Looking for a new 20 or 16 gauge side by side shotgun...your opinions are welcomed!

[Tomahawker]

Seen an old LC field grad16 gauge ejectors. 103 yrs old and just beautiful. I’ll send the link if interested. I just don’t give a rats ass for the new stuff.

 

[airmedic1]

I have two Merkel 1620’s, I would be willing to part with one if you are interested.

 

[Obi_Wan]

I have two Merkel 1620’s, I would be willing to part with one if you are interested.

Those are nice shotguns. On my bucket list after I get a classic Sweet Sixteen.

 

[KCrowley]

They older I get, the more I appreciate light doubles. This 20 ga. is 5 1/2 lbs. That's the advantage to English doubles. They typically weigh quite a bit less than American or Euro guns from the Golden Age (Between the wars.)

 

[LC Smith]

They older I get, the more I appreciate light doubles. This 20 ga. is 5 1/2 lbs. That's the advantage to English doubles. They typically weigh quite a bit less than American or Euro guns from the Golden Age (Between the wars.)
View attachment 12580

Can you share details on the gun? Maker?

 

[KCrowley]

Can you share details on the gun? Maker?

Sure. It's a William Richards (Liverpool & Preston) 20 ga made in 1932. Original 2 3/4" chambers, 28" bbls, ejectors, and 15 1/2 inch LOP. I was worried I wouldn't like the long stock, but I've been pleasantly surprised how well it shoots for me. I bought it specifically because of the ribbon engraving on the fences. As you can see in this pic, I have a Philip Webley 12 ga. with that same unusual style of engraving. The Webley is a bit nicer with its intercepting sears, false side plates and screw grip action, but at 6lbs 5oz., it's almost a full pound heavier than the 20.

I'm sure you know this, but another advantage of the Brit guns from that era is that they have very modern dimensions, unlike a lot of the vintage American guns. It's much easier for me to shoot the Brit guns without any alterations. The big disadvantage is that most of them are 2 1/2" guns.

 

[LC Smith]

That is a great looking pair. I’m not a big box lock fan, but the Brits do them so well. I’d love a ‘between the wars’ gun. Mine was built in London sometime between 1874-1885.

 

[benelli-banger]

They older I get, the more I appreciate light doubles. This 20 ga. is 5 1/2 lbs. That's the advantage to English doubles. They typically weigh quite a bit less than American or Euro guns from the Golden Age (Between the wars.)
View attachment 12580

Cool when you can bag snipe and pheasants in the same swamp!

 

[Goosemaster]

I use a 1970 ithaca 20 gauge,26 inch,no ejector,mod/full.like it very light.3 inch chamber.