The SX3 barrel is on the right.

 

Will the sx4 barrel work on the sx3

 

Other than housing material, the triggers look the same.

 

Other than housing material, the triggers look the same. View attachment 107781

Thanks for starting this thread and all the work into your posts. I appreciate your knowledge and sharing it. I have new family shooters I’m working with (grandsons & son-in-laws). I’m not sure what kinds of shotguns they are doing to settle into. Exposing them to my pumps, autos and O/U’s to get them started. This is good Winchester info. Thanks.

 

My SX3 with the SX4 bolt, barrel, forearm, and magazine cap installed. All internal components are interchangeable, except the trigger plate assemblies.

 

I also own the SX4 in 12 and 20 gauge. Ended up with the first one as a result of a forearm injury and was having difficulty carrying my heavier beretta. One year in the field upland hunting and I was sold. At the time I looked at the Remington V3 and the SX4 came out. After consideration it was the Winchester I bought.
no regrets and hunted with it till the 20 ga version came out a couple years ago. I love the oversized bolt release, safety button and oversized trigger guard for inclement weather. this Is a relatively inexpensive semiauto and a great value. My gun safe has many nicer shotguns but these two have become my go to for hunting trips. Dependable, lightweight, and great all day carry for long NODak trips in the field. 👍

 

On the first picture, which is the X4?

 

The one on the right.

 

Great post! for me there is a vast difference between the SX-2 vs. SX3&4...each has features I really like. My new SX-4 is growing on me...there are two things on the SX4 I dont like. They're hard to load the magazine (I fixed that), and feel of the top of the stock comb (too narrow)...I have installed a cast spacer and that helped

 

I have an SX2 as well. It’s softer shooting than the 3 and 4.

 

A few years back Randy Wakeman did a video comparison between the two and pointed out some very obvious differences between the two guns. It’s been a while since I watched it but I seem to recall that he did not like the bolt release on the SX-4, the ergonomics of the stock and the recoil pad compared to the SX-3. There may have been more. His bottom line as I recall was that the SX-4 was a cheapened version of the SX-3. You may want to look up the video and see for yourself

 

He didn’t do a side by side comparison. I watched the video. The only thing that could be considered “cheapened” is the polymer trigger housing. Most gun manufacturers have gone to polymer. The trigger housings are shaped different but the internal components are the same. The SX4 has a larger trigger guard, which is an improvement IMO. The dimensions of the stocks are different, but the material in the 3 is no better quality. The 4 does also have Winchesters Inflex recoil pad. Supposedly helps mitigate recoil, but I can’t tell any difference between it and my 3.

His statement about the bolt release is puzzling too. All just subjective. The bolt release on the SX4 is one of the best factory releases on any current autoloader. A good size, doesn’t stick out like the new model Berettas do, and it isn’t made of plastic.

Everything from the bolt forward is interchangeable between the SX3 and SX4. The only difference between the bolts is the bolt handle. The only difference between the barrels is the ejector. The magazine tube is identical as are the gas system components.

 

The SX3 is a "better" gun than the SX4, but not by a huge amount. In my opinion, the SX3 and Browning Silver were too close to each other in terms of features, overall quality and cost to the point they cannibalized each other's market. So the build quality of the Winchester was cheapened slightly, some features were removed, some features were added, it was given fresh styling and its cost was lowered, in order to move it to the "value" option, while the Silver was left untouched. So the change from the SX3 to the SX4 was simply a marketing exercise.

 

The SX3 is a "better" gun than the SX4, but not by a huge amount. In my opinion, the SX3 and Browning Silver were too close to each other in terms of features, overall quality and cost so they cannibalized each other's market. So the Winchester was cheapened slightly, some features were removed, some features were added, and its cost was lowered, in order to move it to the "value" option, while the Silver was left untouched. So the change from the SX3 to the SX4 was simply a marketing exercise.

I’d like to know what was “cheapened”… The only thing anyone seems to come up with is the aluminum alloy trigger housing because it was changed to polymer.

The SX4 has better controls, and a more ergonomic forearm. The grip is narrower, which some may not like, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheapened.

 

If the two guns are so similar to the point of being meaningless why are we even having this discussion? Here are Randy’s comments: The Not So Super Winchester SX4 Shotgun

 

If the two guns are so similar to the point of being meaningless why are we even having this discussion? Here are Randy’s comments: The Not So Super Winchester SX4 Shotgun

I don’t really care what he said. I learned a long time ago that some show extreme bias and when doing reviews. He also claims the Sx4 is made in Turkey, which is completely false. As someone who owns both, I was just pointing out that the claims of the SX4 being cheapened and lower quality than the SX3 are wrong.

 

I think most will agree that larger controls are better.

No me... I despise the trend for the larger bolt handles and push buttons. So, I give the nod to my SX3 (well, SX2 and SX1 for that matter as well). I don't like the looks of them, nor have I ever had a problem with the "standard" sized controls.

 

I should have added the caveat that larger controls are better for cold weather hunting, and small stature shooters. Those who do nothing but bust clays, don’t have weak hand strength, or don’t shoot with anyone on the small side, control size doesn’t matter much. I don’t use oversized controls in my hunting guns, but have them on every gun my fiancé or kids shoot.

honestly, I do prefer larger safeties and trigger guards though.

 

My SX-3 is the Flannigan, (red receiver). It’s an OK gun but certainly not my favorite semi auto among those that I own. One thing that I don’t like is the 28” barrel that it came with. I much prefer the 26”. Also, my gun came with two gas pistons: one for Target loads and one for heavy hunting loads. Did any of you get two with yours? I hear that some came with two and others with only one.

 

Mine didn’t. I’m guessing that must have been something that came with the sporting models. Mine cycles light target loads as well as my SX2 and 3” SX4 does. I like all of my autoloaders, but my SX guns aren’t my go to for most hunting either. My Versa Max are my main 12 gauge waterfowl guns, and I use my A300 Xtrema for snow geese. I will likely start using my 20 gauge SX4 for Turkey hunting, as it has a 24” barrel.

 

I don’t hunt anymore so my Flannigan is relegated to the sporting games. It is absolutely my go to gun in wet weather. The barrel isn’t blued. It has a coating similar to a grey-brown paint. If the gun gets soaked, I don’t care as there is very little if anything to rust. WD40 chases any moisture away from springs and ferrous metal parts.

 

They are very good guns. I can’t remember the last time my SX2 Sporting bobbled a shell. It’s more reliable at sporting clays than I am lol.

My SX2 Universal has been very good too, the best waterfowl gun I’ve ever owned. I also have a 20ga SX3 that has been quite good. I’m with Randy on the SX4 and think they’re good guns, but not as nicely finished as the SX3.

 

Owning a SX2, 3 and 4 - in 12 gauge 3.5” my preference is the SX2, it just feels and swings nicer to me. But I never get to shoot any of them as my wife and children latched onto them so I shoot my citori or cynergy.

 

My middle daughter has claimed the 3” SX4 as hers. I swapped the stock, action spring, and action spring tube with her 20 gauge SX4 compact and turned the 12 gauge into a compact. Works well for me. I now have a 24” barreled 20 gauge SX4 with a full size stock I can use as a dedicated Turkey gun.

If I were choosing between the ones I have for hunting or shooting that doesn’t involve a lot of walking, I’d go with the 2 as well.

 

My only disappointment was when the Duratouch went sticky on both my SX-2 and SX-3 and I had to send them in for replacement. What came back in both wasn’t sticky anymore but made me wonder if the new stocks were made by the Matell Toy Company. They serve the purpose but are super cheap and not worthy of the gun

 

I agree with your sentiments about the Duratouch and the replacement. My SX2 Greenhead now has a "carbon fiber" appearance. Not quite the same feel either; it seems "slimmer".

 

Had my hands on an SX4 today and noticed several things: new square shaped safety, new bolt release button and new style trigger guard that is polymer instead of metal (like on SX3). Otherwise most parts looked like a SX3. These SX4's are assembled in Portugal too..

 

Never having seen, carried, or shot an SX3 several years ago I bought my first new semiauto. I bounced between a couple guns and when I first saw the sx4 I liked the features. Oversized buttons, trigger guard and safety made for great handling in the field in inclement weather. To date I have close to two thousand rounds at the trap and in the field. When Winchester came out with the 20 ga version I again picked up one of these. This too has close to a thousand rounds through it. This is a decently light gun for all day carry while hunting and the price point was also a big part of my decision. While there are better shotguns out there, they come at a price. This may not be the model 12, the Remington 870, or mossberg 500 of guns it definitely has made my field time enjoyable.

 

I bought an SX3 just as they were being phased out. The folks in the gun department at the store told me they were disappointed with Winchester making a cheaper gun in the SX4. Probably makes sense from a business perspective to not have the SX compete with the Browning Silver, but I don't see how Winchester could make an equivalent gun for a lesser price, unless it's OK taking a smaller profit, which I doubt. If it were me, I'd get the SX3 if you can find one.

 

This is the exact point I was attempting to make when I started this thread. I’ve read similar posts to this one numerous times. I showed in my posts that the internal components of the SX3 and SX4 are identical. The Barrels are interchangeable, and the main difference between the triggers is the material used to make the trigger housing.

What is your experience with the SX4 to support your statement? As someone who has both, I don’t find the SX4 to be cheapened at all…

The controls on the SX4 are much easier to operate. For that reason it is an improvement over the SX3 IMO.

 

I prefer the SX3 because of the fit and feel over the SX4. I do not like the stock on SX4 or the Maxus 2.

 

I've got an SX3 20 gauge that I got in early '17. Not many parts out there for the SX3's. So, the bolt and bolt carrier should swap? How about the stock and forearm? I'm thinking about getting an SX4 in a twenty also. Parts interchange would be big deal! I hunt ducks and geese with two guns. One loaded for Canada's and the other for ducks and cleanup on geese if necessary. The '3' is in black. A camo stock and forearm might be nice. Thanks, Bob

 

The 20 gauge models are different from 12 gauge models. I only have the SX4 in 20 gauge, so I cannot compare the 2. I would wager they are as compatible as the 12 gauge models are.

I can say that the stock for a 12 gauge SX4 also fits the 20 gauge model. I purchased a 12 gauge SX4 for my daughter and had the bolt return spring tube, and stock swapped with her youth 20 gauge SX4 to get the shorter LOP she needed.

 

If I get the SX4, I'll compare the two and see if things match up or not. If I don't forget I'll post up here. Thanks again!

 

I ended up selling my SX3 a couple months ago. I was offered a couple hundred more than what I paid, so I decided to let it go. Honestly it’s the first gun I’ve sold that I actually liked, but it wasn’t getting used much.

My younger kids are getting into coyote hunting, so I used the money to purchase a Ruger American Gen 2 in .223. I even had enough left over after purchasing the gun to get a Magpul Hunter stock for it. I swapped the muzzle brake for a Rearden 3 prong flash hider, fitted a Silencer Co. Omega 300 onto it with a Rearden Atlas QD mount, and put an Arken Zulus 5-20 Day/Night LRF digital scope on it.

It felt odd to sell a gun I like, but my kids are getting much more enjoyment out of the rifle than I was the SX3. I prefer wing shooting myself, but I’ll do whatever I need to keep them interested in hunting and the outdoors.

 

Own the 12 and 20 in sx4. great shooting and all day carry in the field. Biggest difference I see between the two is the newer 20 gauge is auto loading with the first shell in the receiver. After an entire life shooting a 12 ga with a few 20’s just for fun I have switched as I age. The weights of the 2 guns are within a few ounces but other than that they pattern identically. With the exception of the 20 shooting a bit lighter load in ounces I’m finding I like it more. During my yearly NODak hunts I shoot Fiocchi golden pheasant which in a 3 inch round #5 or #4 the load is 1 1/4 oz nickel plated lead. Last two years with the gun I’ve only had a few birds get away, no more than I’ve had with the 12.
if I had one wish it would have been to get the upland field with the nickel plated receiver. As a likely last gun I’ll buy it would have been a nice addition but had to settle for camo.

 

The 20 gauge SX3 also has the speed load feature. The 12 gauge SX guns give you the option to unload a round from the chamber without loading another round from the magazine by simply pushing up on the shell lifter while pulling back on the bolt. This is handy when unloading the gun at the end of the day as you can unload the magazine without chambering the remaining rounds. You have to cycle every round through the chamber to unload the 20 gauge models.

Honestly, I’m not really a fan of the speed load feature on my 20 gauge SX4. I’ve never found it useful. If I run out of shells and need to load a round quickly, I can drop one in the ejection port and hit the bolt release about as fast.

 

So I picked up the SX4 20 gauge at Cabela's on July 28th. Applied for the $50 rebate on-line that day or the next. The check arrived four days later...no kiddin'. So with the $50 bucks off when buying it, the $1000 gun was $900! I ordered some parts from Midwest Gunwerks including a Maxus II stock shim to raise the comb and put some cast-off in the stock. Shim didn't work out. The outline doesn't match the stock and receiver contours. As for checking the interchangeability between the SX3 and SX4, that's going to have to wait till it cools down. That's a garage project and it's so darn hot here every day! Next purchase may be a 28 gauge. At this point I'm thinking a Tristar Cypher O/U. I'm a very low volume shooter and my guns don't need to stand up to a lot of rounds through them. Twenty Eight gauge ammo is a little tough to find, so I've already ordered some reloading components and two parts for my MEC Sizemaster.

 

I have both guns. I think they are both good guns. I don't care for the polymer trigger guard. It's more because it looks and feels cheap. The plastic seems to function. I also liked having shims to adjust the stock on my SX3, but the SX4 has no shims.

Thats it for me. I like both guns.

 

So I have a sx3 12ga 3.5 I need a new barrel Winchester told me that I can't use a sx4 barrel and I can't find a new sx3 barrel so are you saying that they are interchangeable?