O/U Suggestions Pleas.

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CB900F

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Fella's;

I had been about to buy my first O/U shotgun. I wanted a Franchi Veloce 20, 26" barrels & was gonna order with a cast-on English stock. The game is hunting grouse in the mountains of Montana. Light weight is a desirable thing.

I'm not partial to buying a Citori, made in Japan - the country that wants civilian guns banned throughout the world. And because of the current situation with Franchi, I'm not a big fan of Beretta's at the moment either. From whom can I order a decent quality gun with the spec's I'd like to have? I coulda had the Franchi for around $1300.00 & would like to stay in that general neighborhood. I'm open to suggestions.

900F
 
Ruger Red Label might be worth a look. The actions feel sloppy to me, but a number of folks whose opinions I value hold them in high regard.
 
I know you said in your post that you don't care much for Japanese guns, but I'm gonna suggest an SKB anyhow. If it would make you feel better you could buy an Ithica O/U or a Weatherby O/U as they are both just renamed SKBs. SKBs have an incredibly strong action that you are probably never going to wear out or need work done on it. A field model should be in your price range, although I'm willing to bet you could get a heck of a nice used O/U instead of buying a lesser gun new.

Just curious, if you don't like the Japanese political stance on guns, what country would you buy a gun from that makes O/U in your price range? Russia (Baikal)? Italy (Franchi, Beretta)? Turkey (Huglu, CZ)? It looks like a Red Label would be just about the only choice. If you could get past the political aspect, I'd also give the CZ guns a look, I've heard good things about them.
 
I have one of the Biakal's

Actually, it's a sold as a "Spartan by Remington" Model SBR310 in 12ga.
It points well for me and I like the balance (Opinions vary) Picked it up at a Dick's Sporting Goods for $549.00 on sale. The lumber can vary in appearance and I handled no less than four before deciding. The checkering leaves a little to be desired as one side of the stock has a rough corner, but the nickel receiver is engraved and you can change the ejectors to extractors with just a 1/4 twist of a screw on the receiver. Oh, it's got a single selective trigger too, and it comes with four chokes.

Works for me !:D
 
If you’re sure you can get the custom stock order the Franchi.
I'm a bit surprised they will do it. I’m a lefty and a few years back wanted a cast on gun and all the Italian manufacturers I checked into would'nt offer it, even Beretta only offers custom stocks on high grade guns. Because of that your choices become either Ruger or Browning in the entry level models.
 
While I have the Citori, and love it to death, I am salivating for a Ruger Red Label, and will have one within the next 24 months. I have a thing for Ruger, and they are a very solid gun. The Citori is an absolute pleasure to shoot, and will never leave my family. But the Ruger is on the horizon.
 
Huntsman;

Would that I could order the Franchi. Check the website; since Beretta has assumed ownership, Franchi no longer makes double guns. Therein lies the reason for my unhappiness with Berreta you see.

900F
 
That's a pretty tall order:

A light 20G O/U, not made in Japan, with an English stock and cast made to order, for under $1300 new.

If you find it, let me know.
 
Armed Bear;

Who said under $1,300.00? Not me, I said around. I'd go higher than $1,300.00 if necessary, but I'd like to stay in the same ballpark as that number.

900F
 
SKB 585 Upland, but it's made in Japan...

De Haan (Huglus I think, made to good specs) are supposed to be nice. I held one briefly a while back, but otherwise have zero experience with them.

I can vouch for CZ Huglus; their English grip is on a SxS. However, it's one fine-handling gun. And it's half that price.

Ruger's the only American company with a production 20 particularly with a straight grip (which I also want). The other guns are way up there in price.

Remington's 332 is 12 Gauge only.

Have you checked with Weatherby regarding the cast order? They might be able to do that.

I'm looking for something similar. I'm still thinking about an Upland Special receiver gun, too, though, like a Browning or Remington. But I like break actions. Ugh.

Seriously, I'd love to hear what you can find!

Good luck and good hunting!
 
I'm not partial to buying a Citori, made in Japan - the country that wants civilian guns banned throughout the world. And because of the current situation with Franchi, I'm not a big fan of Beretta's at the moment either. From whom can I order a decent quality gun with the spec's I'd like to have? I coulda had the Franchi for around $1300.00 & would like to stay in that general neighborhood. I'm open to suggestions.
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Then my suggestion is that you get over the silly notion of not buying a gun manufactured in Japan because you don't agree with that country's position on gun ownership. The only thing that will acccomplish is that you'll be deprived of owning a very fine gun.
 
I agree with you on the legal/political aspects of firearm ownership in Japan, but that doesn't mean Japanese craftsmen can't make a fine shotgun, they make a great shotgun. It's your call, the Citori is a very good shotgun which can go the distance shooting clay games.

It's ownership here in the states that really matters, and that isn't a serious issue yet. If Japan was really serious about banning all civilian firearms they wouldn't be making them under license for export to us.
 
The Superlight Feather is about the only Citori that interests me. It's a nice little gun, and ideal for the purpose here.

The Cynergy Field in 20 is nice, light, and points like a SxS. It doesn't have an English grip, though, and I consider that a showstopper for a gun that's specifically purchased for long days on foot with a shotgun at the ready.

I'm baffled that straight grips aren't more readily available. Are American hunters really getting too obese for a hike?:p

Seriously, though, I think the CZ side-by-sides deserve a serious look, as well as their Woodcock O/U.

http://www.czusa.com/products_shotguns.php?m=1

For $1300, you can get a CZ with a straight grip and a BPS Upland Special in case it's raining.:)
 
Just traded in a Weatherby Orion (a great value) for a Citori XS, SC. I figure a robust gun industry in Japan can only help the cause there. Pickups and motorcycles have got to be American with me but not much else. It's a world economy and we need trade partners to have a healthy economy of our own.
 
Ah. I neglected to look at the second-mortgage gun selection.:)

If you have the means, though, I'm sure it's an adequate field gun.
 
It looks like a Red Label would be just about the only choice.
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I don't know about that. If we are eliminating choices based on the companies or countries views on gun control, that would rule out Ruger too IMO. Let's not forget it was Bill Ruger who came up with the magazine capacity limitation idea for the feds and last time I checked, still do not sell full capacity mags for their Mini14\30 to non-LEO's even though the ban was lifted almost 2 years ago.
And because of the current situation with Franchi, I'm not a big fan of Beretta's at the moment either.
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Can somebody enlighten me about this situation?
 
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