Today I began looking for a general small game gun (pheasant, grouse, rabbit) and at the 4 local stores I found 3 that interested me that I don't know much about so hopefully someone can give some useful information. I found a Belgian Browning 16 GA A-5 in good condition for $350, an Ugartechea from Spain 12 GA side by side in excellent condition for $599 and then a Franchi 48AL 20 GA in very good condition for $500. Honestly, my favorite and the one I'm leaning towards is the Franchi for the way it felt and how light it would be walking around the field. Anyone know anything about these guns??

All are excellent, well made shotguns. If you like the Franchi then go for it, as nobody can tell you what you will like.

Go for what feels good to you, you won't be happy other wise.

Al

I don't know that Spanish gun.

Everyone know and loves Browning Belgian shotguns, but 16 gauge ammo "can" be hard to come by.

I recommended the Franchi SXS to a buddy of mine and he loves it.

However as you have already heard; the best gun for YOU, is the one that fits/feel best to YOU !!!

Ugartechea makes a good gun, I wold assume from the price it s a boxlock, tey make some very expensive sidelock guns, I would rather have it than the Franchi.

335,

Here's some info on that Spanish gun (looks like a good buy).

http://www.doubleshotguns.com/ugartechea.html


Oldtimer - thanks for bring this to my attention !

You are welcome. I owned a Franchi O/U 12 ga. While I was in the Navy,I bought it right from the factory in 1965, at price no one would believe today. I soild it a few years ago. I am a side by each guy so I sold it to get some money towards a SXS .28 gauge DeHann. I still eye those Ugartecheas every time I see them.

So just a little update, on Monday I was set to go to the store to pick up the Franchi but I just felt like I needed to go take another look at the 12 gauge side by side, especially after reading great reviews about Ugartechea. Low and behold, yesterday I checked out the SxS...and I walked out with it. Called a couple of my friends, we went right upstate with some shells, some targets and some clays. I'll just say that after about 60 shots run through the gun, I have no regrets! Turns out to not only be a pretty gun but a great shooting gun, as I already nailed a few clays. In the beginning I set out looking for a side by side, and boy did I get a nice one. (Knock on wood) Thanks everybody for the input!

I think you will find you made a good decision. Good luck with it.

After years of shooting a lot of different shotguns I have pretty much decided that my BSS in 20 ga with the straight grip is now my "go to gun". It fits me well and I can hit what i shoot at with it.

I have a Belgian made Browning Sweet 16 but pretty much retired it since ammo is hard to find and I have never found any steel loads for it and most of my small game hunting takes place where jump shooting a few ducks is likely so I need to be able to shoot steel.