Finally getting an O/U B gun...Help me choose

Ok folks...after traveling about 150 miles today looking at Browning and Beretta O/U models I have a decision to make before negotiations and my trade-in guns begin..

1. NEW Beretta 686 Onyx bottom of the line, no engraving, plain wood, 28" barrel. Priced at $1999

2. Demo model Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon Sporting. Gun has not been sold, but was used in a shot show and handled a lot. Nice wood with a black matte 28" barrel. Comes with the two installed chokes without a box. No damage or bad marks I could see on it. Also priced at $1999

3. Used Browning 525 with dark wood origin unknown. The gun locks up tight and the gun shop seems reputable. Priced $1300 non-negotiable.


Either choice will end up as my trap gun. The 686 and 525 seemed very similar to me in feel and fit. What do you say about the choices for the prices listed?

Decision made and bought!

Good things always happen to those who wait or spend a little more time looking for what they want...

I just wasn't totally overwhelemed with my choices over the last couple of days. The Beretta's and Brownings I had been seeing were just not exactly what I was looking for and were priced high to boot. Either the barrels were not the desired length, the wood was not as I desired, or the price was too high.

I struck out this morning in another direction with some cash and a couple of trade guns fully expecting to come home with both later. However, the "B" gun Gods were smiling on me today, and I guess they figured I had put in enough time looking. I went to a reputable gun store a little over an hour from my home and discovered the EXACT gun I wanted priced $175 less than anywhere I had been previously. Being a weekday, the shop owner was able to spend more time with me to handle and choose from his stock. This time I didn't know more than the seller. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and service is always worth something to me.

I brought home a brand new 686 White Onyx Sporting w/30" barrels, mid bead, flourescent front sight, with nice wood, case, and 5 chokes priced on the rack @ $1825. I did some dickering and got some sales tax money thrown in to help the trade. I am pleased and relieved. I don't have to fret about this decision anymore! Let's go shoot some clays!

Here's a pic of the new prize!

Thanks Dustydawg. I had a choice of a 686 gun that had the glossy finished wood. I had one of those type finishes before on an 1100. It was hard not to put marks on it when using it regularly. Seems like I was always worried more about the gun than what it could do! I chose the oil finish wood for this one. I think in the long run it will be better and easier to keep looking fantastic.

The Browning 525 was my second choice and would have made me almost as happy. I stood them both up on the counter side by side and the LOP was nearly the same. I felt like the Browning 525 had my nose right up on the receiver. However, the Beretta 686 LOP "felt" longer and more to my liking when I mounted the gun on my shoulder. The Beretta for me was the better fit unless it proves me wrong in the field!

Be sure to post how your clay bird hunt goes the next time you get out.

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I will Dusty. The first thing I think I will do is to pattern the gun to see where it shoots. This weekend is cold and rainy. Got to work next weekend. Looks like it will be a few days until that gets done. I will report my findings.