[shell70634]

I was looking thru my safes yesterday and noticed I don't own an over and under shotgun. That sounds like a good reason (excuse) to go to the gun show. I haven't used one in many years. What's out there? I'm not much of a shotgun shooter and it would be used for hunting and maybe a clay bird behind the shop on a Sunday afternoon. Doubles I presently own are 16 ga sxs Sauer and 410 bore sxs Rossi.

Recommendations anyone?

[mod12]

find a nice baretta 16 ga. with i.c. and mod. 26" bbls. to compliment that sauer and you wont regret it. :)

[riverdog]

Nothing wrong with a nice Beretta O/U, but I prefer steel to aluminum alloy so I've always gone with Browning. The Browning 525 is a nice gun.

[mod12]

i hunted grouse with a fellow who owned one many years ago. his was all steel and a lovely gun, you can still find them occasionally at shows. sit low in the frame and a delight to shoot and carry. i don't think that you'll ever shoot one loose, even the alloy ones, unless you're a trap or skeet shooter.

[SShooterZ]

Browning, Beretta, Rizzini, Verona, Ruger, Weatherby, SKB, Winchester.....

How much do you want to spend is really the question? Would you prefer new or used?

[shell70634]

I would allocate about $1000 for a used gun. Are there many makers of 16 ga over and unders? I thought the 16 was about gone?

[LHB1]

Over/unders? Tried Charles Daly and Beretta before settling on Browning Citori's. Have used only Citori's for the last 30 years or so with no problems. Different grades (Field, III, VI) are all top quality guns but higher price buys better wood and more metal engraving/inlays, etc.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

[pete f]

look for a superposed. you can find them in that price range.

make sure the one you get is has some swing left in the lock up. the nearer to center the lock up lever is, the better.

[desertplinker]

look for a superposed. you can find them in that price range.

+1

For me a Browning superposed has a balance that is unlike anything else. I recently saw a Belgian production in mint condition going for $1100 at the gun show. I'm sure with proper negotiating tactics it could come down to the right price point.

Of course I just saw that Dick Cheny prefers Perazzi, although that may be a bout out of the price range!

[HankB]

I'd vote for a Browning Citori - I have both Trap and Skeet versions, and am well pleased with both.

One item to consider - Citoris made after, IIRC, 1975 or so are OK to use with steel shot. (Browning can confirm this.) I believe most, if not all, Superposed shotguns ought not be used with steel shot - this may be important, especially if you're shopping for a used gun which may be in great condition, but a bit older than you think.

[shell70634]

make sure the one you get is has some swing left in the lock up. the nearer to center the lock up lever is, the better.

pete f,
educate me please. the farther off center the lever the more worn the action? does that apply to all o/u's?

[SShooterZ]

Most of them, yes.

You want that lever to be as far right as possible and still be within the profile of the gun.

As for the Superposed and Citori being OK with steel shot. ONLY those with INVECTOR (eliminates ALL FN Superposed) and INVECTOR+ chokes are steel shot compatible.

Browning does make a pretty nice 16 gauge O/U Citori in a couple of different models.

A mint Superposed for $1100 is a STEAL. One of the best made guns out there if you ask me.

[LUGNUTZ426]

BUY AMERICAN....REMINGTON 332 OR RUGER RED LABEL . REASONABLE. DURABLE AND GREAT HANDLING.

[mod12]

i would agree with one exception. neither has learned to build a gun 6 1/2 lbs. or under. a legacy of 3" shells?

[HankB]

As for the Superposed and Citori being OK with steel shot. ONLY those with INVECTOR (eliminates ALL FN Superposed) and INVECTOR+ chokes are steel shot compatible.Browning says otherwise.

Neither my Citori Trap nor my Citori Skeet have screw-in chokes of any sort - but I sent a letter to Browning with the serial number of each, and received a written reply that since they were made after a certain date they were both safe to use with steel shot.

[SShooterZ]

Browning says otherwise.

Neither my Citori Trap nor my Citori Skeet have screw-in chokes of any sort - but I sent a letter to Browning with the serial number of each, and received a written reply that since they were made after a certain date they were both safe to use with steel shot.

Better write them back and tell them to update their Website (http://www.browning.com/faq/detail.asp?ID=128)

All current Browning shotguns with the Invector or Invector-Plus choke tube system are fully steel shot compatible with current factory loads. However, there are limitations to the compatibility of many older Browning shotguns with conventionally choked barrels. In certain models, shooting steel shot may cause a slight "ringe bulge" just inches behind the muzzle. The damage to your gun is purely cosmetic, but the "bulge" can be a factor in resale, especially with collector-grade shotguns.


Accordingly, our recommendations concerning the use of steel shot in Browning shotguns is as follows:


1. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS: All Browning shotguns with the Invector choke or Invector-Plus tube systems, However, we do not recommend the use of Invector full or extra full chokes with steel shot. They pattern too tightly, and sometimes result in a "blown" pattern.
2. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS EXCEPT THOSE WITH T, F, BB AND BBB SIZE SHOT: The B-2000 and B-80 shotguns with conventional chokes (Non-Invector)
3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS: The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used.


DAMAGE: In not all, but a number of instances a very slight ring will develop about 1 1/2" to 3" rearward of the muzzle. This ring is about .005 of an inch above the plane of the barrel, completely encircling the barrel. From our tests we could determine no adverse effect on pattern or shot velocity because of this ring. Our conclusion is that the most significant objection, the slight ring, is entirely cosmetic. This "ring" effect does not affect the function or safety of the firearm.


YEAR OF PRODUCTION: Nearly all Browning firearms manufactured after 1975 have two letters in the serial number. The two letters indicate the year of manufacture: M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9.


FUTURE: Obviously, we have no control over the ammunition companies and the loads they will produce in the future. So, if in doubt, please check with us or the ammunition company before using new loads in your shotgun.

[Backfired]

I would avoid new Winchester/Browning. Trying to get them to stand behind their warranty is a major pain in the rump. Used ones ought to be okay. If I were looking at new ones, I would go with Ruger or Remington.