All around shotgun - any reason NOT to buy a 12 gauge ???

[Hokkmike]

Thanks all, for your responses. Please know that I am studying and considering them....

 

[bassjam]

There's years when I get to shoot a lot and am a better shot and I'll start using my 20ga more and more, but when I'm out of practice and rusty I like the little extra insurance that the 12ga gives me in busting clays and dropping birds.

The only reason not to get one is if the weight of a typical 12ga gun is too heavy for you and you'd like to save a pound to go to a 20 ga because a lighter 12 ga would recoil too much.

 

[Rubone]

Another 870 fan here. 5 are 12s but the one youth model 20 gets carried often just for size and quick handling. I have other shotguns, but these are the workhorses.

 

[Dibbs]

My FIL was very skilled, with a long-barreled .410. IIRC, it was an old Savage single shot, with about a 32" barrel. He used it for pest control
on his farm, and rarely missed. His relatives were usually keeping an eye out, for his favorite ammunition, because it wasn't always in stock, where he shopped, and this was many years ago, before all the current ammunition shortages.

So, IMO, it's a little short sighted, to paint all folks shotgun needs with a single brush. But one major advantage of 12 Gauge is the more commonly available ammunition. If I were looking for a shotgun for myself, it would be 12 Gauge.

 

[Riomouse911]

Walk into any store, even with shortages of today; if they have any ammo, the possibility of having something in 12ga is very high.

There is no reason not to have a 12 ga.

I used to think that the 12 was everywhere… until I went into a LGS on Tuesday and saw this for their selection of shotgun ammo :

There is no reason not to get a 12 ga.
There is no good reason for 28 ga to exist. LOL.
Sorry I hated seeing that gauge on the shelf over the last year or two and sold out of 12 and 20 ga.

That's exactly what I saw… one type of 12, one type of 20… a full selection of 28, including steel shot.

(Thank the Lord I have two 28’s, I know now where to get ammo .)

For the OP; a well-maintained but seasoned 870 Wingmaster with a 28” vent rib in Modified (if no screw in Rem Chokes) and a second 20” cylinder bore barrel will do almost everything you could ever ask of a shotgun.

Stay safe.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

Going from what you posted…get the O/U. If it were me and it, isn’t I’d get a Beretta 680 series gun in 20 gauge, 30” barrel and call it a day. The gun will outlive you and probably your grandkids with very little care/maintenance. I’ve mentioned on this website and others…I shoot with a guy that has a Beretta 680 skeet with close to million rounds through it with no issues and my 687 has close to 750k with no issues as well. For what you state the 20ga would be where I’d go, only because of light payload, which “might” translate to lighter recoil…get a gun that doesn’t fit and is light, it will recoil like a mule, at least it will feel like it. But as mentioned this isn’t my decision, it’s yours. You mentioned you LOVE the looks of the O/U…you get anything else I’ll bet the farm you wished you followed you heart. Good luck!

 

[entropy]

And that why I'd expound on GE's suggestion. Try a Browning Citori of whichever type you can, for fit. Almost everybody will have a preference for one or the other. I prefer Brownings for clays games; the chunkier actions and stocks help with that. I prefer Berettas for field guns; a 686 Onyx in 20 or 28 is a pheasant hunting grail gun for me. And to boot, the 686 Onyx is a sharp looking O/U.

 

[huntsman]

Looking for probably my last shotgun. Don't have one currently.

The only actions I am pretty sure that I do not want are an autoloader or single shot. I LOVE the looks of O/U's. Pumps are ok. S/S would be my last pick.

I have hunted small game and birds only 3 or 4 times in my life. I have done sporting clays about half a dozen time at the range. I have NEVER shot skeet but probably should. Home defense is always an option with a shotgun in my opinion.

I have fired 20's, 16's, and 12 gauges from a variety of guns.

I have been told that, for a guy like me, 12 gauge is the BEST way to go. It will do everything that other gauges may not possibly do as well. A few have suggested to me that a 20 gauge is just as lethal and effective for most application with less felt recoil.

I am very interested in your collective opinion about any reason not to buy a 12 gauge. If you have a favorite or preferred model feel free to thought that suggestion in too... NOTHING beats the wisdom of the many shotgunners on forums like this. Thanks....

Everybody should own a shotgun and for an all around shotgun it should be a 12.

My only advice is pay up for quality, pride of ownership and better resale being the reason.

O/U: Browning, Beretta

Pump: Browning, Benelli

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

No reason not to have multiple 12 gauge shotguns, and a 20's, 16's...........

The only actions I am pretty sure that I do not want are an autoloader

I would not be to quick to eliminate semi autos from consideration. There are good reasons for their popularity.
I wouldn't base my choice of gauges on today's ammo shortages either.
If you are set on and O/U check out the CZ Drake https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-drake/.
I have one on order, in 20 because I have lots of 12's. They are about $600 or a little less and I wanted a gun that will see fairly rough use. No first hand experience with CZ, but I have heard good reviews. Some of them on this forum.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

My only advice is pay up for quality, pride of ownership and better resale being the reason.

O/U: Browning, Beretta

I don't care about resale, I never sell guns. No pride in ownership of any gun either, or anything else for that matter.
For some reason a Beretta Silver Pigeon 20 is calling me and it keeps getting louder.

 

[Barnfixer]

I’m currently in the market for a 12ga o/u. That said, when the dust settles on that purchase a 20ga o/u might be next. Reasons? Lighter load to carry while hunting, lighter payload of shells in my pockets during a round of sporting clays, less recoil for you or your wife or hot new girlfriend and they are “just plain sweet little guns!”

 

[cdb1]

I use and prefer 20 gauge for everything but waterfowl. That is until I purchased a FABARM L4S five years ago. I can only hope that one day FABARM makes a 20 gauge version.

The first shotgun I bought was a pump. I was the short stroke king. I do not like them.

 

[Hokkmike]

No reason not to have multiple 12 gauge shotguns, and a 20's, 16's...........


I would not be to quick to eliminate semi autos from consideration. There are good reasons for their popularity.
I wouldn't base my choice of gauges on today's ammo shortages either.
If you are set on and O/U check out the CZ Drake https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-drake/.
I have one on order, in 20 because I have lots of 12's. They are about $600 or a little less and I wanted a gun that will see fairly rough use. No first hand experience with CZ, but I have heard good reviews. Some of them on this forum.

Thanks - I do have a CZ rifle in .223. It is very good quality in my opinion.....

 

[cdb1]

If I ever get the guitas I'm going to purchase a Grulla 16 gauge SxS.

 

[Space Ghost]

Only reason I could ever think of not to get one is if you are recoil shy. They do kick quite a bit.
Other than that, they are the most popular, with the most ammo availability, and therefore offer the most flexibility, and firepower overall.

 

[rust collector]

I read and believed that a 12 was better than a 20 in every way. Then I discovered a youth model 20 ga Beretta gas gun and I now enjoy tromping about in the field like never before. The little gun is easy to carry, easy to maneuver and as deadly as any 12 in my hands. I never notice recoil. Fits in a standard rifle case with its 24" barrel. You will do better with a 12 on targets and stationary shooting. For field work, I'm a believer in 20.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

The reality is, outside of stopping a grizzly or shooting at big geese at the edge of effective distance, a 20G can do all that a 12G can with less felt recoil. Ammunition variety in challenging times is perhaps another reason to stick with 12G.

If you're in the market for a side by side and on a budget I'd look at Franchi. They make a really nice side by side for the price.

 

[Sniper66]

To answer the OP's question in the way he asked it, No. There is no good reason to avoid buying a 12 ga. I've owned and shot lots of shotguns...single, SxS, O/U, pump, and semi-auto. In your situation, a good O/U dedicated to sporting clays, 5-Stand, or skeet would be the way to go. 12 or 20?? Buy both! My favorite 20ga sporting clay gun is a Winchester 101. I love shooting it but my scores are slightly better with my Benelli 12ga and my dove kill rate is best with my Benelli 20ga. I shoot what I enjoy shooting, scores be damned. I have a very nice, nearly new Belgium Browning Superposed 12ga. Beautiful gun I bought from my brother. But, I don't enjoy shooting it. So, that would be the best reason NOT to buy any gun.

 

[Scooter22]

Sure I'd get a 12ga.Your post says it's your last shotgun. Then says you hardly have used one. So what is your main reason to get one? Home Defense or just to have a all around one in the house? Without going into all the different versions a Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 with 26" or 28" should be fine. It's not a short HD gun but you can use it for anything. I have several shotguns. 2 are short HD and my 70s Wingmaster with 26" vent rib w/choke tubes and the 20" deer barrel with sights. I was set. But I always like the old Mossbergs with the C-lect choke for all around short or long fields use. I just got one on Gunbroker for 199.99. Looks hardly used except for some scratches on the stock. I'd be happy with just that. Figure out what you want then look. Prices are high but deals can be found. Good luck. I'll see if I can post a pic. Just make sure you get it with the barrel length you want. Spare barrels are hard to come by and expensive. The typical 80 to 100 barrel is now 200.00 or more if you can find what you want. Crazy but deals are out there.

 

[Scooter22]

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[Frostbite]

I would suggest to go with the over and under in 12 gauge if only one shotgun is desired. It will work for everything, including self defense. It would come after the pump or a semi for riot control.
I was given a bolt action 20 gauge long ago, never shot it, cleaned it back to cleaner than new and gave it afterwards. It did not attract me.

Myself? I bought a pump twelve (Winchester) many years ago, still enjoy it, and recently bought a 20 side by side because I wanted one. The 12 is a synthetic tool, still looks almost new, very tough and durable. Pleasant to shoot up to the fourth round of trap. The 20 (Yildiz) is a nice piece of craftsmanship. Pretty wood, cute white engraved receiver and okay black shiny metal finish for the barrels. It is simply painful to shoot just one round of trap with this one. The second round is not pleasant at all.

The Browning blue is my favorite looking finish for all things metal on a gun. I will stop being so shy and shoot my father's Superposed Lightning one day, but that will be a round of skeet

 

[d2wing]

I have had more shotguns than I can count. My favorite by far is a Beretta Onyx 686 in 12 guage. I also carry a Fausti 20 guage O/U because it is light but I don't shoot it as well. I like both 870 and Mossberg 500 pumps. I think 12 gauge is better and cheaper to shoot but because of health reason I shoot 20 gauge plenty. I wish I'd kept my Remington 1100 LT20.

 

[Palladan44]

I own 8 shotguns, guess what Gauge they all are?....
...Well they are all 28 Gauges!

Just kidding!

 

[Edcnh]

I have a BT-99, single barrel break open action in 12 gauge for trap. I really like the gun but if I was going to get one today I would buy a 12 gauge Browning Citori o/u with at least a 30” barrel.Then you would be set for any type of clays.

 

[Hokkmike]

Thanks EVERYONE for your responses, Happy Thanksgiving to you all........