budget O/U 20 gauge?
- Thread starter Walter W.
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mswestfall
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- Joined
- Mar 9, 2006
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- 437
No, a pump gun does not suck compared to an O/U. In some ways it is much better than and O/U. Such as it almost always holds more than two shells and it can be loaded with a round in the chamber.
An O/U has two each of several parts: barrels, cocking levers, firing pins and sometimes triggers. These parts cost money. Try lining up two barrels to shoot at the same target. That too costs money. What surprises me is that single bbl break action guns should cost a lot less than O/U and double guns but often don't.
There are relatively inexpensive O/U's. I've seen them for less than $500.
Browning tends to make a heavy gun. Lots of steel. I personally like them for that feature. Beretta makes similar guns for similar prices with less steel. That too is expensive to do. In each case you need to make a choice that fits you need(s).
Try:
doubleshotguns.com
shotgun world.com
CZ-USA.com
gunborker.com
Goggle them. There are at least 50 other.
An O/U has two each of several parts: barrels, cocking levers, firing pins and sometimes triggers. These parts cost money. Try lining up two barrels to shoot at the same target. That too costs money. What surprises me is that single bbl break action guns should cost a lot less than O/U and double guns but often don't.
There are relatively inexpensive O/U's. I've seen them for less than $500.
Browning tends to make a heavy gun. Lots of steel. I personally like them for that feature. Beretta makes similar guns for similar prices with less steel. That too is expensive to do. In each case you need to make a choice that fits you need(s).
Try:
doubleshotguns.com
shotgun world.com
CZ-USA.com
gunborker.com
Goggle them. There are at least 50 other.
Ash
Member
You can get an excellent O/U shotgun in the Savage 333/Valmet 412. These are based on the Remington 32/Kreighoff actions. They are superb shotguns and can be had very reasonably.
You have a PM on this.
Ash
You have a PM on this.
Ash
glockster157
Member
Check out the Yildiz SPZ ME20, there are lots of reviews on shotgunworld.com in the Yildiz lovers section. I bought one at Academy Sports for $399 and it had some beautiful wood, five chokes, 3 year warranty from Brileys in Houston TX, single selective trigger, ejectors and finally great fit and finish, oh, and it weighs like 6 pounds. Say what you want about Turkish O/U's but this brand is getting rave reviews from users and I have been shooting mine a bunch and it is a blast. I am going to go broke buying clays and shells
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Franchi has always been a good name in O/U shotguns and is now owned by Benelli. Their Renaissance line is great but somewhat over your $1,000 cap. Stoeger, also owned by Benelli also makes good sporting shotguns. They don't have quite the fit-n-finish of the Franchi shotguns but I'm told the inside works are the same. (since they are all owned by Benelli) Their Condor line might be what you are looking for. The Condor Competition has a list price of $629 and the Condor Combo (both 12ga and 20ga barrels) lists for $749. At that price you have enough money left over for one of their Cougar 9mm or 40 S&W semi-autos. LOL
ArchAngelCD
Member.
There is something to be said about buying quality once instead of buying budget twice.
Good luck finding something you really like when you can...
86thecat
Member
If you would consider a 12ga O/U check if CDNN still has Lanbers. Nice gun, good price not too heavy and will hold resale value when ready to move up.
Okiecruffler
Member
I was handling a stevens O/U at the last gunshow I went to and tho' I hate to admit it, it was nice. Great wood, really excellent wood to metal finish. Balanced well and fit me to a T. Still I'll stick with my old SXS's, but I was almost tempted.
I'd steer clear of the Stoeger's. Mine is back at the Benelli getting the light strikes delt with. Others have had worse problems. The overlooked and often snubbed by the shotgun snoobs is the Ruger Red Label. I picked up a used one for right @ $1000. Nice shotgun with 30" barrels, chokes, clean wood and reliable. Oh yeah, made in the US of A as well.
MCgunner
Member
I checked out the Yildiz at Academy and I'm impressed with it. I'd never have to "buy twice" since I don't burn 20 cases a year at the range, only hunt with a shotgun, and besides, I'm not convinced the Yildiz is "cheap" except in price. And, Briley is right up the road from me.
That said, I'd sure like a Citoris and Red Labels.
That said, I'd sure like a Citoris and Red Labels.
romeo212000
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- Sep 5, 2007
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- 427
I very highly reccomend the Yildiz. I put over a thousand rounds a year through mine and it has not had one single problem. I have a 12g and it shoots excellent for me with a 1oz load. I would highly recommend it before buying a more expensive shotgun you cant afford. When Browning first started building shotguns no one in America would have anything to do with them. Now they are one of the first names in O/U shotguns. Take a lesson from the past and give the Yildiz a serious look.
pinetree64
Member
The week of an annual quail hunt, I was informed 20g was the largest gun allowed. I ran out an bought a budget OU, a Russian Baikel, <$400. After 5 or so years, it has replaced my Berretta 12g semi as my primary bird gun. It has served me well. I thought who needs a 20g. Now I prefer it. The Baikel has served me well and I use it like many do an H&R. It rides in my truck box with an assortment of shells or on rack of my four wheeler, a knock-about-gun. I do not know if Baikel is still imported or imported under that name, but there are still affordable Russian, eastern Eurpean made OU out there. Last weekend, I shot five stand against several $1000+, 12g guns and I can say I held my own.
I re-read some of the posts. While I lust for a Berretta silver pigeon in 20g, I really appreciate having a cheap gun that has worked through several thousand rounds. I have the means to buy the Berretta, but I can't justify it. Maybe I'll get one as an aniv gift, but I won't be buying it. Yes the pretty guns are, well pretty, but I was the first one done in the dove field this year two days in a row.
Those Yidizs look nice. Heck you may not even like an OU but I have found that the third shell is often a wasted shot.
I re-read some of the posts. While I lust for a Berretta silver pigeon in 20g, I really appreciate having a cheap gun that has worked through several thousand rounds. I have the means to buy the Berretta, but I can't justify it. Maybe I'll get one as an aniv gift, but I won't be buying it. Yes the pretty guns are, well pretty, but I was the first one done in the dove field this year two days in a row.
Those Yidizs look nice. Heck you may not even like an OU but I have found that the third shell is often a wasted shot.
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"I am going to go broke buying clays and shells."
That is an excellent point, and it is all the more reason why a person who intends to actually USE his gun for more than just shooting an occasional box of shells should invest in a good quality gun. Note that I didn't say "expensive". I said "good quality".
If a person shoots clay targets at a range on a fairly regular basis (say 3 or 4 times per month), they can easily spend $1,500 to $2,500 per year on shells and targets. It's not uncommon for really active clay target shooters to spend $5,000 or more per year on targets and shells.
So, if a person is planning on using their gun a moderate amount, then why buy a cheap one that may give them lots of problems and headaches just to save a few hundred dollars? That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what they will spend on targets and shells.
That is an excellent point, and it is all the more reason why a person who intends to actually USE his gun for more than just shooting an occasional box of shells should invest in a good quality gun. Note that I didn't say "expensive". I said "good quality".
If a person shoots clay targets at a range on a fairly regular basis (say 3 or 4 times per month), they can easily spend $1,500 to $2,500 per year on shells and targets. It's not uncommon for really active clay target shooters to spend $5,000 or more per year on targets and shells.
So, if a person is planning on using their gun a moderate amount, then why buy a cheap one that may give them lots of problems and headaches just to save a few hundred dollars? That's just a drop in the bucket compared to what they will spend on targets and shells.
I have a Verona (I think the model # is 501 LX). It's a 12 ga. but I'm sure they make it in 20. It's been very nice. Shoots where you point it and such. I just killed a couple of pheasant with it on Sat. Anyway, that gun would be in your price range.
I also have a Beretta Combo (came with the 20 ga. and 28 ga. barrel sets) that is almost as beautiful as my wife, but it cost at least a couple times your price point. However, Fanchi makes a similar product (or at least they used to) that costs quite a bit less.
I also have a Beretta Combo (came with the 20 ga. and 28 ga. barrel sets) that is almost as beautiful as my wife, but it cost at least a couple times your price point. However, Fanchi makes a similar product (or at least they used to) that costs quite a bit less.
MCgunner
Member
Baikal is now Remington Spartan and I picked up a little side by side 20 gauge coach gun to hunt with last year. This was its first dove season and I outshot my buddy and his kid who were using pump 12s. Everyone got limits, but I had the better shots per bird average at about 3, which is normal for me. I love the thing, now, even took it on a couple of duck hunts so far this season, though even though it's not beautiful, I'd rather take my camo mossberg out in the salt marsh. But, it is a fantastic general purpose shotgun for sure, can do it all just as good as anything else, just ain't as pretty to look at. I'm really happy with it.
Everyone got limits, but I had the better shots per bird average at about 3, which is normal for me. I love the thing, now, even took it on a couple of duck hunts so far this season, though even though it's not beautiful, I'd rather take my camo mossberg out in the salt marsh. But, it is a fantastic general purpose shotgun for sure, can do it all just as good as anything else, just ain't as pretty to look at. I'm really happy with it.oklahoma caveman
Member
my dad brother and myself found some traditions o/u shotguns at walmart for 400 apiece. my dads is in 410 mine and my brothers in 20. they are really nice. tight fit awesome shooters. none of us have a complaint
MidMichBlue
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- Feb 29, 2008
- Messages
- 22
Savage has a new o/u that looks like a good value. Made by Stevens, I think, with 'gold..." in the model name. Nice wood, fit, finish; not too heavy and handled nicely. Comes w/ 5 choke tubes and was priced at $499 in Clare, MI. Too new to tell about dependability or longevity, but it sure looks like a nice gun for the money.
RNB65
Member
I always cringe when I hear the words "budget" and "shotgun" used in the same sentence. For home defense or a truck gun, maybe. But for more formal affairs, wait until you've saved a little more $$$ and can buy something you'll be proud to pass on to your children and grandchildren someday. A field grade Beretta or Browning can be had for less than $2K and will last several lifetimes with proper care and maintenance.
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"Stoeger, also owned by Benelli also makes good sporting shotguns. They don't have quite the fit-n-finish of the Franchi shotguns but I'm told the inside works are the same. "
Stoeger and Franchi are both distributed by Benelli. The Stoegers are made in Brazil and the Franchis are made in Italy. The fit and finish of the Stoegers are not even close to the Franchis, which is to be expected because they cost about 1/3 as much. I doubt the internals are more than superficially similar. They are certainly not the same gun with different finish levels.
If you can stretch the budget slightly you should be able to get a Franchi Field grade. Next I'd consider a CZ.
Mossberg Silver Reserves, Stoegers and especially Baikals / Spartans - save your money and get a good pump instead. You'll be glad you did.
Pumps aren't cheaper because they "suck". They are cheaper to make, in part because you don't have to get two barrels to shoot to the same point of aim.
Stoeger and Franchi are both distributed by Benelli. The Stoegers are made in Brazil and the Franchis are made in Italy. The fit and finish of the Stoegers are not even close to the Franchis, which is to be expected because they cost about 1/3 as much. I doubt the internals are more than superficially similar. They are certainly not the same gun with different finish levels.
If you can stretch the budget slightly you should be able to get a Franchi Field grade. Next I'd consider a CZ.
Mossberg Silver Reserves, Stoegers and especially Baikals / Spartans - save your money and get a good pump instead. You'll be glad you did.
Pumps aren't cheaper because they "suck". They are cheaper to make, in part because you don't have to get two barrels to shoot to the same point of aim.
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