Quote:
Originally Posted by Air&Road
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.
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The Stoeger 20 gauge IS heavy. If you look at the specs on their website, there's literally only a couple ounces difference in weight between the 12 and 20 gauge versions of the Uplander - both over 7 lbs. All steel, it's quite a solid gun - and it's quite apparent they went with as many common parts as possible - stock, receiver, frame, etc - to mass produce these. The main clue to this is their Uplander 12/20 Combo version - straight English stock, single trigger, with a set of 12 gauge and 20 gauge barrels - not Briley tubes, but complete full up barrels - that are fully interchangeable, for about $550 to $600 last I checked.
I could most likely just order a set of 12 gauge barrels for this Uplander - and perhaps a 12 gauge forearm depending on how the present wood fits - and they would slide right on with no problem. That's a thought - perhaps I'll give Hyatt a call and check into that this weekend.
OTOH, the Winchester 16 gauge weighs along the lines of your SKB - something over 6 lbs I'd guess - a built to scale 16 gauge - not a 12 gauge with a set of 20 gauge barrels stuck on as with the Stoeger.
Actually, I'm the same as you and prefer a SXS. I dislike autos, though I have no qualms about using one if need be - feels like I'm operating a piece of machinery, instead of shooting a gun. The ones I do own are because they're fine examples of the art of gunsmithing - Belgian made Browning A-5 - or have unique features and traits I appreciate - Winchester Model 59 - but I rarely if ever use them in the field.