Who Shoots an O/U, which one? Why?

[Ellensburg]

I have a 12 gauge Browning Cynergy with the Classic build.

I just liked the classic looking gun more than the normal model.


I love the gun. I'll probably never use another upland gun in my life and I will hand it down to my children.

[quacksmoker]

I've got a 1983, 12 guage Citori o/u. I take it out every now and then, but just don't like the feel. Looking to sell it and move into the SxS. Lately, I have been using my Urika 2 for waterfowl.

[CP]

I've got a 1983, 12 guage Citori o/u. I take it out every now and then, but just don't like the feel. Looking to sell it and move into the SxS. Lately, I have been using my Urika 2 for waterfowl.

Interested in trading the Citori for a Sterlingworth Fox 12g?

[Phantom Gobbler]

First O/U I started with, is a 60's Browning Citori 12 GA (Miroku) with 28 inch barrels, 3 in. chambers  that I had fitted with Colonial Arms Thin Wall Choke Tubes.  I have used this gun for everything from Geese to Pheasants to Grouse, Huns and Quail. 

2nd O/U purchased is a Franchi Alcoine LF in 20 GA with 26 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and choke tubes.  Picked this up after one of my hunting partners started hunting with an Ithaca (SKB) O/U in 20 GA.  Franchi is light and fast and fun to hunt with for all upland birds.  Was able to get my first double on Sharptail Grouse with this gun.

Latest purchase was an Uggie (Ugartechea) Grade 1 Boxllock SxS in 12 GA with 28 inch barrels, 2 3/4 inch chambers, double triggers and straight english stock.  Chokes are fixed modified/full.  Gun is a little less than 7 lbs and has a very good feel to it.  Have hunted with it once and was able to harvest my first two chukars.  Still trying to get used to the double triggers.  This is my first SxS so the jury is still out.  Planning on using spreader loads for ruffed grouse and tight holding birds over GSPs/GWPs.

Next purchase (hopefully) will be a 6 lb. - 20 or 28 gauge Sidelock SxS with 26 inch barrels, double triggers and straight stock.  Would appreciate any recommendations on affordable, lively, small gauge sidelocks to consider.

[Stilly bay]

I just got rid of an AYA #2 20 gauge with 26" bbls. way too light in the front end. I would have been much happier with 29" BBl. a gun that light stops as fast as it starts and is difficult to get a smooth swing going. I wouldn't even consider a 28 gauge built on a 28 gauge frame with barrels shorter than 28" but thats just me. when you think about it the only diff between 26" & 30"bbl is four measly inches. thats not long enough to hang up in the brush, but its enough weight to miss while handling and shooting to make a difference. I think this pertains to thick brush grouse hunting as much as open country chukar hunting and everything in between.  when your talking quality doubles on scaled frames they don't have much weight to spare and are LIGHT guns.

What I was told when I started out on this double gun obsession was: "don't shop for a specific brand of gun, shop for the gun that fits you best" IMO words to live by once you start dealing with "sidelock" money.

a good "inexpensive" honest sidelock to look for is an AYA .112 -not a whole lot of them around but you can sometimes find them in great condition for less than $1500. plus they have that nifty thumb screw so you can take it apart and show your buddies.
either that or get yourself a new or used sidelock uggie from LCS, they have plenty of steals going on in the used gun dept right now.

pay attention to DAC, DAH, cast on or off and LOP makes sure its something you can live with or don't mind altering. if you buy the gun sight unseen and have a return option measure all the dimensions yourself. if they don't have a return policy DON'T BUY IT.
 
hopefully others will chime in too.

[C-Money]

 trippledigitss, I was looking at the Optima Silver Select the other day. Is the mossberg that you have a turkish built shotgun? The Silver Select is, and has a nice walnut stock. They look well made, I kinda want to pick one up!

[whitey]

Ruger Red Label. Satin Stainless All Weather 26" tubes very fine shooting shotgun.

[10Key]

I shoot a Beretta Black Onyx in 20 gauge with 28" barrels. I can't hit sh*t with it. I went the O/U route because I have dreamed of one for quite a while...they are super light-weight which is great when you are hiking 4-7 miles on a day-hunt.

[fethrduster]

First O/U I started with, is a 60's Browning Citori 12 GA (Miroku) with 28 inch barrels, 3 in. chambers  that I had fitted with Colonial Arms Thin Wall Choke Tubes.  I have used this gun for everything from Geese to Pheasants to Grouse, Huns and Quail. 

2nd O/U purchased is a Franchi Alcoine LF in 20 GA with 26 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and choke tubes.  Picked this up after one of my hunting partners started hunting with an Ithaca (SKB) O/U in 20 GA.  Franchi is light and fast and fun to hunt with for all upland birds.  Was able to get my first double on Sharptail Grouse with this gun.

Latest purchase was an Uggie (Ugartechea) Grade 1 Boxllock SxS in 12 GA with 28 inch barrels, 2 3/4 inch chambers, double triggers and straight english stock.  Chokes are fixed modified/full.  Gun is a little less than 7 lbs and has a very good feel to it.  Have hunted with it once and was able to harvest my first two chukars.  Still trying to get used to the double triggers.  This is my first SxS so the jury is still out.  Planning on using spreader loads for ruffed grouse and tight holding birds over GSPs/GWPs.

Next purchase (hopefully) will be a 6 lb. - 20 or 28 gauge Sidelock SxS with 26 inch barrels, double triggers and straight stock.  Would appreciate any recommendations on affordable, lively, small gauge sidelocks to consider.

Find yourself a 6lb or less 16ga straight stocked sidelock, and you'll never want to shoot anything else.  Weighs the same or less as most 20's, and outperforms them too.   "Hits like a 12, carries like a 20", is an apt addage.

[trippledigitss]

trippledigitss, I was looking at the Optima Silver Select the other day. Is the mossberg that you have a turkish built shotgun? The Silver Select is, and has a nice walnut stock. They look well made, I kinda want to pick one up!

Yes I am pretty sure it is. I remember reading something in the info that came with it about the Turkish Co. that makes them but I cant remember who. I'd have to look it up. For the price I have been really happy with it. Even with 28" barrels, overall its a lot shorter than the 'big name' guns, but its light & easy to swing. I just wish I could get up into the 20's with it..... Never heard of the Optima?

[AWS]

I personaly like 26" barrels in a 12 ga SxS BUT I'm a smaller person and have to shorten the stocks to 13 1/4" LOP.  In a 20 ga 28" works well.

 This past season I hunted with a 6 lb 12ga SxS with DT and very light 28" barrels, it is a dream to carry and quick handelling.

[trippledigitss]

trippledigitss, I was looking at the Optima Silver Select the other day. Is the mossberg that you have a turkish built shotgun? The Silver Select is, and has a nice walnut stock. They look well made, I kinda want to pick one up!

Oh I see that Optima is made by Hatsan - the same people that make the Escort auto loaders I have that are imported by Legacy Sports. I have been really happy with those guns as well. They make another O/U that looks similar to that Optima but it had another name - cant remember though

[C-Money]

I think I am gonna try one. I like shooting trap, and I have a trap gun, but I would like a good doubles and continental gun. This will also be my upland gun, I just need to go pick one up! Glad you like yours!

[Phantom Gobbler]

First O/U I started with, is a 60's Browning Citori 12 GA (Miroku) with 28 inch barrels, 3 in. chambers  that I had fitted with Colonial Arms Thin Wall Choke Tubes.  I have used this gun for everything from Geese to Pheasants to Grouse, Huns and Quail. 

2nd O/U purchased is a Franchi Alcoine LF in 20 GA with 26 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and choke tubes.  Picked this up after one of my hunting partners started hunting with an Ithaca (SKB) O/U in 20 GA.  Franchi is light and fast and fun to hunt with for all upland birds.  Was able to get my first double on Sharptail Grouse with this gun.

Latest purchase was an Uggie (Ugartechea) Grade 1 Boxllock SxS in 12 GA with 28 inch barrels, 2 3/4 inch chambers, double triggers and straight english stock.  Chokes are fixed modified/full.  Gun is a little less than 7 lbs and has a very good feel to it.  Have hunted with it once and was able to harvest my first two chukars.  Still trying to get used to the double triggers.  This is my first SxS so the jury is still out.  Planning on using spreader loads for ruffed grouse and tight holding birds over GSPs/GWPs.

Next purchase (hopefully) will be a 6 lb. - 20 or 28 gauge Sidelock SxS with 26 inch barrels, double triggers and straight stock.  Would appreciate any recommendations on affordable, lively, small gauge sidelocks to consider.

Find yourself a 6lb or less 16ga straight stocked sidelock, and you'll never want to shoot anything else.  Weighs the same or less as most 20's, and outperforms them too.   "Hits like a 12, carries like a 20", is an apt addage.

Duster, PM me if you run into a reasonable 6 lb. sidelock in 16 GA or smaller! 

[fethrduster]

First O/U I started with, is a 60's Browning Citori 12 GA (Miroku) with 28 inch barrels, 3 in. chambers  that I had fitted with Colonial Arms Thin Wall Choke Tubes.  I have used this gun for everything from Geese to Pheasants to Grouse, Huns and Quail. 

2nd O/U purchased is a Franchi Alcoine LF in 20 GA with 26 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and choke tubes.  Picked this up after one of my hunting partners started hunting with an Ithaca (SKB) O/U in 20 GA.  Franchi is light and fast and fun to hunt with for all upland birds.  Was able to get my first double on Sharptail Grouse with this gun.

Latest purchase was an Uggie (Ugartechea) Grade 1 Boxllock SxS in 12 GA with 28 inch barrels, 2 3/4 inch chambers, double triggers and straight english stock.  Chokes are fixed modified/full.  Gun is a little less than 7 lbs and has a very good feel to it.  Have hunted with it once and was able to harvest my first two chukars.  Still trying to get used to the double triggers.  This is my first SxS so the jury is still out.  Planning on using spreader loads for ruffed grouse and tight holding birds over GSPs/GWPs.

Next purchase (hopefully) will be a 6 lb. - 20 or 28 gauge Sidelock SxS with 26 inch barrels, double triggers and straight stock.  Would appreciate any recommendations on affordable, lively, small gauge sidelocks to consider.

Find yourself a 6lb or less 16ga straight stocked sidelock, and you'll never want to shoot anything else.  Weighs the same or less as most 20's, and outperforms them too.   "Hits like a 12, carries like a 20", is an apt addage.

Duster, PM me if you run into a reasonable 6 lb. sidelock in 16 GA or smaller!

I'll keep my eyes open!  I'm currently customizing a 5 3/4lb 16ga sidelock beautifully engraved hammer gun that is going to be my skeet/grouse gun.  It was 6 lbs even, but I shaved off the pistol grip and cheek piece, hollowed out the stock a bit, and converted it to a straight grip.  It has 30" open choked steel barrels, is lightning quick, and points like a wand.  They are out there, and they're not all expensive either.  If you would consider a hammer gun, drop me a pm.  I think I know where I can find you one.