Does anyone make a decent coach gun for ~$700?

In my research, there's pretty much the $500 and lower variety, then there's the $1000 range coachguns. I've grown fond of the CS Hammer Coach and it'll be my next long gun purchase.

Pedersoli carries a coachgun too. Not sure of the cost. Other than finding a used one, most new coach guns are made by TTN (chinese) and are imported under a variety of names... Cimarron, etc.

The CZ is made in Turkey, but I've never heard of major issues with them. In the past, there were some issues, but new guns? Can't say I have.

My friend has a russian copy of a browning superposed w/crome lined barrels he got used for $350, a good gun.

I would not think twice about getting a CZ. They are very good guns and really the only practical alternative to a Stoeger (which is the best of the cheap ones) that costs less than $1k. If you don't like it, I bet you could find a buyer for it easily. Just shop around and get the best deal you can find.

Also, CZ has a fantastic warranty. I bought a used CZ RAMI for my girlfriend. It had a trigger slap issue, so I sent it back to CZ (they paid post) and in three weeks it was back in hand, repaired at no cost to me. Great customer service.

I'm shotgun poor. I have the CZ Huglu and I haven't had any problems with it. It's nicely turned out. But my favorite is the TTN (Cimarron, EMF). Actually, I have two of them. It is a pretty good copy of the Colt 1878 but is built like a tank. And it is heavy. It will take 3" magnums though I have never tried them.

The finish of the CZ is better than the TTN though both have good walnut stocks. The CZ is a race horse and the TTN is a draft horse in appearance. But the TTN is faster in the hands. I've put thousands of rounds through the TTN, mostly black powder. The only problem with it, if you reload, is that it doesn't like some of the harder foreign primers. As long as I stick with Federals, it is dead dependable and it is totally dependable with all of the factory ammo that I have tried.

I haven't used BP in the CZ. It's just too pretty. But it digests all factory ammo and smokeless reloads without a problem; however, I've put no more than a couple of cases through it.

Both of these shotguns are head and shoulders above the Stoegers and Spartans.

However, if you are looking for a project gun, I think the TTN would be the better choice. It's a lot less expensive and if you are going to whack barrel or stock, there is no point in cutting up a gun that is as pretty as the CZ.

Last summer, I stumbled across

a Rossi "The Overland" in 12 ga. 3" with exposed hammers, double triggers, and "old school", no added safety... in 18". I've always wanted a SxS coach gun... and this one is a repro of the old Winchester offering. This thing was a safe queen that still had cosmoline on it. I'd be surprised if it's ever been fired. Did I mention I got it for $400?

Depends on if it's a new Rossi on an OLD Rossi. The pre-war Rossi's weren't sold as economy guns like they have been the last several decades.

And I need one with external hammers, because otherwise they get really difficult to open with short barrels.

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Not really. I have a Stoeger Uplander with 8" barrels. If you intend to keep the stock, it's that much easier to open. Seriously, internal hammered guns are good, unless you're going for the look.