Semi-auto guy discovers the Over-Under...

[GrandmasterB]

I have always been a Semi-Auto shotgun guy. I have never warmed up to pumps. My 20ga Remington 1100 has been the go-to gun for dove, quail and informal clays shooting for the last 15 years. It has always been 100% reliable too, until this past dove season.

I bought some super cheap dove loads on sale at a big box sporting goods store. One out of three would cycle reliably in my previously 100% reliable Remington. I started to wonder if it was the gun. I missed a few birds and got ticked off. Ultimately, a thorough cleaning and some better shells got it back to the reliability I wanted....but in the meantime, a buddy let me try his Mossberg Silver Reserve, and I liked it.

I started reading and researching and everything I read said that if I wanted a quality Over/Under, I needed a "B" gun at least - Browning or Beretta. Not wanting to pay retail I started looking on the used market, but I still didn't like the prices.

Lots of folks seemed to say that if I didn't want to pay for a "B" gun, the SKB guns made in Japan are known for durability -- more so than the Turkish guns which are so prevalent in the "entry-level" over-under market.

I got lucky and found an Ithaca 500 (made by SKB) 20ga for a good price locally.



Took her out to the range for some "pull your own" trap and she shoots great! And the cleanup was a breeze compared to cleaning my 1100....I think I may have moved over to the O/U 'darkside'! Oh, and she ate the rest of those super cheap shells with nary a hiccup!

 

[oneounceload]

O/Us do have that advantage over a gas gun, even reloads that aren't in the best condition can fire if you can pound them into the action. SKB is a good gun. I am down to one in 20, but it handles decently for as heavy as it is. (I still prefer my SxS for the weight difference).

With a minimal amount of care, it should last you a long time

 

[Milkmaster]

I like to shoot them all including my "B" gun O/U. One thing I like about the O/U is the ease of cleaning. Sem-auto's can be nasty and take a little longer to clean. I can shoot my O/U all day and then only take about 10 minutes to make her shine inside and out all over again. The chrome lined barrels help the ease of cleaning a lot for me. The melted plastic inside the barrels turns loose and comes out easy with a little CLP, a few minutes to soak, and a patch or two. Recently I have started using a bore snake and CLP. Works just as well. Enjoy your new treasure and shoot as often as you can!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Last Saturday I took my Ithaca/SKB 600 to the range and shot some Wobble. 24/25 and 22/25. It's choked LM and Full.

It holds its own on dove, and may be my favorite. Not the lightest,6 lbs 12 oz, but balanced well and points like my finger.

Enjoy yours.

 

[Old Unc']

OUTSTANDING!! One of the best 20's ever made. Congrats, and hope you have years of trouble free service out of her...

Here's my 20ga/28" Weatherby/SKB Orion III Classic...

 

[Virginian]

We're even. I got rid of a 'B' gun O/U and went to a Remington 1100 many moons ago, and have never looked back. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Blanco]

That story sounds real close to mine, but for different reasons. I had shot my 870 and 1100 for years without any major issues. About 6 years ago I got involved in AKC field Trials. You must use a break open gun at AKC events. MY Remis got pushed Way back after I picked up an Ithaca SXS (SKB) It is a fantastic little gun. and I recently picked up A Citori. I suppose I am now on the dark side too.