Over/Under Shotguns?

[Bobson]

So I'm fairly inexperienced as far as shotguns go. I think the only type of projectile weapon I know less about is black powder rifles and muskets. I've got a Mossberg 500 (HD), and know I'm not crazy about the Remington 870. I know about chokes, their types, and their purposes... and that's honestly just about it. So bear with me.

Recently I decided it'd be pretty cool to possibly get into waterfowl and/or upland game bird hunting at some point. I don't think I really want a semi-automatic shotgun, after seeing their price ranges; plus O/U shotguns just seem like more of a classic choice. However, their price range is also much higher than I had expected. For example, my local Cabelas only has a handful of O/U shotgun options, but their lowest cost one is $600, and the next step up is $1350. I generally won't even look at the lowest-cost gun of any category, mostly out of fear of buying a lemon, but at the same time, the most I've ever spent on any gun was about $600.

What does one look for in an average quality over/under shotgun? I was under the impression that they're fairly simple designs without a whole lot in the way of variety (aside from workmanship). So what's with the enormous price variation? $599 for a Savage O/U 12 gauge, to $3200 for a Browning O/U 12 gauge.

 

[JohnM]

600 bucks is pretty cheapo for an O/U these days.
I've never looked at one of those Savage's, but I don't know how they could put out a good one for that price.
The Browning, yes, you get what you pay for.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I had a Weatherby Orion 12 O/U that I wish I never would have bought. The lack of sufficient rise made it so I had to cock my head sideways and rest my right cheek against the top of the stock, even then, I could not sight down the ventilated rib. That ended up making the gun shoot too high, as I could not get any lower at the rear of the gun to obtain a good site picture.

If I were to buy an O/U again, I would not do it unless I had an unlimited budget to work by! And, since, that isn't going to happen, I will never buy another O/U and I don't miss the Orion at all.

 

[Bobson]

600 bucks is pretty cheapo for an O/U these days.
I've never looked at one of those Savage's, but I don't know how they could put out a good one for that price.
The Browning, yes, you get what you pay for.

That's kinda my frame of mind with all guns. If all the others are so much more, they had to have cut some corners somewhere with this thing.

At the same time... There are some great quality pump-action shotguns out there for a good bit less than that Savage, and it seems like a pump action shotgun is at least fairly more sophisticated than an O/U or side-by-side shotgun.

I mean, what does a double barrel shotgun really have? A stock, two barrels welded together (albeit very clean welding), a selector and barrel break in one, a couple extractors (and some don't even have the extractors...), and a trigger. Seems like that's about it.

They're pretty light on parts compared to just about any other gun these days, or so it would seem. I mean, 95% of the gun is solid metal tubing or wood stock.

 

[JohnM]

I mean, what does a double barrel shotgun really have?

A huge amount of hand work and fitting to build a good SXS or O/U.

There's where your cost comes from.

 

[Bobson]

Gotcha, that does make sense. Thanks John.

I guess owning a nice O/U shotgun may forever be limited to being a cool idea, as far as I'm concerned. Even if I could afford it, I don't think I'd ever want to justify spending $1500+ on a gun that's almost completely solid metal joined to solid wood. Just not my style.

I could see paying a skilled gunsmith 2-3 grand (someday) for something like a phenomenal 1911, but idk. It seems different with a shotgun, but that's just me. Thanks for the fast responses, folks.

EDIT:

Hope none of this sounded arrogant or as though I'd look down on anyone who's into this, of course. Just not for me.

 

[JohnM]

Other types can be put together like assembling a toaster by semi trained gunsmiths who are basically low pain mass production workers; with some final checking and fitting done by a master.
Building a fine SXS or O/U takes years of study and training.
Find a book on what goes into building guns like that and you'll have an appreciation for them.
When I was young I favored the SXS, now sadly I have non and most likely never will again.
I do get to handle and shoot them on occasion

 

[Bobson]

Building a fine SXS or O/U takes years of study and training. Find a book on what goes into building guns like that and you'll have an appreciation for them.

I'll definitely look into it. Thanks for the help man.

 

[Capstick1]

I use a semi and an over/under for skeet and trap. The main semi I use is a $600+.00 Beretta al3901 Citizen. VERY reliable shotgun. It came with a 28 inch barrel and I got an extra 30 inch barrel to make it more suitable for trap. My Over/under that I use is a Browning 525. Browning builds some excellent over/unders. If you do buy an over/under you really do get what you pay for. If you spend $600.00 on a bargain one you're going to end up with problems down the road if you do alot of high volume shooting. If you want a decent over/under that's not going to wear out very fast plan on spending a minimum of $1300.00. You can find some good semi's out there for under $1000.00 though.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I got my first GOOD O/U a couple years back, after telling the family what I wanted. It's a Beretta White Onyx Sporter , out the door for $1725 at the time.

That's about what I spent on ammo and range fees that year. Less than I'll spend this year.

And, both barrels shoot where I look, it'll last longer than I will and it crushes targets when I do my part. Heck, since it has 3" chambers I COULD take it waterfowling.

Cheap O/Us and SxS's oft have regulation problems, the barrels shoot to different Zip Codes. Soft, misshapen parts shoot loose quickly and do we really want sears, safeties and locking mechanisms designed to a "as cheaply as possible" paradigm?

If $1700 is a bit much, there's used Berettas, Brownings, Winchester 101s, SKBs, Weatherbys, Mirokus(Same gun as the Weatherbys) etc.

Until you can get a GOOD though not expensive O/U, shoot a Pumpgun. I did, and am the better for it....

 

[JohnM]

the barrels shoot to different Zip Codes

I like that one, I've shot a few!

 

[chad523]

I bought a Stoeger, mainly because it fit my budget at the time. It was a single trigger with no hammers. From day one it would randomly fire both barrels at the same time. I think I gave $450 for it at Gander Mtn.

If I were you, I'd probably look at the higher end (and sadly, more expensive) brands like Remington or Browning.

I learned my lesson that day, cheaper translates to crappier most of the time.

 

[natman]

Here's the truth about buying O/Us:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=253741&sid=8f7677f8ab93b87dd9ab7520d4463935

My advice: If a quality O/U isn't in the budget, don't waste your money on one that's not. It costs money to build a good double gun and there's no way around it. Stick with a good pump until you've got the money saved.

 

[MCgunner]

If there's an Academy around (don't think so in Aridzona) check out the Yiltiz. I've ehard good things about 'em and am favorably impressed with 'em, though they don't fit me really well and I don't own a O/U. But, if I'd listened to THESE guys in 1971, I wouldn't have my sweet old Sarasqueta SxS I hunted heavily with for 17 years or so. I could still hunt with it, but it kicks pretty bad for a dove gun and is choked M/F and I prefer IC/M on those little farts. I can say it's wel regulated, shoots like a friggin' high end double rifle with foster slugs at 50 yards. It was my waterfowler until steel shot retired it from that. It's still a great shooter and has a lot of memories in it and if enything important ever broke on it, it'd be a wall hanger cause there are no Sarasqueta parts out there. That's one thing to consider with ANY import shotgun, how long is the company going to be around.

Me? I'm not going to get an O/U unil I can afford a Browning Cynergy. That's just me, though, but I want a better quality one, myself and I wanna Browning becasue I've picked 'em up and they fit me well. Fit is very important.

 

[browneu]

O/U shotguns aren't as simple as people think and quality shotguns cost a good chunk of change. Then there's the shotguns that cost tens of thousands of dollars. $100,000 for a shotgun is a serious chunk of change and investment.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Tapatalk

 

[tallpaul]

I had wanted one and grabbed a ruger red label 12 ga I saw used ten years back . It had mods and extra choke tubes. It is not as refined as some but I shoot it well enough and like it. I do not shoot it enough lately though. I would not mind a 20 ga red label though...

 

[451 Detonics]

I had a Weatherby Orion 12 O/U that I wish I never would have bought. The lack of sufficient rise made it so I had to cock my head sideways and rest my right cheek against the top of the stock, even then, I could not sight down the ventilated rib. That ended up making the gun shoot too high, as I could not get any lower at the rear of the gun to obtain a good site picture.

If I were to buy an O/U again, I would not do it unless I had an unlimited budget to work by! And, since, that isn't going to happen, I will never buy another O/U and I don't miss the Orion at all.

You bought a gun that didn't fit you and you blame the gun?

Just like buying clothes...you need to try a gun one, especially a shotgun.

Bobson...I know there has to be a bunch of trap and skeet out were you are at. Hang around the clubs, talk to members, handle different guns (with permission of course) and find one you like. Talk to the owner and the will likely help fit you, letting you know what to look for depending on your size and height. Many folks will likely let you shoot a round with their guns. Key is finding one that has the proper length of pull and the right height stock so it fits you right.

 

[scramasax]

If you are patient and look around there is always a chance to get a bargan. I bought a used Browning Cynergy 12 for under $800 otd at a local gun store. It had been riding in the back window of a pu and had a very few dings. Locked up like a new gun. I was lucky enough for my dad to give me his old Superposed. He might have shot a box of shells through it. The last o/u I bought was a legacy sports HD with factory 18" bbls. It is just like thier competition shotgun complete with adjustable stock and spacers. I find it to be a very good budget O/U.

15 years ago I wouldn't have given $100 for any O/U shotgun then I started shooting SC.
I own several pumps/autos/sxs and will grab one of my O/U first.

Best regards,

ts

 

[JohnM]

Friend of mine who deals in drillings was showing me a beauty.
An old Prussian built gun with SXS 16's and 7mm Mauser for the center barrel.
He said he'd give me a good deal on it for 18 grand

 

[clang]

Right now is not a great time to find a bargain on an O/U. Hunting season is right around the corner. If I was in the market for a new gun, I would check out the local gun shows for a decent used Browning Citori or Beretta. You should be able to get one in 12 ga for <$1,000 and if you don't like it or have to resell it for any reason, you will get most your money back.

See how much used Huglus or Lanbers are going for (selling, not asking). I am not saying they are not good guns, but they don't have a great resale value.

 

[pikid89]

try gun broker or gunsamerica, you can usually find a nice used Ruger Red Label for around 800-1000, for a quality American made O/U

I really want the All Weather Stainless model, but as a college student, I can't even afford much ammo lol

 

[oneounceload]

If you want a new O/U that will last, do not go the cheap route - you'll end up spending more in the long run on either repairs or replacements.

There are used and discontinued new Brownings out there that will run a little more than 600, but be worth every penny - along with Beretta, SKB, Weatherby by Miroku, plenty of quality guns that will last.

Most upland field guns are carried a lot and shot a little (compared to competition guns), so even if the finish looks a little worn on a used gun - if the action is tight and on the face, no cracks, rust, rattles or looseness, and it was built by one of the quality makers, you should be good to go.

Since you mentioned waterfowl, check to make sure, (if it is a really older model), that the chokes are steel compatible.

 

[wgp]

I have, and have had, various excellent O/U shotguns purchased well within your price range, because I look for high-quality guns used in excellent condition. Right now I have one SKB 20 purchased new for just over $1K and a Winchester 101 bought used last year for $900. The 101 has 3-inch chambers, interchangeable chokes and other than one tiny scratch on the stock is for all purposes a new gun with any features you would want. I've owned a few SKBs in 12 and 20, usually bought used in the $700 range. Brownings and Berettas may be higher-priced, they don't fit me as well and I have avoided them. I did once buy a cheap side/side Stevens and it was awful, so don't do that. I'm just saying to prowl the gun shows and you'll find a very nice gun in your price range, and who cares if somebody else fired it first.

 

[MtnCreek]

Recently I decided it'd be pretty cool to possibly get into waterfowl and/or upland game bird hunting at some point.

Stick with the Mossberg for waterfowl. If you waterfowl hunt, the day will come where a waterhose is needed to clean your shotgun (you wouldn't want to do that to a Citori or Pigeon).

If I wanted a low priced shotgun that would be an improvement over the 500, I would look for a used Rem 1100 (2.75”) or 1187 (3”).

 

[Norman Dog]

As others have said, you can find quality firearms at lower prices if you look for good used examples. You may have to forego some modern features, but you may also get better craftsmanship with an older gun. Last year, I bought a 20 ga. Winchester 101 for $800 out the door. Not cheap, but it is alot of gun for the money. The finish is worn on the bottom of the action (probably carried alot) and it has fixed chokes (so what), but it is a dream to carry in the field and it makes me look very good while wingshooting.

Like Bobson, I didn't understand why doubles cost so much more than pumps. That is, until I became familiar with what a good double will do. Take my 101, for instance. Here is a firearm with two barrels and one trigger. Pull the trigger once, and one of the barrels fires. Pull it a second time without doing anything else and the other barrel fires. Move the trigger to over to the side and the barrels shoot in the opposite order. Open the action and the shells pop out. That is, only the fired shell(s) pop out! How does the gun know?!! You see what I'm getting at - the firearm is an intricate, complex machine made out of tiny parts that work every time in an amazing manner. On top of that is the engraving, the nice blued finish on the outside, the spot polishing on the inside, and some handsome wood used for the stock.

Wow! $800 is a bargain!