Over and Unders Are Fun

[Simple Shooter]

Last week, I picked up a Stevens 555 20 gauge O/U. My primary use? Blowing stuff up on the range. (And maybe for shooting some clay if I can find the time.)

I have a Benelli M1S90 that served me well throughout my LEO career. With a card of alternate shot types, a light, and 8 00's up the tube, it is still a go-to security tool and is my usual companion as I make my rounds of the back 40. But after decades of use, that is exactly all it is: a tool. It is just too pragmatic for having a little fun.

The new 555, on the other hand, is fun. It has dutifully dispatched jugs of water, cans, scrap wood, charcoal, empty food boxes filled with newspaper, a couple past-their-prime melons, and pretty much anything I can think of that may be fun to shoot.

Why? Because I went from taking care of my mother and younger brother at an early age strait into law enforcement and then to a high stress corporate job. I missed out on being an irresponsible care-free youth. Now that I am old and have the money to do so, I figure it is time to play before it is too late. As gun owners tend to be a responsible lot, I am guessing this might just describe a bunch of folks here on THR.

Most post are about self defense or hunting, and those are indeed important topics. But while I will not recommend what guns you should shoot for fun, I will say don't forget to have fun. Because guns cost too much and life is too short to not enjoy it all.

 

[adcoch1]

My first gun was a 12 ga shotgun. And let's just say I put it to good use having fun. I blew up all sorts of jugs, clay pots, water bottles, etc not to mention clay pigeons and any small game that came my way. A shotgun is definitely lots of fun. Always wanted an o/u, maybe I need to go find one...

 

[PapaG]

Outside of competition shooting trap, my shotgun "fun" stuff is making and shooting my own slugs at fifty and 100 yards, developing special turkey loads, and once in a while, running a mag out at a moving target rolling down the hill.
I do these things with o/u, pump, semi, and bolt guns.
Deer hunting used to be #1 for fun but we can use single shot rifles now.

 

[Cvans]

Over the 4th we celebrated or 50th. Large family get together with a lot of clay pigeons busted up. 900 if I'm not mistaken. For the first time ever I shot clays with a coach gun. Purchased the Stoeger 20ga early this spring to scratch a long time itch and haven't had the opportunity to really shoot it. I have to say it was a real hoot using this gun. It got shot so much that we had to let it cool down several times. There was two tables of guns that anyone could shoot and the Stoeger got shot as much as any, I'm really looking forward to shooting it again. Just for fun.

 

[Hookeye]

Hunting isn't fun?
Guess some have never had a good dove day.
Or goose day.

Only complaint there w an OU..............trying tor triples might be a bit tough LOL

And by triple, I don't mean 3 in a row..........I mean 3 in one pass, all intended targets.
Used to do that w my 1100s, but am having fun on the trap range w my little Browning OU 20 ga.

If I can find some steel 7s in 20 ga I'll take it to the state ground.
And maybe be content w just doubles.

 

[I6turbo]

Simple Shooter, I understand, and I think that shooting a shotgun that you like for a purpose you enjoy -- clay targets, doves, quail, ducks, or whatever (but for me it has to be moving targets) -- is some of the most fun shooting. Over my shotgun "career" I ended up with three guns in particular that really suit me and I enjoy shooting. A Fox Model B 20 gauge SxS, a Remington 3200 O/U, and a Browning Auto 5 with 18.25" barrel and sporting clay screw-in chokes. The first two I discovered by shooting identical guns owned by my shooting buddies, then was able to find one for myself. I've had both of these since the 1970s. The Auto 5 I bought a few years ago to make a HD-style gun out of it, but once I'd cut the barrel I found that it is probably the most fun shotgun I've ever fired, just makes me want to take it out and find something to shoot with it, which is mostly clay targets of various sorts since I generally don't kill anything I don't eat (other than snakes).

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Over and unders are a sporting gun. Not what I’d choose for the “task” at hand but horses for courses.

 

[Simple Shooter]

Over the 4th we celebrated or 50th.

50 years? Sounds like you found something that is fun and makes you happy. Congratulations!

Over and unders are a sporting gun. Not what I’d choose for the “task” at hand but horses for courses.

Agreed, it is a sporting gun for hunting, clays, etc. Once the kids are done with college and I retire, clays are on my bucket list.

My point is do what makes you happy, even if it does not fit the norm. Heck, I find cleaning my guns to be fun. (For those of you reading that in disbelief, my doctor says it is abnormal and all out weird but does not constitute a mental illness.)

 

[Simple Shooter]

Simple Shooter, I understand, and I think that shooting a shotgun that you like for a purpose you enjoy -- clay targets, doves, quail, ducks, or whatever (but for me it has to be moving targets) -- is some of the most fun shooting.

We don't have enough open area to throw clays, but my son and I did have some fun with our O/U rule: Whatever you hit, you have to try to hit it again before it comes to rest. He's new to shotguns, so it is definitely a challenge for him and a good skill builder.

 

[entropy]

Sounds like it's time to head to a Trap, Skeet, or Sporting Clays club. A world (and lifetime) of fun await you and your son.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I've got them in 12, 20 and 28 gauge
From 26" to 34" .... 7 total
All are Beretta O/U

 

[blue32]

I tried skeet 2 months ago. I've been going every almost every weekend since and even bought more wads, 209s/Cheds, shot, and a jug of W572. If the shotgun isn't an O/U in 28 ga I'm not interested.

 

[Chuck R.]

I use O/Us for clays (skeet & sporting) and upland.

When it comes to waterfowl I now use a semi (SBE) because we do a lot of layout hunting (boats and field blinds). The 3rd shot does come in handy and working a pump while reclined is a PITA on some of the crossing TGTs.

Biggest advantage I find is the single sighting plain when compared to a SxS and having 2 chokes.

I like skeet and trap, mostly cause there's a club on post and it's easy to get a round in at lunch time, but my favorite is sporting clays.

 

[cfullgraf]

Semi-autos and pumps have their uses and I have a few but for clay games I like my over/unders.

 

[Hookeye]

The thing about OUs is, when they're broke open, everybody can see that its safe.

 

[Barnfixer]

I’ve just started using over unders in the last couple years and have gotten addicted. Got the 12 & 20 just need the 28.

 

[epags]

Had a Rem 870 for 1/2 my lifetime. Carried it in Missouri on a few occasions with little success since I was a city boy and had no 'good old boys' to show me what hunting was really like.
After moving to California I converted it to large capacity home protection gun.
Joined a shooting club that also had trap and skeet facilities. Kinda wondered what it would be like to shoot trap. But no 'bug' bit me to make me want to spend $$$$ for a trap shotgun.
Long story short, a friend said his brother wanted to sell a number of guns and included was a near new Remington SPR310 20 gage over under. Having zero knowledge I took a look and for $255 it was mine. Discovered it was made in Russia and with the imbargo there were no spare parts......oh well $255 and it worked.
I added a couple of chokes (really not needed but...) and found a website that showed me how to modify some springs so it was easier to open and close.
Went to a couple of my club's non-competative trap shoot events. Of course I was shooting against $2,550+ shotguns but you know, they all went boom just like mine. On a positive point, the other shooters were happy to give me pointers without disparaging my 10 times less expensive shotgun.

 

[kennedy]

got 2 o/u, both 16 ga and only shoot trap, got into it 8 years ago and its a hoot and holler, thankfully there is a range 7 miles away, one is a marlin 90 that I wore out, so bought a browning citori lightening grade 3, had an adjustable comb install, try to shoot once a week, retirement is great

 

[cfullgraf]

I’ve just started using over unders in the last couple years and have gotten addicted. Got the 12 & 20 just need the 28.

I have a fondness for 28 ga. I grew up shooting my Dad’s 28 ga SxS. I bagged my first pheasant with that gun.

The first class win in skeet I had was in 28 ga. A doubles shoot out at stations 3,4 and 5. I managed to out last my competitor.

I have a Beretta 686 and a Citori 725 chambered in 28 ga but my favorite is my Skeet grade Citoti with 28 ga sub-gauge tubes.

28 gauge is a good gauge to shoot at skeet if you do not let bad habits creep in.

 

[Simple Shooter]

got 2 o/u, both 16 ga and only shoot trap, got into it 8 years ago and its a hoot and holler, thankfully there is a range 7 miles away, one is a marlin 90 that I wore out, so bought a browning citori lightening grade 3, had an adjustable comb install, try to shoot once a week, retirement is greatView attachment 1162830

Wish you had not posted that picture. It's gonna cost me money...

Beautiful firearm!

 

[PapaG]

I'm down to two right now, A Beretta 686 Essential that is trying hard to become my fall season skeet gun and a 3200 Remington that wants to replace its cousin, my 870TB for trap.
My all time fave o/u was a Breda 20 ga with ic and full barrels. When we were a pheasant mecca until the early 80s it was the perfect gun. 7/8 oz of #6 in the bottom and 1 1/4 #6 copper in the top. Quick risers, bottom barrel. Long risers, skittish birds or, heaven forbid missed first shot, top full choke barrel. Two triggers way better than a selector.
Yes, o/u guns are fun in many ways.
I might share a tale or two about some others, but they are combo guns.