Wife wants an O/U for Sporting Clays - Any Advice

[Newton]

My wife is going crazy nuts over Sporting Clays, she has had maybe half a dozen lessons with a variety of borrowed guns including a nice Beretta O/U and a Beretta Urika semi-auto in 12 and 20 gauge.

She has decided she really prefers the O/U in 12 gauge, but looking at prices I'm seeing $2,000 tags for new guns.

I could be tempted by a used gun, but I'm unsure of buying used as there is always that question mark (and often no warranty).

She has no definite preference and finds little difference between any of them at this stage in her shooting career, except for Baikal that is, of which she has now handled 3, and couldn't open the action easily on one of them - they were VERY stiff.

So do you guys have any suggestions, is there such a thing as a good, budget 12 gauge O/U with 28 inch barrels and screw in choke tubes or is it time to raid the 401K.

Thanks

 

[ysr_racer]

A better question would be "which gun fits her better". Gun-fit is EVERYTHING, especially for smaller shooters.

If you're not sure how to tell if a gun fits her, ask one of the people she's been taking lesson from.

I just switched from a browning 425 to a browning 525 and it made a LOT of difference.

 

[PJR]

There are those who believe a $2,000 gun is a bargain basement gun.

That said you do tend to get what you pay for. You just have to make sure that you get what you need.

A personal favorite is the Beretta Onyx. Same action as the target guns but not as nicely finished as their higher grade target guns.

The Lanber is much less expensive and while not common in North America they are frequently seen as a starter gun in the UK. The Charles Daly guns are made by Miroku (same maker as Browning) although I think they sacrifice a little fit and finish compared to Browning to make a specific price point. SKB shotguns are another brand worth looking at but I've found them pretty klunky in 12 gauge although their 20s are nice. I personally don't like the Ruger Red Label but know many who do.

I'd stay away from Stoeger and Baikal. I haven't seen many that withstand the constant use of a sporting gun.

Used guns are a favorite of mine. Until very recently, I've always shot used guns and as a result have owned guns that I couldn't afford if bought new. Target shooters change guns with frequency and quite often good guns are available at good prices. Because you are looking for a 28" barrel, there should be guns available at desirable prices because target shooters are frequently followers of fashion and the current fashion in sporting clays is toward longer barrels with 30" being considered the minimum. 28" guns tend to go wanting. Look for good name brands and target gun designations and find someone with experience who can help you learn what to look for in a used gun.

And as ysr-racer pointed out, gun fit is very important. More important than which brand of gun.

Hope this helps,

Paul

 

[Kalrog]

For about half of that you could get a Ruger Red Label. But go for fit before anything else - as long as you can afford it. I would say even if that means going with a semi-auto or pump, but don't do that if it will turn the wife off of the sport. Interrest is everything.

 

[45auto]

An O/U is probably one of the 'safest' guns to buy used- IMHO.

Often, the outside condition of the gun indicates how the gun was taken care of, or not. Assuming of course the bbls were not "messed" with.

And, good O/U's are very durable so even a well used one should have a lot of life to it. Unless you are in the very high end guns, the cost of minor work and parts is pretty reasonable.

I have seen a lot of "near new" guns being sold at a good discount just because someone did not shoot it well or because of a model change.

 

[45Badger]

How about a 20 Gauge Superposed? It's choked mod and full, but you could either open them up, or have Briley install a set of tubes.

Just plugging mine in the for sale forum

 

[Vic303]

My husband is drooling for a short-stocked Fabarms Lion series (Gold or REd, or Silver...can't remember ) in 12ga.

 

[AZgunstudent]

Traditions brings in a reasonably-priced series of O/Us from Fausti Stefano in Italy. You can get their Field Hunter with screw-in chokes and 28" barrels from Wal-Mart for around $500, if you can bring yourself to buy a gun there. The Field II (same basic gun with ejectors) is a little more, and a special-order from Wally World.

You might have to trim the stock if your wife is on the small side. The major downside to the gun is that the chokes are proprietary and fairly pricey. But I used to work at Traditions, and they got very, very few of the Faustis back for warranty service. It's a really decent gun for little money.

Mike