Weatherby Orion?

[Dirty Dawg]

I went looking at O/U shotguns today. Picked up several different brands/models but pretty much stopped when I got to the Weatherby. I love the way it feels, it just seems to fit me. Of course, I'm familiar with Weatherby rifles but know very little about their shotguns. That said, this gun seemed very solid with a lockup that was like a vault. I'm hoping some of you guys have experience with these guns and are willing to share. It seems like a lot of gun at a reasonable price and I'm itching to own one.

 

[pbrktrt]

if it's new it's Italian. if it's used it's SKB. it says Weatherby & either maker that they use makes a high quality shotgun. if it fits you & that is the most important thing with a shotgun then buy it.

 

[Virginian]

Many years back a buddy had a Weatherby Regency. To this day I think it was the best looking O/U I ever saw.
I used to sell guns. I would put my faith in Weatherby right up near the top of the heap.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

The gun I looked at is new but it shows to be made in Japan so I assume that's a SKB. Is there anyplace to buy SKB directly? I don't think I've ever seen one for sale around here.

 

[Pete409]

Dawg,

I've owned the Weatherby Orion, and it's a well made gun. Be sure the gun says "Made in Japan" on the left side of the top barrel near the receiver. That means it was made by SKB which makes quality guns. The Weatherby is basically an SKB with nicer wood on it. They are excellent values on the used gun market.

 

[Pete409]

By the way, I think that SKB is still making the Weatherby O/U shotguns. It's the Weatherby autoloaders that are now made in Italy.......... by Valtro if I remember correctly.

CORRECTION: Oops. It looks like the new Weatherby O/U sporting clays guns are made in Italy. I haven't seen or tried out one of those yet, but I do know that the ones made in Japan by SKB are high quality.

 

[Geno]

I had one (Japan-made) in 2000. It had nice balance, and locked like vault with its modified Greener crossbolt. I found that I couldn't pull it up to my eye naturally. It took effort and adjusting. Maybe it was just me. It just didn't have a natural fit. I sold it and went back to my Rem 870. They are worth every cent, and if it fits you well, go for it.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Thanks for the input guys. Doc, the gun fit me like it was custom made. That's what got my attention. I've handled other guns that didn't settle naturally like this one did. Also, I was very impressed with the Greener crossbolt. If I could find one gently used I'd buy it tonight.

 

[MAKster]

The new Weatherby o/u are being made by Fausti.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

The new Weatherby o/u are being made by Fausti.

That's what I hear. However, both guns I looked at, both new in the rack, were made in Japan, so if I understand correctly they are SKB.

 

[Pete409]

The new Weatherby o/u are being made by Fausti.

In that case, I would look for one made in Japan by SKB.

 

[MAKster]

I'm sure there are plenty of new SKB made ones still floating around. The Weatherby's cost more than a SKB branded model and almost as much as a Beretta or Browning so they aren't big sellers. I suspect switching to Fausti was an attempt to lower costs.

 

[batmann]

I had a Weatherby made by SKB and was the best fitting shotgun I ever had. Biggest mistake of my gun life was giving it to my son.
If you can get it, go for it!

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Well, it took some doing and I was beginning to think somebody didn't want me to buy another shotgun (other than my wife) but I finally found a NIB Weatherby/SKB 20 gauge with 26" barrel. I had managed to find one with a 28" barrel but the seller wanted $1250 and I got this one for $999. I couldn't see spending the dough for the extra length, plus, I really like the feel of the gun I bought. Now I just need to clean it up and go out for a father-son dove hunt. My boy doesn't know I bought this gun or that the Stoeger Condor 20 gauge I recently traded for will now become his first O/U. It's going to be a great weekend!

 

[ArmedBear]

I like the 26" better. 20 Gauge with a PoW grip, 26" barrels, should be a GREAT field gun. Great buy you got.

 

[romeo212000]

Its a great gun. I really thought about buying one.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Got her all cleaned and lubed up today, boy what a sweet little gun. It looks like I might get out for a late afternoon dove hunt tomorrow. Man, I'm chomping at the bit to see how this gun is gonna hunt!

 

[ArmedBear]

I have an Ithaca SKB 20 Gauge 26" and it has brought home more dove and quail than any other gun I have. It will continue to do so, because it's the gun I take with me consistently, now.

Enjoy!

 

[tcrocker]

http://[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2172451970103526723XQXoQu][/URL]
I HATE overunder shotguns but I love my Orion. I took an auto loader to a gunshop and asked what shotgun could I get for it , one of the ones they handed me was this over under. I didn't have eny intrest in the gun when I seen it but I tryed it on and it fit me like a glove. So I took it home that day and it'll stay here for some time to come.