over and under ?s

[remmag]

hey
i am considering purchasing an over and under for trap and skeet. i am very unfamiliar with them but looking at possibly a browning or skb, both of which i am confidant are great guns, my question is
the price if these guns runs the gammit, you seem to be able to go from 1 to 4k, what i dont understand other than the obvious is what are the additional dollars for when looking at the more expensive or mid priced models
thank you for any input

 

[Wishoot]

Grades of wood, fit, finish, brand name, Midas choke tubes....


I would love to own a Browning or Beretta OU but I simply can't afford one. I purchased a Lanber 2097 from CDNN a few years ago and I absolutely love it.

Clearly there's a quality difference between the Lanber and Browning/Beretta's, but not enough to justify the difference in price IMHO. Best of all, it's not a gun I worry about getting banged and scratched while scaring up birds.

$1,000 will buy you a very nice Browning Citori however.

 

[oneounceload]

$1,000 will buy you a very nice Browning Citori however

Maybe in the form of a used field gun.

Current prices for B target guns are running around 2500 and up.

Browning/Beretta/SKB target guns are typically heavier and beefier than field guns. Target guns are built for hundreds of thousands of rounds being fired, whereas field guns are typically fired only a few hundred rounds a year for maybe a few thousands over its lifetime.

For target guns, heavy is your friend, coupled with light target loads.

The current issue with SKB is that maker has shut its doors. The US importer has parts to last a few decades while they try to find another maker to take over production.

In comparing Browning vs Beretta - if one fits you well, the other one probably won't - it's not a quality thing, just a difference in manufacturing. The key to success is fit.

I would strongly suggest you go to your local gun club and borrow/rent various types to find what you like and shoot them to make they fit as well as you think they do.

A high-dollar, high-quality gun, IF you become a target shooter, is going tp be the least cost you'll have - targets and ammo will cost many times the price of the gun. When you factor in lower breakdown time, higher resale value, and better quality in general, buying a good gun makes sense.

My main Browning finally needed some new springs and a tuneup after about 90,000 rounds - it'll be good to go for some more years of trouble-free shooting. My other Brownings and SKBs are all going strong as well after many thousands of rounds through them all.

 

[Snarlingiron]

The Browning Cynergy does not seem to be considered in Oneounceload's post. It is more Beretta like in and handling and fit than the Citori, and can be had for around $400.00 south of $2000.00 brand new. I bought the Classic Sporting with adjustable comb for $1695.00. I have had it for about a month now, and I am a huge fan.

My buddy bought one of the Lanber 2097s from CDNN for $599.00 if memory serves. I have shot the gun quite a bit, and this is a quality built gun. The ones CDNN has are "blemished", but I'll be darned if we can find anything other than a slightly rough spot on the recoil pad...big deal. Will it last for 90,000 rounds? If I last that long, I will let you know, but from what I've seen so far, it probably will. I don't think you can buy anything else anywhere near this quality for six hundred bucks.

Bottom line, at least in my opinion, you can get a quality over / under for far less than $2500.00.

 

[conhntr]

take the above advice; go to the club and be nice. ask around and except for the 5 figure guns, most people will let you try their gun out.

id recomend buying used for your first gun; take a look at the bulletin boards at your local clubs. research a bit and if you buy at a good price; you can use the gun for a while and then sell it at no loss when you decide what you want.

btw if you look around older target grade guns can be had from browning reasonably. i just saw a browning GTi go locally for 600.. and you can spend more but its a great all around gun!
not the specific gun but to give you an idea of what to look for

 

[oneounceload]

My main Browning mentioned above IS a Gti - have owned it for about 15 years - very good gun.

And Snarling Iron, you're correct - I didn't mention the Browning version of Beretta. I have limited experience with them, most I have seen were field guns, and the owners quickly went back to the Citori versions for targets. If it works for you, that's great and thanks for adding it to the mix of guns to consider..........

 

[conhntr]

oneounce i literally had the money in my pocket and almost bought that gun... but my lil buddy wanted it and i let him grab it.

 

[wgp]

I have two SKB doubles now, and at various times have had 3 others. I've had both the SKBs made for Ithaca and brand-name SKBs. Keep in mind that the Weatherby O/U is made by SKB, too. I think they are excellent shotguns and would recommend them to anyone. A friend has, and loves, his Browning GTI. It is a heavy thing and intended for target, not field, shooting. I recently traded an SKB for a slightly-used Winchester 101 Supreme Field and really like it, too. Personally I find that Beretta shotguns don't fit me well but I have no doubt they are excellent guns.

 

[ArmedBear]

Keep in mind that the Weatherby O/U is made by SKB, too.

Not any more. I have an old Ithaca SKB, and I'm hoping SKB comes back to life.

Personally I find that Beretta shotguns don't fit me well

Strange, if SKBs do. Go figure.

Well worth a look: the recent and new Winchesters. Nice guns, built by FN in Belgium. Beretta-style lockup with more of a Browning-style stock.

Here's an SKB Sporting Clays gun for $825. Looks nice: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=212325

 

[remmag]

thanks for all the responces , i have alot to think about and did i understand correctly that skb is going out of business
thanks

 

[ArmedBear]

Hard to say.

SKB's importer has bought all the existing parts, and at last notice was seeking new manufacturing facilities. They want to keep SKB Shotguns alive.

Currently, though, they don't have a manufacturing facility AFAIK.

Here's one place to get any updates: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=114

 

[wgp]

I bought a new SKB O/U last year, so they were available then. I have not heard of troubles there until these posts.

My earlier reference to Berettas vs SKBs: for some reason when I mount a Beretta my eye is well above the rib, looking down at it. I think the Beretta must have a shallower (shorter?) receiver. The shotguns that fit me out of the box usually have a slightly elevated rib, such as the Benelli M1 and the SKBs.

 

[ArmedBear]

I think the Beretta must have a shallower (shorter?) receiver.

It's almost identical to the SKB, but the SKB does have a tad more drop, I think. Not much. The SKB stock is skinnier, though, so depending on the shape of your face, you may end up in a different spot. Also, Berettas rely on a bit of cast-off, whereas I believe the SKB stock is straight back.

If I get a chance, I will try to post pictures -- I have an Ithaca SKB and a Beretta 686, with the same nominal spec's (20/26").