Over under or side by side. Decisions decisions

I've shot them all. Side by sides, over under, pumps, autos and I am back to a side by side and loving it. Generally, I think they require less maintenance. I think they have fewer points of entry for the salty brine. I find them much easier to clean after most hunts, compared to pumps and autos I've had. However, don't be fooled, because if they get really soaked, scott is right, they need to be cleaned internally (springs, etc.)
 
I will add that a good quality SXS is easy to maintain in the salt, when you get home, off with the forearm and barrel
wipe it off and spray down with a light oil on the metal.

I have a couple of SXS that I use every weekend in the salt and all of them continue to function and look good.

there is something about spending 2-3 grand for a good gun.
you tend to not forget about it in the boat or case after a hunt LOL
 
I have a 1960's Antonio Zoli with a raised rib. To me it's kinda like the best of both worlds. Horizontal and vertical planes to help line up with. I've used both and enjoy both so 1/2 dozen one way 6 the other.
 
no gun is maintenance proof. I had a CZ SS that had two in the field fails in one season. I had less than 1,000 rounds down the tubes on that gun. It was well maintained but is no longer my gun to worry about.

My old SBE has been the best weapon I have owned for not failing in the field. I do a monthly cleaning of it during season and it keeps on banging while throwing empties. I did change it to the Sure Cycle system after probably 10 years and who knows how many thousand rounds. The original spring was very loose and rusty. Hoppes, Break Free CLR and an on and off coat of synthetic 5w-30 and it performs flawlessly in single digit or triple digit temps.
 
Jay~

I'm no expert. I shoot side-by-sides, autos and pumps, but my everyday gun is my circa 1925 Winchester Model 12 pump. Very reliable - with only spraying it down with WD-40 if it gets wet and wiping it occasionally..It gets a thorough cleaning only after the season.

I am also a fan of 3-shot guns. One reason is the potential for a triple. I may not make one every season, but I am always looking for the opportunity (screwed up an easy one on Canadas earlier this year). More important to me, though, is re-loading speed for crippled birds. It takes me much longer to reload my SxS (no ejectors, only extractors) than to slip a new shell into my pump to make sure I can do right by a bird the instant I see it's not dead. And, you can reload it with the muzzle pointed skyward/downrange.

The other consideration is your personal sense of aesthetics. What appeals most to you is what is right. I love side-by-sides with splinter fore-ends - but I also like the "WW-Jeep/form follows function styling" of the early Model 12s with their corncob fore-ends.

Whichever way you go, I hope you fall in love with the gun!

All the best,

SJS
 
I shoot an 870 for ducks and an O/U for everything else. The main reason is moisture and maintenance. Here in the northwest your gun will get wet. As much as I enjoy shooting my Berretta O/U the thought of water getting inside does not make it a good choice for me. The 870 is easy to clean. Mine is approaching 20 years old and if it doesn't see some WD-40 when I get home it will start to rust. On those days that I am real tired I will just give a squirt of WD-40 and wipe it down with rag that is soaked with the stuff and will clean it when I have the 10 min to do a more proper job. I have hunted with guys who shoot O/U for ducks and opening them up to load in a blind can be a pain.
 
SxS just makes my shoulder hurt thinking about it. When I was a kid I had one that would fire 1 barrel or both at once you never knew. One thing to keep in mind is the site picture and single or double triggers.
I find the SXS great for rabbit hunting when where most of your shots are at targets running away.
I love the O/U with a single trigger but for duck hunting I like having 3 shots
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top