Over/Under 20 Gauge

[JS41989]

I am looking to purchase an over under 20 gauge for hunting with my father-in-law who mostly hunts quail, dove, and pheasant. The two I've been looking at a Beretta Silver Pigeon and Browning Citori 725, both with a 26-inch barrel. Anyone have experience with these, have recommendations, thoughts or feelings?

It is a bigger purchase so I want to make the right decision.

[Dutch Henry]

Both are excellent guns. IMO, pick the one that fits you the best.

[Horrendo Revolver]

Both are excellent guns. IMO, pick the one that fits you the best.

This. They are both excellent guns and are the same quality. Fit should be the only factor in which one you choose.

[JS41989]

I've held them both, but sadly I've never fired either. When holding them and looking over them, I personally felt the Browning might be a tad nicer but it was negligible. Both were very nice shotguns.

[oddball]

I bought my wife a 20 g. Beretta Silver Pigeon field shotgun and she loves it, it is a superb firearm. The Browning is nice too, but you really need to shoulder both to see which one fits best onto your body. My wife felt the Beretta felt better for her and same with my Silver Pigeon.

[SoCalPI]

In before someone says to get an A300. It is all subjective. Both are quality. Find a place that has both and shoot if possible, or a local CGer may let you shoot.

[Ducky's Dad]

Both good guns. Quail and pheasant hunting usually involves a lot of walking. You may find the Beretta more pleasant to carry because of its shallower frame and generally trimmer dimensions. Berettas are also generally a bit lighter than comparable Brownings. I own both, and use the Beretta for upland birds, the Brownng for waterfowl.

[Horrendo Revolver]

I've held them both, but sadly I've never fired either. When holding them and looking over them, I personally felt the Browning might be a tad nicer but it was negligible. Both were very nice shotguns.

Do some reading on shotgun fit. Beretta's and Brownings fit quite a bit differently because of their stock dimensions. The vast majority of people will shoot one or the other much better because of fit.

When you shoulder a shotgun you want to be looking parallel to the rib, not up at the rib or looking down on the rib. There is more to it than that but start there.

[ysr_racer]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy a 26" barrel gun. Buy a 28" or even better a 30" gun. Trust me you'll be happier.

[JS41989]

Any specifics on why no go for the 26?

[NATEWA]

Any specifics on why no go for the 26?

Not sure - probabaly personal preference. I had a Walmart Beretta 390 with a 26" barrel and loved it. For 20 gauge, I have a Benelli Montefeltro that has been a wonderful gun - light, swings well, reliable, etc.

[BOBGBA]

Any specifics on why no go for the 26?

Probably because longer barrels have a longer sighting plane and since they are heavier, they will swing smoother.

For years and years I've used 28" barrels. That being said, lately I've been using a side by side with 26" barrels for skeet and upland hunting. I really like it.

[JagerDog]

Both good guns. Quail and pheasant hunting usually involves a lot of walking. You may find the Beretta more pleasant to carry because of its shallower frame and generally trimmer dimensions. Berettas are also generally a bit lighter than comparable Brownings. I own both, and use the Beretta for upland birds, the Brownng for waterfowl.

In 12g I'd agree. The difference is minimal in 20g though.

I like my Citori Sporter (English stock, 3" chamber) for pheasant. For quail, dove (often mulitple targets) I like my Benell Montefeltro. Both carry nicely.

[JagerDog]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy a 26" barrel gun. Buy a 28" or even better a 30" gun. Trust me you'll be happier.

I'd somewhat disagree for upland.

[sandiego67]

Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy a 26" barrel gun. Buy a 28" or even better a 30" gun. Trust me you'll be happier.

Agree 100%. The short barrel is tough to shoot compared to the 30" and 32".

The dimensions on the 26" barrel seem out of whack. It is stubby.