What's the best SxS exposed hammer coach gun

[1972]

I'm looking for some advice on what you experienced shooters would consider the BEST SxS 12 ga exposed hammer shotgun available for CAS purposes.  There are a number of them out there, but it seems many have "issues", some of which can be improved with varying amounts of gunsmithing, and some that you can't do much with.  I was looking at the Cimarron 1878 coach gun for a while, but it seems the quality control there is also hit and miss – depending on when they were made, and where they were made (China, Turkey, etc)

I thought I'd found a really good quality one when I saw the Pioneer Arms Corp SxS "Greener" style.  All the reviews certainly spoke well of them, but then I was told they don't produce them anymore.  So that let's that out.   

I'm not really big on the pumps or levers.  Too many parts to break or go wrong.  Not fond of them.

I certainly don't have money to throw around, but I'd rather pay the bucks for a really good one that will perform well and last rather than go through a number of cheap ones that constantly give trouble.

Anybody got any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Major 2]

I said it before...  the TTn is tank tough, mine is 7-8 years old and no issues....
That said, it was purchased from TTn & Walter Johnson,  he then later moved on the EMF and they imported them
as did Cimarron & Taylors.

Yes,  it's Chinese and cost about $450 in 04.


There was a short lived Turkish gun from ADCO ...but after several years few were imported and 0 parts.


The Pioneer (Polish) was undermined by the $1300 sticker shock


That leaves the Century ( China ) not awful at under $300

and the Wyatt Earp ( Italy ) but at $950

and I think Bakal (Russian) still offers one ( real hammers )


I'd buy another TTn ( one of the 26" Barrels offerings )  

[1972]

Thanks Major.  I sure appreciate your time and advice.

With regards to the TTN, are there any runs or years of production that were considered better than others, and if so how does one tell?

Also, when you mention the "Wyatt Earp" from Italy, is that Pedersoli?  I never even thought to look at Pedersoli (if it's them) as I didn't think they made a SxS with exposed hammers.  If they do that might be worth looking at.

And I'm not going to write off the TTN.  If you've been using one that long without issues that's a pretty good reference.  The trick would be to know which ones were the "good" ones.

[FriscoCounty]

Pedersoli? Yep.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/tipologia-prodotti.asp/l_en/idt_82/rifles-side-by-side-cartridge-shotguns.html

[Major 2]

I've not really heard there were best years .... *
They very closely follow the Colt design in looks.

as Frisco said ...... Yes it is a Pedersoli  

I'd rather they did not have Wyatt Earp etched in to the lock plate though.

I'd like to handle a '' La Bohémienne''  

I have friend that shoots NCOWS Pistoleer with the Pedersoli 28" SXS Muzzleloader, that is one fine gun !
He also has a TTn when he shoots SASS (* his is just 3 or 4 years old from Cimarron )

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/scheda-prodotto.asp/l_it/idpr_362/fucili-doppiette-ad-avancarica-plains-shotgun-the-fast-back-action.html

[Southpaw]

Love my Rossi........Southpaw

[1972]

I just looked into the Pedersoli.  You can get the gun with, or without, the "Wyatt Earp" name on it.  So without it that would  be better.

Not cheap - but by all reports a very fine gun.  Apparently they are out of stock right now, so there will likely be a wait.

[Abominable Bill]

I recently bought the Cimarron 1878 Coach gun. I guess these were TTN's
It works well for the money. Springs weren't terribly heavy and it seems pretty slick out of the box

I removed the nasty little spurs off the hammers so that I wouldn't snag skin on them.

I had tried a CZ-USA hammer gun at a local gun shop... twice the money and twice as stiff and heavy than the Cimarron

[Three Fingered Fred]

I got a TTN from from Goatneck Clem, 20" and competition ready.  It's a dandy.

http://www.goatneckclemgunsmithing.com/

[dart368]

If you ever decide to go cheap.  For about $325, you can get the Zhoung Zouh model from Big 5.  I have heard that there are a few that are made by the same company in China but they put their various names on them.  I heard mine is the same as the Century Arms model.

They are cheap but cheap because of the roughness of them.  But once you dial them in, they work fine and are easy to work on.  I have had to do three things to mine so far in the first few months of owning it:

1.  Take a brake hone to the chambers so it would break open and so shells would fall out.

2.  Bend the hammer spring post so it wouldn't slip off of the hammer mechanism.

3.  Hone out the firing pin chamber so the firing pin wouldn't stick after discharge.

Now, she runs like a champ.  I got an inexpensive shotgun with exposed hammers and learned a lot about it to the point that I fel I can fix it myself if something goes wrong.  Good luck.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
The TTN is the BEST hammered double . I have used the 20 inch and the 26 inch barrel . They are built like a tank . The 26 inch has tubes in it , a real Turkey killer .

[MJN77]

I have a 20 inch TTN and this thing is a beast. Very tough shotgun. Liked it enough to buy a 26 incher off gunbroker a few days ago. I think I'll put tubes in at least one of them like Rowdy mentioned.

[Cliff Fendley]

I dont want to hijack the thread but who do you contact about having tubes put in a Cimarron 1878?

[MJN77]

http://www.colonialarms.com/

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Colonial did a TTN for me . They did an Excellent job and then I was set with all the different tubes . And they have excellent Turkey tubes .

[Cliff Fendley]

Thanks.

[GunClick Rick]

http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1878-Coach-Gun-c134.htm

And they stand behind thier stuff,give them a call and at least ask about them..You will more than likely do buissness with them.

[Major 2]

Clicker

That is the TTn ...well what Walt Johnson was importing when he had TTn.
He went to work with EMF and they contenued with the same.

Taylor's & Cimarron had them as well, However, these are not being imported anymore     

You will note the (Out of Stock) at the link you offered....

[Abilene]

...Taylor's & Cimarron had them as well, However, these are not being imported anymore     
...

Cimarron has them in stock, 20" and 26".  I believe the ones Taylors and EMF are selling are obtained from Cimarron.

[Steel Dinger]

Hands down a Rossi 20 gauge 3", hammers, Model , The Overland. If you can find one.