The Society was founded by Roger Sanger and a small group of side by side shotgun owners and shooters.  Their desire to share in the camaraderie with other side by side aficionados resulted in the first gathering in April of 1996.  Today the Society has more than two hundred members in California and other Western States.

Society members are men and women dedicated to the collection, preservation, heritage and enjoyment of the side by side shotgun and rifle.  No other firearm elicits the romance of history and gun making like the side by side.  From early American subsistence hunting and personal protection to Edwardian shoots in the 19^th Century England and dangerous game exploits in 20^th century Africa and India, has come a fascination with the side by side gun and a renaissance of interest among modern collectors and sportsmen. 

The Mission of our Society is:  To provide the environment and opportunity for members to participate in and enjoy the varied activities specifically related to the common interests in side-by-side guns and rifles.  This is achieved by providing “best quality” target shooting, hunting, and gun appreciation events supported with excellent communications between members, chapters and locations.

Our members are as diverse as the guns they collect and use.  Some have a love affair with a particular maker or country of origin.  Others have a fascination for a certain type of action (hammer, hammerless, sidelock, underlever, etc).  From muzzleloaders to breechloaders, black powder to nitro, and small bore to boomers, member’s varied interests spark much discussion, but the common denominator among all members is that we enjoy side by side firearms.  We enjoy collecting them, displaying them, shooting them and hunting with them.

The Society is organized into four California chapters, each with an executive committee.  These are the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Central Valley, Greater Los Angeles Area, and the Greater San Diego Area chapters.  The Society is a non-profit, mutual-benefit 501(c)7 tax-exempt IRS corporation with constitution, bylaws, board of directors and officers.  

Social gatherings with display of fine guns, catered meals, guest speakers and an organized shoot are offered in both northern and southern California areas twice each year, generally in the Spring and the Fall.  Fun Shoots are scheduled nearly every month outside of the State hunting seasons.