Looking for an O/U for occasional clays

[cota]

Thanks for relaying your experiences! Recoil shouldn't be a problem. I currently shoot a 6.5lb inertia gun and it doesn't bother me one bit.

I've heard good things generally about the 101's, hopefully I can find one locally and handle it a bit.

If you decide on a 101 look carefully at the forearm wood for cracks at the rear of the latch frame, its a common fault and i have had lots of 101s mostly waterfowl models. They can be temperamental on the ejectors too. If you are buying a early one it will be fixed choke or have the old win choke system so be aware of this if you are wanting to shoot any steel at anytime the win chokes are not ideal in my experience.

 

[twice barrel]

Working around skeet ranges in the 1970's I pretty well saw all the o/u's available in the day. The Browning Superposed and Citori's both held up as did the Winchester japanese 101's and Xpert 96's. The Charles Daly's were nice and popular but possessed enertia cocking of the second shot (as did the Brownings) and a miss-fire on the first barrel would not cock the second. You had to solidly thump the butt of the gun to cock the second barrel. I went with the 101's once I saved up enough to get one. Shot thousand's of rounds without a hitch.

I can say that most doubles of the day had a more rounded firing pin and shorter hammers which sometimes failed to pop a hard primer. The same shell would fire in an 870 or 1100 due to the smaller, sharper firing pin coupled to a more solid hammer strike. Its just a design issue with the guns and some folks avoided double guns because of it.

I also decided I preferred single, selective triggers, cock both barrels upon opening, and strong ejectors. The 101 fit the bill. Steel shot was not a problem but you did have to live with fixed choked guns until Jess Briley started the quality choke tube thing. I personally prefer fixed chokes when you can get the ones you want.

Regards,

TB

 

[prestpat]

I'd venture to say the 101 is your best bet for what you describe. I've got a friend who shoots between 2 and 6 rounds of trap a week with his (when the weather permits and he's not out of town). That probably works out to around 100-150 boxes per year and I've never known him to have a problem with it.

If you stumble across a Verona LX 501 (which I believe is made by Rizzini) you might take a look at that too. The local Cabela's had a nice used one earlier this year that I probably would have bought if someone hadn't beat me to it while I was thinking it over. I was quite impressed with the quality for the price point.

 

[oneounceload]

Rugerdude - read this - it will most likely give you some info:

(from)http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=253741

I've got $0-$600 to spend
Look, I hear you. You want an Over/Under because that's what everybody has. Your options at this price point are limited. Understand what you are getting into and that you're not going to be the next Anthony Matarese with a CZ. There are some guns in this range that have better reputations (like the CZ and other Huglu branded guns). There are others with not-so-great reputations. Understand at this level that there is a greater likelihood that you're going to have problems. For somebody that shoots about 1000 rounds a year or less, you will probably get along OK with a CZ, Mossberg Silver Reserve, or a Yildiz (if you live in the Southeast near an Academy Sports).

For target shooting, I think there are much better options in this price range than an Over/Under. The Mossberg 930 series Semiautomatic is a great choice if you have to have something new. Another great new choice is the Beretta 390 that some big-box stores are selling right around $550. If you are confident in your gun-buying ability or you're just feeling lucky, a used Remington 1100, Browning Gold, Winchester SX2/3, or a Beretta 390/391 are all good choices for target guns.


I've got $600 - $800 to spend
We're into the range where careful shoppers can come out with a nice gun. If you are looking for something new, your first stop is CDNN Investments (http://www.cdnninvestments.com, download the latest catalog). CDNN is retailing a bunch of Lanber 2087 and 2097 shotguns in this range. Lanber guns are reliable and to me handle like a Browning. You can get them in nice target configurations with 30" barrels.

Another new option is the Savage Milano. While these guns are not in production anymore, they have been selling in the $800 range from places like Bass Pro. I don't expect these guns to be for sale much longer. I feel that the Savage Milano (A F.A.I.R. gun) feel most like a Beretta.

On the used gun market, you have more options. Typically in this range you will find older Browning/Beretta/SKB guns with either fixed chokes or short (26") barrels. At one time 26" barrels were all the rage in skeet, so it's not that they're bad, they're just not as desirable today as longer barrels.


I've got $800 - $1200 to spend
This is the sweet spot for bargain hunters. Most of your bargains in this range are going to come from people selling nicely equipped entry-level upper grade guns. Here you're going to start to see things like older Browning Citoris with 28" and 30" barrels. You will also start to see Beretta 68x with Mobilchoke barrels in this range. Another good gun in this range is a Franchi.

Every now and then something will show up in this range that the discriminating buyer will recognize as a deal. Nicely equipped guns like an LL Bean (by SigArms/B.Rizinni) or Weatherby guns (by SKB) will start showing up in this range. Most guns in this range are going to be 28" or 30" barrels.

If you are looking for new, you want to navigate over to CDNN. They have been closing out some Winchesters and Weatherby guns under $1000 with decent barrel lengths. Again, these guns are not current production, but what do you care?


I've got $1200 - $2000 to spend
This is the sweet spot for the target shooter that wants to start getting serious about his equipment but doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg to do it. Toward the bottom of this range ($1200 - $1500) you will be looking at former kings of competition; Browning 425/Ultra/GTi, Beretta 686/687/or a well used 682, and Modern SKBs. In the upper end of this range, you will find the more desirable barrel lengths and better wood.

Most guns in this range are going to be current production guns, but used.

Be educated in this range on what your options are. Some of the F.A.I.R. guns or the B.Riz guns that fall into this range are hidden gems.

If you are patient, you may even find a used Caesar Guerini in this range.

Most guns in this range are going to be 30" or 32" barrels.

Be patient, you will find what you are looking for on the used market. It helps to understand what the gun you are looking for sells for new.

Also, if you are looking for new guns, you should take a look at CDNN Investments again. They run specials on nicely equipped target guns that are closeouts from some of the bigger manufacturers. Recently they have had some very nice Browning Cynergys and 525s in the $1400- $1800 range. In fact, CDNN has some nice JP Saur Sohn branded Caesar Guerinis selling at $1800 or below.


I've got $2000 - $5000 to spend
You're getting serious about your shotgunning now. Here you will be looking at new guns with all the bells and whistles you are looking for. The big names in this range are Browning, Beretta, and Caesar Guerini.

A hidden gem in this range is the Zoli guns from Antonio Zoli.

Feel and fit is important in this range, because you're going to have this gun for a long time. If you are oddly shaped like me, a fitted gun may be in your future and you'll be able to find one in this range.


I've got over $5000 to spend
Dude, why are you asking me? If you're spending this kind of jack, you already know what you want. If you don't know what you want, stick with an off-the-rack gun until you know what you want.

 

[rugerdude]

Thanks to everyone who gave input that addressed my questions!

I went to just about every place that sells shotguns here in Tulsa today including a gunshow. I had just about given up on finding a gun with the features I wanted at a price I could pay until I happened to remember a Dick's sporting goods just outside of town.

They had Franchi Diamond Elites on clearance for 749, and Browning Citori Silver Hunters for 1199. I liked them both but unfortunately the Browning was just out of reach for me, so I went with the Franchi. I had the pick of two and got the one with better-matched wood and a tighter action. I like Franchi shotguns and my semi-auto that I shoot more heavily is a Franchi so I had no qualms about buying another Franchi shotgun.

Once I get some rounds through her I'll do a write up so that any concerned future buyers can have some information. This one is pretty tight right now, my first priority is to get some gun grease and lube up the internals.

Any other tips for a brand new O/U?

 

[JoeMal]

Any other tips for a brand new O/U?

Shoot the snot out of it! Congrats on the new gun


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[oneounceload]

Degrease it inside and out, then relube/grease per the owner's manual. On O/U hinge pin areas, I prefer a grease like Shooter's Choice (red) or RIG. For lubing extractor/ejectors, I use a light oil. After removing the choke tubes and degreasing them and the barrel threads, use a grease on the threads to keep them from getting stuck while keeping the tubes snug. When you clean after shooting, remove the tubes from the threads and clean the threads inside the barrel and on the tubes - brake cleaner works great for this, then regrease and install

NEVER shoot a gun that has changeable choke tubes without tubes installed or you risk ruining the barrel threads

Now go have some fun