Stevens 555 vs. Mossberg International Silver Reserve II

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Hey folks,

Usually I'm in the handgun and reloading sections but my 12 year old son took a liking to trap shooting as did I last summer. He's a big 12 year old so I'd consider any gun suitable for an adult ok for him. I don't want to buy a family heirloom but want a good quality gun for both of us to have some fun with. My FFL gave me a price for each, $75 more for the Mossberg.

Anyone have direct experience with either of these two guns or have a great recommendation in the $500 to $700 beginner range? I really want an over under.

Thank you in advance.
 
Get what feels best when you shoulder the gun. If it is going to be a dedicated trap gun, look for a gun specifically for trap, they will have a higher point of impact, or in other words, the shot pattern will be above where you are pointing. Trap targets rise into the shot pattern. Single shots like Browning BT 99's or 100's are excellent trap guns and can be found used, if well worn, in that price range. Remington 870T's can be found used occasionally also.

If you really get into trap, durability is key, it's nothing for guns to have 200,000 rounds through them before a tune up, that is why decent O/U's are starting in the $1500 range for entry level that will run high target counts. The gun is cheap compared to shells and targets.

I really can't comment on either of the two guns that you list as I have never seen either of them on a clays range. Berettas, Remingtons, Brownings, higher end Perazzis, Kolars, and Krieghoffs are regulars. There are the occasional Mossberg pumps also as well as some Bennellis. My particular trap gun is a Winchester M12.

Any gun can be used to shoot trap, it is easier to use a field gun to shoot trap than to make a trap gun into a field hunting gun if you want one gun for all types of clay games. I mostly shoot skeet and sporting, and can make do shooting trap with it, but I can barely hit anything skeet or sporting wise with my trap gun.

If you are shooting trap at a club, most guys will let you shoulder and test shoot their guns if you ask nicely. Many may know of used guns for sale also.

ps: I am also a plumber
 
I have the Mossburg. I use it for shooting Clays at our range, on occasion.
Shoots well enough. Has extractors instead of ejectors. Made in Turkey, and says so prominently.

I've also got a Yildiz from Academy Sports. Also made in Turkey. It is lighter, points a bit faster and has ejectors instead of extractors. It's also too light and will beat you to death after four or five boxes of shells. Reputation for trigger parts breaking.

A bit better than either of the above might be the CZ. I don't own one, but a buddy does, and he likes it just fine.
 
Neither are quality guns. They won't hold up to serious use, but might be ok to see if he really wants to get into trap or loses interest.
 
I suggest visiting a local gun club and trying a few trapguns. Usually the guys are happy to help.
Recoil is the #1 enemy of young shooters. Cheaper, lightweight shotguns can be brutal.

I have a silver reserve 28ga. It is a pretty nice o/u. I would consider it a hunting gun, but not a dedicated trap gun. I have shot maybe 1000rds of sporting clays with it and have already replaced the firing pins. I bought it used, but it hasn't been shot that much. It is a quick pointing little Quail gun, but I can't recommend one for trap. I don't think it will hold up. Besides, it's not a trap stock.
You're handicapping yourself, or your son, by not getting a gun that properly fits.
Take a look at used Beretta 390 auto or used 1100 Remington. They are soft shooters and very versatile. If you are set on an o/u look for a used browning or Beretta. They won't disappoint.
 
I had one of the Mossberg 28 ga Silver Reserves. Put thousands of skeet rounds through it with no problems. But if I was going to spend the money, I'd get him a Beretta 391. Eventually, if he likes shooting, he'll want to shoot skeet and sporting clays too. The 391 excels at all three games. I regret selling mine greatly. Don't get hung up on the status of the over/under, he'll (and you too probably) enjoy the soft shooting 391 for years to come.
 
leo96150 said:
Don't get hung up on the status of the over/under, he'll (and you too probably) enjoy the soft shooting 391 for years to come.
Click to expand...

This!! I have the choice to shoot with just about whatever I want. When I want a relaxing low recoil day at the range I grab one of my autoloaders. I don't like picking up hulls but I do love autos, mine are all Remington, but I have shot the Beretta's and do think they are as good or better than my 1100's or 11-87.

If I want to play I grab one of my pump guns, have about 10 of them. If I get serious and money is on the line, I will grab my Winchester M12 trap gun for trap, my Beretta 682 Supersport for skeet, and my Remington 11-87 or back to the Beretta 682 for sporting clays.
 
If you shop used, watch the older Mossberg Silver reserves. I saw a few that had fireing pin issues at our club.
If it were my money, I'd buy a used Remington 310 or new ATI Condor. I have both and they hold up well. The ATi in particular is a heck of a deal when you look at the features they offer for the $. Particularly in their $550 clays models.
 
Buy an older 870 Wingmaster. It will be shooting long after both of these are worn out. Mine went 250k rounds before the first breakdown, which cost $24 to fix. Still shooting since 1972.
 
Well guys, here's an update. I've posted here, asked many guys at my gun club, visited big and small guns stores and read as many opinions on other forums. I changed my mind from getting an over under and was going to just start out with a used 870 and then I walked into my local gun store and he had a mint condition 1971 vintage 1100 12 gauge with the 28" trap barrel and a 26" skeet barrel. Out the door for $695. It certainly doesn't look like it's been handled or shot much. It fits me well and my son said it fits him better than my old Ithica model 37. An experienced shot gun guy at my club said he will help learn how to break it down and clean it and replace seals if necessary. I figure if it doesn't work out I can sell it for not much of a loss

Case closed. Thank you everyone.
 
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