Budget O/U?

[rawfuls]

I've been shooting my Remington 870 Wingmaster with clays for long while, finally upgraded to the Beretta A300 last week.

Shoot a few rounds of trap only until the owner of our private range lent me and my buddies his Browning GTI. Yes... LENT it to us for a few rounds.
Needless to say, a range trip to show off my new Beretta A300 turned into a few rounds of drooling over the Browning O/U.
I've always been a fan of the Browning Citori O/U's since I first laid my hands on one 4 years ago.

I'm not upset with my brand new A300, in fact it is a solid gun and upgrade from the 870; but nothing beats the satisfaction or a break action, with an auto-ejector and the satisfaction of dropping shells into a barrel and snapping it back into the ready position!

With that being said, I'm entertaining the idea of saving back up for a new O/U for clays (trap, skeet, sporting clays) in the near future, but want to lay my eyes on one before I start saving.

Any recommendations?
Budget sub-$1000, the Stoeger Condor O/U looks nice, but unsure of it's build and quality over time.

[milotrain]

I am not a good clay shooter but my father had a few O/Us that I shot including a Citori. I didn't find it particularly special for it's premium price over his other O/Us, my favorite of his to shoot was a Laurona (not that it was a "better gun"). I think the biggest thing is to find a shotgun that points well for you and as long as it patterns well then who cares how much it cost.

[rromeo]

The Citori is a good budget gun. A lot of people that can't afford the high end O/Us love them.

[fffblackmage]

I considered the Stoeger Condor when I was shopping for an O/U last year. The competition model, in particular, does look like good value. It has the longer ported barrels, an adjustable comb, and extended choke tubes found in many sporting model O/Us. I think price is under $1000 too, so it would fit your budget.

As far as build and quality is concerned, I'm actually not entirely sure. It used to be that cheap guns were crap, but modern manufacturing has made large improvements in reliability and quality.

But it sounds like what you really want is a Browning O/U. I'd say go enjoy your shiny new A300 (congrats! I might buy one myself) and save up for a Browning, used or new.

[NATEWA]

http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/20_10/features/Affordable-Lanbers-Remington-and-Mossberg-Shotguns-5643-1.html

[NATEWA]

CDNN used to sell them - lanbers that is.

[wurger]

OP, we are pretty much in the same boat. I get my A300 out of jail next week.

I really tried to find a budget o/u, but I just wasn't feeling the 'Made in Turkey" love.

I'm shooting the A300 until I can afford a DT11.

[bwhited]

Look for an older used Citori with fixed chokes.
That should keep the price down.

[rawfuls]

So better to just save up for the big boy toys instead of getting an entry O/U?

How much would I be looking for, at a used Citori/Winchester/any other brand, that will last?
I am open to buying once and crying once; than buying multiple times.
Removable chokes is almost a must, I think...

[ysr_racer]

Spend two grand on a good used Browning, and your grandkids will be shooting it.

[JagerDog]

Lightly used Citoris are solid guns for slightly over $1K.

The Browning Crossover Target is hard to beat valuewise on a new gun with target features.

A used Beretta 682 would be similar price range.

[Newshooter]

Spend two grand on a good used Browning, and your grandkids will be shooting it.

+++1

[sandiego67]

Lightly used Citoris are solid guns for slightly over $1K.

Let me know when you find a decent used Citori (12 ga) for slightly over $1k. I am in the market and every one I have seen for the past 6 months is 2x that.

[Thefeeder]

Let me know when you find a decent used Citori (12 ga) for slightly over $1k. I am in the market and every one I have seen for the past 6 months is 2x that.

A Lightning no less

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=551426485

[roostersgt]

I see used field grade Citoris all the time for a bit less than $900.For under $1000 you should be able to score a great used O/U, but it will be a field grade, not Pigeon grade. Saw a really nice Winchester 101 recently for $850 that was very tempting. Try calling cammanche Hills Hunting Preserve and seeing if they have any on the bulletin board. They usually have a few, especially at the end of the season (now). As with everything, you get what you pay for in O/U's. Good brands feel right. The lesser ones will do the job, but you won't enjoy it as much.