looking for a side by side shottie

[chuckdc]

If you want new, find an FFL that can get you a Dickinson from Cabela's. They range from about 1500 to a little over 2K. there are various options, so you probably can get one with the features you want. I was at the opening of the new Cabela's near me in League City, and I got to handle a nice one, straight stock, splinter fore-end, double triggers in 20ga/28ga set. it was 2200 or so. I know they do make them in 12, and the one I picked up had ejectors. Not sure on the choke tubes, but I'd bet they are an option, if not, you can do aftermarket ones on a 1500 dollar gun and still be "way below" even 3K. The wood on the Dickinsons that I've seen has been pretty spectacular for the price. It's the same gun that S&W marketed as the "Elite Gold" and is very very similar, if not the same as the new SKBs mentioned above

[chuckdc]

OP wants s straight stock. That means in a BSS it would be a Sporter, rather than the regular field BSS. Sporters came in 26" and 28", standard field model came in 26", 28" and 30" (only in 12 gauge). Some of us have had 30" barrels fitted to the Sporter, works real well for clays and late season doves or when it's very windy. If you want to fit TruLock chokes, you can save shipping by taking the gun to Bob Day at AmeriChoke in Pico Rivera.

And good luck finding a good deal on a BSS Sporter! The last one I actually saw in person was north of $3K. they're like specialized unicorn saddles

[GREASY357]

16 ga. Grulla that I use for clays and pheasants

That's beautiful. What model is it?

[Ducky's Dad]

And good luck finding a good deal on a BSS Sporter! The last one I actually saw in person was north of $3K. they're like specialized unicorn saddles

The one in Rettig's auction was at $955 this morning. I paid $1000 for my first one, and $1100 for the second. My third Sporter is hard to price because I bought a complete set of Sporter wood and iron to convert a PG gun. They seem to be more valuable than when I bought mine. Keep your eyes open and be ready to pounce when you do find one. If I needed one, I'd be at Rettig's right now with a pocket full of cash.

[Ducky's Dad]

get you a Dickinson from Cabela's.

Cabela's says not available online, and they show only small bores. No 3" 12s on the website, but one of the online reviewers had a 3" 12 with ejectors and liked it. Only problem I see is the scalloped back on the frame, which my be likely to split if it sees a lot of 3" waterfowl loads. The Japanese SKBs were known for this, with a similar frame shape.

[Tanner68]

My favorite quail and chukar gun is my 16 gauge CZ Bobwhite.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-bobwhite-12-26-5-choke-tubes/

Picked one up years ago from CDNN for $400. It felt like stealing.

[Thefeeder]

And good luck finding a good deal on a BSS Sporter! The last one I actually saw in person was north of $3K. they're like specialized unicorn saddles

You may have been looking at different grade or a side lock....Sporters are always on GB for ~1500 in 12ga and ~2000 for a 20

[Arrieta578]

That's beautiful. What model is it?

That's a Grulla 216. It has an interesting story; it was originally built for Fieldsport back when Michael McIntosh was still alive and was teaching there. As you can imagine, he had a heavy influence on what guns Fieldsport was ordering and that gun came in with factory English style "blackened" barrels as opposed to standard high gloss blued barrels. Just as the gun was being completed, Grulla announce that it was going to only sell guns to one US Distributor; the new formed Merkel USA which was going to become the sole distributor for both Merkels and Grullas in the US. Fieldsport in turned cancelled its remaining orders --even finished guns. So that gun got shipped to Merkel USA and has both Fieldsport and Merkel importer's marks on it. The Grullas sent to Merkel USA were spectacular and very expensive. 2 years later the company went broke as they were unable to move what they had purchased. Some amazing Grullas were "dumped" on the market for 50% of what they were worth. Each gun is totally handmade.



Sorry for hijacking the thread.

OP: You have received some great suggestions. You can also look for some AYA Matadors. They were very robust guns and some came with 3" chambers. So did some Ugartecheas. Also, Beretta made some amazing SxSs and some came with 3" chambers. Every once in a while you can find a real sleeper.

[Ducky's Dad]

You can also look for some AYA Matadors.

Has anyone seen a Matador with a straight grip? Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values says it was PG only, and 3" chambers came only in the 20 gauge.

If I were looking for a Beretta SxS with 3" chambers, I'd concentrate on the 626 Onyx, but the guns started showing up with 3" chambers with the 470s. One potential issue with the Berettas with 3" chambers is that the little "ears" on the top of the stock where it meets the frame are fragile and can pop off into the weeds with heavy loads if wood fit is not perfect. Been there, done that. That issue goes back to the 424, maybe even earlier. As Arrieta 578 pointed out, finding one with 3" chambers and straight stock might be tough. I have seen PG, but never one with the straight stock, except with 2-3/4" chambers. Uggies with 3" chambers are pretty scarce, except maybe in 20 gauge. Uggies have been imported under a number of different names, including American Imports (Falcon) and Parker-Hale, and are/were sold in England under names like McNab. No easy way to search, they will be where you find them.

[wfobase]

this is the best info that I've come across.

the only thing said at the lgs is "sxs ? come feel this benelli 828u... it's the best."

me "whats makes it better than the other makers - beretta or browning ?"

lgs "this is brand new with venting between the barrels and a soft cheek piece"

me thank you - while I head out the door.

it's hard to find a gs that has a good selection with wood on it or if they know 50% of what I just read. other then... "i can order you a stoeger ?"

[JagerDog]

But none that meet the OP's stated criteria.

Uggie 30s are great guns, but they don't meet the OP's stated criteria.

The parameters that OP set out will limit the search to relatively few guns. If he's willing to forgo the 3" chambers, things open up a bunch.

I guess I see it as a wish list. Many of the Euro guns have such an abbreviated pistol grip that they are close to straight. But ya...3" in a classy game gun isn't common. That's when you step up to a 10g "fowling piece".

[chuckdc]

You may have been looking at different grade or a side lock....Sporters are always on GB for ~1500 in 12ga and ~2000 for a 20

You got it.. it was a sidelock.

[chuckdc]

Cabela's says not available online, and they show only small bores. No 3" 12s on the website, but one of the online reviewers had a 3" 12 with ejectors and liked it. Only problem I see is the scalloped back on the frame, which my be likely to split if it sees a lot of 3" waterfowl loads. The Japanese SKBs were known for this, with a similar frame shape.

Did a little looking, and Dickinson now has their own sales separate from Cabelas. Cabelas changes what they carry from time to time. A friend got a 16ga one from them. According to their site they will do custom orders, so you can have it as you want. They have 3 different actions (Boxlock, which is what Cabelas was selling, Trigger-plate with sideplates, and sidelock) They ARE Turkish-made, so if that is a problem,well... but the ones I have handled were really nice. They're also happily located IN California (Moorpark)

https://www.dickinsonarms.com/home.html

[Ducky's Dad]

You got it.. it was a sidelock.

And if I stumbled into a BSS Sidelock with 28" barrels for anything near $3K, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I have sworn off buying any more shotguns, but I'd fall off the wagon for that deal.











'

[Ducky's Dad]

"i can order you a stoeger ?"

Stoeger used to import some really nice guns, including Vincenzo Bernardelli. Don't pass on a used gun just because it was a Stoeger import. The new stuff is not worth considering.