A Nice O/U

[mugs79]

After much thought, I've decided that my next gun purchase will be a higher-ish-end shotgun. I'll be saving up for it for a while, and I'm willing to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $1400, though I'd spend more for a sweet deal. Something either new of in absolutely perfect condition. I'm looking for 12ga, though I'd consider a 20. I've got my 870 for... well... everything. This will be largely a safe queen, with the occasional clay shoot or maybe even a hunting trip if I'm feeling cocky.

My trouble is, I have no idea where to start! Yes, I can look around at all the shotties about $1400, but I'd like some slightly more... human input. For the experts out there, what would you spend for $1400 or so on?

I also want to add... keep in mind that this isn't supposed to be an entirely functional piece of equipment. I want a beautiful shotgun, something worthy of being a safe queen, and something that I'll be proud to pass on to my children and grandchildren. Don't get me wrong, I'll be proud to pass on my 870, but I think you get the idea here.

edit: I'd really like something a bit unique as well. Like I said, it'll be a safe queen and an occasional bragging right. The more unlikely I am to run into another one, the better.

 

[kentucky_smith]

CDNNinvestments.com

download the catalog, pick out a Browning (something like a 525 Field would be nice)

 

[Dave McCracken]

My Beretta White Onyx is far from uncommon, but it's everything one can want in an O/U except highly figured wood and engraving. New ones are about $1700.

 

[ArmedBear]

I picked up a new White Onyx (28") for $1499 just over a month ago, and the wood on it, while it's not highly figured, is about like what I've seen on an 870 Classic Trap.

Some manufacturers would not use the walnut that Remington or Ruger uses for their basic production long guns, except perhaps to cut up as grips for a semiauto pistol.

The more unlikely I am to run into another one, the better.

The problem with that is that you are also unlikely to run into the parts for it later on...

SKB makes a good shotgun, though the 12 is heavier than the Beretta (not as heavy as the Browning, but hell, nothing is, apart from a trap gun that's intended to be heavy). In some places, they're somewhat rare. Depends. Parts are readily available, and they have a solid reputation earned over several decades.

For the price range you're talking about, going for a truly rare gun would be a mistake, IMO. Better to get a good, attractive gun.

I like the way the 870/1100 balances and shoots; I also like the White Onyx and shot well with it right away, no major adjustment required. That's something else to consider.

Don't overlook the Winchesters. Nice guns. FN owns both Browning and Winchester, and quality is equal IMO. As you can see, the prices come in a tad under the Citori, and I much prefer the balance and handling of the Winchester.

http://www.turners.com/engage/displ...d1=25&d2=31&img=ads/1-25-08/winchmodel101.gif

I never could shoot as well as I'd like with my BT-99, and I shoot with two other guys who have had the same experience. One sold his beautiful-looking hi-grade version and bought an SKB; his scores popped up that day. I sold mine to get the White Onyx. The other guy keeps trying, but every time I see him just toss it back in the truck, grab his Wingmaster and shoot a lot better.

What's the lesson here? Just because a gun is what you're supposed to like using, e.g. a BT-99 for American Trap, that doesn't mean you won't utterly hate using it. A nice shotgun is a personal thing. Better to go for a gun you love to shoot, than rarity (unless you have 100 grand, in which case you can get a bespoke British gun fit to you, and nobody else will have one).

Food for thought, that's all.

 

[redactor]

As stated before, Beretta White Onyx. Get it fitted. Guns are meant for us to shoot as well as look at. Buy one, the go out and enjoy it!

 

[throdgrain]

If I was gonig to get an O/U, I'd get a Beretta. And this is from a country where 90% of shotguns are O/U.

 

[frontgate1]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Ruger Red Label
My first choice

 

[Ed/Pa]

For $1400 in todays shotgun world your not likely to find the un-common gun.
You will however find some pretty nice common ones. I personally like Brownings, but (I think Armed metioned) the Winchester select energy (IMO) is one of the best buys on the market today and if you look carefully you will find one in your budget. I have shot one and know several people who own them. Well made, nice styling, many standard features that are optional on other guns, and most of all reliable. Just another plug for the Winchester.
Good luck in your choice.

 

[ArmedBear]

CDNN has some Winchesters on clearance for some very low prices.

However, I think the best policy is to learn with something relatively cheap, try some rounds with other guns, really get to know what you like.

Then go to the store and swing some guns. See how they fit; see how they feel.

I hate Brownings. I could have saved some time and money by never buying one, but I learned by shooting it badly, then selling it. Wasted a lot of tickets and ammo. Other people love the things.

Had I been patient, shot my 870, saved my money, gone to the store and swung some guns, I probably would have been able to skip at least two purchases, and end up with what I have now: a Beretta in 12 and an SKB in 20.

The Citori might be a hell of a well-built gun, but if it doesn't shoot well for ya, it doesn't matter. Ditto for whatever gun you name; for me, that's the Citori. For you, it could be some other design.

WRT Ruger Red Labels: for the prices they're charging these days, IMO one can do better. As Ruger raises their prices on existing designs at about 5X the rate of inflation every year, that can be said about more and more of their guns.

 

[Ed/Pa]

MUCH SENSE TO WHAT ARMED SAYS. God , I hate berettas.......lol

Dont let anybody tell you what model to buy. Like the above poster said..shoot some, swing some, and continue to get opinions. In the long run your the one that has to be happy with the choice..good or bad

 

[kentucky_smith]

If you want a forever gun, you could find a nice used Superposed in that range, just make sure it's not a salt gun.


http://www.gunsamerica.com/976988578/Guns/Shotguns/Browning-Shotguns/Superposed.htm


http://www.gunsamerica.com/977002526/Guns/Shotguns/Browning-Shotguns/Browning_Superposed.htm

 

[45auto]

I'd look at used ones also. It increases your choices and, I think, there are great used ones out there.

But, buyer beware so buy from a "good source".

 

[romeo212000]

Try to track down a Franchi Alcione. Or a Franchi Renaissance. Its just as high quality as the Berrettas and a whole lot less. I like them better than berreta myself. You also might look into a lower end Cortona Grande. I love that one. All of these will fit in your price range

 

[ArmedBear]

Note that the current Franchi Renaissance is an ultralight alloy-frame shotgun. It has a good recoil pad, but might be a bit light for high-volume range use.

http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/renaissanceSporting.tpl

The Franchi Renaissance Sporting, 12 Gauge 30" only, is steel and heavier. Its MSRP is $2039 vs. the Beretta White Onyx Competition 30", which has an MSRP of $2025. So I wouldn't expect to find it for "a whole lot less," unfortunately.

Definitely look at Franchis! But don't expect to find new ones for really cheap.

Oh, and Beretta owns Franchi.

 

[wakerider017]

I just picked up a Beretta White Onyx 686 Sporting 30" for under $1500 at Dicks.

Pretty damn good deal.

 

[romeo212000]

Any gun enthusiast worth his salt knows Franchi is owned by beretta. I still feel that their guns are better for me. It is a personal preference and they are still made different than the berettas, with a different fit and feel. You can also take some of the sting out of those shots with a 1oz load if you shoot 12 gauge and 7/8oz load if you shoot 20gauge. Makes you a better shot. I also feel prefer their finish to the berettas. And the MSRP on a renaissance Classic is $1,545. franchiusa.com. But you can pick one up for about $1,300.00 here in at outdoor outfitters in Oklahoma City. MSRP on the white onyx is $1,925.00 berettausa.com.

 

[sm]

I'd for sure recommend actually shooting some of these O/U guns.

Gun Fit is important, and while a gun can be fitted, there is a certain fit that comes from how certain guns are configured, and feel.

Best example is receivers on Beretta vs Browning .

 

[ArmedBear]

MSRP on the white onyx is $1,925.00 berettausa.com.

Not the 30" version that's comparable to the Renaissance Sporting. Apples to apples, that's all.

I got a 28" field WO for $1500 here. FWIW I'd say that's the same price range as the Franchi, and I'd try both and buy the one I liked better.

I really like what Franchi has done with the recoil pad, too. Like Browning's Cynergy, but in a much better looking gun. It's on my "see if I can get my hands on one to try" list, for sure. I like light guns for carrying up and down the mountains here where the quail are.

Any gun enthusiast worth his salt knows Franchi is owned by beretta. I still feel that their guns are better for me.

I wasn't suggesting that their guns aren't different. They are, and you might prefer one to the other, like both differently, or, for reasons that would escape me, maybe even like Citoris instead. Franchis aren't priced THAT differently from the basic Berettas, though; that's all I was sayin'.

 

[BozemanMT]

Go used
There are TONS of Brownings and Berettas (I like Berettas better, but Brownings are a fine shotgun) in gun stores used for half the price of new. And it takes A LOT to wear one of these out.
And, as you say, you can get something more unique.

 

[ArmedBear]

half the price of new

Not true here, except for some pretty beat guns. Worth looking, though.

Make sure you know something about how they're supposed to feel.

While it takes a lot of use to wear one out, it is possible to trash the action of a Browning or Beretta; with the appropriate kind of abuse, it doesn't even take long. Most of them are fine, but some people do nasty things to them. Make sure that's not what you're buying. Been there -- yeah it was half the price of new, but....