pump vs over under

[RandyD]

You did not state your price range. You can find some low cost, good quality, used semiauto shotguns on gunbroker.com. As far as using a third shot, I used to hunt quail and dove in Arizona, and I took used my third shot many times.

[ChefRob13]

My price range right now is
$350-$500

[jbk]

Just my .02

I am not a fan of O/U. I was raised shooting pumps and semi auto shotguns. I owned a beretta O/U and just didnt like it. Not that there was anything wont with it it just didnt fit me i wasnt comfortable of confident with it. Im sure the comfort would have come with use but i didnt care for it enough to use it.
I traded it off for a remington versa max. Before that i hunted with a stoeger 3500. Both are really nice semi autos. If you want to get O/U i would say try it first if possible.
For your price range i would say look for a nice pump or maybe a used semi auto like a remington 1100. The 1100s are great guns. They will last you a long time, even if they stocks are scratched or scratches on the finish. If you are going to hunt with it its going to get marked up anyway. So far this season my versa max has been used to fish doves from water and pigeons from cow manure. I took a friend hunting and his first trip with his new 870, he realized he left the trigger lock key at his house 3 hours away. We gentily removed the lock with a screw driver and a rock.
As for your other question, yes i have needed the 3rd shot a few times for doves.

[ChefRob13]

Looks like I might be saving a lil bit more cash to get a semi. But the big five $309 mossberg 500 deal this week is tempting.

I'm gonna stay away from the cheapo o/u

[AFTII]

Between a higher end pump and a lower end OU, I'd go with the pump. At the price point you are talking, a pump is going to be superior build qualify - unless you find something used for dirt cheap.

You also said you intended this as a hunting gun. I had a beautiful Weatherby Orion II Classic in 20 GA. It cost about $1500 in the 1990's. It had much nicer wood (hand checkered, oiled walnut) than the crap Weatherby is putting on them now. It was a great gun, but too pretty, and too heavy, to hunt with. You feel every ounce when you're baking in a 100+ degree heat in some field in El Centro. I sold it and have never felt the urge to replace it.

My current bird gun is a 20 GA Benelli Nova. It's cheap, light and fits me well. Find a range, like Oaktree GC, where you can rent and try some different guns before you buy. Fit makes a big difference when it comes to shotguns.

[RNE228]

This is best so far. Go try some and get an idea what fits you.

Find a range, like Oaktree GC, where you can rent and try some different guns before you buy. Fit makes a big difference when it comes to shotguns.

[ChefRob13]

That sounds like great advice

[MJB]

I'd stay away from that pump go with nova or an older 870 but not the express

[JohnCCW]

Looks like I might be saving a lil bit more cash to get a semi. But the big five $309 mossberg 500 deal this week is tempting.

I'm gonna stay away from the cheapo o/u

There is a Remington 870 Express super mag in 3-1/2 inch chamber, for less than $400. That would cover anything that flies.

I would prefer a 870 Wingmaster with the nicer wood and blueing, but that's just me.

[toby]

http://www.basspro.com/Weatherby-SA08-Shotgun/product/10218628/

[Che762x39]

...
how often do you really get more than two shots off when hunting upland or waterfowl?

The first time you "double", take two pheasants on the rise is memorable.

With doves you will do a lot of shooting.

Ducks is another game. Sometimes you see flocks staying 75+ yards away and you bagged nothing and somebody else will check in with a bag of seven.

Anyways the worst day of bird hunting is better than any day at work.

[toby]

I grew up shooting pumps for years, borrowed an over and under at some time and have been using one ever since. If you're a crappy shot Autos are the way to go. Shy away from Mossberg.

[jbk]

Looks like I might be saving a lil bit more cash to get a semi. But the big five $309 mossberg 500 deal this week is tempting.

I'm gonna stay away from the cheapo o/u

My son in law bought one of those for his first shotgun. He used it for one hunting season. Near the end of the season rust started popping up on the barrel and some pins fell out. It worked cause that what he could afford. He bought a stoeger for this season. For what its worth

[sdnative13]

No no no.

Should I not get an over under under $400 maverick

You are far better off with a proven inexpensive 870 than a maverick o/u

[NATEWA]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=17070439#post17070439