What to do...what to do?

[Snarlingiron]

Ok, I have been lusting after a nice O/U for quite a while. I found a Beretta 686 Onyx, 26" barrels on Gunbroker for the bargain price of $875.00. The gun is in nice shape, locks up as tight as any new one, everything functions perfectly, has a couple of stock dings and a couple of areas of bluing wear. It was made in 1996.

Before I got it, I rented a 30" barrel White Onyx Sporter which fit me well and I shot it very well. The 26" Onyx doesn't fit me as well. I have a stack of Moleskin on the stock, and I only shoot it fair. This after half dozen sessions on the skeet range and the sporting clays range.

My buddy just bought a Lanber 2097 Sporter with 28" barrels. I have shot it a bit. Fits me well, and I shoot it like a laser death ray. I can get one from CDNN as he did for $599.00, or I can get the slightly fancier version (2097 Sporting Lux) for $649.00.

I can get a 686 White Onyx Sporter with 30" barrels for somewhere around 1500.00, more or less.

I'm pretty sure I can get my $875.00 back on the 686 Onyx.

So, my dilemma is should I save 225.00 and get the Lanber, or should I scrape up another 600.00 and go for the Beretta?

Fact is, once I commit to the Lanber, I'm not sure it would be that easy to recoup my investment.

Not so with the Beretta. So...What should I do?

 

[oneounceload]

If one Beretta doesn't fit you, odds are the next one won't either. If the Lanber works for you, then go for it. Realize that resale value down the road will be better with the Beretta, but then you're paying more up front as well.

IF you really want the B gun, you could always have the stock properly fitted to you by a good stocker.

 

[Al LaVodka]

Sell the Onyx, buy the fancy Lanber with a spare extractor and firing pin to shoot the heck out of it, when you are rich and famous bye another Beretta, but never look back...
Al

 

[Dave McCracken]

Keep the Beretta, you'll be lucky to find another at that price. And, resale value on Lanbers is iffy.

Do take the Lanber and measure things like LOP, Drop at Face, Cast, Pitch and do what you need to do to get that Onyx the same. Shoot it some and see what happens. Betcha it turns into a death ray too.

26" barrels are a bit short for most shooting,IMO. A set of extended chokes may be in order to add a little weight up front.

Also, the patterning board is your best friend. See the old thread on dialing in point of impact with one.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Gentlemen, thanks for the input. Dave, your point about not being able to replace it for what I paid is spot on, and indeed is the reason I bought the gun in the first place. My thinking was along the lines that the seller was leaving around $250.00 on the table, so I bought it. I knew from the get go that 26" barrels were shorter than I needed / wanted, but a bargain is a bargain. I have been shooting it with extended chokes. I have 2 sets of Angle Port mobil chokes, extended, so that is what I have been using. Where I think the difference lies, is in the overall dimensions of the stock. The sporting models utilize a larger overall profile. The evidence is that they use the larger recoil pad, i.e. 5 3/8" as opposed to the 5". Doesn't seem like much, but the sporter stocks are larger in overall dimensions even though drop at comb and drop at heel may be the same. I think the fatter stock makes the slight difference I need.

I'm going to ponder it awhile longer. No hurry. Beretta still makes Berettas, and Lanber still makes Lanbers. You guys have given me a couple of good different perspectives to think about, and for this I thank you.

I'll be at Elm Fork in the morning, so I will be shooting the Beretta, and will have the opportunity to shoot the Lanber some more taking into account the advice you all have given me.

 

[ArmedBear]

CDNN has 2" extended Mobil Chokes for cheap right now. They add about 2 oz. per choke in 12 Gauge (a bit less for IC, a bit more for F).

I think that Onyx sounds weird. IME the WO Field and the WO Sporting come up and fit exactly the same; the Sporting just has longer barrels and weighs more.

For that matter, if you toss me a Silver Pigeon or Onyx series in 12, 20 or 28, I can shoulder it and shoot it without any conscious adjustment. I've been shooting a WO 12, had someone hand me a SP II Sporting 28, and kept shooting skeet without missing a beat. At least to me, the fit is VERY similar between the lot of them.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I have considered the extended chokes, but hate to spend the money if I'm not going to keep the shotgun. I guess I could include them if I decide to sell it.

You have got me to thinking now. I will have to get the straight edge and ruler out and measure the drop at comb, drop at heel, and cast so I really know what I am dealing with.

I need to get a copy of "The Stockfitters Bible" by Rollin Oswald. I asked Santy for it, but he didn't come through. I'm not thinking of becoming a stockfitter, but I figure it would give one a good understanding of what it all means and how it is accomplished.

This is a whisky to work your way up to. The peat can overwhelm the average palate... Kevin Erskine on Lagavulin

As an aside, Lagavulin is one of my favorite tipples.