What is replacing the SKB SxS

[Moe T Vator]

in the world of side by side shotguns what is taking the place of the SKBs and Why? 

[Fireball #7709 Life]

Nothing.  SKB's rule the game.

[Leroy Luck]

There are many SKBs being used for this sport and still many being bought that haven’t been cowboyed yet. I have noticed that some folks are using the CZ sharptail, but am unfamiliar with it in comparison to an SKB. But the SKB is still king IMO. 

[Happy Appy]

  The Charles Daly 512 coming out of Turkey is an outstanding sxs but are hard to find.

[Jack Spade]

I will weigh in on this because I have shot both and my recommendation to guys who can't find or can't afford a slicked up SKB is the CZ sharptail.  When I started I couldn't find an SKB available so I bought the CZ.  I had zero problems with it and it is a very well built shotgun.  It hasn't been in the game long enough to establish a long track record for reliability but has been used for almost 5 years and no major problems yet.  I would still have mine but a shooter that I was helping get started fell in love with it and had to have it.  I shoot SKB's now but if I couldn't find one the CZ would be my next choice. 

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

I shoot a CZ and my wife shoots SKBs.  Both perform well.  Her SKBs are a bit lighter than the CZ.  I prefer the additional weight of the CZ.  I can hold it up easily and there is less recoil into my arthritic shoulder.

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

SKB's all the way. Thanks to Johnny "Pappy" Meadows. They are still going strong with no problems what so ever.

[Eyesa Horg]

10 minutes ago, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

I shoot a CZ and my wife shoots SKBs.  Both perform well.  Her SKBs are a bit lighter than the CZ.  I prefer the additional weight of the CZ.  I can hold it up easily and there is less recoil into my arthritic shoulder.

It was pricey for me, but have the forcing cones lengthened and polished. The difference is notable. I have 2 Stoegers, and really tell the difference!

[irish ike, SASS #43615]

Whats the going price for a Johnny Meadows SKB?

[paradiddle]

51 minutes ago, irish ike, SASS #43615 said:

Whats the going price for a Johnny Meadows SKB?

 

$1800 - $2000 ish.  So a few hundred more then a worked over CZ.

[Moe T Vator]

Is Ithaca/SKB still making 'new' shotguns that can be used for CAS? 

[Texas Maverick]

I have 2 CZ's that Ken Griner tuned and they are great. His price for a new one is around $1450 ish and well worth it.

 

TM

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

57 minutes ago, Moe T Vator said:

Is Ithaca/SKB still making 'new' shotguns that can be used for CAS? 

The original SKBs that are the guns favored by SASS shooters were made in Japan.  The Ithaca and SKB brand names were sold and have no connection with the original makers.  The current SKBs are made in Turkey in the Akus and Akdas factories.  They are not like the Japanese SKBs.  Can they be used for CAS?  Any shotgun can be used for CAS if you work on it long enough.  Some are better than others and take less work.

[Irish Pat]

Browning BSS is also a great double 

[irish ike, SASS #43615]

4 hours ago, paradiddle said:

$1800 - $2000 ish.  So a few hundred more then a worked over CZ.

Thanks, I'm getting out of cowboy and selling stuff.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

MTV, give a 'tuned' CZ Sharptail coach gun, a try.

Trust me on this......

[Moe T Vator]

5 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said:

MTV, give a 'tuned' CZ Sharptail coach gun, a try.

Trust me on this......

Noted! Who is doing the work on them?

8 hours ago, Irish Pat said:

Browning BSS is also a great double 

Are they still making them new?

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

1 hour ago, Moe T Vator said:

9 hours ago, Irish Pat said:

Browning BSS is also a great double 

Are they still making them new?

 

No.  Same as SKB.  They have been out of production for many, many years.

[Lassy LaRock]

18 hours ago, Happy Appy said:

  The Charles Daly 512 coming out of Turkey is an outstanding sxs but are hard to find.

The Charles Daly is very, very light and has problems with broken firing pins. In my opinion, it is not a good alternative to the SKB. In addition, the newer Charles Daly were not produced by Akkar but by another Turkish manufacturer, they are completely different weapons.

[Moe T Vator]

Ruger and colt are currently manufacturing quality pistols 

Winchester and uberti are currently manufacturing quality rifles 

 

who is the equivalent for currently producing quality sxs shotguns? 

[Texas Maverick]

9 hours ago, Moe T Vator said:

Noted! Who is doing the work on them?

Are they still making them new?

Ken Griner from Griner Gunworks. He is on the merchants page.

 

TM

 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

1 hour ago, Moe T Vator said:

Ruger and colt are currently manufacturing quality pistols 

Winchester and uberti are currently manufacturing quality rifles 

 

who is the equivalent for currently producing quality sxs shotguns? 

If you want current production, I'm guessing the CZ Sharptail is a good choice.  However, I'd still keep an eye out for SKB 100's in 12 gauge at local pawn shops for less than $1,000.

[Scarlett]

On 6/28/2024 at 8:27 AM, Happy Appy said:

  The Charles Daly 512 coming out of Turkey is an outstanding sxs but are hard to find.

Find an FFL who has an account at Ron Shirk (distributor in PA). We were there t back in May and they had a HUGE inventory of the Charles Daly 512. 
 

Hugs!

Scarlett

Ron Shirk does not have a website. It’s call and order. Nice family owned for two generations. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

13 hours ago, Moe T Vator said:

Noted! Who is doing the work on them?

Are they still making them new?

Give him a call.

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

I have been looking for candidates for a good solid shotgun that is suitable for tuning for CAS.  I found one that looks like it has promise.  I have taken it apart at least 30 times so far and launched a few springs and miscellaneous parts into the air as there are (at this point) no disassembly instructions.  IF it works to my satisfaction and IF I can write a set of tuning instructions that many SASS members can follow then I will write a tuning article for the Chronicle.  IF it does not work out then it will end up in the land fill and you will never hear about it again.

 

[Moe T Vator]

11 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

If you want current production, I'm guessing the CZ Sharptail is a good choice.  However, I'd still keep an eye out for SKB 100's in 12 gauge at local pawn shops for less than $1,000.

You find an SKB anywhere for less than $1000 call me first! 

[Badlands Bob #61228]

7 hours ago, Moe T Vator said:

You find an SKB anywhere for less than $1000 call me first! 

I just bought a nice one at a pawn shop for $800.  They are out there.  They just don't last long.

[Texas Maverick]

Before I bought my CZ I looked at some SKB's and every one I looked at had a split stock. Even after talking with some of the shooters with SKB's they said most of them also had broken stocks. It seems they are not built for the hard action they are being put through. Because of this I went with the CZ and haven't looked back. I like my CZ's and they will be the last shotguns I get for SASS. Just like the 2 Shotgun Boogie 73's, they will be my last rifle purchase as well. My original NMV have done well for the 6 years of shooting and other than me getting 1 backup to them will be the last as well. Backup has never been needed so far. 

 

TM

[Leroy Luck]

On 6/29/2024 at 1:44 AM, Lassy LaRock said:

The Charles Daly is very, very light and has problems with broken firing pins.

I can vouch for the broken firing pins. Shotgun boogie sells (or used to) replacements and they are easily replaced. 

[Leroy Luck]

31 minutes ago, Texas Maverick said:

looked at some SKB's and every one I looked at had a split stock. Even after talking with some of the shooters with SKB's they said most of them also had broken stocks. It seems they are not built for the hard action they are being put through

I’ve been told by many folks it’s not if the stock cracks but when. I’ve got one I bought with no cracks whatsoever and have only ran light reloads through. It is now cracking along the left side of the stock right behind the receiver. 
 

I think they were flawed from the beginning as far as stocks go. But they are reliable otherwise and that’s what I look for in a shotgun. 

[Moe T Vator]

9 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

I just bought a nice one at a pawn shop for $800.  They are out there.  They just don't last long.

Call me next time 

[Coyote Kid, SASS#54714]

I have a Charles Daly pump 12 and this last weekend took it brand new out of the box and it didn't pop the shells. I took out the bolt and the firing pin doesn't hardly protrude passed the bolt face. do either Lassy or Leroy have a web site for a new firing pin? I'll also check with Shootgun Boogie.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I use a Parker.

[Major Crimes]

I don't know what they would sell as in the US but here in Aust I am using a Huglu.

 

 

[DeaconKC]

3 minutes ago, Major Crimes said:

I don't know what they would sell as in the US but here in Aust I am using a Huglu.

 

 

That's the company that makes the CZs.