Considering an O/U but have ???

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Puncha

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Hi folks,

Due to the exhaustive and time consuming cleaning ritual for my current Remington 870 and the many resultant complaints from my wife, I am mulling over the potential purchase of a 12ga O/U shotgun from AYA, the spanish shotgun company. However, before I do so I would like to ask a few questions of you knowledgeable people.

1) Is an O/U really easier and faster to clean? (Just swab out the barrels and give the lockwork a once over with a toothbrush right?)
2) Are O/Us more mechanically reliable than pump actions?
3) Are they more idiot proof for HD?
4) Can limbsaver recoil absorbers be installed on AYA or other european shotguns?
5) Can a sling be fitted to this or most other O/U shotguns?
6) If it is employed for property defense, can a light be installed or do I have to resort to duct taping a cheap flashlight to the barrel?
7) The brochure says that the barrels have fixed full and modified chokes. Can buckshot be used in full chokes w/o damaging the gun?

Thanks guys. :)
 
I love o/u's and will answer all the questions the best I can

1) the makeup of an o/u is less complex takedown consists of 3 pieces forend, barrel, buttstock(remainder of action)

2) definately the only time you will have an issue is if your selector switch is in the wrong position

3) not necessarily I would keep the pump if possible for HD due to greater mag capacity

4) you can usually install any recoil pad as long as the buttstock isnt irregular not positive about limbsaver especially

5)wouldnt reccomend it unless the manufacturer makes the buttstock with the eye for a sling

6) Tacstars weapons light 2000 will probably fit but the light leaves some to be desired

7)wouldnt reccomend using buck in anything other than a open
choke
 
Clean my o/u? You're joking right?

I shoot 400 - 500 rounds a month thru my Browning 525 and never clean it. I wipe it down with a little Breakfree, but that's it.

There's no moving parts, what are you going to clean?
 
I just run an oily rag over the metal parts and a patch down the bore with lube on mine, keep the rust off. It's a side-by-side, but same deal. It ain't tacticool, though. Ain't got no picante rails, dip holders, flashlight, landing lights, warning lights, FM radios, just a gun. I figure if someone breaks in the door on the bedroom after breaking in through a window or something, one shot with a back up is all I need. I ain't planning on taking it to war, just killing an intruder if need be. I do have one of those stock socks/ammo loop things made by Koplin with five rounds on it just in case when it does HD duty. I take that worthess stuff off so the gun balances better when I'm bird hunting. Amazing how far back 5 rounds of 12 gauge makes a gun balance. It's not really much better with my new 20 gauge.

I wouldn't put a sling swivel on the fore arm, not really strong enough. You'd have to mount it on the side of a O/U I guess, can mount it between the barrels on a SxS if there's room, seen it done. I like having a sling on my waterfowl gun when I'm hauling gun, deeks, dead birds out of the marsh, but see little use in a sling on a shotgun otherwise. I just use a sling that slips over the barrel and stock of my Winchester 1400 for that. I take the sling off when I'm shooting, gets tangled in the reeds sometimes if I don't and messes me up. My Mossberg has the QD Uncle Mikes type studs on it.

If you don't like taking a gun down to clean it, steer WAY clear of gas operated autoloaders. LOL!
 
A sling on an over under? Mounting tactical lights? Wouldn't that be like putting one of those huge spoiler/wings and straight pipes on a Bentley?

WHOA.
 
As to #5, slings can be mounted to an O/U, and it is popular in Europe. The stock has a stud screwed in just like any other gun, but the forward attachment point is usually mounted on a band on the lower barrel. Barrel bands aren't hard to find with Google.
 
My son and I are going to a Nashville gun show this weekend looking for either an O/U or 1100 to shoot trap. I have had the same delimna about the cleaning. I'd almost rather have the O/U for simplicity of cleaning. I wonder if the additional weight of the O/U makes the kick less severe? Our existing pump has a pretty crisp kick especially after a 100 shots or so. Softer recoil is why we are considering the 1100 as an option. I kinda like the Spartan for a cheaper option.
 
I have shot O/U for about 25 years and think they are the easiest gun to clean. Spray it down with WD40 (inside the tubes also), push a large patch or bore mop thru the tubes, wipe off the excess WD 40 and you're done.
 
I have an old Parker that I've been trying to retrofit with a bayonet
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHA, yeah. I've got a few Blasers with picatinny rails welded under the barrels. I usually keep a full-size Maglite under there but sometimes I go with an iPod. I need to figure out a way to clamp both on as well as a laser or two.

Seriously though.
 
I've fired buck through a full choke no problem. It did seem to pattern better out of the modified barrel, though. Modern buck is buffered, won't hurt the gun or anything. You can even fire rifled slugs out of a full choke, no problem.

My son and I are going to a Nashville gun show this weekend looking for either an O/U or 1100 to shoot trap. I have had the same delimna about the cleaning. I'd almost rather have the O/U for simplicity of cleaning. I wonder if the additional weight of the O/U makes the kick less severe? Our existing pump has a pretty crisp kick especially after a 100 shots or so. Softer recoil is why we are considering the 1100 as an option. I kinda like the Spartan for a cheaper option.
Click to expand...

O/Us or side by sides can be heavy or light depending on barrel thickness and such. My old 12 gauge side by side is less than 7 lbs. It kicks like bloody HECK! Weight slows the point and swing, though. If you're talking clays, you're not going to want a really heavy gun. Consider either going with a 20 gauge gun or a 12 gauge gas operated auto. I used to like that old double because it was light when I had a long hike with decoys on my back, but I did pay for it with the shoulder. I don't shoot it much anymore and part of the problem was shooting 3" loads, I reckon, but even with low brass it ain't real nice. If the gun weighs up near 8 lbs it'll be easier on the shoulder, but won't necessarily be what you'd want on the skeet range for those doubles that require quick changes in swing and direction.

I have owned a 20 gauge Spartan side by side for about a month now, had it out a couple of sessions, and just love the thing. It shoots well, a little whippy due to the short, light barrels and rearward balance, but I'm getting used to it already. It really changes direction quick, though, and recoil is NOT a problem. The 28" O/U in 20 gauge would be near perfect, I'd think, for clay games. I also like that Yildiz O/U Academy sells for about $400. Was considering it when I found the deal on the Spartan side by side. I've heard nothing, but good stuff about the Yildiz and it sure swung sweet in the store.
 
AYA

I have a SXS (#2 sidelock) AYA. The comment about "putting a spoiler an a Bentley" seems quite appropriate......... I have no experience with AYA O/U's, though they should be great guns.
 
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