Questions about an over and under....

[coma]

Hello Fellow High Road members,
I have a question about the Mossberg Silver Reserve 12 GA. Over-Under Shotgun, One of my very good friends is due to be married this time next year, and his Bride to be wants to buy him a gun for a wedding present. And she has enlisted me to help find what would do. Awhile back she had heard him talk about a Henry .22 or a .300 WSM. But after spending a week at deer camp with him I got out of him that he wants a over and under. His words " I have always wanted a decent Over and under for Skeet and Birds".

So my questions is does any one have an opinion on these Mossbergs. And If they are not a decent shot gun....what is with out breaking the bank?...Say $450 to $650 range.

 

[Oldnamvet]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=309671&highlight=mossberg+silver+reserve

A recent thread that discusses that topic.

 

[Pete409]

Coma,

In my opinion, a gun that is purchased as a wedding gift should be of very good to excellent quality. Unfortunately, the Mossberg O/U doesn't fall into this "very good to excellent" category. In fact, it's debatable whether it even falls in the "decent" category. Different people have had different experiences with these guns. Some of the experiences have been less than pleasant.

Since a wedding gift is something that a person should keep forever (or at least as long as he is married to her), the gift should be something of quality that he will be proud to own, not something that he feels he is stuck with for the rest of his life.

So, unless the bride-to-be can scrape up about $1,500 I would suggest that she forget about an O/U shotgun. If she could afford about $800 to $900, there are several semi-automatic shotguns of good quality in that price range such as Beretta, Browning, and Remington.

Personally, I would rather have a quality semi-auto than a cheap O/U. Since I have owned at least 6 or 7 of each of those types of guns, I think I'm qualified to offer an opinion on the subject. Also, although I've never owned a Mossberg Silver Reserve, I know about 3 people who have and their experience with the gun has not been good.

 

[RNB65]

Rule number 1 - never buy a gun for someone else. Especially a shotgun where dynamic handling is so important. Gun fit, handling, and appearance are way to subjective and personal to make a decision for someone else. Buy a gift certificate for the biggest gun store in town and let him choose the gun.

 

[coma]

Thanks guy exactly what I needed to hear.....

 

[Cougfan2]

Coma, I found my Browning Citori lightweight for right at $1K. Don't know if that breaks the bank, but you can find deals on them out there. Would your buddy object to a good used specimen? A quailty over/under will last a lifetime.

 

[Cougfan2]

Coma, check out the link on gunbroker.com

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85850674