SxS 10-gauge, 3½" ...

CountryGent · Nov 27, 2023

So, I am interested in acquiring a shotgun that is:

A side-by-side.
In 10-gauge.
With 3½" chambers. (I know there are good ones with 2⅞" chambers, but I don't reload.)
Two triggers.
Decent quality build.
Most experience with Zabala Hermanos, so that would be good, but certainly open to other manufacturers.
Mechanically sound.

Thanks much.

New2Reload · Nov 28, 2023

There was a pawn shop in Gresham (sorry can't remember name) that had a 10 g SxS in it a few weeks ago. It was mildly pitted on outside and bore was dirty. They wanted $800+ for it.

CountryGent · Nov 28, 2023

I favor a SxS, but would be open to a Remington SP-10 as well, should anyone have one for sale.

ilikegunspdx · Nov 28, 2023

The ones I've seen for sale are lever action and SxS but are all late 1800's to just after 1900. Their damascus barrels I wouldn't trust with 10 gauge personally.

However any German Krupp 3 ring barrel (Sauer and other manufacturers) with nitro proof marks I would trust. Plus the greener cross bolt build makes them pretty much as good as it gets for reliability. Built to last multiple lifetimes. No idea what chamber lengths they used for 10 gauge though.

My 1913 Sauer 12 gauge. Feels like it was manufactured yesterday.

618DD25F-77BA-47A9-9DA5-210C842E4510.jpeg

ilikegunspdx
Oct 30, 2021

Almost bought double similar to this pic but a bit less fancy on the engraving. I couldn't find the ammo for the rifle side which is no longer manufactured. Steigele, don't remember the year 1908 maybe. The one in the pic is a percussion drilling and if you look close at the hammer the end of it pivots to select the lower barrel. It's so well made you can barely see the line where it pivots. I'm in awe of some of these guns made by the little shops in that era. I don't think we'll ever see that level of hand craftsmanship again.

64989C4A-12AC-4A71-9BCE-E55DBADF13D0.jpeg

ilikegunspdx
Aug 25, 2023

CountryGent · Nov 28, 2023

Thanks fellows for the details.

I used to have an Ithaca Mag-10, with a yuge "32 barrel and a 24" shorty. Neato, but I sold it shortly after my first potato-head was born. My understanding is the SP10 is, largely, based upon the design.

If I had my druthers, I'd just go with a Zabala. They turn up from time to time on the used market, so I will put in a GB alert for said. But certainly open to others.

Speaking of the late 19th century, I saw a 8-gauge built in that era. The dear reader doesn't know how tempting that was, but my antics only go so far. (And, practically speaking, I didn't have much use for one.)

ilikegunspdx · Nov 28, 2023

CountryGent said:
Thanks fellows for the details.

I used to have an Ithaca Mag-10, with a yuge "32 barrel and a 24" shorty. Neato, but I sold it shortly after my first potato-head was born. My understanding is the SP10 is, largely, based upon the design.

If I had my druthers, I'd just go with a Zabala. They turn up from time to time on the used market, so I will put in a GB alert for said. But certainly open to others.

Speaking of the late 19th century, I saw a 8-gauge built in that era. The dear reader doesn't know how tempting that was, but my antics only go so far. (And, practically speaking, I didn't have much use for one.)

I don't know anything about later Ithaca's but the earlier ones cost $350 for 12 gauge up to about $1500 for 10 gauge from what I've seen. I would guess they are all smaller chambers though. 12 gauges are almost always 2 3/4" that I have seen (I mean the old ones are).

ilikegunspdx · Dec 8, 2023

Got curious and found the pics of the stiegele double on my phone. I couldn't find the 9.5x47R rifle round so did not buy. Damn though, the craftsmanship of these is amazing.