[Side by Side]

Rolan

You mentioned in your first post about your SKB 200 and being able/willing to cut the barrels.

I've been running the 97 that was nicknamed Goosey by the Pards. It's got a 30" barrel with a full choke and the knock downs really feel it when Goosey is around.

I thought about trimming her down but it just don't seem right.

 

Waimea

 

I hear you. If you are coming to the GA State match in a couple of weeks, I'll let you try it out.

 

But I thought you shot outlaw? What could be more "Outlaw" than a "Terminator" cut-down 1887?

[Side by Side]

OK, so let's be a little bit more specific.

 

Stoegers and Biakals will need action work out of the box or you'll have to beat them against a tree to get them open, especially if you shoot Black powder.

 

Stoegers come in both 1 and 2 trigger versions. Confederate Colt shoots a single trigger faster that I've seen most people run SKB's. I have HEARD (meaning no first hand experience) that the Stoeger single trigger models can be finicky. Stoegers can be had in 20", 26" and 28" lengths, with the 20" being called "Coach guns" and the 26" and 28" being the "Uplanders". IIRC, the "Supreme" are the models with single triggers. Some Coach guns have been offered in a nickle finish over the years. One model with dark (almost black furniture and shiny chrome" and two versions with matt chrome (one with a pistol grip stock and one with an English stock). My wife, Bea Itchin' has actually worn out a Stoeger. When Joe West said it couldn't be tightened up any more, I offered to get her an SKB; however, she said that she'd just take another Stoeger Uplander. Go Figure.

 

I don't know that much about Biakals other than after you get an action job they run fine and are on par or even a little better than Stoegers.

 

SKBs. Most folks using SKBs are using either the model 100 or model 200. SKB also made guns for Ithica so you'll see them as well. 99.999% are single trigger. I have heard rumors of ithica SKBs with two triggers but have never seen one.

 

I'm NOT sure what (if any) differences are between the two other than the 100 has a splinter forearm and the 200 has a fat beavertail. I have the 200 with nickle (coin finish) and engraving. Now one thing I am certain of is that the SKBs have an inertial trigger system. This means that the recoil from firing the first round, resets the trigger so you can fire the second barrel. Very light rounds may not reset the trigger. That is what Dirt Merchant and others can fix for you. Many people do what is called a "Mechanical trigger" modification that will reset the trigger without any shock impulse. I believe that this is what Johnny Meadows does but don't know for sure.

 

The Browning is on par with the SKB. I've never held or shot one, so I can't say much about them. What I have HEARD from others is that they don't open as far as an SKB; however, that may be hearsay.

 

Stevens 311 - Back when I started Cowboy Shooting, a lot of folks used Steven's 311 SxS. At the time you could pick up good, field grade guns for about $200. The biggest draw back to them was that they had this HUGE, SHARP locking lug right between the barrels. If you slammed shells in, you could easily cut your hand (I know Bea Itchin' did a few times before she went to a Stoeger).

 

Spanish Doubles - Over the years thousands of Spanish SxS were imported to the US. Many of these are fine field guns, but use the Greener Cross Bolt lockup. This is very strong, but can't really be made to open fast enough or far enough to suit most people who play our game. Best to avoid them.

 

OK, that is about all I know or think I know.

[Side by Side]

Pretty much what Dawg said. Or one from Dirt.

 

If you are REALLY on the fence, start with a Stoeger that has been tuned up nicely.

The camera was on a tripod and I was using a time delay. No one was threatened taking this picture

 

I ran one of them for years before I upgraded to a SKB with a Mechanical trigger. I truly love that shotgun. SKB 200 with 26" barrels. I can't bear to cut them because they are choked "Skeet and Skeet" and I've been told that is rare.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, you could just go "Full Crazy" and get yourself an 1887...