My 1st post...upland gun

[Troggy]

Im looking for a ,(not cheap but not something that's an arm and a leg) upland gun for quail dove and ringnecks. I have been using a Browning O/U 12ga. and that sucker gets heavy after the 1st hour or sooner. I'd like to spend $500 or less. I do like the straight Euoro style stocks but doesnt have to be that style. And "hello" to everyone!!:)

[hoghunting]

If you want a very nice, light upland gun, try the Ithaca 37 in 20 ga. It is very smooth, reliable, and lightweight at just a little over 5 lbs. It is a pump shotgun that is very well balanced and carries and shoulders just perfectly. And it is American made.

Forgot to say, Welcome aboard!

[TaxPhd]

You are going to be pretty limited at that price range if you want a stright gripped gun. Classic configuration game guns under $1,000 are somewhat rare. Something to look at would be a Remington 1100 "Special Field." It just might meet your requirements.



Scott

[MCgunner]

I've been wanting a 20 for doves. I don't do quail or other birds that require dogs, don't have dogs, but do doves. I have a very nice shooting M1400 Winchester autoloader that's sweet shootin' soaks up recoil well, but a 20 will be lighter and swing faster. I like the 12, though. I think getting a 20 is just an excuse for another shotgun, LOL. I want a gas operated auto, though, because that Winchester action is so effective at soaking up the recoil.

The Winchester is out of production, of course, but if you could find a deal on a good used one, it should be WELL under $500. I think I gave under $300 for mine, don't remember the exact price. Bought it new 20 years ago, about, at a Walmart. It's the cheapest one, a Ranger (plain Jane field model), but shoots well. It's a handsome gun, but nothing to write home about as far as looks go, birch stock, machine cut checkering. But, that don't matter to the birds.

I'd consider a used Winchester, a new Remington M1100, or MAYBE the Charles Daly I see all the time in Walmart. That one sells for $300 and I've known one fellow who has one and likes it. I'm not real sure about the Charles Daly auto, but I might just take the chance at the price. Maybe someone here can enlighten us if it's a good gun or if it's junk?

[Gordon]

"If you want a very nice, light upland gun, try the Ithaca 37 in 20 ga."

+1 for that. I just picked up a like new , late 50's/early 1960's 20 ga mod. plain barrel Featherlight for $250 and can't think of a better gun for close rising pheasants, grouse, chukkar, quail or dove for less than $2500up!:cool:
This is the gun I started with and looks like the finish will be the same!;)

[Okiecruffler]

Okay, an upland gun has to look like this, 00. How about a nice used Stevens 311 20g, saw one today at the gun show for $299. and if you want a straight stock try these. http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web%20pages/Plate%20Pic's/Stevens%20stocks%20images%20&%20Descriptions/discription_copy(12).htm
Puts you in business for well under 5 bills.

[Gordon]

Are you talking about something like this?


http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=27913&d=1124679208



The upper one is a 3" 20ga. 311B 20" with straight stock. Really though, it is not as good an upland gun as the 5lb Ithaca with a modified barrel.Light isn't all the answer;I recently sold a Model 31L Remington 20ga that weighed under 5 pounds and was very smooth, but pointed like a log for me. I also traded a Browning Citori straight stocked 26" 20ga for a 1967 Browning A-5 Lt weight 20 ga because it was one (assembled in Korea) Citori I could not warm up to. The A-5 is a 20 3" and with a modified 28" ribbed barrel is a death ray on Pheasants and high passing doves and pigeons with 6's.I had an 870 ribbed 20 ga. that was close , and an 1100LTW 20ga.English that was VERY close. But the aforementioned Ithaca 20ga 37 with an oz. of 7.5s is in the rarified circles with 4-5 figure doubles for faster close in upland game birds IMHO;)

[Troggy]

I found that Browning has a gun that fits the bill. It's a pump straight stock that is $450 or less. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=49264478#DESC this is what i'll shoot for..sumpin like that.

[scout26]

Troggy,

If you that Browning isn't to your liking or doesn't work out, I've got a Stoeger Uplander with 26" barrels and choke tubes. NIB and never fired that I can let go for $300 + shipping. It doesn't have the English stock, but their great guns. (I've got one with 28" barrels, that's why this one is for sale.)

[Gordon]

This ones still up for grabs:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=48337021

[CZguy]

That Ithaca looks nice, but the price is a little high. It's $380.00 in the new Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values. (98% condition)

Still it sure looks nice.

[JohnBT]

www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976722127.htm

This is $600, but there must be a $500 one out there too. They came in all gauges and the larger ones should be a little less (the Blue Book says 25% less.) They have an alloy frame and IIRC are right around 6 pounds.

"L. Franchi Falconet, 28 Gauge, over/under, with selective trigger and automatic ejectors. Ventilated rib barrel (26 inches) bored Imp Cyl & Modified. Shotgun is in excellent condition, clean bores, 95% plus."

http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976722127-1.jpg

[Gordon]

Oh that Franchi IS nice!
That Ithaca is a solid rib, pretty rare on a 50/60s one! I give up on the blue book except as a general guide. Try buying a S&W Model 27-2 (or earlier) with a 3.5" bbl , for example, for any where near the Blue book price:rolleyes:

[birddog]

I have more miles on, shells through, and birds killed with my Stoeger Uplander than any gun I own. Thousands of shells, hundreds of birds, and I just can't put the thing down. It's short, fast, not unreasonably heavy and has a great traditional "feel", and a great price. Probably around 300 bucks at any given gun shop.

PS: I recommend the Stoeger Uplander. ;)

[Wags]

I 2nd the Ithaca Mod 37 Featherlight. I own a few, but prefer the 16ga & 20ga for upland birds when planning on doing a lot of walking. Prices for older ones range anywhere from $200 and up. The new Ithaca Mod 37's are $600 or better. Search around and you'll find a nice one at a resonable price and be glad you did after carrying it in the field 3 or more hours.

[Troggy]

does it have fixed chokes? or choke tubes?

[azflyman]

That Falconet is a killer deal and I believe it is already sold. I did a search and it is nowhere to be found. It was under market by a couple hundred bucks. Really nice guns for the price.

az

[GRP]

I saw a neat Winchester model 24 SxS 20 ga 28 inchers at my local gun shop. Very good con $ 600. Great little gun, you may find one on Gun Broker or GunsAmerica. If you can scrap up a few more skins a Browning BSS or Win model 23 are nice. For upland birds, nothings beats a light 20 SXS.

[Troggy]

Scout I see you said chokes included so disreguard my question. So... everyone, am I to belive that a 20ga SxS is a good way to go for quail, dove, chuckar and pheasants? It's that versitile? I do like SxS.

[JohnBT]

You can also shoot turkeys, ducks and deer with a 20 ga. if you pick your shots (and practice, but that's true of any gauge.)

John

P.S. - I didn't buy the Falconet, I have a 28 ga. O/U.

[oldhammy1]

Stoeger Uplander. $350. Great gun.

Hammy

[frank c]

I have two stoegers 410 side by side and over and under 20 ga.good shotguns IMHO.I also have a remington 1100 sporting 28 ga.very nice also. frank c.

[Mannlicher]

Welcome Troggy,

I found a wonderful Ithaca 20 ga SxS double last year at a gun shop, and was able to take it home for a very reasonable price. There are good shottys out there for good prices, if you look hard.
A quick fix though, might be a Remington Semi in 20 or 28 ga. You should be able to find one for your price.

[Troggy]

Ok what gauge would you prefer if you only hunted dove, quail, chuckar and pheasant in California in ALL terrain, open ,brushy, farmland row crops etc.? I will iether get a SxS or a pump.

[CZguy]

20 or 16 ga

[Troggy]

Remington 870 express 28" bbl 20ga. mod. choke $269

[Troggy]

Just got that 870 20ga. today thanks for the help!!:)