Inexpensive double-barrel shotguns?
- Thread starter MagicMan
- Start date
I doubt anything new will go for under $200. I know you might be able to get a Stoeger SxS for around $330 or so, but I don't know of anything much less than that.
Used?
Good luck in your search. Your parameters - SXS, under $200, not junk - are for the most part mutually exclusive.
The best deal that I have seen on a used SXS in the last couple of years was a Savage 311 SXS for $265 in Dugan's gun shop in Hughesville, PA. It was there for years, might still be - tight, bright bores, bomb-proof, camo, heavy. That is the least expensive SXS I've seen. Why no one wanted it, I can't say.
Pete
Good luck in your search. Your parameters - SXS, under $200, not junk - are for the most part mutually exclusive.
The best deal that I have seen on a used SXS in the last couple of years was a Savage 311 SXS for $265 in Dugan's gun shop in Hughesville, PA. It was there for years, might still be - tight, bright bores, bomb-proof, camo, heavy. That is the least expensive SXS I've seen. Why no one wanted it, I can't say.
Pete
What's your definition of junk / and we can help you better :
a. At 25 shells a box - how many shells of service should it give you, before you have a problem ? 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 50,000 ?
b. What is the top end of your price range that you won't go beyond - no matter how nice a gun it is ?
c. What do you want to do with it / how many shells a month will you fire ?
a. At 25 shells a box - how many shells of service should it give you, before you have a problem ? 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 50,000 ?
b. What is the top end of your price range that you won't go beyond - no matter how nice a gun it is ?
c. What do you want to do with it / how many shells a month will you fire ?
$
Depending on where you go, you can find very serviceable SXSs for under $500. The aforementioned Savage 311 is one example. That same store had maybe a half dozen vintage SXSs in good condition for under $500.
In another store - Andrews in Beech Glen, PA ( Just an example - do you no good unless you know someone in PA) - I bought a Parker VH - bright and tight - for $400. I also picked up a nice LeFever for similar money, a tad less even.
The only double that I saw for $200 was a Savage 440 O/U. I bought it.
Pete
That sounds pretty firm.
Depending on where you go, you can find very serviceable SXSs for under $500. The aforementioned Savage 311 is one example. That same store had maybe a half dozen vintage SXSs in good condition for under $500.
In another store - Andrews in Beech Glen, PA ( Just an example - do you no good unless you know someone in PA) - I bought a Parker VH - bright and tight - for $400. I also picked up a nice LeFever for similar money, a tad less even.
The only double that I saw for $200 was a Savage 440 O/U. I bought it.
Pete
Swampghost
New member
You should be able to find one as mentioned, pawn shops, etc. Don't expect a fine finish and look for an old Stevens, J.C.Higgins...others can add on here.
My old Stevens has been busting birds and small game for almost 50 yrs. and still going strong. Cost $20 at a swap meet back around 1970. Bores are still shiney, outside not so much anymore.
My old Stevens has been busting birds and small game for almost 50 yrs. and still going strong. Cost $20 at a swap meet back around 1970. Bores are still shiney, outside not so much anymore.
MagnumWill
New member
I'm not sure if they have Big 5 Sporting Goods stores in NJ, but they've been selling a new JW2000 (?) Chinese side-by-side for $269. They're pretty neat looking, and it's not a bad price for something brand new.
I was just looking at the Stoegers. I went in to order one and found a Remington/Spartan spr220 for $350. I'm in MA and have found our prices to be a little higher than elsewhere in the country. It was used and unfired. New ones without the exposed hammers were under $400. Exposed hammers were closer to $600.
Magnumwill I wont trust anything made in communist China, there is nothing good about communism, I mean nothing, everything they make is pure bull_ _ _ _. if you know what I mean. I will spend my money in american made stuff, the best is made in capitalism and the $$$ stay here in great USA.
For something that will give you trouble free performance in the 2500 shells a year range - for a few years ... I would probably look for a Ruger O/U.
I think in general - the Ruger will be about $300 - $500 less than a comparable Browning or Beretta - new and used - although everybody's prices are up.
There are a lot of problems with Stoeger and the Rem Spartan - that you can read all over this forum ( and while you may get a good one, its hard to know ).
I would concentrate on a used Ruger Red Label / maybe a Browning Citori Lightning if you can find one. The lightning model has been made for over 20 years / and the older ones have the shorter screw in chokes - the invector / vs the newer invector plus. If you find one with a beat up stock - that you could lightly sand and refinish as a project in 20 hours or so - pay a little less up front for it - turn it into a nice serviceable gun. Beretta makes a lot of models - and I'm not a Beretta guy but I believe they've made their field O/U the silver pigeon for a long time as well - and it should be cheaper than a Browning.
I think in general - the Ruger will be about $300 - $500 less than a comparable Browning or Beretta - new and used - although everybody's prices are up.
There are a lot of problems with Stoeger and the Rem Spartan - that you can read all over this forum ( and while you may get a good one, its hard to know ).
I would concentrate on a used Ruger Red Label / maybe a Browning Citori Lightning if you can find one. The lightning model has been made for over 20 years / and the older ones have the shorter screw in chokes - the invector / vs the newer invector plus. If you find one with a beat up stock - that you could lightly sand and refinish as a project in 20 hours or so - pay a little less up front for it - turn it into a nice serviceable gun. Beretta makes a lot of models - and I'm not a Beretta guy but I believe they've made their field O/U the silver pigeon for a long time as well - and it should be cheaper than a Browning.
