$1,000 double gun ?s

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sixgun MAK

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I am going to be in the market for a new shotgun this summer. I am undecided on an over/under or side by side. Either way, I do want a double gun. What gun would you guys recommend that I could get for $1,000 or less?

Thank you for any advice, opinions, or info.
 
CZ has some nice choices in side by sides. Very nice metal work. Or you could get three plain Stoeger coach guns.
 
You may have a good point. I just surfed over to shotgunworld.com and they've been not too kind to the Turkish guns.
 
Save a couple (or a few) hundred bucks and get a Verona. I love mine. Guys I've seen with them like them. Use the left-over $ for practice.
 
Stoegers (Brazilian) are pretty solid working guns, and cheap enough that they don't have to last forever to be a good deal. They're popular among CAS competitors, and those guys beat on their guns. Stoegers (with a little 'smithing) last a long time in CAS use.

CZ shotguns are badge-engineered Huglus, not fine BRNO guns like the CZ rifles and pistols, which actually ARE a great deal, and excellent firearms regardless of price. People might have good luck with the shotguns, but they're not SO cheap that I wouldn't get something that's known to be a forever gun instead.

NIB, I think the SKB is hard to beat for the money. Treat it well, and that Greener system locks up tighter than a you-know-what :D even when it's around 30 years old like my old 500. The current 505 is close to $1000 NIB, and you can still have it in 2037, if you don't actively abuse it.

Citoris are durable as all hell, though I'm not a big fan of the way the 12 Gauge handles. YMMV, since shotgun fit is personal. Regardless, the things do last forever if you treat them halfway decently.

Brownings and Berettas are great guns. No question.

I don't have personal experience with the Red Label. See my nearby thread. Ruger DOES have the best customer service anywhere, IMO. They fix a lot of things for free, and go above-and-beyond. I just don't have any scatterguns from them, just the rifles and pistols for which they're better known.

When buying a gun, new or used, do consider parts availability. If it's a rare gun, no matter how neat it is, it may end up a wallhanger if you can't get a firing pin or extractor when it breaks.
 
This is all great info guys. Thanks a bunch.

Please, keep it coming! I'll be going to Cabela's later today to check some guns out.
 
What shotguns have you used?

With which did you hit more targets (especially hard lefts and rights)?

Oh yeah... The new Winchesters from Belgium are close to $1000 also, if you get the ones that aren't the most fancy-looking. People I know love 'em. 12 Gauge only, if that matters.
 
If you like the gun and it feels good, you are going to hit with it. If you don't like it and it doesn't fit you, it ain't gonna hit anything except by accident. For me, I like SKB's. I have confidence in them and they work for me mainly because I like them and they are beautiful guns, even the plain jane SKB's. Find a used one in good condition and you will understand what I am talking about. It will fit in your price range. You can pass it down to your grandchildren and it will still be a solid gun.
 
If you like the gun and it feels good, you are going to hit with it. If you don't like it and it doesn't fit you, it ain't gonna hit anything except by accident.
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That's the truth!

Problem is, until you've shot a few thousand rounds, you have only a rough idea of what you want. Your friend might get his 100 patch using a gun you can't break 20 with.

Trap, skeet, sporting clays, cigarettes, crack cocaine and meth are all cut from the same cloth.:evil:
 
I haven't squeezed the trigger of a shotgun for 8 years. I am a bowhunter who wants to take up bird hunting also. I have a 9 week old English Pointer, tons of places to hunt pheasant and ruffed grouse, but no shotgun.

I never shot side by sides very well but love the look. I had a friend who had a Red Label years ago and I was real good on clays with that gun.

My heart wants the side by side, but my head says go with an over/under.

Because of my bowhunting expenses, love for Colt sixguns, and my new pup, I really don't want to spend too much for the shotgun, but also don't want junk.
 
If the birds are just flying away from you, a SxS sure pops up nice. Not as good for hard crossers.

$350 will get you into a brand-new Stoeger SxS. If you don't like it, you can sell it. Even if you unload it for $250, which should be easy, you've lost little for the experience.

A SxS is an easier choice for me, since you can either get a cheap one, or a really expensive one.

For field use, a semiauto has four advantages: 3 shots (more in some states), it's not delicate, dirt won't quickly destroy it, and a top-notch name-brand gun, not a cheap knockoff or budget model, is $1000 or less. Sometimes a lot less, brand new.

It has three disadvantages: it can be fed wrong (I managed to shove a shell into my 1100 backwards last quail season! Cost me a bird), it's more of a PITA to load and unload and can snag gloves when you load it, and it has only one choke at a time.
 
SKB

I have a pair of them back when they were being imported by Ithaca. The Model 100 is a wonderfully light upland SxS 12-gauge double, but is does kick like a mule. You should be able to find one ~$500.

The 200E is fancier (engraved & silver-plated boxlock, gold-plated trigger), quite a bit heavier, and would probably run ~$1K.

Both have black-chromed barrels and hard-chromed bores. Very high quality.

SKB also makes O/Us, but I've never tried one. Have fun shopping! :)
 
Get yourself a good used SKB, put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it and go have fun. It is a personal choice if you want a stack barrel or sxs. Borrow any brand to check out what you want to buy. Then go to your local gun dealer and pick out a used SKB of that type, have him throw in a Limbsaver-installed. Buy a case of promo shells and practice until you get tired of shooting. Then shoot some more tomorrow. Don't worry about wearing it out. Your greatgrandchildren will still be using it after you have met the grim reaper. When you get used to the gun, buy yourself some quality ammo and do your serious shooting.

I have used SKB's over 50 years and you can't tell it by looking at the actions. I doubt that they will ever wear out. They are as tight today as they were the day they were born.
 
CZ shotguns are badge-engineered Huglus, not fine BRNO guns like the CZ rifles and pistols, which actually ARE a great deal, and excellent firearms regardless of price.
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I wish the good folks at CZ would get their heads out of their ***** in regards to shotguns. They make such excellent rifles and pistols that, frankly, it shocks me that they continue to sell trashy Huglu shotguns with the CZ name on it. If they could produce a high quality O/U and autoloader which undercut the prices of Remmie/Browning/Beretta, they could make a killing in the US.
 
Surprised

I am surprised to see so many recommending SKB. That's what I am recommending too, and I was expecting to be the lone voice. Excellent shotguns.

I've you want a shotgun to shoot, get an 0/U. Get a SXS if you just want one.
 
The CZ/Huglos are pretty decent for under $1000. If you look you should be able to find an SKB for about $1000, and those things are built very well and have some pretty darn nice wood for $1000 gun. If you're thinking O/U 20ga you can always go for a Franchi Veloce, they're very nice, 12 ga Franchis can be hard to find.

My opinion (not that it's worth anything) about sxs and O/Us is that the Italians make the best and the Japanese are right behind them with the Brownings and SKBs. I also agree that CZ should get it together and build their own shotguns, I bet they could do some fantastic things. Hard to say what's going on with it, they're offering the Ringneck in 16 ga now and they also have a coach gun due out. Here's some news regarding CZ, although I'm not quite understanding what it all means.

Information concerning BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. [18.10.2006]


The BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. Company engaged on 16th October 2006 into employment 29 employees of former Firearms Production Division of Zbrojovka Brno a.s., the estate of which is currently under bankruptcy proceedings.

The objectives of BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. is to reassume the world-acclaimed tradition associated with firearms produced by Zbrojovka Brno, especially in the field of shotguns production.

Yesterday’s engagement of work force meant culmination of longtime process bound to keep the firearms production in Brno. BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. adopted to this day also many other measures for advancement to this goal. Among others put up for auction the machinery and equipment needed for shotguns production and took over other assets associated with this type of manufacturing activities.

BRNO RIFLES, s.r.o. is a business entity, which is in 100% ownership and possession of EXIMAT a.s, the Company which at the same time is the majority shareholder of Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod.
 
SKB doesn't surpise me for a minute

I am surprised to see so many recommending SKB. That's what I am recommending too, and I was expecting to be the lone voice. Excellent shotguns.
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I've had my SKB doubles for ~30 years, and they still lock up as tight as the day I got them. The only problem (if you can call it that) is that the 200E (my trapgun) broke an ejector spring. I was reloading for trap and really didn't care for the ejectors anyway. The extractors worked just fine. I did find replacement ejector springs quite recently (last 6 months, maybe?) and I'm debating about reinstalling them to keep it "original."

SKBs are terrific doubles for the price, AFAIC. :D
 
Depends alot on what you are wanting to use it for. I personally love the old LC Smith side by sides. Not much good with steel shot though.
 
Trap, skeet, sporting clays, cigarettes, crack cocaine and meth are all cut from the same cloth.
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now that's some classic words right there. Take those to heart.

Go used for your first gun. A Browning or Beretta O/U that is still fine can be had pretty much at any gun shop for $600 on up. And then you can get in some rounds and figure out what you really like.

And then you'll get sucked into doubles (SxS's) and then it's all over. ;)
 
SxS doubles for me

And then you'll get sucked into doubles (SxS's) and then it's all over.
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Probably the best day I ever had at the trap range was when I shot a 25/25 with my SKB SxS double and beat the grumpy old men with their very expensive Perazzi O/U doubles. I had a smile on my face from ear-to-ear all the way home.

I saw a L.C. Smith double years ago, and wish I could have afforded it. At the time I was in college, and felt grateful to be able to afford a box of Kraft Mac'n'Cheese for dinner. My grandad would have told me "You've got champagne taste and a beer pocketbook." ;)
 
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