Dave McCracken
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12. More ammo choices,including some outstanding trap loads...
Looking for a good first O/U shotgun.......Stoeger Condor Supreme Deluxe?
- Thread starter JimUCD
- Start date
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Hi All, Just wanted to say hi. All of your input on the condor was much appreciated. I just picked up a 20 gauge W/26" barrels and can not wait to give it a try. I have a 13 yo son who will be crazy about taking this thing into the feild. I purchased it for $259.99 and after the $50.00 rebate will have a total of $209.99 into it. Small price to pay to spend some great time with my son. I will let you know how she shoots.
It's a moot point now, as you purchased your Stoeger however I thought I would add some thoughts for some of the other new shooters to consider.
My boss has talked me into shooting sporting clays with him, coming from an IDPA/IPSC background, I had a low opinion of the sport and shooters but, I thought I would give it a try. I started off with a 1940's vintage Remington Model 11, in 12 Gauge, with a PolyChoke that my Dad had given me. I shot the first fun match with it, and shot a 43. I was pretty happy all things considered. I tried a Super Black Eagle the next match, did poorly with it, went back to the Model 11 for the last four stations, and had a good finish. I think I ended up with a 52 that time.
I ran across a used and cosmetically abused Remington 11-87 Special Purpose in a pawnshop, did some dickering and some horse trading, and basically picked up the gun for $200. Cleaned it up, refinished the wood, bought a couple of chokes, and off to the range I went. I shot a 23. I was questioning my decision to buy the 11-87 but, I didn't want to subject what I consider a family heirloom to the abuse of sporting clays. I decided to stick with the 11-87.
THis past weekend, I shot a 66 with it, and was pretty darn happy about it. Only thing is, now I can't blame the gun for causing me to score poorly.
Some of the advice I got from my boss was, up to a point, it's not the arrow, it's the Indian but, a good arrow goes a long way towards making the shot. The other bit of insight was, after a certain point, the quality is going to be the same, it's all fit and finish after that. Fit and finish go a long way towards making the experience that much more enjoyable.
Just some thoughts and observations that might help you choose a new shotgun.
Wheeler
My boss has talked me into shooting sporting clays with him, coming from an IDPA/IPSC background, I had a low opinion of the sport and shooters but, I thought I would give it a try. I started off with a 1940's vintage Remington Model 11, in 12 Gauge, with a PolyChoke that my Dad had given me. I shot the first fun match with it, and shot a 43. I was pretty happy all things considered. I tried a Super Black Eagle the next match, did poorly with it, went back to the Model 11 for the last four stations, and had a good finish. I think I ended up with a 52 that time.
I ran across a used and cosmetically abused Remington 11-87 Special Purpose in a pawnshop, did some dickering and some horse trading, and basically picked up the gun for $200. Cleaned it up, refinished the wood, bought a couple of chokes, and off to the range I went. I shot a 23. I was questioning my decision to buy the 11-87 but, I didn't want to subject what I consider a family heirloom to the abuse of sporting clays. I decided to stick with the 11-87.
THis past weekend, I shot a 66 with it, and was pretty darn happy about it. Only thing is, now I can't blame the gun for causing me to score poorly.
Some of the advice I got from my boss was, up to a point, it's not the arrow, it's the Indian but, a good arrow goes a long way towards making the shot. The other bit of insight was, after a certain point, the quality is going to be the same, it's all fit and finish after that. Fit and finish go a long way towards making the experience that much more enjoyable.
Just some thoughts and observations that might help you choose a new shotgun.
Wheeler
notorious
Member
I've always liked the Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U guns for field use. They can be had for $470 at Big5 all day long.
I have a stoger condor. Dont listen to all these people telling you to get a better quality gun. there is nothing wrong with the stoger. if benelli is markeing them they arent crap. i have had mine and duck hunt and bird hunt and it has never let me down. take care of it and it will last.
I have recommended to friends that their first gun be a reliable pump for the following reasons:
When you can or want to buy a better gun having a decent pump laying around is a good thing (as an extra)
Replacement parts and accessories are plentiful
The guns are versatile
That being said go out and look at o/u in your price range and see what you like best, then get out and shoot it. That is the most important thing, be happy with the gun you have, and you shoot it often. It's not like this is going to be your last purchase, trust me you will buy plenty more guns. Good luck in school, are staying on for an ME?
When you can or want to buy a better gun having a decent pump laying around is a good thing (as an extra)
Replacement parts and accessories are plentiful
The guns are versatile
That being said go out and look at o/u in your price range and see what you like best, then get out and shoot it. That is the most important thing, be happy with the gun you have, and you shoot it often. It's not like this is going to be your last purchase, trust me you will buy plenty more guns. Good luck in school, are staying on for an ME?
oneounceload
member
Clay shooting requires a reliable gun. Unless you are willing to go the proper route - which typically means a Browning or Beretta (new MSRP about 3000), then a good semi is the best choice, as they can be had for less than half - even new. Used semi's from Beretta rule the clay fields where semis are shot; otherwise look at used O/U from the "B" boys
I will play devils advocate and recommend the Yildiz from Academy. The shotguns come with pretty furniture and the more expensive will come engraved and the most you will pay is approximately $589.00 at Academy. I bought one 6 years ago have put over 1000 rounds through it with out a glitch. Now at the beginning the lever that breaks the barrel open will be stiff but will eventually loosen up with time. I have no regrets and break just as many clays as the guys that have their browning, benelli's and berettas. With the extra several hundred dollars saved buy several hundred dollars worth of shells and practice. Here is the link:
http://www.yildizshotgun.com/maineng.html
http://www.yildizshotgun.com/maineng.html
oneounceload
member
And I have over 100,000 through my Browning over the last 15 years.that's the point I guess - the OP needs to determine how much he is going to shoot his gun. 1000 rounds for me, can be done in 1-3 trips to the sporting clays field
It's a Freudian slip or some form of dyslexia, the (1000 rounds) was actually supposed to read thousands of rounds. But I do agree with you, the OP needs to determine how much he will be shooting and reliability of the gun is paramount.
average_shooter
Member
Anyone else catch that the original post was from 2003? Resurrected in 2008? Then again just a few days ago?
Probably a safe bet that the OP has things figured out at this point. lol
Probably a safe bet that the OP has things figured out at this point. lol
Ledgehammer
Member
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- Jun 2, 2010
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Yea- I also noticed this guy apparently shoots the equivalent 40 rounds of skeet in a day with a O/U. okay...
oneounceload
member
If you read what I said, I mentioned several trips to the sporting clays course. Where I shoot, they have 2 courses, to make the drive worth the gas, we spend the day there shooting both courses, , sometimes more than once....300 a day is easily doable with my gun and my light loads
I agree, though, shooting 40 rounds of skeet in one day would be tediously boring....
Ledgehammer
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I don't have a fancy mathematics degree so bear with me here, but to me that still don't equal 1000 shells in 3 trips. So giving you the benefit of the doubt let's say it's more in the 3-4 trip range than the "1-3"
You guys should car pool. Our course is pretty far from where we live and I understand about the gas, so we carpool and do 2 rounds in a day and maybe shoot some 5 stand at the end. Just walking that much carrying a 12 gauge weares on you. The course is almost a mile loop.
Eh - my point is if you shot 1000 shells in one day that would be insane and pretty much impossible through a o/u. Considering it typically takes 2 hours just to complete a round of sporting clays and a maximum of 100 shells per round. That's all things going perfect -with no crowd.
oneounceload
member
If you shoot dove in Argentina, shooting 1000 rounds a day is the minimum and typically more like 1500.
When I shoot sporting, I go when it isn't crowded. I shoot more than 100 on each course, because when I get to a station that kicks my rear end, I'll shoot another box or two to figure out how to be consistent (my courses do not have an issue with you paying for extra targets. Shooting 300 or more rounds in one day is about my norm - I don't do this every day of the week like Kim Rhodes or other Olympic shooters, and shooting a 3/4 oz 12 gauge reload helps a LOT. Point is, high volume shooting is easily done shooting sporting when it isn't a Saturday or during a competition.
The OP needs to determine his needs in that regard. Shooting a poorly fit gun that can, and usually, break after a few hundred or thousand rounds is not going to leave a good experience in his mind. The gun, if you shoot even somewhat seriously, is the least cost in this whole thing, so buy a good one that will last, that fits, and that works well without issues.
In that vein, again - IMO, that means a minimum of a gas gun from Beretta - even used will last forever and work well.
In the O/U arena, that means a minimum of a Beretta/Browning/SKB variety, with Zoli, Blaser, Guerini above that............and when you start to get real serious, the Perazzi/Kreighoff/Kolar above that
The basic "B" guns, used, can be had for about $1500 - again, give or take depending on your locale. With a modest amount of care, they will last his lifetime and that of his kids. As you go up in price, you go up in longevity. There's a reason the Olympic folks mostly shoot Perazzi, the US sporting folks mostly shoot Kreighoff, the trap folks like Kolar, Ljutic, Seitz, etc.........those guns LAST, they are good for 500,000 and up.
If the OP's intent, however, is merely some pasture clays once a month, then that is a completely different story.
I would rather buy once, cry once, and shoot for the rest of my life, than constantly having something in the shop, or something I feel the need to upgrade from every 2 years - you would be better off buying the better gun in the beginning.
YMMV
Ledgehammer
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I see - you're the guy that buys a $400 driver thinking it will make him drive the ball like John daly but ends up hitting 3-4 balls every tee box. This is getting silly so I'll just let it go. The thread was started in 03 and the guy already bought a condor. I would love to know how it's working out for him...
oneounceload
member
Nah, it's called practicing to correct something that is giving you fits,
but letting this go is a good idea
but letting this go is a good idea
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