Here’s another high-quality shotgun that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Even though Browning is closely associated with its over-under Superposed and semi-automatic A-5 shotguns, they did “build” some nice SxSs. These guns were Browning Side-by-Sides (BSSs). They came in boxlock models (built from 1971-1978) and sidelock models (built from 1983-1988). All these guns were built for Browning in Japan by Miroku.
Today, all these guns are highly regarded. The sidelock you see here is on Gunbroker.com now and it has No Reserve. The listing ends on Saturday, 11/23/2019 @ 6:35 PM.
Browning sidelock 12ga with 28″ barrels. Gun weighs 6lbs 9oz and has an LOP of 15 1/8 to end of 1″ pachmayr recoil pad. Barrels have been bored out Cylinder right and Skeet left. The gun has been hunted but still locks up very tight. There are some very minor hairline cracks at the back of locks on each side that have been reinforced internally with wood epoxy and I have had no problem with these. There are also some small chips in the wood where the locks have been removed to clean and lube after the season. A very small dent in the right barrel about 6 inches from muzzel, again I have had no problem with this when shooting. This gun locks up tight and functions perfectly.
While a BSS is a very nice gun, this particular gun raises several red flags. First off a dent in a barrel can be cause for the gun to lose its proofing, typically advertised as “out of proof”. Second, having the barrels bored out to more open chokes is also indicative of possible damage mitigation, i.e. if damage had been done to the muzzle. Third, a re-enforcing epoxy repair to a stock that has cracked is also indicative of something having happened to the gun that isn’t normal. I would only purchase this shotgun following a skilled gunsmith’s inspection/evaluation and full disclosure of its history by the seller.
Hey, George.
Thanks for the post. Few things: A dented barrel doesn’t affect a guns proof status in the UK. It will not lead to a gun being rated “out of proof”. Not that this matters, because we don’t have proof laws in the US. As for the chokes, I don’t have a problem with that — if it’s done right. Same with the last epoxy repair. Done right, it can make the head of the stock stronger. And I advise that buyers have every gun inspected by a qualified gunsmith before closing the deal.
Gregg