I used to shoot side by sides almost exclusively. Then found I wasn't shooting my Azhur well at all anymore. I think the buttstock is a little short. But it has no recoil pad, just wood. I don't want to cut that. Maybe a slip on pad might lengthen it enough?

I have a Greener Empire. A Simson Suhl, which looks the same as a Merkel. My Grandfather's twist weld or Damascus ? barrel Hollis with hammers. My other grandfather's Stevens, missing one hammer. All 12-bores. Then a Belgian side by side .410 with hammers.

The article could be good, but these "writers" just seem to rewrite stuff from the makers advertising catalogue listings as their excuse for an article. Other than maybe the first shotgun has the writer even touched one of the listed examples? Other than looking at advertising digital images?

Pity some of the listed offerings are only single trigger. A result of the modern clay target only shooting environment. Double triggers IMO is so much better.

Nevertheless good to see an article promoting purchases of side by side shotguns. From the under and over v0being rare now the side by side is only carried by aficianadoes and dedicated. Or the man with just an "old gun". Often these guys shoot very well.

Ripp, thanks for posting.