O/u or semi auto?

[ysr_racer]

We're talking about a guy that's just starting out. He's not going to want to beat the **** out of his new gun.

[edgerly779]

I use Browning Belgium o/u superposed for upland and win 101 o/u for ducks and geese. Over unders rule everything else is second best.

[steel30]

You do NOT want to take a nice shotgun (o/u or semi) hunting.

I feel the same as ysr_racer. To pull the trigger on a 2-3k+ O/U and then beat it up hunting doesn't make sense to me. Plenty of great shotguns in the OP's price range to use and abuse and never think twice. I have a Mossberg 930 that has served me well dove hunting the past few seasons and there are quite a few beauty marks on it. Buy what you can afford and shoot the crap out of it!

[pennstater]

Nice to see another 930 user here, as they are a very good S/A that doesn't get a lot of mention. I use mine for the upland birds and some trap. Mine is the DC model. A very capable shotgun.

[God.Then.Guns]

OP, where do you live, and what do you shoot now?

I live in south LA county. I have an 26" 870

[JagerDog]

What Beetle said. I'd stay away from sub $1k O/U's, especially for target use where the volume can get high quickly.

As for beating up "nice" shotguns, that's relative. From my perspective that might be $1K (though I have taken my 682 on club birds). To another that might stop at a Big 5 Mossy 500 and to another a "field grade" Perazzi.

Back when I had 1 shotgun, I used my Browning B80 for everything. It's been dunked, it has some knicks and bumps, it has some cracking in the finish near the pad from wood swelling...it still shoots as good as ever and doesn't look bad at all doing it. If one finds themselves using their shotgun as a survival tool beyond that of a firearm, they might want to re-evaluate the predicaments they get themselves into.

[pennstater]

That's pretty well said. Simple and to the point.

[DArBad]

My hunting guns have fallen in the water, been used as a tent stake, and used as a paddle.

Maybe the petting zoo where you guys hunt is a little safer than where I go?

Love this, it gave me a good laugh.

[parcours]

I'd like to see the tent stake application.

Wonder if it's barrel or stock in the ground. Or maybe it's wrapped around a tree.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[ysr_racer]

I live in south LA county. I have an 26" 870

I've got a crap load of o/u and semi autos you can try out of you'd like. I'm in Tustin.

[God.Then.Guns]

I've got a crap load of o/u and semi autos you can try out of you'd like. I'm in Tustin.

that would be awesome!

also is there really a big difference between a low end o/u and a top notch one? such as a stoeger condor vs. a beretta ?

[SoCalPI]

that would be awesome!

also is there really a big difference between a low end o/u and a top notch one? such as a stoeger condor vs. a beretta ?

Careful, ysr_racer likes to talk a lot about mounting. Pretty sure he's just talking shotgun mount but I wouldn't bend over to pick up any hulls with him nearby. Just kidding. His offer is very generous and cool. Definitely take him up.

[ysr_racer]

that would be awesome!

also is there really a big difference between a low end o/u and a top notch one? such as a stoeger condor vs. a beretta ?

Yes, kind of like a Chevy Vega, and a Chevy Camaro. Both will get you where you want to go. One has a better fit, finish, is made from better materials, and will last longer.

[God.Then.Guns]

Yes, kind of like a Chevy Vega, and a Chevy Camaro. Both will get you where you want to go. One has a better fit, finish, is made from better materials, and will last longer.

lol great comparison! I'm definitely not good enough to tell the difference.

[bigbearbear]

You will be as soon as you shoot a cheapo and then anything decent.

Yup, this. If you have handled both a cheapo and something that is much higher quality, you'll be able to tell the difference.

I made the mistake of taking up an offer to try shooting a Perazzi, now I can't get over how nice its trigger is! Smoked, no obliterated would be a better term, the clay like its no big deal.

My advice: DO NOT pick up and try a nice shotgun unless you have the intention of buying one. It'll keep bugging you every time you go shooting.