?

Hammermap · May 19, 2009, 10:43 AM

I am looking to pick up a break action side by side for my field gun. I basically only hunt small game. Not sure which makes and models are best for his. I was looking at a remington spr if i can get my hands on it, also had a guy from work offer me a lower end aya. If anyone has an opinion please le me know.

TxGun · May 19, 2009, 03:36 PM

If I were looking for a SxS, I think I'd give serious consideration to CZ. Just a little more money than the price leaders, but from what I've seen, a substantial step up in quality. CZ's reputation has always been a very good one.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_shotguns.php

ActivShootr · May 19, 2009, 06:05 PM

+1 on CZ. Very well made guns. But lets try to keep them a secret. ($)

OLNfan · May 19, 2009, 06:45 PM

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...coach_guns.php

I have always wanted a stoeger coach but non of the firearm shops in my area have them so I will have to find a different coach. Benelli owns stoeger so I would think they are a good company. I have herd the condor has problems but you always hear alot of negative before the positive.

4INCHSMITH · May 19, 2009, 07:12 PM

Stoeger coach guns are great! I use mine for rabbits/squirrels in dense brush and woods where the shorter barrel length really shines.

Also, Bruce Campbell uses one in Army of Darkness.

OLNfan · May 19, 2009, 08:52 PM

haha cant go wrong there!!

zippy13 · May 19, 2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Benelli owns stoeger

????

They may have links on each others web pages. That's a marketing arrangement, not a declaration of ownership. It's my understanding Benelli (and BenelliUSA) have been owned by Pietro Beretta since early 2000. That same year Beretta also bought majority shares in Aldo Uberti.

TxGun · May 19, 2009, 10:27 PM

Yes, BenelliUSA owns Stoeger. At least according to Stoeger.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/inf...er_history.php

Sako owned Stoeger, Berreta acquired Sako....... Berreta then placed Stoeger under their Benelli brand. It's been there since 2000.

zippy13 · May 20, 2009, 12:28 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, TxGun. I've always thought of Stoeger as an importer, not a manufacturer. There's no reason a manufacturer can't own an import house.
"Sako owned Stoeger, Berreta acquired Sako....... Berreta then placed Stoeger under their Benelli brand."
It's getting too complicated, one day we may see Mossbergs in Remington boxes, or vice versa. Or, both of them in Beretta boxes.

oneounceload · May 20, 2009, 02:09 PM

Zippy, don't forget FN - don't they already own Remington?

zippy13 · May 20, 2009, 05:24 PM

I thought FN has Browning and Winchester.
Have they got Remington, too?

oneounceload · May 20, 2009, 06:06 PM

my mistake:

Cerebus Capital Management, L.P. now owns Remington Arms Cerebus is a company best known for owning airlines (Air Canada), car rental companies (Alamo and National), a bus manufacturer (Bluebird), and banks and lending institutions in Germany, Israel and Japan became an instant player in the firearms industry.

With their acquisition of Bushmaster, Cerebus already was firmly ensconced in the "black rifle" industry. By acquiring Remington, they have a significant presence in every area of the firearms industry - except handguns.

Waterengineer · May 21, 2009, 09:41 AM

OK, back to the original question. A short list to consider, on this list are American, English, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese and Belgian, you didn't give us much to start with, but here is a place to start:

1. L.C. Smith
2. Parker
3. Scott & Webley
4. Browning
5. AYA
6. Beretta
7. CSMC
8. S&W
9. Ithaca
10 SKB

oneounceload · May 21, 2009, 10:36 AM

WaterEngineer - good list, along with Grulla, Arrietta, etc.

However, if the OP is looking at the Remington SPR, I seriously doubt he is wanting to spend the money that most of those go for.

OP - While I personally, am not a big fan of Turkish guns, if you're talking about a little hunting now and again, I would consider that AyA first, (IF in good shape), then the CZ. If you're going to be getting into a ,lot of shooting, the WaterEngineer's list would have better choices

RetiredLawman · May 21, 2009, 10:53 AM

For the occasioanl hunter/shooter, the Stoeger Uplander is as good as it gets for economy.

zippy13 · May 21, 2009, 11:02 AM

Waterengineer
Let's not forget the venerable Winchester Model 21.

oneounceload · May 21, 2009, 11:13 AM

or David Mackay Brown, Purdey, Churchill and a slew of good ones from Birmingham.

Actually, some of the older 2-1/2" guns are priced very reasonably right now and are very light and responsive

Waterengineer · May 21, 2009, 12:49 PM

Zippy/One Oz.:

I was trying to keep a "reasonable" list because I spied the OP was looking at the Remington SPR - so - yes - I agree about his "budget."

That is why I did not include McKay/Brown, Purdy, etc.......now if the OP says sky's the limit then.........do not pass go and do not collect $200....go straight to McKay/Brown.

One Oz, have you priced a Winny Model 21? WOW is all I can say. Model 23 is plain but more affordable.

A couple other makers more on the affordable end:

1. Marlin model 90
2. Franchi
3. Hunter Arms

In my area you can find reasonable condition, field grade Smiths, Parkers, Hunter Arms in the $1,300-$2,000 range........of course we would have to talk about the shells to use, but.............

oneounceload · May 21, 2009, 01:12 PM

2-1/2" shells are readily available from Polywad and RST, and IIRC, you can get reloading supplies as well, so a nice old Parker, Smith, etc. COULD be in the OP's picture or realistic choices.

James R. Burke · May 21, 2009, 06:47 PM

My wife has the Stoeger uplander. For the money it is a nice little shotgun. I myself like the o/u but that is just me. The wife no way she likes the SxS. The CZ is also nice. Alot will come down on what you want to spend.

eastbank · May 21, 2009, 07:44 PM

i bought a real nice ithaca 20ga flues made in 1923 that is in very good con. for 300.00 last month. i have not fired it as of yet. eastbank.

Doyle · May 21, 2009, 07:51 PM

For a field gun, its really hard to beat a plain old Stevens 311.

oneounceload · May 21, 2009, 07:52 PM

Nice gun eastbank - is that a 2-1/2 or 2-3/4 inch gun?

Waterengineer · May 21, 2009, 07:55 PM

Why can I never find a deal like that?

oneounceload · May 21, 2009, 08:09 PM

Water - I have a shooting friend who brought out his 1904 Parker trap SxS that had been done by Del Greco. To say it looked like a brand new exhibition grade gun would not do it justice. Another has a 1929 Parker that also looks brand new. (Now both these guys do very well financially, so I doubt they were 200 guns....but sure pretty to see and a joy to shoot)

May 19, 2009, 10:43 AM	#1
Hammermap Junior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Posts: 2	best side-by-side available for small game and field gun? I am looking to pick up a break action side by side for my field gun. I basically only hunt small game. Not sure which makes and models are best for his. I was looking at a remington spr if i can get my hands on it, also had a guy from work offer me a lower end aya. If anyone has an opinion please le me know.

May 19, 2009, 03:36 PM	#2
TxGun Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Family ranch - Central TX. Posts: 467	If I were looking for a SxS, I think I'd give serious consideration to CZ. Just a little more money than the price leaders, but from what I've seen, a substantial step up in quality. CZ's reputation has always been a very good one. http://www.cz-usa.com/products_shotguns.php Last edited by TxGun; May 19, 2009 at 03:57 PM.

May 19, 2009, 06:45 PM	#4
OLNfan Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 277	http://www.stoegerindustries.com/fir...coach_guns.php I have always wanted a stoeger coach but non of the firearm shops in my area have them so I will have to find a different coach. Benelli owns stoeger so I would think they are a good company. I have herd the condor has problems but you always hear alot of negative before the positive. __________________ "Dear Governor Axtell. I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender. Your obedient servant William H. Bonney. PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass."

May 19, 2009, 07:12 PM	#5
4INCHSMITH Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 313	Stoeger coach guns are great! I use mine for rabbits/squirrels in dense brush and woods where the shorter barrel length really shines. Also, Bruce Campbell uses one in Army of Darkness. __________________ "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence, supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without having to fight" -Sun Tzu

May 19, 2009, 08:52 PM	#6
OLNfan Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 277	haha cant go wrong there!! __________________ "Dear Governor Axtell. I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender. Your obedient servant William H. Bonney. PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass."

May 19, 2009, 06:05 PM	#3
ActivShootr Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2007 Posts: 1,040	+1 on CZ. Very well made guns. But lets try to keep them a secret. ($)

May 19, 2009, 10:27 PM	#8
TxGun Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Family ranch - Central TX. Posts: 467	Yes, BenelliUSA owns Stoeger. At least according to Stoeger. http://www.stoegerindustries.com/inf...er_history.php Sako owned Stoeger, Berreta acquired Sako....... Berreta then placed Stoeger under their Benelli brand. It's been there since 2000. Last edited by TxGun; May 19, 2009 at 10:58 PM.

May 20, 2009, 12:28 AM	#9
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Thanks for the heads-up, TxGun. I've always thought of Stoeger as an importer, not a manufacturer. There's no reason a manufacturer can't own an import house. "Sako owned Stoeger, Berreta acquired Sako....... Berreta then placed Stoeger under their Benelli brand." It's getting too complicated, one day we may see Mossbergs in Remington boxes, or vice versa. Or, both of them in Beretta boxes.

May 20, 2009, 02:09 PM	#10
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Zippy, don't forget FN - don't they already own Remington?

May 20, 2009, 05:24 PM	#11
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I thought FN has Browning and Winchester. Have they got Remington, too?

May 20, 2009, 06:06 PM	#12
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	my mistake: Cerebus Capital Management, L.P. now owns Remington Arms Cerebus is a company best known for owning airlines (Air Canada), car rental companies (Alamo and National), a bus manufacturer (Bluebird), and banks and lending institutions in Germany, Israel and Japan became an instant player in the firearms industry. With their acquisition of Bushmaster, Cerebus already was firmly ensconced in the "black rifle" industry. By acquiring Remington, they have a significant presence in every area of the firearms industry - except handguns.

May 21, 2009, 09:41 AM	#13
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	OK, back to the original question. A short list to consider, on this list are American, English, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese and Belgian, you didn't give us much to start with, but here is a place to start: 1. L.C. Smith 2. Parker 3. Scott & Webley 4. Browning 5. AYA 6. Beretta 7. CSMC 8. S&W 9. Ithaca 10 SKB Last edited by Waterengineer; May 21, 2009 at 09:42 AM. Reason: other info

May 21, 2009, 10:36 AM	#14
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	WaterEngineer - good list, along with Grulla, Arrietta, etc. However, if the OP is looking at the Remington SPR, I seriously doubt he is wanting to spend the money that most of those go for. OP - While I personally, am not a big fan of Turkish guns, if you're talking about a little hunting now and again, I would consider that AyA first, (IF in good shape), then the CZ. If you're going to be getting into a ,lot of shooting, the WaterEngineer's list would have better choices

May 21, 2009, 10:53 AM	#15
RetiredLawman Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2008 Posts: 133	For the occasioanl hunter/shooter, the Stoeger Uplander is as good as it gets for economy.

May 21, 2009, 11:02 AM	#16
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Waterengineer Let's not forget the venerable Winchester Model 21.

May 21, 2009, 11:13 AM	#17
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	or David Mackay Brown, Purdey, Churchill and a slew of good ones from Birmingham. Actually, some of the older 2-1/2" guns are priced very reasonably right now and are very light and responsive

May 21, 2009, 12:49 PM	#18
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Zippy/One Oz.: I was trying to keep a "reasonable" list because I spied the OP was looking at the Remington SPR - so - yes - I agree about his "budget." That is why I did not include McKay/Brown, Purdy, etc.......now if the OP says sky's the limit then.........do not pass go and do not collect $200....go straight to McKay/Brown. One Oz, have you priced a Winny Model 21? WOW is all I can say. Model 23 is plain but more affordable. A couple other makers more on the affordable end: 1. Marlin model 90 2. Franchi 3. Hunter Arms In my area you can find reasonable condition, field grade Smiths, Parkers, Hunter Arms in the $1,300-$2,000 range........of course we would have to talk about the shells to use, but.............

May 21, 2009, 01:12 PM	#19
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	2-1/2" shells are readily available from Polywad and RST, and IIRC, you can get reloading supplies as well, so a nice old Parker, Smith, etc. COULD be in the OP's picture or realistic choices.

May 21, 2009, 06:47 PM	#20
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	My wife has the Stoeger uplander. For the money it is a nice little shotgun. I myself like the o/u but that is just me. The wife no way she likes the SxS. The CZ is also nice. Alot will come down on what you want to spend.

May 21, 2009, 07:51 PM	#22
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	For a field gun, its really hard to beat a plain old Stevens 311.

May 21, 2009, 07:52 PM	#23
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Nice gun eastbank - is that a 2-1/2 or 2-3/4 inch gun?

May 21, 2009, 07:55 PM	#24
Waterengineer Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Aurora, CO and Palm Beach, FL Posts: 863	Why can I never find a deal like that?

May 21, 2009, 08:09 PM	#25
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Water - I have a shooting friend who brought out his 1904 Parker trap SxS that had been done by Del Greco. To say it looked like a brand new exhibition grade gun would not do it justice. Another has a 1929 Parker that also looks brand new. (Now both these guys do very well financially, so I doubt they were 200 guns....but sure pretty to see and a joy to shoot)

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