help with an over under

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CJCmajor

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Hello THR community! I recently decided to invest in a good quality o/u. I have previously used my remington 870 for my shotgunning needs (mainly trap and skeet). But i would like to upgrade to something that i could possible pass down to my kids someday.

i have been saving up and so far i am able to spend around 1000 dollars. I know this is not alot for what a good o/u. so i would hoping to look into the used market. But being new to the o/u world i dont really know what to look for when examing a "worn out gun" from a "like new condition".

thanks for all info you can provide in advance
 
A used Browning or Beretta is possibly in your price range. Either will last a very long time.

In your shoes, I'd save a little longer and try for a new or used WHite Onyx. Beretta's entry level O/U differs only in cosmetics from the higher priced models and will serve you for generations. Just have a few small parts replaced every 100K rounds or so.
 
Browning or Beretta are can't miss guns, be sure to handle before you buy. You will handle and mount a few guns and all of a sudden one will seem to be "alive" -you buy that gun. My Superposed is that gun. I have a CZ and it is a fine gun- be sure to check them out. Two hunting buddies have Onyxs and they love them.
 
Does anyone have any information on a Tristar O/U ?
I saw one a couple of weeks ago that looked good and felt even better.It was a 28 ga.
Just thought it would be fun to "play with".All opinions would be appreciated.
 
Besides the Beretta and Browning, look at used SKB's - all three make good field versions and target versions. Since you're taking mostly trap and skeet, look at the target versions - they'll be more expensive, but they are heavier, a little more robustly built and able to take tens of thousands of rounds before needing any minor work
 
I aggree with Dave, you should probably save a little longer if you want a heirloom quality shotgun ,I recently found a dealer with several Merkles for under $3000.00. Having said that I do own and cherrish my fathers bolt action 20 guage that he used for hunting with his father.
 
Does anyone have any information on a Tristar O/U ?
I saw one a couple of weeks ago that looked good and felt even better.It was a 28 ga.
Just thought it would be fun to "play with".All opinions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have heard all good reviews about tristar guns, i took a look at a tristar pump in a gun store once and the fit and finish wasn't very good, but it felt pretty sturdy.
 
Turkish and Chinese guns have a VERY spotty reputation as far as quality and longevity are concerned. Remember one thing - over the long haul, the cost of a quality gun from the beginning is going to be your least cost when compared to targets and ammunition. Getting a good gun from the get-go will help you via better scores, better reliability, and better resale if you decide to upgrade or quit.
 
Be patient,,,,shop around for a better, used gun

In the long run, you will be happier with be better quality, used gun. Beretta O/U's can be found under $1000.....I just helped a student get into a like new 686e Onyx sporting for $900, with 6 extended briley chokes. There was nothing wrong with the gun,....the owner was moving up to a DT10.

I can not tell you how many expensive shooting lesson I have seen ruined because the students Turkish/Russian/etc. off brand O/U was malfunctioning......very frustrating.

Before anyone gets bent out of shape... I know of plenty Turkish/Russian/etc O/U's that work fine, but the problem is, when they break[ and they will break ], nobody has the parts to fix them. Soooooo....

If you want an O/U, either get a brand name [ I suggest a Browning or Beretta in the price range discussed here ], or buy 2 Turkish/Russian/etc guns, so you will have spare parts for the one you shoot.

Either way, follow Dave McCracken's advice.... BA/UU/R ;)
 
I bought a 20 ga. Weatherby Orion, made by SKB, at Academy last year for right at $1000 and have been very happy with it.
 
What about a Charles Daly Model 206 Trap

206_trap_s.jpg


http://www.charlesdaly.com/206.asp
 
I would say save a little longer for a used/new Browning 325,525,625 sporting 30-32" barrels these are great handling/pointing guns and will cover all the clat target sports as well as hunting.What ever gun you choose the most "important" of all is to have the gun fit to you by a competant fitter.You can not hit consistantly if your not looking straight down the barrel everytime.good luck
 
Either Beretta or Browning are excellent choices. Another one to consider is a Ruger Red Label. A good used one should cost around $800. Just make sure it is one with choke tubes, not fixed chokes.
 
i like all the idea's thus far. As stated above i would like this gun to become an heirloom of sorts. Thusly, my top three are the Brownings, beretta and ruger. these all sound like great firearms that will last me for sometime and with proper care i should be able to pass down to my children.

So with this in mind, what is it i should be looking for on the actually o/u to see what kind of condition it is in. i.e. places of wear, typical signs of abuse....etc?
 
As much as I love CZ's rifles and pistols, I would never buy one of their Turkish shotguns. I have an SKB O/U and it's really been a great shotgun. I only have about 7500 rounds through it, but I haven't had a single issue with it. I can't say the same for a buddy's new Browning Cynergy or a couple of 525s with trigger reset issues.
 
Don't discount SKB as an heirloom shotgun. The modified Greener cross bolt action is a tank and will outlive you and probably your children.
 
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