Modern side by side

So I have always had a thing for a nice side by side. Am giving serious thought to getting one as my last forever rabbit walkabout and game bird gun. I am not a shot gun enthusiast so need some advice. It would need to be steel shot compatible, new, good quality without being silly on price, modern but classic, pistol grip not straight stock. What would people recommend? Thanks.

If you can find one a Winchester Model 23 may fit the bill. Not cheap but very good quality

Beretta silver hawk 471

so he can use it for ducks?

You have just listed all the atributes of a classic side by side.
Nothing modern there and they haven't continued to evolve.
Hard to improve on a 50s to 80s Merkel or AYA.
Just buy a good cheap old one that has a third bite and do some work / spend a little money in it to get it how you want it.
If you can find a reasonably open choked one you might be able to run it as is.

I have a Fausti and love it.
Steel proof, interchangeable chokes and awesome fit.
Not sure if they are still sold here.

I looked for the same features your are after. I decided that an SKB (multichoke, steel proof, etc.) would be the best I could do for $2300, near new, about 15 years ago. The only real alternative was the Beretta Silver Hawk which was too expensive. But SKB (the Japanese company) folded and the name has been sold on to a Turkish(?) company. The new SKB shotguns are nothing like the Japanese ones. The Turkish ones are of a much lower quality and different design. You may find a Japanese SKB in NZ. I bought an under/over in the end, a Beretta that fits so well.

Hulgu make a bloody nice range of sxs see Neil hayes. Steel compatible and interchangeable choke models as well as single and double trigoer models

if you are over 30yrs old pretty much ANY new SXS should outlast you.
I fired 3 rounds of steel out of my old Bakail SXS last night to kill 3 rabbits...the 3rd shot was flung in a hurry and connected nicely.....we use 3 older Bakails with steel shot on the ducks...havent looked like missing a beat yet.
fitting a decent recoil pad will make power of difference to felt recoil.
go to shop....try shotgun for fit....preferably throw up towards a mirror so you can SEE how well it aligns.....a shotgun that fits you well shits all over the highest priced one that doesnt..... the reason my old SXS got taken for walk last night...I knew shots could be in a hurry and rabbit kittens arent a big target,for what its worth, was using falcon steel #4s as that was smallest loads I had.

Thanks for the comments folks. That has given me something to work on. Cheers :thumbsup:

I have a Huglu SxS which seems like a nice firearm. Shoots well without too much kick and it's modern so you can put anything through it. Got it 2nd hand for about $800.

This sounds useful https://tinyurl.com/to6rtl6

And perhaps even https://tinyurl.com/qoch6ru but is has pitting in one barel

Attachment 129983
aya 106 12 bore 2 3/4 inch steel capable 600 buks
lovely to handle terrific nick
but I,l not have a heart attack if I drop it in the crik

i i believe delta mike is importing some huglu side by sides,not sure what your after exactly but may be worth a look

Thanks for the thoughts folks