Which shotgun do you shoot?

Bottom Dealin Mike · June 12, 2011, 06:51:42 PM

I was shooting in a match today and I realized I was the only one on my posse shooting a SxS shotgun. I thought back and I've seen only two or three SxS shotguns at matches so far this year.

I started this game in 1995, and side by sides were the rule rather than the exception then. But the last couple of years it seems like side by sides are definitely in the minority.

I shoot a couple of 19th century side lock guns, and I have no plans to switch.

What do you all shoot?

wildman1 · June 12, 2011, 06:55:34 PM

Miss B and I both shoot Stoeger coach guns. WM

Waldo Bodfish · June 12, 2011, 07:34:06 PM

Stoeger double trigger SxS

joec · June 12, 2011, 07:38:20 PM

I have two a Stoeger coach length SxS 20 gauge single trigger and a Liberty 24" SxS 12 gauge with double hammers/triggers. I prefer the 12 gauge personally and got the 20 for the wife.

Shotgun Franklin · June 12, 2011, 09:48:11 PM

When SAA started in California there was a shortage of inexpensive SXS shotguns. The '97 was allowed to let more people shoot. IMO, it was a mistake then and is still a mistake. The '87 was a for sure gun used in the Old West and I might get one as a truck gun. For fun shooting and because they were used back then I shoot a SXS.

August · June 13, 2011, 10:59:26 AM

Quote from: Shotgun Franklin on June 12, 2011, 09:48:11 PM
When SAA started in California there was a shortage of inexpensive SXS shotguns. The '97 was allowed to let more people shoot. IMO, it was a mistake then and is still a mistake.

+1

RickB · June 13, 2011, 11:23:20 AM

Shooting a SXS with the exposed hammers. 20 guage. Used it this last weekend in a shoot and it was very pleasing. I just don't like the 97. The way they make you load it is crazy because anyone in the west who would use one didn't load it with each shell individually. I'll stick with my SXS.

Pit Mule · June 13, 2011, 12:21:34 PM

TTN 12 Gauge Hammered Double

Major 2 · June 13, 2011, 01:33:59 PM

When SAA started in California there was a shortage of inexpensive SXS shotguns. The '97 was allowed to let more people shoot. IMO, it was a mistake then and is still a mistake.

AGREED 100%

My TTn Mulley ( tank tuff ) & a friend's Century Mulley (not bad for under $300 NIB

)

Bugscuffle · June 13, 2011, 02:21:24 PM

Shooters load one round at a time in the 1897 because it's faster than trying to load two shells into the magazine and then pumping them into the chamber. You fire, jack back the slide, load a round directly into the open breech pump the slide forward and shoot, repeat as many times as required. There is no fighting against the spring tension of the magazine follower that way.

By the way I shoot a Stevens 311 double 12 Ga.

Sod Buster · June 13, 2011, 02:37:39 PM

SxS only for me...
12ga Stoeger Uplander
12ga TTN 12 w/external Hammers

Mule Ear Mortensen · June 13, 2011, 05:15:15 PM

The 97 is an awesome W.B. gun but it just isn't my cup of tea for CAS.

I shoot a stoeger SXS in 12 ga.

I keep intending to get an exposed hammer gun like the TTN but I'm sooo slow already I keep putting it off. Considering my alias it really should be my top priority!

Bottom Dealin Mike · June 13, 2011, 06:46:21 PM

From what I'm hearing, the tide has turned and 97 shooters are moving back to SxS. Hasn't happened in my neck of the woods yet, but it is something to look for.

personally I'm aB-P shooter and a Damascus barreled side lock nineteenth century Keystone Arms shotgun is the one I usually use in matches. I have a fluid steel American Arms gun I use occasionally...both have 28" barrels.

Rarely I'll use my Baikal sidehammer coach gun. Usually only if I have to shoot a smokeless match.

Bow View Haymaker · June 13, 2011, 06:51:54 PM

I started with a St louis Arms 12 ga double with long barrels. I liked shooting a long barreled double but htat old gun just couldn;t tke it anymore and had to be put out to pasture. i then was sharing a short double barrel of spanish make i believe but just before i moved half way across the country I aquired a '97 mad around 1920 with a long barrel. I like going back to lthe long barel but going from the double to the pump will take some adjustment. I'll be set for any wildbunch shoots though and I have my eyes open for a good deal on another double with at least 26"-28" barrels again. With the longer barrel you can just push the targets down if you miss them.

Kent Shootwell · June 13, 2011, 07:34:27 PM

I fixed up this Lewis model Ithaca for myself and the Remington 1900 for my son. Both are 12 gauge cut to 20" barrels as both were wrecks with loose ribs and rust. I prefer a double as you never know when you may need to pull both triggers to blast that guy on the other side of the wall! (Open Range)

Sagebrush Burns · June 13, 2011, 09:16:48 PM

Was at the Colorado State SASS match this past weekend and nobody on our posse shot anything other than a SxS. About 1/3 were hammer guns.

RickB · June 13, 2011, 09:59:03 PM

Quote from: Bugscuffle on June 13, 2011, 02:21:24 PM
Shooters load one round at a time in the 1897 because it's faster than trying to load two shells into the magazine and then pumping them into the chamber. You fire, jack back the slide, load a round directly into the open breech pump the slide forward and shoot, repeat as many times as required. There is no fighting against the spring tension of the magazine follower that way.

By the way I shoot a Stevens 311 double 12 Ga.

I understand the loading method, but I believe they should just let you load the number of shells neede, up to max, and let you shoot it like the gun was intended.

Bugscuffle · June 14, 2011, 02:54:38 PM

I understand what you are saying Rick, but that wouldn't be fair to the SXS shooters that have to reload after two shots. Not to worry though,the 1897 will be around for a long time, mainly because it is the ONLY shotgun approved for Wild Bunch shooting.

TwoWalks Baldridge · June 14, 2011, 05:50:49 PM

Don't shoot shotgun ... needed to get shotgun. Do shoot BP ... so along comes this video on loading BP shotgun shells by Gentleman Bottom Dealin Mike and the frosting hit the cake.

Got a sxs mule ear at the store to pick up in a couple weeks. God save California because I do not intend too.

RickB · June 14, 2011, 08:49:06 PM

Quote from: Bugscuffle on June 14, 2011, 02:54:38 PM
I understand what you are saying Rick, but that wouldn't be fair to the SXS shooters that have to reload after two shots. Not to worry though,the 1897 will be around for a long time, mainly because it is the ONLY shotgun approved for Wild Bunch shooting.

Simple fixes are to either make a seperate catagory for those who are shooting a 97 and those who are shooting a sxs. That way stop with the goofy loading of the 97 and use it the way it was intended, or exclude it because the way you have to load it really isn't that safe. Same with the lever action winchester shotgun, load it like it was intended and put it in the same class as the 97. But have a seperate catagory for the sxs. I just see it as crazy and unsafe to load them in the manner we make people load them just to be competitive with a design that is different than the high cap models.

We don't make cartridge loaders with S&Ws or colts load their bullets one at a time to be fair to cap and ball shooters.