[dust_101]

How's it going folks. I have the chance to purchase a Baikal 12ga O/U, I'm kicking the idea around as I've been wanting to start shooting skeet (and/or trap) and my current shotgun selection is limited for this sport. My 2 pumps are setup for slugged deer hunting and the other is under the bed. My one semi-auto is a 20ga and well, a semi-auto (don't want to hit folks on the line with empties). My NEF single shot is being setup right now for Turkey and 'could' be setup for skeet/trap with only a choke tube swap, BUT the hi-vis red dot front sight may not work as well on a bright sunny day.

So I've been kicking around on getting an O/U. I'm not quite prepared to spend the $1,200+ to get a good one, so I know there would be downsides to getting a start-out lower priced O/U. The only other option is to borrow something to try out at the line, I've heard horror stories of folks dropping borrowed Citori's, cracking stocks, and families being in feuds for years from said incidents.

So I'm looking at different low-cost starters. How does the Baikal, Russian made 12ga look? The one I'm looking at has an intact forarm, the stock was slammed into a wall and cracked badly so that will need replacement, and the internals have yet to be tested. I'll have the chance to do that before even making an offer. The estimated asking price is a song, so I'm considering it.

What sort of experiences have any of you had with the Baikal O/U? Or.... did you have experiences with another O/U that you'd say "Try this one, it's not expensive (or it's a good used option)".

[romeo212000]

The Baikal's from my experience are solid as a rock. You can't break'em. But they leave a lot do be desired in my opinion. THey are kind of jeavy and klunky and their balance is horrendous. I would take a serious look at the Yildiz O/U at Academy for $386 I think, or close to it. They come with some beautiful Turkish walnut, excellent wood to metal fit, and balanced very well. I am closing in on 2000 rounds on mine without a single problem.

[Oldnamvet]

Sounds like it was badly mistreated. I wouldn't trust it - even if the song was very short. Hard to tell what else was weakened by a blow like that. With the luck I usually have, the barrel lugs would fall off just when I had purchased and installed a new stock. Remington Spartan O/U are Baikal and can be had new for under $400 when on sale. Not a work of art but solid.

[romeo212000]

What?

[dust_101]

Just got back from seeing it over lunch, it's a bad song no matter what, and the wrong tune. It's a 20ga not a 12 for one, and once I took the stock off and looked at the mechanics, the safety fell off and it the hammers won't fall. It is in dire need of work, or just to be parted out and sold. Ah well.

So the apparent options out there for lower end O/U's look to me like the following:

Baikal
Remington Spartan (same gun as Baikal?)
Stoeger Condor
Mossberg Silver Reserve
Stevens 512

Missing any?

[Milkmaster]

My boy has a relatively recent Spartan. (2yrs) His has nearly 10K rounds through it with his school trap team. No problems other than he is about to break me buying ammo!:) I heard some of them a bit earlier than that had quality issues.

[romeo212000]

Dust 101 Dont forget the Yildiz. Im telling you I feel it is far superior to any of those you have listed.

[Native_omnivore]

IMHO.. AVOID the Mossbege silver reserve at any cost. I've owned mine for just over 1 year. I've had it back to the factory for new fireing pins twice and replaced them once myself. I'm currently waiting on my fourth set to be delivered, so I'll have a spare set to carry with me in the field, along with a 9mm ratchet, long extension and screwdriver.. :p
I am so disapointed in Mossberg's 'policy' with not replacing or refunding my money for this POS.

[ArmedBear]

If you can find a used SKB in good shape, buy that instead. They're not too expensive in standard trim, but they're well-balanced and very well made (they've also been sold as Ithacas and Weatherbys over the decades and have amassed a solid reputation). I found a 30-year-old 20 for 500 bucks and I'd rather have that than anything I could get for near that, new.

The thing is, the Spartan is not THAT cheap. One day soon, you might want the money back so you can apply it towards something else...

If you HAVE to buy a cheap O/U new, the Stoeger has done well for a few people at my range. But I'd strongly suggest taking a breath, relaxing, and perusing the used models at your friendly neighborhood bulletin boards and gun shows.

Native_omnivore's experience is a common one, sadly.

I don't want to discourage anyone. Just BREATHE first, and don't rush it!

[Native_omnivore]

I bought the grandson a Baikal single shot, mod 19 I think? about a year ago.
He has a few thousand rounds through it at the range and has bagged a fare share of birds with it. It has been solid in it's performance.