Ideas? Sure. An A y A 4/53.... But I don't think the Basque gunmakers do choke tubes on side by sides -maybe they do on some guns now, but I don't think they do on 4/53's.

 

A used RBL28 would do the trick nicely, but get the 30" barrels if you can - I had one with both 28 and 30" barrels and it was a noticeably better shooter on passing shots with the longer barrels.

AyA will install choke tubes on their sxs, but it is far from cost effective. Ask them to choke the gun full and full and then send it to Brileys after delivery. A new Model 4/53 configured like this will likely run more like $4k or a bit more.

A 28 ga. OU with DTs is not an easy gun to find. You could get a Guerini Woodlander in 28 ga. with 30" barrels in your price range. CG will add DTs for something like $300. I believe Coles will convert STs to DTs on Berettas if you find a Beretta SPIV you like. This could be a good start:
http://www.gunsinternational.com/BE...SILVER-PIGEON-V-AVALIABLE-in-12-20-28-or-410-5-EACH-CHOKES.cfm?gun_id=100305087

 

In a SxS at that price, look at the RBL or a used AOC/SG (Uggie) or AyA 4/53. None comes with tubes, but that can be remedied. Some searching might turn up a Win 23, but many of those have short barrels. A Parker Repro would be a good choice, but you'd have to add $500-$1000 for a nice one.

O/Us are a much easier choice. Just select a nice Beretta or Browning. I really like the Browning Feather XS Sporting with 30" barrels. Great all-around 28, but discontinued. The other obvious choice (at least to me) would be a Beretta Silver Pigeon II with 30" barrels.

 

With $3500, I might spring for a SP V, but the SP III would probably be my choice.

I got a 28 Gauge SP I with 28" barrels to train dogs, and it quickly became my favorite bird gun, though a nice SxS can be good, too.

I don't have much interest in a 28 Gauge on a 20 Gauge frame. Citori frames are too big for the bore anyway, and having a 20 Gauge frame makes that worse. Beretta makes 28 Gauge frames, and they're much lower in profile to start with. CG doesn't make a 28 Gauge frame, either.

My opinion about scaled guns: If you want to shoot 3/4 oz. to 1 oz. in a 20 Gauge gun, then just get a 20 Gauge, not a 20 Gauge with smaller tubes stuck on it. The gun matters, not the precise diameter of the bores. I have a couple of the Beretta 28's cousins in 20, and I like them a lot for birds -- but the little 28 Gauge frame offers something special unto itself.

I would get 28" barrels for combination upland and pass shooting, and wouldn't even consider 26" for pass shooting. I have a couple shorter guns and they're special purpose guns, say for quail in thick cover. 28" covers a lot of bases well and balances well with 28 Gauge and a scaled frame.

It's hard to argue in favor of an AyA 4/53 at current prices. They're well-balanced and well-made, but they're not all that exciting for 4 grand, and a 680-series Beretta certainly fits "sturdy go-to gun" while still being light, lively and nice in the hands (and the SP III is a good deal less expensive, too). Note that the SP II is not being sold in the US through regular channels any more, and insofar as it's still cataloged to account for existing old stock somewhere, that's only in 20 and 12.

The RBL is certainly nice and well worth a look.

 

Too many variables to choose from. I would decide first if I really wanted a SXS or an OU. If you have a 12 and 20, why worry about screw chokes for pass shooting with a 28? Most SXS 28 gauges don't have screw chokes, and it would probably need to go to Briley, while most OUs don't have double triggers and would need to go to Cole's or somewhere. I think you need to fondle them all and decide what trips your trigger.

 

What about SKB? 85TSS......Jack

 

Your all probably right about fixed chokes in a side by side (IC/IM or M/F), do want the double triggers though and a english stock.
Thanks for the Ideas
ACE

 

Your all probably right about fixed chokes in a side by side (IC/IM or M/F), do want the double triggers though and a english stock.
Thanks for the Ideas
ACE

For $3500 I'd be looking for an RBL or an AyA.

 

My understanding is that AyA is going to focus production on the more expensive (and more profitable) sidelocks, ala Arrietta. According to a friend of mine, they spend just as much labor making the 4/53 as they do the No.2. If that is true, i would certainly understand their new focus. Might have to try and find one soon

 

I was looking at the CSMC Inverness, and it seems that the best ROI that CSMC could get would be if they quit making guns and just sold long-tang triggerguards. :lol:

 

For a SxS the Fausti DEA looks nice and is built on a 28ga frame. For a O/U I perfer the Berretta I think the SP- S SP-II SP-III are all on 28ga frames. A Silver Pigeon III would be a very nice gun.