OK, now how about a 28ga?

[TrapperReady]

After my recent revelation about the 20ga I've rekindled my interest in a 28ga shotgun. I've handled a new 870 28ga, but it seemed too beefy for what I would want in a small-gauge gun. Besides, my collection is nothing of not varied, and I've got an 870 already.

What else (new or used) would be worth looking at? I want to keep the price down, as this is only intended to be a "fun" piece. I'd like to keep the price at an absolute max of $1000, and preferably about 1/2 of that. O/U, pumps, autos... any of them would be fine.

The qualities I'm looking for are:

1) Good build quality
2) Lightweight
3) Properly proportioned for the gauge
4) Aesthetically pleasing

Heck, add in smart and funny and you've got a good list for a wife!

 

[Preacherman]

There's a Huglu O/U 28ga. listed on Gunbroker with a "buy it now" price of $899. It's described as "brand new", and has 5 chokes, engraving, etc. Might fit the bill...

 

[PJR]

The 28 gauge intrigues me as well but so far I haven't found that magic combination. Most of the current 28 gauge guns are made on 20 gauge frames which seems to defeat the purpose. That's why you end up with guns like the Huglu and Browning-- 28 gauge and over 7lbs.

So staying under $1,000, in a frame propotioned to the gauge that is reliable and nice to look at is a challenge. I'm having trouble making those qualities even with some flexibility on the price.

Ruger and B-Rizzini/Sigarms make over/unders scaled to the gauge. The 28 gauge Red Label gets good reviews and used can be found in the $1,000 neighborhood. The B-Rizzini/Sigarms will go beyond your limit but can be found new under $2,000. And cautionary note about the Rizzinis -- not all of their 28 gauges are on the scaled frame. Some are on 20 frames.

In autoloaders and pumps most of the guns are built on 20 gauge frames although I believe the 870 might be an exception. One gun that appealed to me in my search was a Franchi AL48 but the AL48s I've seen around the range have (ahem) had some feeding and functioning troubles and it is on a 20 frame.

The search continues...

 

[Dave McCracken]

The Hull Elf loves his Ruger 28, and such can be found used on ocassion for less than $1K.

Skeet shooters used to have lots of 28 gauges for sale, but now the heavy hitters in that game use tubed O/Us nigh exclusively. And some older 28s are 11-48s, etc, built on overgauge frames.

The Browning Model 12 in 28 gauge is around, but it's a little heavier than it should be for a field and fun gun. Too bad it's not available in the Model 42 revival shotgun. The 870 also has more weight than desired.

Doug K's Parker 28 looks like a joy to have and shoot, but it probably cost more than our newest vehicle.

IIRC, the Merkel is now being imported again, and one model is on a correctly scaled 28 frame.

HTH....

 

[Tom Held]

I could not be more pleased with the 28 ga Ruger Red Label that I bought a couple of years ago. I ordered it with a straight stock and 28" barrels. It comes standard with 5 briley choke tubes. If you search around you should be able to buy one for $1000 or less. You can also get a full lenghth set of Briley 410 tubes for another $400. I took mine unfired out of the box to Argentina for a dove shoot and put about 2,000 rounds through it the first day. Probably shot 8,000 rounds over 5 days with no failures. A friend of mine has a beautiful Browning in 28 GA but twice the price and seems twice as heavy.

 

[kudu]

Gotta love them 28's. Iv'e got a Ruger red label in 28, an 1100, and an 870. They all shoot great, but felt recoil is the worst in the ruger for some reason.?? I love to shoot the 1100 but I hate to pick up all those expensive hulls but thats the price you pay for shooting an auto. I picked my red label up at an auction several years ago for $800. The woman who shot it only put 2 boxes of shells through it. What a bargain. Keep looking, Iv'e seen some pretty berettas out there in small gauges as well as some brownings.