Which entry level O/U shotgun?

[aye_dre]

I currently have the chance to pick up one of these two over/under for a fair price:

Mossberg Silver Reserve ($530)
CZ Drake ($480)

This is going to be my first over under and its just going to be used for trap, skeet, and outdoor range trips. Which one would you guys go with? (please no other suggestions)

[Keithh2oskier]

[NapalmCheese]

Why are you looking for an over/under for trap, skeep, and outdoor range trips?

In that price range you can handle a number of new and used shotguns of several actions and find the one that feels the best to you. It may be that an A300 feels better to you and will still allow you to hit those doubles.

[aye_dre]

Anything specifically that she did not like about the Drake?

[aye_dre]

Why are you looking for an over/under for trap, skeep, and outdoor range trips?

In that price range you can handle a number of new and used shotguns of several actions and find the one that feels the best to you. It may be that an A300 feels better to you and will still allow you to hit those doubles.

Over unders have always appealed to me, but I really don't want to fork over $1,000+ on one at the moment. Purpose of this firearm is the occasional weekend trip, nothing more. But don't get me wrong, if I ever get serious about trap/skeet then I would most likely be more willing to spend the money down the road

[Keithh2oskier]

Anything specifically that she did not like about the Drake?

Like I said it was more an issue on the fitment. I don't think the comb height was right for her structure and she couldn't really rest her cheek on the gun so when she shot it would kick back and hit her in the jaw. She didn't have that problem with my Tristar O/U.

It was a 20ga. We ended up getting her the 20 ga version thats just like mine and it works a lot better.

[aye_dre]

Like I said it was more an issue on the fitment. I don't think the comb height was right for her structure and she couldn't really rest her cheek on the gun so when she shot it would kick back and hit her in the jaw. She didn't have that problem with my Tristar O/U.

It was a 20ga. We ended up getting her the 20 ga version thats just like mine and it works a lot better.

I see, appreciate the info. I have felt and handle both. Both seem to fit me well, although the mossberg was noticeably heavier

[NapalmCheese]

Over unders have always appealed to me, but I really don't want to fork over $1,000+ on one at the moment. Purpose of this firearm is the occasional weekend trip, nothing more. But don't get me wrong, if I ever get serious about trap/skeet then I would most likely be more willing to spend the money down the road

If you like that style of action that's great. I'm a SxS fan myself.

The reason I ask is because O/U shotguns (even if they are often seen in the hands of competitive shooters) are not prerequisites of the clay games. Likewise, simply using an O/U won't make said games easier and won't instantly make a shooter more competitive. O/U shotguns built specifically for the clay games are specifically built to shoot 1000's of shells without breaking, and are specifically weighted, balanced, regulated, finished, etc. to swing in a certain way and to hit targets (sometimes even at a preferred distance). 'Entry level' O/U shotguns are not made with such ideals and may not shoot, swing, fit, or feel pleasant to hold/use. It is not uncommon for a clay games newb to ask which entry level O/U they should buy simply because they don't know there is a significant performance (and potentially longevity) difference between the entry level guns meant to appeal to shooters who simply want an O/U, and the clay/upland guns specifically built for wingshooters; but they feel that an O/U is necessary to progress in the games.

I would hate for someone new to the clay games to feel like their lack of an O/U shotgun is holding them back. Likewise I would hate for someone new to the clay games to actually be held back in their progression because they felt it was necessary to choose a specific style of gun instead of what best fit (or could be best fitted to) them. So if you just want to try an O/U because it appeals to you, great, pick the one that is best regarded and most appeals to you. If you think you want to get better at the clay games, I would suggest looking at other (potentially non-O/U) shotguns as well.

That being said you certainly don't have to listen to me, as I only once held the Mossberg O/U in a Big 5 and have no experience with the CZ.

[winetoad]

Go to a gun store and check them both out before making a decision. You might find that one of them fits better than the other.

[russ69]

I know you said no other suggestions but these guns are getting a lot of attention with clay shooters.

http://www.tristararms.com/products/over-under/hunter-ex-lt/

[ceh383]

I owned a CZ, not this particular model, for the money it was a very good gun. In the 2 years I owned it I had no issues with it at all.
The guns you mention are about the same weight, so if the Mossberg feels heavier, it's probably due to how it's balanced. Keep in mind, if it really is heavier it will have less felt recoil...A good thing for shooting clays!
If I were in your shoes, I would handle both guns and get the one that feels best.

[Thefeeder]

I currently have the chance to pick up one of these two over/under for a fair price:

Mossberg Silver Reserve ($530)
CZ Drake ($480)

This is going to be my first over under and its just going to be used for trap, skeet, and outdoor range trips. Which one would you guys go with? (please no other suggestions)

Here are some questions that need to be addressed before buying an off the rack shotgun, in your case an O/U

How many different O/U's have you shot targets with?
Of those, which did you feel most comfortable shooting with?
Of those that you felt most comfortable, which one did you hit the most targets with?

[aye_dre]

If you like that style of action that's great. I'm a SxS fan myself.

The reason I ask is because O/U shotguns (even if they are often seen in the hands of competitive shooters) are not prerequisites of the clay games. Likewise, simply using an O/U won't make said games easier and won't instantly make a shooter more competitive. O/U shotguns built specifically for the clay games are specifically built to shoot 1000's of shells without breaking, and are specifically weighted, balanced, regulated, finished, etc. to swing in a certain way and to hit targets (sometimes even at a preferred distance). 'Entry level' O/U shotguns are not made with such ideals and may not shoot, swing, fit, or feel pleasant to hold/use. It is not uncommon for a clay games newb to ask which entry level O/U they should buy simply because they don't know there is a significant performance (and potentially longevity) difference between the entry level guns meant to appeal to shooters who simply want an O/U, and the clay/upland guns specifically built for wingshooters; but they feel that an O/U is necessary to progress in the games.

I would hate for someone new to the clay games to feel like their lack of an O/U shotgun is holding them back. Likewise I would hate for someone new to the clay games to actually be held back in their progression because they felt it was necessary to choose a specific style of gun instead of what best fit (or could be best fitted to) them. So if you just want to try an O/U because it appeals to you, great, pick the one that is best regarded and most appeals to you. If you think you want to get better at the clay games, I would suggest looking at other (potentially non-O/U) shotguns as well.

That being said you certainly don't have to listen to me, as I only once held the Mossberg O/U in a Big 5 and have no experience with the CZ.

I completely understand an over under will not make me a better shooter. Purpose of the post was to receive a feedback on these particular shotguns. Shooting clays at the moment is strictly recreational and just looking to get a decent over under for the money.

[aye_dre]

Here are some questions that need to be addressed before buying an off the rack shotgun, in your case an O/U

How many different O/U's have you shot targets with?
Of those, which did you feel most comfortable shooting with?
Of those that you felt most comfortable, which one did you hit the most targets with?

I've only shot two browning over under prior. Don't know the particular models as it was my girlfriends uncle. This was the first time I ever went trap shooting and didn't do very well but I won't blame it on the browning. From what I remember they felt good but browning is out of my price range

[aye_dre]

I owned a CZ, not this particular model, for the money it was a very good gun. In the 2 years I owned it I had no issues with it at all.
The guns you mention are about the same weight, so if the Mossberg feels heavier, it's probably due to how it's balanced. Keep in mind, if it really is heavier it will have less felt recoil...A good thing for shooting clays!
If I were in your shoes, I would handle both guns and get the one that feels best.

Glad to hear you were happy with the CZ purchase. What model was it?