You Should Have A Side By Side!!

[@bowhunt2472]

There’s a saying, “if you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand “. That’s the reply in my head when someone asks me at the sporting clays range “why are you shooting a sxs?” I respond more respectfully, but that’s what i am thinking. It’s just part of my character,style, and who i am. I have a small collection of sxs and o/u, but the sxs is where my heart is. Especially the older ones that have so many untold stories. It’s like taking your old hunting dog out for one more hunt.

[@Bunduki]

Your reply is music to my ears , well worded😊

[@johnnorth7434]

Yeah. I had a comment from 6th best Cpsa shot in Bucks. "Well shot considering the barrels are on the wrong way round" I just smiled "lol"

[@gino_jihai]

Side-by-side guns are still the best option to get a target quickly at a short distance, such as hunting in the woods: the parallel barrels guide the shooter view better than single-barrel guns, but on the long distance it can incur in misalignments with less accuracy. So, over-and-under and side-by-side guns complete each other.

[@ronlafitte6864]

I very much prefer a SxS to any O/U. I have two nice O/Us but eleven S/Ss. All are quite usable, except for my Grandfather's 1878 Colt 10-Gauge. You will never get these things out of my hands, although I've hunted many times with semi-autos and my Remington 870. There is nothing more exciting than uncasing a SxS on a frosty morning and heading out after a covey of quail. It's what I did as a young boy and still love it after six decades. If you have done likewise, then you KNOW what I'm talking about!

[@martynf65uk]

I now own more SxS than O/U. My faves are 2x Modern Hammers, they are steel, multi choke and 3" but still give the nod to the past and can be used hard. I do own a 60 year old Spanish Victor Sarasqueta 6E that is georgous. And two new SxS single triggers, one is my Side by Sporter :O Pistol grip, extended black oxide chokes, trigger job, adjustable comb. Shoots just like my O/U.

[@gino_jihai]

In Italy, we can go in person to some popular gun factories, such as " F.lli Poli", "F. lli Piotti", "R.F.M. Armi", "Fausti", and have a custom one made. The quality is comparable to AYA, but way cheaper as the demand of guns is ever-decreasing here.

[@mikegore6339]

I have four side by sides a CZ a old Ithaca from the '70s both in 20 gauge a 1982. Franchi albatross in 12 gauge with an English stock. And the Beretta 627el in 12 gauge with a pistol grip stock. I really prefer the side by side for upland hunting at the risk of sounding corny. It feels more traditional than an over and under or an auto loader. I also enjoy shooting skeet with the side-by-sides versus the over and under's.

[@RA-ze4tq]

I'm from Kansas and I believe you are spot on about side by sides. As we get older as wing shooters, there is a lot to be said about tradition. You reach a point in wing shooting ( especially) hunting) that you realize it's not about the take of game, but how you go about doing it. A side by side encompass all the traditions, and you discover along the way that our predessors knew a thing or two about wing shooting !

[@gregorywillis2447]

A few years ago, I wouldn't touch a SXS. I now have 6, two of my 20's are my clays guns now. We don't have much in the way of English shotguns but some nice box locks.

[@beeboop1726]

I’m 25 years old, I’m probably an anomaly among modern shooters in the UK as my 3 shotguns are all side by sides. When I was 12 my dad bought be a 16 gauge WJ Jeffery and I have fell in love with side by sides ever since. It’s got to the point now that if I pick up an O/U it feels very strange to me. If I start to shoot clays some day I might end up buying one though. My pride and joy is a WW Greener SXS with 30” barrels and the greener side safety.

[@posei3960]

I started with a 725 sporter 8 years ago and bought a SxS on a whim (Baikal 12g IZH 54, Greener bolt, chromed barrels, ejector, cocking indicators not a common gun) I now also have AYA #2 12g, AYA#4 20g, Vincenzo BErnadelli 12g, Pieper Bayard 16g ( never seen another)

[@jimandmarypowell9783]

Shooting was part of my "Working Class" background. Shooting schools were for 'toffs'. My family got by very nicely with SBS hammer guns and boxlock non ejectors. We shot rabbits and pigeon by permission on local farms and a pheasant was a BIG DEAL. People had just one gun and used it for everything. Sadly, shooting has gone upmarket and gentrified. AYA made excellent SBSs, the No 4, 3 and the Yeoman. All can be now had for little money. There's heaps of provincial non-ejector English boxlocks about in auctions for knock down prices, get one before they are rediscovered, the likes of Greener, Thomas Wild etc.

[@forddude1976]

Everything you have said describes how I started shooting, I must try a side x Side i may hire one. I seen a sxs hammer gun that was mead in Barnarnd Castle and that is just a few miles away from me and at 20 pounds in auction I was tempted but I don't know enough and I wasn't at sale to look at it.

[@YakMotley]

I love my sxs. Just somthing really cool about it.

[@newey80]

Hi Dave. First.. What a great shooting ground you have. Thoroughly enjoyed my walk round with my AyA 2. Great targets that made me appreciate the no2 even more. I agree with the investment part and also buying the correct one and a good one is important. Hopefully will visit the ground again soon with the other AyA no2😁

[@donniepowell7146]

I just like the looks of a side by side.

[@sebastianmassarotto5603]

Nothing beats a sweet 16 guage side x side

[@Willenium2k4]

My spanish boxlock is worth very little at market value, but worth rather a lot to me in shooting enjoyment. No frills, just gets on and does the job in a nice civilised way.

[@normmyers4337]

I think they deserve some attention

[@grahamsimpkins1540]

Pick up a AYA no2 from my local gun shop, what I been cleaning up / restoring just for game days.

[@Hughmungus2269]

You’re definitely over the target. AyA definitely fits the bill, but let’s not discount some American builders like Lc Smith, and Parker?
Even though it’s not a terribly expensive, or sophisticated gun, my absolute favorite SxS belonged to my Dad; a JP Sauer & Sohn model 60 in 20 gauge. It has 26” barrels, choked mod/ic, and weighs less than 7 pounds. Aside from the fact that it was my Dads, that gun just fits me well. Everytime I shoulder it, it’s like embracing an old friend!!

[@normmyers4337]

I would like to see a review on the Dickinson sporting plantation! 32 in barrels,vent rib ,priced at about 3200 US

[@Jolly56Roger]

Whatever floats your boat ⛵⛵

[@DFox-ud3gx]

I would love to get another side x side. I had one when I was a young kid that was all we had on the farm. I shot many bobwhite quail and many pheasants all my life as a kid

[@anthonyhoward3397]

If i had the money it would be a dixon round action all day.

[@darrylsproson5964]

Yeah need more sxs content I've only shot with sxs this year on clay's. Now have 3 a TOZ 66 hammer gun (you need to do a video on these) and 2 English sxs a Thomas Newton and a Harrison Bros 25 inch barrels lovely condition shoots very nice and only cost £125

[@bestestusername]

I love my La Sorda SxS, it's just a cheapie but clean and enjoyable

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Fads come and (fleetingly) go. In America, bolt-action shotguns persisted for nearly 70 years, but nobody looks at them today.

[@mchughcb]

You should have more triples.

[@andrewhornet3786]

A5E. Elegant 20ga soon.

[@Bunduki]

Shooting an O/U is like painting with a spray can.
Shooting a beautiful handcrafted SxS made by Artisans is like using fine quality paintbrushes.
I get a feeling of satisfaction & pride when l bring out my SxS' s at the gun club or out in the field the oldest dates 1879 , the youngest is 1925.

[@MBCGRS]

2024 SxS vs O&U...! See you again next year....! Yawn....

[@donnachamcgowan]

AyA are a very Very good S.b S. Very well made ..Very popular.

[@richardtimms8733]

Was toying with a Beretta S/S until I found out today that it's actually made by Fausti, last actual Beretta made S/S was the 471 Silver Hawk, put me off completely now.

[@nicholasrichards2402]

Yes you are correct but the fausti Berretta is a beautiful side by side don't be put off l own one myself in 20 gauge.

[@richardprice7763]

I think they just look a lot more stylish and way less bulky

[@gerardmcquade9102]

i don't know how you can call those prices not a lot of money

[@nicholasrichards2402]

Because he's very wealthy

[@johntrott9513]

In context he was saying a used model for £1500-1800 is not a lot of money for something which would have cost £10,000 brand new.

[@gerardmcquade9102]

@@johntrott9513 ok that makes more sense i didn't catch that

[@johnnorth7434]

Hi Dave. Do you at OGC have a side by side category in the walked up challenge at your school?

[@Willenium2k4]

If they don't, do check out the Side By Side competition being held at AGL on September 21st :)

[@johnnorth7434]

Already booked in. 💥💥

[@Willenium2k4]

Good man 👍 We're putting our partial squad together at the moment, but will be registering very soon.

[@sickpuppy011]

Cz sharp tail

[@airbhidhmacpharlain]

If our creator intended for us to shoot over/unders, why did he place our eyes 'side-by-side'? And beside, why kill a beautiful bird with an ugly, plebeian gun?

[@cblack1green]

I would like to see a good quality side by side with multi chokes, single trigger, pistol grip stock with a beaver tail for end

[@jimandmarypowell9783]

Look for a Winchester Model 23.

[@cblack1green]

@@jimandmarypowell9783
You are correct, I had one many years ago.

[@joetruth5924]

How about doing a video on the American blue collar side by sides, the Stevens 311 and the Savage Fox Model B. Built like trucks but they last for ever. Still shooting the Savage Fox Model B I purchased in 1971 for $179.

[@beeboop1726]

Those shotguns are quite hard to find in the UK. I have only ever seen one Fox shotgun here and it sold for quite cheap right enough. Think it was a Fox model B 👍

[@joetruth5924]

@@beeboop1726 Ones in good condition now go for around $650. A good deal if you can find one.