Inexpensive double-barrel shotguns?
- Thread starter Magic_Man
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earlthegoat2
Member
maybe a real crusty Stevens 311 or WA Long Range. That would be the only gun I would recommend at that price point. The cheapest ones new go for about twice that and up.
Your expectations may be unrealistic.
Your expectations may be unrealistic.
DutchmanDick
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I once got lucky and found a worn, but serviceable, LeFever Nitro Special for under $300. Just gotta look around...
My Lefever Nitro Special was also under $300. Needed some stock work, which I did. Shoots great, and it's not too worn.
It's also a 16 Gauge. If you are on a budget, that's probably not something you want. But the balance and handling are great, much better than the old 12 Gauges out there IMO (including the Nitro Special in 12, and the 311).
That said, if you don't know what you're doing (as in have some familiarity with old shotguns and what's inside them) you probably will get nothing but junk for under $200. Actually, under $200, you will get junk.
It's also a 16 Gauge. If you are on a budget, that's probably not something you want. But the balance and handling are great, much better than the old 12 Gauges out there IMO (including the Nitro Special in 12, and the 311).
That said, if you don't know what you're doing (as in have some familiarity with old shotguns and what's inside them) you probably will get nothing but junk for under $200. Actually, under $200, you will get junk.
Red Tornado
Member
At $200, you basically have two options: junk and stolen. Neither is good, obviously. Save a little more and be on the prowl...and be patient. As Dick and Bear mentioned, good deals are out there, just not quite as good as you would like.
RT
RT
Deer Hunter
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Look at Stoeger. They make great double barreled guns. A little more than 200 (I paid 300 for mine), but well worth it.
Something else to note.
It's not as easy or cheap to make a 12 Gauge that handles well as to make a 20. 20 Gauge budget guns (and even some expensive ones like an old Superposed) can feel a LOT better than the 12 Gauge versions.
The downside is that old 20s generally command higher prices (in part for this very reason).
It's not as easy or cheap to make a 12 Gauge that handles well as to make a 20. 20 Gauge budget guns (and even some expensive ones like an old Superposed) can feel a LOT better than the 12 Gauge versions.
The downside is that old 20s generally command higher prices (in part for this very reason).
You also didn't say anything else (what gauge, what's it for, what your experience is with shotguns and gunsmithing, etc.).
When you say you don't need new, how do you feel about repairing an old shotgun? Do you know how to judge whether it is a shooter or a wallhanger?
Old doubles can be a total waste of money, or a fun project (or they can be in incredible condition, but way above the price ballpark you asked about, of course). They can be relative bargains, but there is inherent risk involved.
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waterhouse
Member
For the $350 range there is the Stoeger line of doubles. never owned one, don't know much about them.
The Stoegers are very rough inside, but usually quite serviceable.
But we still don't know what for. That does matter.
We're members of a dog training club that only allows break-actions at official events, for safety reasons. Everyone's running around on uneven ground with a gun and we don't want any ugly accidents, so "open until ready for the shot" is the rule. Just like we have vehicles ranging from civilian Humvees (real ones, not H2s) to the beat-up Subaru AWD wagon that my wife and I haul the dogs in, some people have high-end doubles; some have H&Rs; a few have Stoegers. They all work for the purpose.
But we still don't know what for. That does matter.
We're members of a dog training club that only allows break-actions at official events, for safety reasons. Everyone's running around on uneven ground with a gun and we don't want any ugly accidents, so "open until ready for the shot" is the rule. Just like we have vehicles ranging from civilian Humvees (real ones, not H2s) to the beat-up Subaru AWD wagon that my wife and I haul the dogs in, some people have high-end doubles; some have H&Rs; a few have Stoegers. They all work for the purpose.
Shooting paper? Do you mean you want a slug gun so that you can shoot it like a rifle at the range? I am not sure about your range, but my range will not let us shoot birdshot, or any other kind of shot at the range, unless it is at the shotgun range, for clays.....but If you want to shoot paper, I would recomend a semi-auto or pump shotgun that you can mount a scope on, you could also put a rifled barrel on it to make it more accurate with slugs. A double barreld shotgun isnt the best choice for a paper-shooting shotgun.
greyling22
Member
you can get a yildiz at academy for 400. they look nice.
Carl
Member
My Stoeger uplander is pretty good. The break action is kinda rough when it comes to ejecting the spent shells out but I haven't shot it a lot so it might need to be broken in.
76shuvlinoff
Member
A few years ago I had a buddy tell me I could easily snatch up a good coach gun for under 200. I wish I had some of what he was smokin because I still have not found that gun.....
gunsandreligion
Member
If you shooting paper definately get the stoeger. My brother has a condor wich he gets 2 1/2 groups with.
KevininPa
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