Backup shotgun

[bigbearbear]

For those of you who shoot clay regularly, do you keep a spare shotgun just in case your primary shotgun goes out of commission for whatever reason? If you do, do you get the same shotgun as a spare? Or something different to have variety?

I've been shooting trap weekly with my Benelli Supersport 12 gauge for about 2 years now, its been functioning flawlessly, holding up to the weekly shooting routine I put it through without a hiccup. However, with the 10 day wait requirement for firearms purchase, I'm thinking if something were to go wrong, then I'll be without a clay shooter for a while even if I run out and buy something from the local store or get something online. Hence, my consideration in getting a spare.

Thanks.

[XVIga_Rob]

Since you've decided to buy another. What Are you leaning toward?


I'm planning to shoot a little more clay in the future and just put a Beretta SP1 Sporting on layaway.

[RayPDA]

I've got backups for my backups, so I can backup my backup...

I almost always bring a spare, or two, or three; this applies for casual/fun trips and competitions.

Sometimes the backup(s) are the same or of a similar type, other days I'll end up with a pump, an auto, an O/U and a SxS. I don't consider it backup so much as a selection availability

[bigbearbear]

Since you've decided to buy another. What Are you leaning toward?


I'm planning to shoot a little more clay in the future and just put a Beretta SP1 Sporting on layaway.

I'm a little torn.

On one hand, I'm very comfortable with the Benelli Supersport, so another semi-auto from Benelli would make sense. Something like the Benelli Ethos would be interesting.

On the other hand, I'm also curious about break actions, I've shouldered (at a vendor's store at Kingsburg during the State shoot) and shot the Beretta Silver Pigeon I (just 1 shot when someone at Coyote Valley let me try it). It felt really good and I like it. And then, there's also the new Benelli 828U, which is pretty interesting too.

Pump actions are also somewhat interesting to me too, I've shouldered the Weatherby PA-08 and it felt good, and the Benelli Supernova looks good too though I've never tried it myself.

So many choices....

[Jules]

I do keep a backup of the same model, mostly so I can rob parts from it in a hurry if my primary gun breaks down during an event. They're Beretta 391s. The backup doesn't feel the same as my main gun, but I could strip it down to the receiver if I needed to. At the moment I have it set up to shoot sporting clays.

That said, I can shoot any of the guns in the house as backup if I needed. And there's no such thing as too many guns. I have a serious jones for a particular Ljutic, but as a single barrel break-open, I can't yet justify it in my head as a backup. Lots of people upgrade all the time.

[Steve_In_29]

If you are a SERIOUS competitor then a backup should be an exact copy of your main gun. Short of that simply get any other shotgun that peaks your fancy and set it up as you prefer.

I agree there's really no such thing as too many guns.

[Bill Steele]

Buying a second duplicate shotgun for casual shooting has to be the biggest breakdown of creativity I have ever heard.

Get something different, something that you know fits and really lights a fire in you. Screw all that analytical stuff, we do enough of that while we are standing there waiting our turn...

[L84CABO]

Let me see if I got this right...

You've come to a gun forum...to ask if you should buy another gun?

OF COURSE YOU SHOULD GET A BACKUP!

[JagerDog]

If you are a SERIOUS competitor then a backup should be an exact copy of your main gun. Short of that simply get any other shotgun that peaks your fancy and set it up as you prefer.

I agree there's really no such thing as too many guns.

^^^^this

[cudakidd]

I have two 12 Gauge Perazzi Skeet Guns...same fit on each...

One 20 Gauge Grade V Browning Citori Skeet and one 20 Gauge Grade 6 Citori Skeet...

[XVIga_Rob]

Since you've decided to buy another. What Are you leaning toward?


I'm planning to shoot a little more clay in the future and just put a Beretta SP1 Sporting on layaway.

I'm a little torn.

On one hand, I'm very comfortable with the Benelli Supersport, so another semi-auto from Benelli would make sense. Something like the Benelli Ethos would be interesting.

On the other hand, I'm also curious about break actions, I've shouldered (at a vendor's store at Kingsburg during the State shoot) and shot the Beretta Silver Pigeon I (just 1 shot when someone at Coyote Valley let me try it). It felt really good and I like it. And then, there's also the new Benelli 828U, which is pretty interesting too.

Pump actions are also somewhat interesting to me too, I've shouldered the Weatherby PA-08 and it felt good, and the Benelli Supernova looks good too though I've never tried it myself.

So many choices....

If not a serious competitor, I'd buy something different.....spice of life.

As a casual clay shooter, I've been shooting a Wingmaster for quite awhile. It works great and I shoot it well. I do have a 'back up' 870, that I use as a field gun, as well as a couple others. I'm looking to shoot more clays in the future and want something different. I have looked at a ton of SA's and a few O/U's. I Had it narrowed down to a Winchester SX3 Composite Sporting or the Beretta SP1. Then, I came across the Beretta SP1 Sporting. Decision made!!

Good luck on your quest!

[bigbearbear]

Thanks for the input everyone, appreciate it. I'm not (yet) a serious competitor, although I do shoot very regularly, almost every weekend and sometimes also during weekdays at night. It looks like it'll make sense to get 1 or more different shotgun, both as a backup and also something to see if I like better as the shotgun to use if I do decide to compete later on.

I think I'll spend a weekend at Coyote Valley to demo (rent) a few. Thanks again.