Reasonably priced over-under

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eltigre_01

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Hey guys,

I'm looking to spend around $400 for an over-under shotgun in preparation for dove season this year. I know that these types of shotguns can go for much more, but I'd like some advice about what to look for. Any suggestions?
 
I love my stoeger and have heard good things about academy's house brand yildiz. That said I would not hesitate to get a stoeger.
 
there are NO decent new O/U's for $400 bucks. Look to an autoloader, like the Beretta 3901. Or, pony up twice as much dough for a used Beretta, Browning or SKB O/U...
 
Take your money and lurk at gun shows. You'll be more likely to find an old SxS than a O/U in that price range but still that's about the only way I can think of for you to find a good shotgun for that little amount of money.

Also check small out of the way gun shops. I got lucky at one the other day and found an Ithaca pump for $150.
 
^^^^B.S. What he's saying is there are no o/u's good enough for gun snobs for $400
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Incorrect, It takes a lot of hand labor to regulate barrels properly and have triggers that actually work - that means $400 buys you junk that will break - especially if you shoot even the normal amount of ammo at dove.

$600 buys the Beretta 3901 semi - a gun that will last and not break

Once you've spent $400 three times, and dealt with all of that hassle and frustration, you could have bought a decent used Browning or Beretta O/U - whose barrels actually DO shoot to the same POI/POA, and whose triggers actually work and don't feel like someone threw sand in the grease
 
Old Unc and Oneounceload are correct. There's no GOOD O/U available new for anywhere near $400, and it has nothing to do with snobbery.
 
My Stoeger Uplander has lasted 300 rounds without a problem. That's not saying much, but the fact that my friend has 6000+ rounds out of his Condor definately does. He shoots in trap competitions, and practices with this stoeger all the time. That says plenty enough for me, considering that I know I'll never shoot that much out of any shotgun. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a stoeger.
 
snakeman, 1oz and I are the furtherest thing from snobs. I don't want to see somebody waste hard earned cash. For around $500 you can buy a great gun like the Beretta 3901 autoloader. I'd love to have one...
 
My wife has the newest gun in the house - the A400. I just shot in my state sporting clays championship with my 18 yo Browning that has about 200,000 rounds through it - hardly a gun snob - did pretty good too - earned enough punches to move up yet another class. This gun has had the springs and firing pins replaced - once...........that's it

When your friend's Stoeger gets there without any issues, let me know
 
My Stoeger broke the stock on the first two rounds I fired through it. Big crack in the grip. I sold it and currently have an old Stevens 315 "Ranger" from the '20's in 12 & an Ithaca 37 pump in 16 instead. Both are far better guns and, given the market right now, were far cheaper than the Stoeger. That's why I'll keep looking at places like the VFW middle of the week one night gunshow or "grampa's gun shop" and find old reliables instead.

Your milage will, of course, vary.
 
I'm looking to spend around $400 for an over-under shotgun
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You might have to put a couple of hundred more with it to buy NIB, but Lanber O/U's are a lot of gun for the money. I've even heard on this website from a moderator, that they are used as rental guns at some gun ranges. I've owned one for 10+ years without so much as a hiccup. But then I only hunt from September to February. I get no pleasure out of shooting clay after clay after clay. I get bored with it. I'd rather spend Clay game money on fishing since I can do either for a day for about the same price.
 
*BUT* if you're going to drop $800 on a no-name new O/U, isn't it much wiser to buy a used gun from well known brand name with a good track record? Used Beretta, Browning, and SKB guns surface all the time in the $800 range.
 
I don't know much about O/U's but I saw 2 different Stoeger used one's (a 12ga & a 20ga) both in great shape for $375ish. (Pretty sure they were used, maybe not).

Anyway good luck to ya, check gunbroker maybe too?
 
Ryanxia said:
I don't know much about O/U's
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If you did, you would know how truly awful the Stoeger is.

Someone above commented about how a Stoeger has gone 6000 rounds... that's a good month for a serious skeet or trap shooter. Shooting doves in Argentina that would be a good couple of days.

They just aren't built to last.
 
Lanber is a pretty good option for $800 new
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I paid $500+/- for mine when I bought it. they were in CDNN catalog a few months back for $600+/-, but that may have been the blems. Still a lot of gun for the money.

The OP specifically asked about Cheaper, lower end guns. So I assume he doesn't Have 2K to throw down on a medium priced gun or the $150-$200 to play clay games a couple of times a month.

If that's not the case, then definitely save your money for a medium priced gun like a Browning or Beretta. I owned a Browning Citori till the Flood of 98 decided I didn't need it anymore.

The Lanber has filled it's gap quite nicely. The chrome lined chambers and barrels are a plus the Browning didn't have. Sometimes you just have to do the best you can with what you have to spend.
 
IMO, there's no NEW O/Us in the $400 range worth having.

However, used 101s, SKBs and Mirokus do turn up close to $400.

My excellent SKB 600 in 20 gauge was $450 out the door. That was two years past.

It's possibly the best dove gun I ever had or will have.
 
With a $400 budget you can either buy a very good pump, or an ultra cheap O/U. I'd love to say there is a $400 double, either SXS or O/U, but there simply aren't any worth bringing home. That is not being a gun snob, but fact. Believe me I've BTDT and wasted lots of money over the years searching. Take my advice and save yourself a lot of money.

I gave up long ago and decided I wanted the best gun I could afford. I don't shoot a shotgun enough to justify the money for a quality double, but for around $400 you can get a world class pump. I chose quality.
 
i've not had any issues with my stoeger either in fact i hit a lot better with it than i do my 870
 
+1 for the SKB's! Try to find a used one, you'll be much better off.
I handled a couple Stoegers, wow. I hate talking bad about a gun, but wow, I was not impressed at all. Not surprised either, it was pretty bad.
 
Thank you to all who have replied so far--it looks like the market is very limited for what I am asking. I won't be dove hunting on the scale like that of Argentina, but rather in my home state of AZ. There are plenty of gun shows to attend out here, and I'm fine with a reliable old shotgun (buying new isn't of importance). From what I have read so far, many of you have offered SKB and Lanber as reliable options that I might go with. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about the Stoeger so far...sounds like a gamble.
 
I have looked at the Stoegers before, but the Mossberg Silver Reserve seems to fit me well. Does anybody have experience with those?
 
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