Quote:
Originally Posted by retmil46
Last Saturday made it down to Hyatt Gun Shop in Charlotte. After having a session with the gunsmith as far as what I needed in stock dimensions for a proper fit - which thankfully it seems on a generic factory stock I only need to worry about length of pull - I took the time to check out some of their selection, and in particular a couple of CZ Bobwhite's.
The 20 gauge version I checked out REALLY tempted me. It looked to be a true made-to-scale 20 - not a 12 with the barrels bored to 20, as with the Stoeger Uplander at over 7 lbs - narrow and light as a feather.
First time I'd really handled a SXS with a straight English stock, and I was surprised at how easy and natural that felt - one handed carry felt like I was toting a pistol instead of a long gun - and I could easily swing the gun up to my shoulder with one hand.
This particular 20, the stock dimensions were already nearly ideal for me. The same gunsmith I'd dealt with earlier was showing me the gun. He checked the fit on me, and said for this gun he wouldn't have to do a damn thing to it - it already fit me correctly as is. I made sure to note the serial number of that gun just in case. 
Nice looking wood on it as well, nice fit and finish overall on the gun.
Problem is, I've already got quite a collection of scatterguns. Kinda hard pressed to justify bringing ANOTHER long gun into the house. |
Actually over 7 pounds for a 20 gauge side by side sounds heavy to me. My Ithaca SKB 12 gauge is lighter than that, six and a half I think.
It sounds as if you've a history with automatics, since that gun feels light.
All that said though, it doesn't matter if the gun fits you and you like it.
Since my youth I was always a side by side and pump fan, until my first skeet gun, a Winchester 101 Diamond Grade over/under about fifteen years ago. I would never carry it to the field though. I still don't feel right walking along with anything but a side by side or a really lightweight pump.
Thanks to the fire ants, I no longer hear or see Bob Whites. My favorite hunting is quail hunting and today, in my part of the world, it might as well be dinosaur hunting. The last time I heard a Bob White might be 12 years or so now. When I DID quail hunt, a lightweight shotgun filled the bill because of carrying it much of the day.
This brings up a thought too. Are you used to an automatic? Will the recoil of a lightweight double bother you? Of course you're talking a 20, but you still need to make sure it's okay before laying down your money.
Good luck with your decision.