III. Firearm Information by Type
     E. Shotguns
	 2. Barrels and Chokes
	    e. O/U vs. S/S

by Scot E. Heath (scot@hpfistu.fc.hp.com)

:       A couple of recent posts about shotguns has raised a question
: which I have had for a while now.  What is the difference between
: side-by-side shotrguns vs. the over-and-under variety (other than
: the obvious barrel position).  I am wondering about things like
: accuracy, ease of use, and related issues.

The big difference is personal appeal.  Here is a list of the things
I can think of other than that:

1) On some O/U, the point of impact vrs. sighting picture is independently
   adjustable for each barrel.  On any shotgun, the only way to change point 
   of impact is to change the head position relative to the bore of the gun.

2) Forearm width.  The O/U can be made narrow and deep while still 
   preventing contact with the barrels.  To avoid being cumbersome, the SxS 
   is typically narrow but the barrels are exposed very close to the shooters 
   hand.  Not a big deal in most hunting situations but those barrels get a 
   little warm shooting trap on a hot summer day.

3) Initial target aquisition.  In trap, it is common for the shooter to 
   hold the gun above the house and focus the eyes just in front of the 
   house so that the target may be aquired as soon as possible.  On certain 
   birds, the "sighting" eye is blocked by the barrel when the target 
   emerges.  The other eye can be blocked also if the gun is in the wrong 
   position and having a wider surface accentuates this problem.

4) Muzzle rise.  When shooting two shots at either the same or two
   different targets where the second shot immediately follows the first,
   it is advantageous to have a minimum amount of muzzle rise or "flip" as
   the handgunners call it.  Because the bore line of the Bottom barrel on
   an O/U is typically lower relative to the contact point of the shoulder,
   there is less moment generated and hence, less muzzle rise when fired.

5) In recent history, alot more attention has been paid to the development
   of specialized O/U guns and there are a wide variety available.  The 
   SxS does not enjoy this amount of attention by the major manufacturers.

In general, the O/U dominates all forms of moving target shotgun
competition.  It has been argued in this group that target shooting is so
controlled as to reduce the demand for a "quick handling" gun like a good
SxS.  This is bunk.  Anyone who says this has never shot Internationla
Skeet or for that matter, alot of the sporting clays targets out there.  If
there were some inherent advantage in shooting the SxS, competitve shooters
would shoot them. 

While I am an O/U user, there is something to be said for the graceful 
lines on such clasics as the Purdy's, the Parker's and the Winchester 21.

-Scot