The Vintagers were the real start of an increased resurgence of interest in SxSs....1994.
There is where credit best sits, imo......the result of a strong economy also helped to flop open wallets.

Fits & Starts best defines many scattergun histories.

 

Multi,
No doubt about it the Vintagers helped spark the interest and the incredible economy under President Trump gave the Millennials pocket money they had never experienced before. According to the stats given in the article this SXS purchasing, all started about 2018 and continues even today, adding about 10% to the gun sales every year sense that time. The quality 28 gauge gun has never been more accessible to the American Sportsman cost wise as it is today.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

Yes, new models of older guns often trail the first interest shown in the older guns themselves....I would say the clearing out of english gun stores for fodder to sell was well before 2018 tho.

CZ certainly struck a chord with many seeking new and immediate entry into an imagined Life.

 

I agree the resurgence in SxSs began in the 1990s. The Spanish gun makers led the way. Prior to that many of the Spanish SxSs sold in this country were considered junk. However, in the 90s Spanish companies especially Ugartechea changed that thinking. Their Upland Classic boxlock models Grade l thru lV were called by Michael McIntosh the best bargain in a quality SxSs at that time. The Grade l could be had in the earlier 90s for $900. I bought a Grade ll in 20 gauge at that time for $1100. I still have that very nice gun. Unfortunately due to the economy in Europe, Ugartechea could not maintain that bargain pricing and the prices of those guns continued to increase. Eventually, the production of those guns ended. Many now say the Turks like Cz guns have replaced the Spanish in the market place of producing quality SxSs at a bargain price. Hence allowing many folks in this country to pursue an interest in a quality SxSs at an affordable price. I now have two Bobwhite G2s: a 20 and 28 gauge.

 

I wasn't 100% sure whether or not I'd like the straight stock style of the bobwhite in 28, and the only shop that had it in stock wasn't nearby, I'd still kind of like one though. Recently got a .410 O/U but I'm looking to sell it to buy a Yildiz SxS instead. I've always liked the look of the SxS, and since I started shooting have always preferred SxS as well.

 

Gentlemen,
No doubt about it we as American Sportsmen have been very lucky, having purchased a Turkish made CZ 28 & a Huglu 28, and a L.C. Smith made in Spain by Zabala for Marlin, for very reasonable money I am very satisfied with the quality of all 3 guns. In reality they are mid level quality guns, purchased at entry level gun cost. For many years this was unheard of and not possible here in the USA. In our family SXS double guns have never gone out of vogue, so when these guns from the different countries started showing up, we looked at them very carefully before we purchased. The incredible thing was the quality of these SXS double guns was astounding for the price of the guns.
Although the American gun makes are trying to put out a similar product, guns like the new Savage/Fox A Grade are costing $4995.00 for their product. The Turkish and Spanish made guns of similar quality for under $1,000.00 made it possible for the new SXS double gun purchaser, to actually acquire a nice SXS double gun, and the SXS double guns started selling in the USA again. The problem in the beginning I was having was determining the quality of the new SXS double guns from the foreign countries. It did take some time before I invested in them, and I am sure many others had the same problem, can I trust the quality of the modern SXS gun I am about to purchase? So far the answer is yes the quality is sound. We will see how the longevity quality is on these guns as time progresses and the guns are used more.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

The Zabala made for Marlin L.C. Smith, a quality modern SXS 28 gauge double gun.

 

Don’t overlook the impact of Shooting Sportsman Magazine. Back in the early ‘90’s, it’s what got me thinking about SxS shotguns. They provided a national forum for discussing the classic SxS double gun.

 

On the other hand, the recent demise of the Double Gun Journal does not bode well for the future of the classic double.

 

oyeme,
I will miss the DGJ very very much, however at a certain age a family owned business needs the next generation to take over the business, unfortunately this did not happen with the DGJ.
Ralph does a great job with Shooting Sportsman, I wish their corporate office would have purchased the DGJ.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

oyeme,
I will miss the DGJ very very much, however at a certain age a family owned business needs the next generation to take over the business, unfortunately this did not happen with the DGJ.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Agreed but I read that it was also a loss of revenue from decreased subscribers. I would like to think not but I am not surprised if it is for that reason also.

I see very few, almost no doubles when hunting except in ME for grouse.

 

I found my first SxS, a 28" 28 gauge Parker VH in my wife's family home. Loved the idea of hunting grouse with a traditional gun and decided to buy my own. A broker named Jones suggested that if I liked the Parker I would love a gun in his inventory. He sent me a Thomas Newton, Manchester 28" 20 gauge SS DT. I never looked back. Next there was little 20 gauge Purdey, and then a 12 gauge Boss, and...............

The Vintagers (I attended the first and second at Addieville East), Double Gun Journal and Shooting Sportsman Magazine, certainly helped. What a journey. Now I am into clay shooting with O/U's and save my last few SxS for upland game and an occasional SxS clay shoot.

BTW, prices do not suggest a renaissance.

 

oyeme,
From what I have been seeing while hunting all different kinds of birds, Grouse hunters of the baby boom generation are still hunting with our double guns, both classics and now modern also. The Mil generation is really starting to get involved with the SXS double guns now, looking to return to the fathers traditional Grouse gun. Unfortunately not in the magazines for some reason. My brother because of his eye sight problems is a big O/U guy and he is extremely good in the Grouse woods and on the Clays course. This season he started using the SXS L.C. Smith 16 gauge gun I gifted my nephew a few years back, really got hooked on it again for shooting Grouse, Pheasant and Chukar. The Duck hunters are still big into Semi-Autos and I doubt you will see this change very much. However the same guys are getting back into their SXS double guns for upland hunting. I did not travel around as much this season for my bird hunting so this may just be where I have hunted this season. Hope to see a lot more sportsman in the woods with SXS double guns this coming season, the sales sure indicate there were a lot more SXS double guns purchased this Christmas season.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Grouse hunters like me have never strayed from our liking of SXS 16 gauge double guns. LeFever made some of the best SXS double guns.

 

I'm enjoying my 20 gauge Bobwhite G2, which I bought used. But I have some serious thoughts about it.

We can enjoy the low price of our Turkish guns because the Turkish economy is in a shambles. The Turkish Lira exchanged for the dollar at 0.85 in 2007 and 2008 but is now at 0.054. That's 15.75 times more buying power for the dollar. Sadly, a Turkish worker has to now work for more than 2 weeks to buy an American product he used to work 1 day for. How can a person help? Well, sending dollars their way for a shotgun or two can't hurt.

At first I was unsure about the gun not being blued, but once I saw the "black chrome" finish and have had the thing in the field a bit.. it's really good, durable, and it looks great too. The wood is, of course, Turkish walnut from Turkey.

I'm not ready to give up my autoloader or over and under, but this side by side thing sure is fun, too!

 

Anyone interested in a new quality SxS should check out Upland Gun Company, you can build the gun the way you want it, finish, engraving, ST or DT, barrel length, stock dimensions, and grade of wood, plus other choices.
I have a 16ga Zeus on order now.
I also recently purchased a 20ga Fausti DEA, really nice gun that I give high marks.
My two Dickinson Plantation Sporters have been flawless, it's good times if you like SxS guns.

 

I went with the DEA Deluxe and couldn't be happier

 

There definitely was a resurgence in interest in SxSs but it seems to now be waning. The baby boomers are dying off or getting rid of their SxSs so as not to burden their relatives, who have no interest in the guns, with having to deal with them when they are gone. At my local gun shop, it seems everyone is only interested in hand guns, AR 15s and some with O/Us. I was there recently to pick up my L C Smith that I had transferred there. I told the young guy behind the counter I was there to pick up my transfer gun a L C Smith. He went into the back to get it. After some time he came back and told one of the other staff he could not find it. Both went back and then came right back with the gun. The young guy said he couldn’t find it because he thought it was a hand gun! Here is a guy that works in a gun shop and does not know what a L C Smith is. A great reflection of the younger generations interest and knowledge of SxSs.

 

There definitely was a resurgence in interest in SxSs but it seems to now be waning. The baby boomers are dying off or getting rid of their SxSs...

This ^^^.
There are people who collect SxS guns, but there are damn few people who actually shoot SxS guns....at least who shoot more than one or two boxes of shells a year through one.
I doubt we'll ever again see a time when new side-bys are flying out of guns dealers stores. Old side-bys will still be traded around, but their numbers will grow infinitesimally if at all.

 

That to me is not as bad as the "gun store commandos" who pretend to know everything but are just as ignorant as the rookie who could not find your LC Smith. BTW, he probably just heard "smith" and looked accordingly. If you don't know-say so! No one knows everything about guns. I personally am really ignorant about black rifles.

 

It actually started in 1960 when the Winchester Model 21 went from being a catalogue item to the Custom Shop. Then in 1961 Peter Johnson's Parker book came out. In those days the AYA Matador in everything from .410-bore to 10-gauge Magnum was being imported by Firearms International.

I bought my first shotgun of my own at 14 in 1960, a Winchester Model 50 with a vent rib. In 1962 I was sitting out in the cat tails in our duck boat and a hunter in the uplands flushed a rooster and he sailed right by me, and the damn Model 50 was jammed on a swollen paper shell. When my father who had been out pheasant hunting picked me at the appointed hour at the public hunting area parking lot, and I recounted the rooster incident, his reply was "wouldn't have happened with one of my ole double barrels!" So the twig was bent and before the 1963 season I had my first Ansley H. Fox.

 

Researcher01,
Looks like you made the correct decision to purchase a nice Classic American double gun!

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

Since the conversation concerns the double gun renaissance, I think we need to remember Cyril Adams and his contributions to our sport. Shooting Sportsman printed a very well written obituary on Adams following his death several years ago. It reminds the reader of his great service to the double gun enthusiast starting in the 1980’s. His departure indicated the closing of an era when shooters had became immersed in graceful, high quality guns who‘s form became art. I lament that era being lost to things plastic. Cost and pragmatism trumps aesthetics. But, I have no argument with this. It is a natural occurrence. Perhaps, in a future decade, the knowledge and appreciation of double guns will be resurrected.

 

challer,

No doubt about it the Upland Gun Company is producing quality guns, they work a lot like the old Hunter Arms/L.C. Smith company. They are now the modern gun company that will provide just about any Special Order gun the American sportsman wants to purchase. Also the DEA Fausti gun you purchased is a high quality gun, I am still looking at the 28 gauge DEA Woodcock gun, with some upgraded wood that Barb picked out, one serious little gun. Every time I go to put money down on that Fausti Woodcock gun, a graded L.C. Smith comes available for decent money, and the DEA has to wait. I really can not complain, the SXS double guns are now coming available both Classic American and new modern. Ya got to love it.

You have made some very good choices on purchasing your modern double guns. Best choices I have seen so far.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

I think CZ's Bobwhite might be the best value in a shotgun. I have all three gauges, and though they don't fit me well, my wife is deadly with them. I am in my 50s, but many folks I see buying and using these guns are younger adult start-up hunters who like their no-nonsense value. I have a hard time finding an argument against it.
I think CZ did a great thing bringing this gun to the American market at this price point.
For me, at this time in my life, I am looking for something a little bit nicer in a SXS, perhaps a UGC or Spanish best.

 

This is just to make Dave happy.

 

I’ve owned SXS in Merkel, CSMC and Rizzini. I still have the Rizzini. It’s a BR550 two barrel set, 16 and 20 ga. I killed limits of doves with both barrel sets last September and several roosters with the 16 ga barrel set.
I don’t shoot it as well as my O/U or semi autos, but I’m getting better with It.

 

3 or 4 years ago , Perazzi came out w/ a full race SxS, weighing OVER 8 lbs. I already have a light gun for walk up hunting. I'd love to have the heavier counterpart.

 

Gentlemen,
We will see what the Mil generation really does, they seem to like SXS double guns and the actual purchasing of the guns has risen 10% each year for the last few years. Unfortunately the Baby Boomer generation is starting to sell off their good SXS double guns so the Mil generation is also purchasing them instead of purchasing new SXS double guns.
Because of this I believe there will not be a big jump in SXS new shotgun sales, which will not help the gun manufacturers at all. In reality the bulk of the SXS double guns being sold is still with the Boomer generation. I do believe the Mil generation will keep purchasing entry level SXS double guns like the CZ Bob White G2 guns. It remains to be seen if they will start to invest in the higher quality SXS modern guns, we will see as time goes along.

Randy,
Thanks for the nice post, some beautiful SXS double guns! I especially like the Hammer Gun.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

If you have never owed and Grouse hunted with a fine SXS double gun, you are missing out on the experience of traditional Grouse hunting, an incredible tradition. Invest in a fine SXS double gun.

 

Mudpack,
Actually there are quite a few SXS double gun users still around, attend a Vintager shoot some time and you will see a bunch of double gun SXS sportsman all in one place. There are still many Grouse hunters who only use SXS double guns, I am one of those sportsman. The Mil generation is now getting into SXS double gun, the sales of SXS double guns because of them have risen 10% each of the last few years, that accounts for a lot of SXS double gun users.
There is something to be said for traditional SXS double guns when bird hunting, in reality there is nothing like it.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man