12g Over/under choices

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SamlautRanger

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Wanting to get a 12 guage over-under. As a previous post said, I am seriously considering one of the Ruger Red Labels. WOuld like your opinions on this shotgun and also suggesstions of any other 12 g O/U s that you think might be better. Please keep in mind my budget in $1500 max (inlcuding tax, so that would be around $1400 total) I can get a red label for $1090 plus tax from Walmart Special Firearms orders. Thanks.
 
Both Browning and Beretta have good O/U models in that price range. One word of caution... fit is a far more important issue with O/Us than other platforms. If at all possible, shoot or at least handle as many different types as possible and pick the one which fits the best.
 
Trapper Nailed It.

Try before you buy to know the gun that FITS YOU best.

Nothing wrong with used either...someone may have a gun that does not fit them - but WILL fit you. Carry cash, act stupid, leave quickly ;)
 
One great place to find used shotguns are at larger trapshoots. I have bought a few this way including the Kreighoff Model 32 I still use.
 
Ditto trapper!

I have a Browning Citori which I am fond of....but Ruger's fit me better.
Never could convince myself to trade...so I have to save up for the Red Label.

Smoke
 
Can't argue with these folks. Try before you buy if possible. I had the Ruger with 28" barrels that I had tubed for competition in the sub-gauges years ago and put almost 50,000 rounds through the gun, mostly subgauges of 20, 28, and .410.

At about 15,000 rounds had some trouble with it not fireing the lower barrel every time and Ruger put it right at no cost other than shipping, and rebuilt the interier of anything that was showing wear. Happened again at about 35,000 rounds, same thing, no cost.

I sold it and then a couple years later bought a Beretta set up that I am completely happy with now. Some guns you can expect to wear 40-50 thousand rounds before needing to replace anything, but they cost alot up front. Ruger has an affordable gun that most people will never shoot enough to wear out, so they are not out cost wise, rebuilding the odd one that comes back to them worn out.

Find a gun that fits you, whether it be the Rugers or others, the 30" sporting model Rugers fit much different on me than the standard guns did. If you can find the different models shoulder them to see how they feel.
 
For those who have had a tube set for a redlabel did you take a beating when you sold the gun? I was thinking of the same thing but wanted something that would hold most of its value.
 
The Red Label has terrible resale value compared to some other guns, especially with a tube set. With a Browning or a Beretta you can get a lot of the money you put in it back out, with a Ruger look at 65-75% max.

I have a Red Label Sporting Clays. I have put 80K+ rounds through it without any trouble at all. It fits me, and I shoot it well. I think it is a very good shotgun.
 
For those who have had a tube set for a redlabel did you take a beating when you sold the gun? I was thinking of the same thing but wanted something that would hold most of its value.

I believe I had about $2000 in my gun and tube set, Kolar classic set with fixed chokes was about $750-$800 back then + the case. I got about $1400 for it when I sold it. :( But that was the way things were going for used Red Labels, and still is. I saw that Jaquas web site had a couple of them for sale pretty cheap.
 
Thanks for all the info. Think I will go with the Red Label 12 guauge w/28" barrell. Make a nice general purpose o/u and will go nicely with my CZ 20guage Redhead Deluxe. I have had good service before on many other Ruger Firearms (except the PC4) I have owned.
 
I'll just add one more vote for the
Red Label. I have the 30" Sporting clays version and coulldn't ask for a better gun. It goes bang every time and shoots where I point it. I flat love that gun!!!!
 
Bought a used Citori 12ga for $750, great fit, beautiful gun. I shoot extremely well with it. No bigtime shotgunners in my area; it sat on a gunshop rack for months, and I finally couldn't resist it. The money was well spent.
 
Well I got a used biakal 12ga and a mec sizemaster about a 8 weeks ago. I know I have put 1200 fired rounds of reloads plus about a case of factory shells. I wont something that is gonna last. I used to poke fun at the shotgun sports until I tried them. Now when I go over to the gun club I spend the day shooting skeet 5stand trap wobble trap and even sporting clays. The split on the biakal's forarm is growing larger every trip. Just my luck, I just got my chokes for it I guss that was $100 down the drain.
 
O/U Choice

I agree with the posts prior to mine. Browning is always a winner! I have a Citori White lighting and it has never given me any trouble. It definitely fits in your price range. You mention Red Label, I thnk that is also a good choice. My latest addition about a month ago was a Franchi Alcione Field model - 12ga, 28" barrel. LOVE IT! Shoots and feels great. I'm a LH shooter and many of the O/U out there are cast for RH shooters so I have to buy a O/U with a cast neutral or LH casting. The Franchi is a LH cast anf cost me $1000 OTD. Fit finish is good and shoots like a dream. I know many other web forums bash them, but I think they are a sleeper in the industry. They are also owned by Beretta. Lastly Beretta's are awesome, but the cast is just to cast off for me..

Good luck, FIT is everything!!!
Telli97
 
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