Best value U&O shotty for $1000

[joe_kidd]

What is the best value under & over 12 gauge shotgun for around $1000? I'm looking to get my first gun and my limit is $1k for a decent made gun that will stand the test of time. Preferably something reasonably popular that my local shop will stock or at least have a chance at ordering in for me.

[ArmedBear]

SKB can sometimes be found on sale for $1K. SKB is probably the best value in a quality gun. Maybe Ruger. A few years ago, an SKB or Ruger for $1K wasn't hard to find, but I'd expect to pay a bit more now. Maybe Winchester.

$1000 is a bad price point. For a bit over that, you can get a gun that will stand the test of time. For $1K, you might not.

My advice: if it says, "Made in Turkey", skip it.

A used Beretta, Browning, SKB, Ruger, Winchester would be a good choice, if you know what you're looking for. A used gun can also be a way to get burned if you don't. Can you bring along someone who does?

Another possibility: order something from CDNN. But make sure it fits you. They've had Winchesters for $800, Faustis for less than that. SKB Weatherby guns for $1000. Again, see if you can shoulder the gun you want; mail-ordering a shotgun isn't the best idea if you're unfamiliar with shotguns.

Good luck.

Another thought: get a cheap 870, learn shotgunning with it, and keep saving your money. The 870 shoots well, lasts forever, and isn't expensive unless you insist on an engraved one or something.

And don't call it a "shotty" around real people. Nobody calls a shotgun that, except kids on gun boards.:)

[plumberroy]

"Shotty":mad:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=392675
Roy

[ImARugerFan]

I can't remember the exact model, but my buddy had a Beretta o/u that was had used for around $600. I'm sure this is much nicer than most you can buy new in that price range. It was a great gun, no frills just the plain steal receiver, but still a solid beretta gun.

[joe_kidd]

"Shotty"
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=392675
Roy

LOL ooooookaaaay then.......:uhoh:

[waterhouse]

I would (and did) get a used Beretta. Make sure it fits you, but you can save a lot of cash getting a used gun.

[9x19sig]

Don't be afraid of quality O/U's that have seen some use, they tend to last forever anyway, just think of it as someone else did the work of breaking it in for you.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Depends....buying new or used? With or without sales tax, fees, etc?

[joe_kidd]

Probably buying new. $1000 is only a guide - I guess +/- $200 would be in the ballpark too. Thanks for the suggestions so far, gentlemen.

[younganddumb]

what you gonna use it for clays upland bird what man and if it is going to be your first why not start with somthing cheaper to make sure you like it first

[joe_kidd]

I'll be using it for spotlighting rabbit and other pest animals (feral cats etc). Up until this point I've been using my fathers so I already know that I like using a shotgun. His is a side-by-side but the value seems to be in the under & overs at the moment, hence the reason why I am looking for one of those instead.

[ArmedBear]

the value seems to be in the under & overs at the moment

Please explain what this means.

[joe_kidd]

It means that for the equivalent amount of money that I spend on a side-by-side, I can get a better made under & over for the same price, and have a lot more of a range to choose from. It's simple economics. The fact is that for a shotgun with two barrels, U&O is far more popular at the moment. Therefore makers in the price bracket that I am looking at are forced to build them to the highest quality (and at times have the most features), because they are facing stiffer competition. Side-by-sides at the moment seem to have two prices brackets - "cheap 'n' nasty", and "bloody expensive". Of course, there are exceptions though, but generally you get a better gun for the money in an U&O at the moment.

[ArmedBear]

Ah. I understand, and you're right.:)

There are some neat used doubles available, though.

Where are you?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Although I cannot argue with Armed Bear's wisdom on the subject, I don't think you can get most of his suggestions NEW for $1,000, and certainly not for $800 (used, you could). My opinion is that new, in the $700-$1,000 range, the best you can get is the CZ series, made at the Huglu plant in Turkey. A lot of people speak well of them, and they're certainly beautiful. Now if you go to $1,200, then I think you can start getting into some of Armed Bear's suggestions like the Ruger, etc., and certainly you could USED get a Japanese-made gun.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products_shotguns.php

[joe_kidd]

I'm in Australia. But take it as US$1000 - I figure being predominantly a US-based gun board I will get more responses. Plus US$1000 is only a ball-park figure.

I don't pretend to know a lot about guns, especially shotguns. But I do know that my local shops have about twice as many U&O as what they do SxS. I've been to a few shops and had a look at a few but thought others might be able to share their experiences. At this stage I am looking at getting a Lanber. Spanish made, have had a look at them in the shop and they seem like quite a good deal - http://www.lanberusa.com/ingles/caza.htm.

[ArmedBear]

Ah.

Here in the US, we have a bunch of cheap pump shotguns that would serve you well. I understand that your government has watched too many American movies, and thinks pump shotguns are scary or something. Here, they're really popular as working guns in the field, and uncommon as murder weapons -- although some of the idiots in our government are also convinced that trap shooters and mass murderers have some connection.

Be that as it may, have you checked the price of an SKB? Your proximity to Japan might mean you get a better price than we do. If you do, they're GREAT guns.

[joe_kidd]

SKB eh? I'll definitely keep an eye out. Thanks for the advice!

[ImARugerFan]

If your looking for an over under for under $1000 I would look only for used guns. I only buy new if I know exactly what I'm looking for and need to get it in a specific configuration that I probably won't find used. You can probably find hundreds of used o/u's within an hour of you at various gun stores.

[Dirty Dawg]

+1 for SKB!

I recently picked up a Weatherby Orion, paid $999 and love it. Nothing fancy, just a very well made, reliable field gun.

[lanternlad1]

I friend of mine has this one.

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/firearms/shotguns&start=30&selectedSKU=0350-04706-2028

Its a 12ga, not a 20ga like the ad says. Its very nice. Very light, inexpensive and VERY well made. Ejects shells 12ft when you open the breech. :) Very accurate too.