What do you use ? One thing for sure there is plenty old 870's out there
Inexpensive O/U
- Thread starter 357smallbore
- Start date
Shooting trap twice a month is a form of competition.
entropy
Member
I did no such thing. I explained what to expect from inexpensive O/Us and SxSs. I also explained why those of us who shoot a lot more do not choose them. For many people, they will fill the role. For the casual shooter, they are OK. For a more regular shooter, not so much. They just plain do not have the longevity that a Browning or Beretta will have. The metallurgy is not at the same level because they are made to meet a price point. Firing pins seem to be a real struggle for the inexpensive O/Us. Often the replacements they send out don't last even as long as the originals, which averages about 500-1000 rounds.
Some perspective; Serious shotgunners complain about Browning break actions firing pins breaking. It's as has been mentioned, around 8-10,000 rounds. These people shoot that in a year or two. Casual shotgunners don't usually put their guns through that, so guns made to the lower prices points these shooters select are going to consequently be of a lesser quality. Nothing competitive about it, except market wise. I neither hold nor make any judgment about anyone because of what shotgun they choose, I'm merely pointing out what to expect at each price point.
Jim Watson
Member
Anecdote alert:
There was once an article in 'Trap and Field' about the guy who had shot over 900,000 registered Trap targets and expected to make a million in his shooting life. He said he got tired of wearing out Superposeds, "lifetime guarantee" and all and had gone over to shooting singles with an Ithaca Single Barrel Trap which only required annual replacement of the mainspring.
There was once an article in 'Trap and Field' about the guy who had shot over 900,000 registered Trap targets and expected to make a million in his shooting life. He said he got tired of wearing out Superposeds, "lifetime guarantee" and all and had gone over to shooting singles with an Ithaca Single Barrel Trap which only required annual replacement of the mainspring.
Have run mostly Remington 870 and 1100 models.
Trap and dove hunting.
Got a Citori 20 ga Hunter last yr.
Bought for dove.
Its fun, so I take it to the trap range
Had a 12 ga Citori years ago, may get a new target model. Dunno yet.
Don't shoot much anymore.
Last edited:
A higher price doesn't always mean something is of better quality/design.
But by the same measure, something that's cheaper may not be a bargain.
There are honest reasons why some stuff is more expensive.
I don't care what people shoot. Don't care how they shoot either.
Its all about fun IMHO.
Of course........some folks may not be as picky, or they may not have enough experience to make specific judgement.
Others may Just like something that's outside the norm.
Whatever works for a person.
But by the same measure, something that's cheaper may not be a bargain.
There are honest reasons why some stuff is more expensive.
I don't care what people shoot. Don't care how they shoot either.
Its all about fun IMHO.
Of course........some folks may not be as picky, or they may not have enough experience to make specific judgement.
Others may Just like something that's outside the norm.
Whatever works for a person.
Last edited:
BTW, I do own a Stoeger.
But its a semi auto Benelli clone, bought to maybe try 3 gun.
Out of the box.........it sucked.
But I knew what it was, and what it needed to be made tolerable.
I'll run it (hasn't been through burn down test yet) and if it pukes, rebuild and use it for a turkey gun.
Heck I bought a tag this yr and never went due to health stuff.
So there a Stoeger might last me 5 lifetimes LOL
Yeah, even for a pickup gun I shoulda got a Beretta 1301.
But its a semi auto Benelli clone, bought to maybe try 3 gun.
Out of the box.........it sucked.
But I knew what it was, and what it needed to be made tolerable.
I'll run it (hasn't been through burn down test yet) and if it pukes, rebuild and use it for a turkey gun.
Heck I bought a tag this yr and never went due to health stuff.
So there a Stoeger might last me 5 lifetimes LOL
Yeah, even for a pickup gun I shoulda got a Beretta 1301.
I have a Gazelle 410 O/U that is made in Turkey. It is a nice gun for $500 for the casual shooter. I would not expect it to hold up to several rounds of skeet/clays every month all year round.
I haven't really shot any serious skeet in a long time and used my Mossberg 500 in 410 when I did. The Gazelle suits my needs for an occasional round of skeet or to go dove and quail hunting now and then.
I haven't really shot any serious skeet in a long time and used my Mossberg 500 in 410 when I did. The Gazelle suits my needs for an occasional round of skeet or to go dove and quail hunting now and then.
Recreation like playing golf twice a month. But it's what you want it to be . Really
My Citori is a decent gun.
Mistake #1.
The wood in Hunter grade is very bland (shoulda ponied up a couple hundred more for a grade 2).
But I figured it'd be my dove and rabbit gun. Beating up plain wood might not hurt as bad.
Mistake #2.
Took it for rabbit and decided nope, not gonna cut it. My preference, established way back...........for bunnies..........is a Rem 870 Special Field in 20 ga.
My Citori then is just going to be a dove and clays rig.
Like what ya like.
Mistake #1.
The wood in Hunter grade is very bland (shoulda ponied up a couple hundred more for a grade 2).
But I figured it'd be my dove and rabbit gun. Beating up plain wood might not hurt as bad.
Mistake #2.
Took it for rabbit and decided nope, not gonna cut it. My preference, established way back...........for bunnies..........is a Rem 870 Special Field in 20 ga.
My Citori then is just going to be a dove and clays rig.
Like what ya like.
Last edited:
Even if I played golf I'd at least run Ping clubs.
Got some for my kid when she played on HS team and they helped her a lot.
People would stop and watch her on driving range, perfect swing, long high rips, straight, every time.
Sometimes I don't like her LOL
CoalTrain49
Member
Me to. I found this one at Cabela's for $700. Citori Ligthning built around 98. Well used but not abused as they say. It fits. I couldn't get my credit card out fast enough. Nothing else in that price range excites me. I know it's a field gun but I shoot trap and 5 stand with it anyway. Unless you happen to be the completive type and want to roll with the big dogs you'll have to spend more money to get a dedicated trap gun.
Last edited:
Sharp eyes, fast reflexes. Wish there was a pill for that
CoalTrain49
Member
Those older Remington's will run a long time. I'm putting some miles on an 11-87 right now. 200 rds a month with about 1K already.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,496
For those shopping for a used Citori, take a look at the top lever. If it is to the right of the serial number, the gun likely has a lower round count. With use, the locking bolt wears and gradually moves left. When it goes left of center, the gun may pop open upon firing. The fix is to have a gunsmith install a new locking bolt. The part is about 40 bucks. It has to be professionally fitted, so labor will vary. The good news is a locking bolt generally lasts well above 100k rounds, probably closer to 200k rounds with clay loads...FWIW, sometimes a lever close center isn't a sign of lots of bolt wear. Sometimes, you just need to replace the top lever spring. That is a 10 buck part, that most DIYers can install.
CoalTrain49
Member
I just purchased a like new 11-87 last summer for eight fiddy. Those and 1100's are respectable auto loaders and used trap models show up occasionally Parts are still around. About the only thing to replace on a regular basis is the gas rings.
CoalTrain49
Member
Good info there. Citori shotguns have been around a long time and there's a reason.
Many years ago, before internet, I read an article on shooting doves in Argentina. They were comparing everything from Purdeys to 870s to see what would take the abuse. At the end of the comparison, only the 870 and the Citori stood tall. The cheaper guns fell apart, and the ultra expensive guns locked up from heat.
I bought my Citori new in 1982, for $800, after shooting pumps and autos for years. I'm still using it.
I bought my Citori new in 1982, for $800, after shooting pumps and autos for years. I'm still using it.
Oldschool shooter
Member
A few years back I came across a NIB Savage O/U. I scooped it up for $400. It is stamped on the barrels Made by Valmet.Valmet 412...They're around for $800-$900 and are sturdy guns.
These are quality shotguns that will give you a lot of service, made in Finland with excellent steel.
Valmet 412 12ga - Over Under Shotguns at GunBroker.com : 1048125020
Buy Valmet 412 12ga: GunBroker is the largest seller of Over Under Shotguns Shotguns Guns & Firearms All: 1048125020www.gunbroker.com
I have had good luck with my Stoeger Condor Competition (12ga, 3"). Love the adjustable comb for fast acquisition.
Condor Competition Shotguns | Stoeger Shotguns Pistols and Airguns
stoegerindustries.com
Serious clay target shooters shoot ammunition by the pallet load and as if someone else bought it. Generally, a Browning Citori or a Beretta 686 series are considered the minimum that will stand up to that kind of use.
There may be some other "budget" shotguns from valued manufacturers like Valmet or older Remingtons that may also fit this bill but the Citori and Beretta 686 series provides a "standard" to judge other shotguns against.
While considered expensive by many, a Browning Citori or Beretta 686 series will be easy to sell if clay games end up not in the person interest.
Turkish budget shotguns maybe not so much.
For the casual dove shoot every fall where a box or two of ammunition is shot, then about any shotgun will be serviceable.
My competitive skeet gun is a Browning/Miroku Citori tubed for skeet guages (20, 28 and .410). It has served me well.
There may be some other "budget" shotguns from valued manufacturers like Valmet or older Remingtons that may also fit this bill but the Citori and Beretta 686 series provides a "standard" to judge other shotguns against.
While considered expensive by many, a Browning Citori or Beretta 686 series will be easy to sell if clay games end up not in the person interest.
Turkish budget shotguns maybe not so much.
For the casual dove shoot every fall where a box or two of ammunition is shot, then about any shotgun will be serviceable.
My competitive skeet gun is a Browning/Miroku Citori tubed for skeet guages (20, 28 and .410). It has served me well.
