Over Under Shotguns

[Bull Elk]

About three years ago I complained in this forum that I could not shoot an o/u effectively as I could semi autos. I was convinced that an o/u was not a good match for me. Some of you told me that I needed to give it more time and to shoot my Beretta more. I did not listen and sold the Beretta. About two years ago I decided to give it another try. I bought an inexpensive over and under and committed to shooting it for a full year. I did and the improvement was noticable with the 20 gauge. I bought a .410 o/u and enjoy shooting it as well while fully understanding it's limitations and mine.

Well, my wife decided the next step in field trialing and hunt tests was to learn to shoot. Now she's getting her hunting license so she can shoot birds when training without having me gun for her. After she shot my 20g she wanted one of her own so I bought her a Stevens 555 20g. Not a huge investment, but it fit her better than others. We an pick it up next week.

So, I think I'm ready to move up from a $600 o/u to the next level (up to $1500). I've heard the message on this board loud and clear.....shoulder a few and see what fits. This will primarily be a field gun. Suggestions for new and used in this price point are appreciated. FYI.....good used field guns in my area are difficult to come by as they are snatched up quickly. I see one in the CG market place for sale (SKB 505). I don't know much about an SKB, but it's a 20g 28" barrels with screw in chokes. Thanks in advance!

[edgerly779]

I have owned an o/u since 1968 and still have that win 101 and couple more. Will accept any reloads always shoots and ejects unlike slopamatics and pumps.

[ysr_racer]

OP, where do you live? I've got a "few" different one you can try if you're in the OC area.

[Bull Elk]

OP, where do you live? I've got a "few" different one you can try if you're in the OC area.

Thank you for the offer but I'm about an hour or so north of Sacramento.

BE

[Tarmy]

I have the Franchi Instinct SL...26" barrels.

I did exactly what everybody told me to on here...hold em and see what fits.

I love my selection...and I knew when I shouldered it that it was the gun for me. The only other gun that fit was a gas gun that was the A 400...

I am a traditional kinda guy...and wanted an O/U...and the Franchi was the ticket.

Hold em, fondle em, have someone that knows how to properly shoulder the gun show you what to look for. 1500$ gives you a nice set of options

[ysr_racer]

Keep in mind, holding them and seeing which one fits is fine, as long as you are holding them correctly

Do yourself a favor and buy a shotgun from somebody that knows what they're doing.

[bigbearbear]

If you can't find the shotgun you want locally, you can always buy one online. They'll ship it to your local FFL and you do your DROS and pick it up there. That was how I bought my first shotgun. Try this online store: http://www.eurooptic.com/

I bought from them before, no issues whatsoever.


If you don't mind the long drive, you might want to try going to Coyote Valley Sporting Clay in Morgan Hill. They rent shotguns and also have a Pro Shop where you can try out many shotguns; some of them available for demo where you pay to try it out for 25 shots.