First shotgun - Beretta White Onyx Sporter?

[kamagong]

Hello. Non-shotgunner here requesting some advice. I've asked a couple of questions in the past regarding luparas, and I have the feeling that I'm going to end up with a CZ Hammer Coach one day.

Most of my shooting is done with 1911s, although I also have a couple of ARs and a .22lr pistol and rifle. Now that I have the "serious" and training guns, I want to get a gun for fun purposes. Enter the O/U shotgun. I shot trap with my best friend a few years back and I had an absolute blast. I didn't do very well, but I chalk it up to the fact that I wasn't using my own gun. Hence my request for advice.

I'm looking at picking up a Beretta White Onyx Sporter. I know that some people might think that spending ~$2k for a first shotgun is foolish, but my experience with ARs and 1911s is that you get what you pay for. My research indicates that the WOS is the same gun as Beretta's higher-end versions, but without the fancy wood and engraving. That's exactly what I want--a good, well-made firearm that is limited only by the shooter. I can get the bling later when I hit the lottery and spring for a Purdey.

I am aware that fit is of supreme importance when it comes to shotgun selection, so I would like to ask if you guys think this gun fits me. I'm fairly average in size at 5'9" and 170 lbs. I know that the best thing is to check one out in person, but none of the LGS nearby have a WOS in stock.

Second, which do you recommend, 12 or 20 gauge? I don't foresee ever hunting with this gun, it'll be for clays only. I know 12 gauge is a more powerful round, and I assume the 20 is cheaper to shoot.

Finally, is the 686 White Onyx and the White Onyx Sporter the same thing? I checked out the Beretta website, and they only show the 686 White Onyx, which interestingly enough looks like the WOS images I've seen online.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The WO Sporter has a slightly longer stock, and usually Optima bore barrels up to 32". The WO may still have the older Mobil choke barrels or they may have switched to the Optimas, I dunno.

The sporter comes with two Geltec pads, one adds about .5" to the length. I went with a Limbsaver aftermarket pad and got much more kick reduction and a 15" LOP I need.

I've had my WOS for almost 5 years. Very few probs, soft shooter, and it's lent out enough to know it fits a lot of folks.

And there's this. If you pick one up for say,$1800, shoot it and decide it's not the gun for you, you can sell it off for maybe $1500. SO you're jsut gambling $300, not $1800.

If by the wildest chance you live near Central MD, you can try out mine.

 

[kamagong]

I was hoping you'd chime in Dave. Alas, I'm on the opposite coast.

Do you have an opinion on 12 versus 20 gauge?

And do you think that the WOS or 686 WO is a good fit for a 5'9" individual?

 

[Dave McCracken]

If I hit the Lotto, the first gun I buy might be a 20 gauge WO. I do have a very good 20 gauge O/U now, an older SKB.

20 gauge ammo, unless you reload, isn't cheaper than 12 gauge stuff, and it's oft more expensive and has less variety.

A friend has bought both the 12 and 20 WOs. He's about 5'9", medium build. He likes the 20 better, but he can't get it away from his wife. She may out shoot him at times.

Clays only, go with the 12. If some upland hunting MAY be in the offing, that 20 sure carries nice. Waterfowl, 12.

 

[Milkmaster]

My WOS was purchased after a lot of shopping and comparisons. Mine has the Optima chokes and 30" barrels. I haven't regretted it at all.

 

[oneounceload]

For clays - 12 gauge rules

Before you buy, try the gun at your local gun club, and try every other brand you can - many guns SEEM similar in size, shape, and fit - but they are not the same

 

[kamagong]

I found a shop nearby that carries a few shotguns. Nothing too fancy, but it did have a Browning Citori, a Beretta White Onyx and Silver Pigeon I. I wasn't really looking at the Citori, but I did want to check it out because it's often recommended for a beginner's over/under. I didn't like the Citori. It seemed seriously overbuilt and handled like a porker compared to the Berettas.

The Berettas were things of beauty. I know that the White Onyx and Silver Pigeon I are Beretta's entry level models, but when I checked them out it was obvious that they are quality guns. They aren't engraved by a master, nor do they sport the wood you'd find in a Purdey, but the fit and finish was excellent, the wood was still good looking walnut, and the laser engraving a nice decorative touch. Plus they have the schnabel foreend that I love so much.

I think I'm going to go with the Silver Pigeon I. As far as I can tell the Silver Pigeon I and the White Onyx are the same gun, the only difference being aesthetic in nature. I don't really have a preference between the receiver decorations of the SPI and the WO, but I like the oiled finish of the SPI's stock more. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I really dislike glossy wood. That's the only reason. I'm probably being silly, but it only makes sense that if this is going to be a forever gun, I might as well make sure it is something I like looking at.

Now I just have to scrape the money together.

Thanks for the help all.

 

[451 Detonics]

I have a 20ga White Onyx...good shotgun. I use it for all manner of clays games, works well on doves too.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Buy American

 

[clang]

Almost any Beretta O/U is a good first choice. Try a few of them and pick one that feels good in your hands. I would go with a 12 ga, but I am a big guy and recoil never bothered me.

If you have an habit of upgrading/moving on to new or different weapons, you may want to look at the used market. Especially with a first gun when you are not quite sure what you want, it is good to have a gun that you can trade in or sell and get most of your value back. If you decide to sell that new gun, you will be losing more money if you sell it.

You will notice 26" barrelled guns are less expensive on the used markat and 30" barrelled guns are usually more expensive. That is because most everyone wants the longe barrelled guns. They tend to swing steadier when following a target. 26" guns can be a little whippy - great for some forms of field hunting or quick shooting, but not as good for trap. To me, 28" guns are a nice compromise between the two.

This does not mean you should shy away from a 26" gun if you find one. I recently picked up a 26" Onyx for $700. It shoots trap fine and I am a bird hunter so it is a great field gun. It's just something none of the dedicated trap guys would use.

 

[oneounceload]

Buy American

Aren't too many American-made O/U in that price range

Galazan's discounts on his A-10 are gone and the gun is now $8K, and Ruger is crap - that leaves the Italians and Japanese for the most part, with a German one here and there