[homers]

Like everybodies opinion on mid range priced over/unders. $900 - $1400 range, new. What makes/models fall into this range and which one would you get from this group?

[BamBam-31]

Not that I own one, but I do know that Ruger's Red Label gets good reviews in that price range.

[benatilstate]

I think my Red label is near the high end of that range, but so far it has been well worth it. It can keep up with the nicer guns (okay not quite as pretty as a beretta, but shoots just as well). It swings very nicely and works great on a skeet field. Also helped a partner and I to get 2nd place in a 5-stand league.

[redneck2]

I had a Red Label in 28 gauge. Currently have a Weatherby Orion II (made by SKB) in 12 gauge. IMO, the SKB is better made. The Red Labels just don't have a lot of heft. The 28 was great for doves.

While you'll probably get different opinions, to me there doesn't seem to be a huge difference quality wise between Browning, Beretta, and SKB. I'd get whatever one fits best. You'd have to do a lot of shooting to wear one out in a lifetime.

[Dave McCracken]

SKBs are great shotguns. The Ruger has its fans, though I find them a trifle clubby except for the 28 gauge.

A used 680 series Beretta falls in your slot. That may be the best choice. Or a used Citori, depending on what feels best.

[kentucky_smith]

Go used and you could find a nice old Superposed in that range.

Agree on the SKB or Weatherby's offerings by either SKB or Fausti. The new Belgian Winchester Selects can be found in that price range as well.

Rugers might be nice, but just feel chunky to me.

[RNB65]

I think your dollar range is a little low. Shotguns with 2 barrels and the associated complicated trigger mechanism tend to be a bit pricey. $1400 - $2000 would be a more realistic range for a mid-priced O/U. The field grade Browning Citori's, Beretta 686's, and SKB's fall into the range and all are excellent shotguns. The competition models are a few hundred bucks more.
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[musher]

I assume your interest in an o/u means you intend to swat flying objects. I think shooting each of your candidate guns before buying is a worthwhile exercise (ask your friends, you might be surprised what they have stashed away)

The ruger red label smacks me in the face every time I pull the trigger.

I can't hit with a beretta to save my life.

I shoot comfortably and I can hit stuff with the browning citori.

Point is, the shape of the furniture on a shotgun can make a big difference. If you don't have the coin to have a gun fitted, it's worth trying a few different guns to get some idea of which ones you might shoot comfortably and well.

[Dave McCracken]

FYI, my White Onyx Sporter is about 15 months old and cost $1700 out the door.

It's a 686 Model Beretta and has the same metalwork sans decoration as the upscale models. Plainer wood, but it's nicely carved into a configuration I can use. Overbore barrels with long chokes and forcing cones.

Well worth it.

[CCW1911]

Used Browning Citoris and maybe a new model might squeek in, same with Beretta 68x series. Winchester 101's can be found in this price range but kick the crap out of most people as do the Rugers. Forget the bargain $500 OU's they are all junk, it's just too complicated a gun to make for that kind of money.

After I said all that...I Sell new Winchester Select Energys in that price range. The are very good made in Belgium shotguns. Contact me at my email (rosscarter@cox.net) for the lowest price on the net.

[petey156]

browing citori lignting 12ga 28'' grade 1 at cabellas 1399.00

[welshgrouser]

What are you using for? Upland hunting or skeet/trap/clays?

I have one buddy and an uncle (both hard core upland hunters) bought and sold red labels. Tooo heavy to lug around in the woods chasing the dog.

One bought a little berratta that is a sweet little gun (dont know the model) and my uncle bought a sweet little benelli auto(5 1/2#'s).

Just my thoughts... the purpose for a gun (to me) makes a huge difference in choosing.

[ArmedBear]

browing citori lignting 12ga

My vote for the funniest name ever given to a shotgun that weighs over 8 lbs.

My opinion of which guns to look at (current production):

Beretta White Onyx - sweet handling, excellent quality, I swung it and I bought it.
SKB 585 and 505 - my favorite bird gun is an old 20 Gauge SKB; these are well within your price range and excellent.
Winchester Energy and 101 - don't have one, but these are great-handling and reliable guns. 12 Gauge only.

If you want really light, great to carry but kicks hard at the range:
Franchi Renaissance

If you want a heavy gun for range-only use*:
Browning Citori (20 Gauge is a decent all-purpose gun; 12 is a beast due to the receiver design -- very durable but enormous; I only like the balance with 30" barrels or longer, and I won't buy anything with Browning's ridiculous porting.)
Ruger Red Label (28 Gauge is scaled down and much lighter; 12 and 20 are some of the heaviest field guns you can buy)

* I don't like lugging around a heavy gun in the field, but they can work really well if they live in a rack. Think a pound isn't a big deal? Carry a heavy gun up, down and around our steep high desert trails for a day, shoulder it fast, and then get back to me.

Guns I'd skip:
Anything that says "Made in Turkey". Yes, people will say they've had good experiences, and I'm sure they have. But the number of bad experience stories I've heard is far greater than the number of good ones. It's a crap shoot, and I don't want to play.

If you really want to spend as little as possible:
Stoeger Condor or Condor Supreme. I've shot with a good number of Condor owners, and they have had very good experiences and no problems to speak of. This isn't the most refined or lightest gun, but it seems to work well. Maybe it won't last forever, but for the price, it doesn't necessarily need to.

[homers]

thanks for the responses. Leaning towards a 20 ga over a 12. Mostly shooting clays but will also do some bird hunting.

[stellarpod]

+1 on Dave McCracken and ArmedBear's recommendation re the Beretta White Onyx. This gun gives you the same excellent design features as the higher-end Silver Pigeons without the cosmetics. But, don't get me wrong. It's a fine looking O/U in its own right. And the feel is pure joy.

But, whoever suggested hefting each brand, shooting them if possible and then making up your mind was absolutely right. The Beretta's feel better to me, but may not fit you properly.

stellarpod

[distra]

I decided to go used in this price range. I picked up a 20ga Citori (manufactured in '85) changed out the springs and firing pins. It's been working fine for $900. I also picked up a NIB never been fired 12ga Citori hunter, matte finish, for ~$1000 (manufactured in '94-'95). Both of these are great guns and will last a long time shooting skeet or hunting. I don't think you have to spend $2k+ to get a nice O/U that will last a long time shooting. You may have to watch the gun auction boards to find them, but they are out there.

[ArmedBear]

I bought a 12 Gauge White Onyx a few months ago for $1499, and that's in California where the overhead is higher than most places.