20 gage, thoughts/ opinions?

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I have used the search function and acquired some great information/opinions......the same way I researched my last pistol.:D

Final query............if you were to recommend a good 20 gage for skeet, what would it be?

I will not be re-loading, and am leaning towards an auto............no details, since I do not want to influence the answers.

I will be going to a local gun shop sale with 2 firearms in mind, and wanted to compare my choices with those that you, with more experience, would suggest.

FYI, I am doing well with my 12 gage ( 46 avg ) and want to step up to the next level.


Thanks in advance.
 
What are you currently shooting in 12 bore?
Reason I ask, many folks shot / shoot the same platform in all 4 gauges.

My standard answer is 1100 in 20 ga for a new skeet shooter, especially ladies.
That way one can shoot two events with the same gun.



Whoops...I hope nobody caught me spilling the beans about another reason why the 20 ga fits another niche not often thought of...nah, nobody will catch it, too many reasons why a 12 ga is better...;)
 
My standard answer is 1100 in 20 ga for a new skeet shooter, especially ladies.
That way one can shoot two events with the same gun.
Click to expand...

+1 on that advice. That's what I use with good results.

Look around for a used one.
 
Note that early 1100s in 20 were 12 Gauge sized receivers. In the late '70s, they brought out the LT-20, or Lightweight. Since then, 20 Gauge 1100s (and 11-87's) are built on special, 20-Gauge-sized receivers, and they weigh about a pound less.

Barrels for the LT's are a lot easier to get; for older 20's you are stuck with used barrels AFAIK. There are many out there, but many don't have ribs.:)
 
Most of the answers I've been getting from the guys at the club, as well as y'all here, seem to indicate that the the Remington 1100 is a good choice.....considering my level of commitment. I usually only shoot skeet once a week, and only 2-4 rounds at that.

At this time I am using an over/under 12 gage (Traditions) with 1 1/4 oz Estate loads......everything is pretty generic, since I do not have the time to load my own shot shells ( plenty of pistol loading going on, though :D ).

I have been considering the 20 gage since I learned that the ammo is similar in price to the 12........which I am buying in bulk from the club, and I also would like to own an auto.

I've been told that the 1100's may be fussy to feed, and not cycle certain loads. I am also going to have to look into after-market options like a shell catcher, chokes, etc. Thanks for the tip about the LT's, ArmedBear.......don't think I've heard that one yet.

More research in the works. As I said, I will probably try to find a good used one. BTW, what would be a good price for said used firearm?

One more point, just in case someone looked at my profile and deduced that I am female. Since I spell my name with a 'J' I get my share of Ms-mail (Dear Ms XXXX), but at 6' 185 lbs I have not had any problems with recoil.:evil: :D

No harm, no foul, just wanted to clarify. ;)
 
My standard answer is 1100 in 20 ga for a new skeet shooter, especially ladies.
That way one can shoot two events with the same gun.

+1 on that advice. That's what I use with good results.

Look around for a used one.
Click to expand...

+1
 
Mossberg Silver Reserve
Click to expand...

Problems reported, by people I shoot with who have them. Breaking firing pins seem common -- two in one week at my club. Parts unavailable, factory does fix them for free if you ship the gun.

People do like their Berettas. Nothing wrong with them. I do think, though, that there are less expensive ways into the skeet game. On the other hand, the 3901 is reasonable, and available in a women's adjustable-comb short-stocked sporting gun that would work like a champ.

I shoot with people who have had 1100s and 11-87s that work flawlessly for years. I have a 35-year-old 1100 I acquired recently; still works like new. So do many others.

Just carry a couple extra o-rings if you go on an expensive hunting trip to Alaska -- I know someone who didn't, and Murphy got him. The O-ring was still stuck to his skeet barrel in San Diego, as he found out somewhere in the middle of Alaska. Some forethought and $5 would have solved the problem.:)

No O-rings on the new 105CTi (nice gun, if I can judge from a few shots I got to take with one).
 
FWIW I've never owned a Beretta, but have owned several Remington autos. I gave up carrying around extra parts, and even an extra shotgun when I gave up the Remingtons. Also in my experience, Remington's customer service for warranty work is nonexistent. The last time I contacted them with a problem, they charged me for a broken part replacement for a new gun (less than 25 rounds through it before it broke).
 
Remington 1100 would be my suggestion too. If you could find a Browning Gold Hunter or Beretta 391, those would also be excellent choices.

Scott
 
"I will not be re-loading, and am leaning towards an auto............no details, since I do not want to influence the answers."

My only caveat regarding 20ga is that I've seen far fewer good deals on ammo for 20 vs. 12. Since you will not be reloading, that may be a factor to consider.
FWIW
YMMV
 
Best 20 ga.

I've shot 12ga. for the last 20 yrs. Old Remingtons(58 sportsmans and a 1100 Syn. that kept having problems) and then I thought I should get a gun that really works, and I don't have to carry around spare parts, just incase. I bought a Beretta 391 optima urika 12ga, and I've never looked back. Last year, for Christmas I got a Beretta 390 Syn. 20ga. and it is just as fine a gun as the 391. Shells here in Texas are the same for 20 and 12 and the 20 is about a pound lighter so walking in 100 degree temp in Sept. dove hunting all day is a little easier. Cleaning is a snap, and if you miss a scheduled cleaning, the gun still works without a hicup. I paid about $490 at Academy Sports, and I saw one at the gun show this weekend for $399. You can't go wrong with a Beretta.:)
 
Not sure if it comes in 20 ga, but I have a mossberg 9200 auto loader, 12 ga, and love it. I use it almost exclusively for turkey now, but used it over my dog for pointed pheasant and chukar, prior to getting a red label in 20. If the 9200 comes in 20 ga I have no doubts that you will like it, if it fits. The cost was very reasonable under $350 a couple of years ago.
 
If you already have a 12, why not go for a 28? I don't see the 20 as offering any advantage over either, just increased recoil due to a lighter gun with a charge similar to a 12, or a heavier gun with a 28 charge.

Try a 28; you'll wonder why you didn't get one a long time ago.

Only MHO; YMMV.
 
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