Shotgun prices/differences?

[RainDownmyBlues]

So this was the first time I've been out shooting with my dad since I got back from Afghanistan, and we were just shooting clay pigeons.

But I got to thinking, what makes a shotgun more expensive than another shotgun? They are pretty simple firearms.

I have a 60's Remington 20 Gauge I got from him when I was younger, and it's a beautiful gun. But I also needed a twelve gauge, so a few years ago I went and got a Mossberg Maverick Mo. 88. I've never had any malfunctions with either. I will say that the Remington's action is smoother, and is wood instead of polymer. But hell, other than that the Maverick is the cheapy Mossberg, but I don't see much of a difference.

Then again I don't deer hunt, as I don't like using shotguns for that purpose. Rabbit and such I'll use a shotgun, but I would prefer to use a rifle for dear. Dang Illinois commie laws.

When I was on base at Ft. Drum, A friend of mine bought an overunder shotgun that was about 1,300 dollars I think he said. I just must be missing something. I can see such price differences in rifles, but I must be missing something with the shotguns

 

[Fred Fuller]

Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait till you see some of the 'bespoke' doubles that cost more than a house...

http://www.hollandandholland.com/~newyork/bespoke/the_royal_side_by_side_shotgun.htm

Prices*:
12, 16 and 20-bore £55,250
28-bore and cal. 410 £57,700

Current exchange rate is 1 BP (British pound) = $1.54315, thus the larger bore gun would be $85,259.03 ...

What makes them cost more is a difference in the quality of materials, and the amount of hand fitting required. Double barrels need to be regulated properly so both barrels shoot to the same point of impact at a given range. Thus most doubles cost more than repeaters.

fwiw,

lpl

 

[oletymer]

If you can't see the difference then yes, you are missing something.

 

[Al LaVodka]

The differences are ultimately not that great unless they are using significant precious materials and fine labor, but to the OP's point, effectively, there are dimisnishing returns very quickly and little difference. Ultimately, as long as basic quality requirements are full met, it is embellishment and prestige. That's all. Some people have to be able to say that's what they own and shoot -- it is a requirement of station. I had one friend who's children's play dates and Beretta 28 ga. were guided by the minimum he felt he could get away with with "the right kind of people." Poor orphan. It is like never going to lunch with anyone at the firm who isn't at a higher level than you are at...
Al

 

[oneounceload]

Assuming this is a real and serious question.........maybe you should look at other guns. A typical SERIOUS double from a good maker will start about 20,000 and go up from there

If all you want is a pump for HD, go ahead, make a choice between the 870 and 500 for few bucks.........When you get serious about a GOOD double for birds, then we can have a serious discussion

 

[Carter]

Well as I found out on a very similar post:
pump guns are from 100's to 1000 depending on accessories, brand name, and who knows
semis are usually a little more than pumps
and then there are the O/Uers and side by side ones that are outrageously expensive for those elite who like the good sport. They are legitimate collector pieces, true, and good for skeet and what not.


However, if you want a good and reliable practical "combat" shotgun it'll be between the 300 to 800 dollar mark for most if its a pump.

 

[oneounceload]

nd then there are the O/Uers and side by side ones that are outrageously expensive for those elite who like the good sport. They are legitimate collector pieces, true, and good for skeet and what not.

Actually, most serious clay target guns are not that expensive when compared to the cost of ammo and birds. The top guns like Kreighoff, Perazzi, Beretta DT-10, Kolar, etc. are built to do one thing - break targets, LOTS of them, for a long time without ANY malfunction. Guns in this price range typically do just - it is not unusual to shoot 100,000 or more before some minor maintenance is required.

Now the highly engraved doubles used for bird-hunting - slightly different story. They're are made to be as light as practical, while maintaining a sense of balance second to none. Engraving is pretty and adds cost and value to the gun, but that is cosmetic. It is the elegant way the action is shaped, the wood is fitted, the barrels regulated, combined with nice checkering and engraving (all done by hand), that makes them expensive.

Then again, they do hold their value very well