Hey guys,
looked into this few times.
would love to purchase older double barrel for
turkey hunting.
wondering if you guys have any recommendations of where I should start what should I look out for. ?
just wanted to add looking for something to stomp around the woods with not safe queen
within budget between $1,000/$2,000
thanks
mel
Gunbroker is a good start.
You can still find a solid classic American sxs shooter (something like a Fox Sterlingworth) in that price range, especially in 12's which typically bring less money than the sub gauges. Be cautious though, older doubles can be a minefield with short chambers, unwieldy stock dimensions, etc.
Lots of resources on this topic at doublegunshop.com
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Quote from: Bill on March 02, 2025, 11:23:20 PMYou can still find a solid classic American sxs shooter (something like a Fox Sterlingworth) in that price range, especially in 12's which typically bring less money than the sub gauges. Be cautious though, older doubles can be a minefield with short chambers, unwieldy stock dimensions, etc.
Lots of resources on this topic at doublegunshop.com
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks bill this is what I meant to say,
What should I be looking out for and what to stay away from.
Thanks bill this is what I meant to say,
What should I be looking out for and what to stay away from.
[/quote]
Assuming you're looking for a classic American SXS (Fox, Parker, L.C.Smith, Ithaca, Lefever, etc.) you'll generally get more dollar value from a field grade 12 gauge compared to a sub gauge (even a 16) which tend to bring a premium. (Any grade Winchester 21 is going to be a high dollar proposition). I personally have a Fox bias and would be looking for a Sterlingworth model but nothing wrong with a Parker Trojan, field grade L.C. or Ithaca. (Flues model Ithacas can have weak frames but NID's are plenty stout). In a different, more economical category would be utility or "hardware store" guns like the Hunter Arms Fulton, the Ithaca made Lefever Nitro Special, or a Savage/Fox Model B (a version of the Stevens 311).
Many of these old time guns have unshootable dimensions (for most folks), some with absurd amounts of drop at heel of 3" or more and/or short LOP's. Finding something with more modern dimensions of 2 1/2" (or less) of drop and 14" or better LOP is probably wise. LOP issues can be addressed with pad extensions but excessive drop can't. A chamber gauge is a good investment since sub 2 3/4 chambers were common back in the day. Obviously stay away from damascus, especially for a turkey gun where something stiffer than a quail load is optimal. Don't rely on choke markings as many of these had chokes opened up over the years. Stay away from barrels reblued with hot bluing. These guns had barrels soldered together and careless hot bluing can degrade the solder joint. Look at the barrel ends for gaps or any signs of degradation. Barrel regulation is a crapshoot. You won't know for sure until you pattern. Utility grade guns tend to have looser regulation, but nothing is absolute.
Good luck! There's a lot of satisfaction to be had from hunting with a classic old-time shotgun!
Quote from: Bill on March 04, 2025, 12:19:22 AMThanks bill this is what I meant to say,
What should I be looking out for and what to stay away from.
Assuming you're looking for a classic American SXS (Fox, Parker, L.C.Smith, Ithaca, Lefever, etc.) you'll generally get more dollar value from a field grade 12 gauge compared to a sub gauge (even a 16) which tend to bring a premium. (Any grade Winchester 21 is going to be a high dollar proposition). I personally have a Fox bias and would be looking for a Sterlingworth model but nothing wrong with a Parker Trojan, field grade L.C. or Ithaca. (Flues model Ithacas can have weak frames but NID's are plenty stout). In a different, more economical category would be utility or "hardware store" guns like the Hunter Arms Fulton, the Ithaca made Lefever Nitro Special, or a Savage/Fox Model B (a version of the Stevens 311).
Many of these old time guns have unshootable dimensions (for most folks), some with absurd amounts of drop at heel of 3" or more and/or short LOP's. Finding something with more modern dimensions of 2 1/2" (or less) of drop and 14" or better LOP is probably wise. LOP issues can be addressed with pad extensions but excessive drop can't. A chamber gauge is a good investment since sub 2 3/4 chambers were common back in the day. Obviously stay away from damascus, especially for a turkey gun where something stiffer than a quail load is optimal. Don't rely on choke markings as many of these had chokes opened up over the years. Stay away from barrels reblued with hot bluing. These guns had barrels soldered together and careless hot bluing can degrade the solder joint. Look at the barrel ends for gaps or any signs of degradation. Barrel regulation is a crapshoot. You won't know for sure until you pattern. Utility grade guns tend to have looser regulation, but nothing is absolute.
Good luck! There's a lot of satisfaction to be had from hunting with a classic old-time shotgun!
[/quote]
Thanks again bill
If you're not set on an American classic look at some of the German sxs's. Dimension's are usually less drop than American, built rugged and many of them are choked very tight.
Chamber length will be marked in mm's on the water table,(the flats on the receiver), a lot are originally chambered 2.75".
I have a couple English guns and barrel regulation is very good with both of them. One thing to check with English guns is barrel wall thickness, they hone their barrels more often and a lot of them are thin.
If possible check with seller to see if you can shoot it to check POI to POA, I've had 3 dealers allow this that were within driving distance.
I've had good luck buying off GunsInternational, the prices usually aren't set in stone. Dealers that I would buy from would be Long Shot inc., Marks born again bird guns, Harrisons sporting arms, Schwant, and Crosnoe guns, those are ones I've talked with or bought from.
Crosnoes usually has some German guns close to what your looking for. 12 gauge at 7lbs. To 7.25 lbs that are choked tight and are chambered 2 3/4" are out there but you might have to look for a bit. German guns even though rugged are a little lighter than American.
Cabelas "used" gun section on their website has a bunch of SxS guns.
Thanks guys,
if I get a chance this weekend going to check out some of the local
shops see what if any they have meanwhile I will continue checking online
not big fan of it. But with something like this sure local shops are not going
to have much selection.
I have an older Merkel SxS 12 gauge, it is a really nice gun with tight chokes and built-in strap swivels.
Quote from: GregGwaltney on March 07, 2025, 10:31:13 AMI have an older Merkel SxS 12 gauge, it is a really nice gun with tight chokes and built-in strap swivels.
The German guns have some nice features for turkey hunting, I was looking hard at some old Merkals, Sauers and Simpsons, and then found a Fox I wanted
Quote from: crow on March 07, 2025, 12:28:23 PMQuote from: GregGwaltney on March 07, 2025, 10:31:13 AMI have an older Merkel SxS 12 gauge, it is a really nice gun with tight chokes and built-in strap swivels.
The German guns have some nice features for turkey hunting, I was looking hard at some old Merkals, Sauers and Simpsons, and then found a Fox I wanted
I was looking at Fox as well, this Merkel just hit the spot for me at the time. If memory serves me correct, I believe it is a mid-70's gun, so not super old.
crow
I sent you a pm back.
Don't know if you're anywhere near central PA. But Lion Country Supply would be a great place to start.
I assume they would ship to your local FFL.
https://doubleshotguns.com/used-shotguns-side-by-side.html
thanks yoder,
ill check them out.
Lion country was one of the places you could shoot the gun out back to check POI/POA.
The guns are on consignment, so it might depend on the owner if its ok to shoot it, it was for the one I was interested in.