Beretta or Browning O/U

[bigchinner]

I have been shooting trap for a good part of my life and I am ready to retire my 26" 1187. I have my mind set on a Beretta but don't have any problems taking a Browning. The money saved isn't as much until you get the way higher end o/u. I will be continuing with trap but have shot a little skeet and sporting. I will probably stick to trap and skeet. I prefer 26' barrels in a 12ga. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks all and happy shooting.

[JagerDog]

Well you won't find much in 26" O/U other than 20+ year old skeet guns. Advantage is they're not sought after in today's market, so it would be relatively cheap.

You do know that O/U's are a few inches shorter with a given barrel length than an auto/pump, right?

[mausercat]

A 26 inch over and under will be about 3 inches shorter than a comparable 1100. So you can if you like the length of a 26 inch 1100 buy a 28 inch over and under.

[Bakerloo]

What ever you do, rent both for a few hours and see what fits you better. I had my heart set on a Browning. Hired an instructor and rented a Beretta and a Browning for a day at Coyote Valley Sporting Clays. The Beretta fit and felt a lot better. I left there and ordered a Beretta from Joel Etchen.

[fastpowerstroker]

Like others said you will probably find a 28" O/U compares in size to the 26" semi auto.

I recently had both for 2 years.. Originally bought the beretta 686 30" and used it for 5 years not knowing anything else. Then I aquired a japanese browning citori 28" which seem to fit me better and was more accurate for me. I just recently sold the beretta. Just preference as both are Excellent shotguns. Try to rent or use friends guns if you can to find out.

[pzbike]

Get one of each!

[newbutold]

I like them both.

[AR22]

Nothing from personal experience with either Shotguns..But I do like Berettas,LOL

[W.R.Buchanan]

Ford versus Chevy

Figure out which one feels better to you.

Randy

[smittty]

Originally Posted by bigchinner

I have been shooting trap for a good part of my life and I am ready to retire my 26" 1187. I have my mind set on a Beretta but don't have any problems taking a Browning. The money saved isn't as much until you get the way higher end o/u. I will be continuing with trap but have shot a little skeet and sporting. I will probably stick to trap and skeet. I prefer 26' barrels in a 12ga. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks all and happy shooting.

Beretta!

[Imageview]

Beretta made a few 26? as late as a few years ago for their field guns, but I don?t know if any are in current production. I like the shorter length myself, but they aren?t quite as easy to shoot well. Plenty of good used guns in that length, just need to find one that fits well.

[Loh_Ji]

Since you're in SoCal, I'd suggest checking out Pacific Sporting Arms in Azusa, great selection and Jordan is a very friendly and helpful guy.
Here is a link: https://pacificsportingarms.com/prod..._brand=162,165 (Beretta and Browning filtered)

[bigchinner]

I was actually just looking at Pacific Sporting Arms' website. Didn't know about the shorter length on O/U since I haven't shot one. I just didn't want to buy a CZ and then still buy a Beretta or Browning later one. Thanks for the all input. Anyone want to shoot trap at Prado on SUndays, once a month, PM me. I am not a pro and just enjoy the challenge, esp on windy days.
Thanks all

[Scratch705]

I may not be able to shoot every month on a Sunday but if you want to pm me that week you will go, I can try to make it out there the same time you are going.

And I am nowhere near good. Maybe average.

[Imageview]

I?m coming around a little on the ?just buy a cz? philosophy. The more I shoot mine the more I appreciate it, although I?ll probably let it go in the nearest future. Still it?s been a great gun to learn more about my shooting style and weaknesses. In your situation I don?t know if it makes sense or not, but they?re better than I gave them credit for.

[Elgatodeacero]

Caesar Guerini is another brand you might want to consider.

[bigchinner]

Imageview: there are several models of the CZ as there are any other o/u so I definitely would want to shoot one before I choose. Somebody actually scooped up a 686 this week and I shouldn't have hesitated. It went really fast. There have been a few Browning O/U but overall, not many. The CZs seem to be in stock, depending on what model in most Local GS. I will have to look at them closer. Thanks all. I haven't been to Pacific Arms yet but will do this week. Anyone up for trap on sunday mornings at Prado once a month or a little less often , PM me. I still have some ammo.

[rhodesengr]

I have a Citori 725 Trap Max. I like having features like the adjustable comb, rib, and Gray Coil butt pad. You can get those feature for less money if you buy from Guns Unlimited. Typical length is 32". Some version come in 30" but the unsingle is even longer at 34". Not sure why you like the 26". The longer barrel will give you more speed for the same load.

I have looked at the DT11 but that is a big jump up in price but it can be had with an adjustable stock. I think that is important if you can't do the whole Perazzi thing and have your stock custom cut. Otherwise, you are forcing yourself to fit the gun rather than have the gun fit you. I haven't seen version of the Beretta in the 725 price range that has all the adjustments. maybe someone offers it.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by rhodesengr

I have a Citori 725 Trap Max. I like having features like the adjustable comb, rib, and Gray Coil butt pad. You can get those feature for less money if you buy from Guns Unlimited. Typical length is 32". Some version come in 30" but the unsingle is even longer at 34". Not sure why you like the 26". The longer barrel will give you more speed for the same load.

I have looked at the DT11 but that is a big jump up in price but it can be had with an adjustable stock. I think that is important if you can't do the whole Perazzi thing and have your stock custom cut. Otherwise, you are forcing yourself to fit the gun rather than have the gun fit you. I haven't seen version of the Beretta in the 725 price range that has all the adjustments. maybe someone offers it.

So little if any to be a non-factor.


while there's reasons for long'ish barrels in trap and (more recently) some carryover to other games, velocity is not one of them.

Last I knew you could add a Gracoil, adjustable comb, etc. for < $1K. So I wouldn't let that dictate my choices.

[tanks]

Originally Posted by Elgatodeacero

Caesar Guerini is another brand you might want to consider.

I like mine. They have adjustable stocks as well.

[whutsup40]

I have 3 C.z's and love them, Look into the redhead premier it's a very nice shooter.

[Revoman]

The longer barrels provide a much better follow=through than the short. This is paramount in the clay games.
They also are no so whippy and smooth out your lead.
30" is very common and as stated, there are also many 32" barrels. For trap you can get an unsingle or oversingle barrel with a Beretta.
The only thing that I personally don't like about the Browning is that for the most part they have the ported barrels. More cleaning for not much pay back. Plus they are very loud to anyone shooting next to you.
I also highly recommend Pacific Sporting Arms, an excellent place to purchase a shotgun, and yes, Jordan is the best.
My 2?.

[docent]

I've had both, in the last 4 years. I bought the 12 ga Beretta Outlander A300, with a 30 inch barrel, and shot it for a year. It just never felt right. I ended up selling it, and bought the Browning 725 Sporting 12 ga, with the 30 inch barrel, and changed the end sight, to a "white bead" and have enjoyed it for the last couple years. I think its a better quality gun, than the Beretta. Reading the posting on this site, and talking to the guys at the range, made my decision to buy the Browning. No Regrets

[Scratch705]

Originally Posted by docent

I've had both, in the last 4 years. I bought the 12 ga Beretta Outlander A300, with a 30 inch barrel, and shot it for a year. It just never felt right. I ended up selling it, and bought the Browning 725 Sporting 12 ga, with the 30 inch barrel, and changed the end sight, to a "white bead" and have enjoyed it for the last couple years. I think its a better quality gun, than the Beretta. Reading the posting on this site, and talking to the guys at the range, made my decision to buy the Browning. No Regrets

I feel like it is a bit unfair to compare a sub-$800 semi auto to a +$3000 over/under.

I have an a300 and recently picked up a BT99. And to be honest, they both feel the same to me. The bt99 does give me more kick but that is to be expected since it is a single shot

[stormvet]

My only O/U is a 12 gauge Japanese made Winchester 101 field grade I bought off a buddy about 20 years ago for $550, it’s a pretty nice O/U I enjoy shooting it.

[MeatyMac]

You could compromise with 28 inch barrels, shoot flush chokes or add an inch with extended ones if you want to. I will be selling an immaculate Browning Citori Ultra XS Sporting with 28 inch barrels in the next month, PM me if interested.

It is on the bottom in this picture,


Mac

[newbutold]

Nice collection^^^^^^^^

[MeatyMac]

Originally Posted by newbutold

Nice collection^^^^^^^^

Thanks

I have many, many more shotguns and as I near my 60's I'm starting to thin them out. I've owned, shot clays and hunted with many great Browning and Beretta shotguns over the past 40+ years, I don't think you can go wrong with either of them when considering their operation and factory support and, if taken care of properly, they hold their value and some will even appreciate over time.

[bigchinner]

That's a great looking group. I will make some time to go to Pacific. Yes, I have seen some ported Browning and I am not a fan either. Everyone seen that browning o/u in menifee that someone is selling. I have been thinking about making the 2 hour drive out there.

[JagerDog]

I like the one above it. I'll give ya treefiddy.