SKB Model 500

[Daryl Dixon]

I wanted to see what your guy's opinion are on SKB shotguns in general and more specifically on the Model 500. I have a friend who has one for sale and being an older model it's difficult to find a lot of reading about them. I've read a few forums from years ago but I wanted to see what else I can find out from the group I trust the most. I know opinions are like a--holes but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask a few questions. Here's a little bit of background on the gun:

It's a 12G SKB Model 500, it says it's made in Japan (by Mitsui I believe), I didn't see any mention of Ithaca on it but it's been at least 2 years since I've seen the gun so I could be wrong on this (only mentioned this because it seems as if these 2 had strong connections in the past since SKB made guns for Ithaca).And most importantly the thing is brand new, defintiely a safe queen for whoever my friend got it from and still is to this day (he only brought it out on one of our trips to make sure it went bang and I ended up shooting it way more than him). One last thing, I want this gun to generally shoot trap.

-What is the qualtiy like on these guns? More specifically, I'm talking about further down the road, after I put 5K of shells through it. I am not a high volume shooter but I do go out at least 5 times a year averaging at least 200 rounds a pop.

-How do you like yours/one that you have shot? I loved shooting it but I also like to hear others share their stories.

-What would you realistically pay for something like I am describing?

-How would this thing compare to something else in this price range (quality wise, resale value, ease of getting parts if needed, etc.)?


Thanks guys for any and all input you have for me!

[Kingair001]

What barrel length ?
What caliber ?

I would get a XX5 model
Even numbers have fixed chokes
Especially for trap
Or start with this one and if you like the game resell it and get your next one !

Just my .02 . . . from a trap rookie

[Ducky's Dad]

It's a good gun, but may not be configured for trap. Japanese SKBs in general are under-appreciated by the market, and therefore are usually bargains for those who know.

[Thefeeder]

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My Weatherby Orion Field which is a 500 made by SKB in Japan for Weatherby went ~ 15,000 rounds before one the hammer springs let go, at ~ 17,000 the trigger return spring went.....action lock-up still excellent. Use it for Skeet , Sporting Clays, Trap, Hunting. I prefer field configured guns for clays....just preference on my part

From what I read ( and we all know what that means) the Japan made guns are better made then the newer SKB made in ???? Turkey???

The negative for the 500 is the fixed chokes that are undesirable to many these days. Are there later 500's with choke tubes ?

[Bastard]

the older ones are supposed to be great guns - I have a 585 12/20ga combo and it breaks clays just like it is supposed to. the new guns are made in Turkey however SKB is still making the parts for the older Japanese guns (so I have heard, though I never verified this)

according to every forum that I read before I bought mine the general consensus is the older Japanese guns are good to go... whereas the new Turkish made ones not so much

edit - if you have the serial number you can submit a question on the SKB website and they will tell you when it was imported at which point you can download the catalog from that year also on their website

[Svashtar]

I wanted to see what your guy's opinion are on SKB shotguns in general and more specifically on the Model 500. I have a friend who has one for sale and being an older model it's difficult to find a lot of reading about them. I've read a few forums from years ago but I wanted to see what else I can find out from the group I trust the most. I know opinions are like a--holes but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask a few questions. Here's a little bit of background on the gun:



It's a 12G SKB Model 500, it says it's made in Japan (by Mitsui I believe), I didn't see any mention of Ithaca on it but it's been at least 2 years since I've seen the gun so I could be wrong on this (only mentioned this because it seems as if these 2 had strong connections in the past since SKB made guns for Ithaca).And most importantly the thing is brand new, defintiely a safe queen for whoever my friend got it from and still is to this day (he only brought it out on one of our trips to make sure it went bang and I ended up shooting it way more than him). One last thing, I want this gun to generally shoot trap.



-What is the qualtiy like on these guns? More specifically, I'm talking about further down the road, after I put 5K of shells through it. I am not a high volume shooter but I do go out at least 5 times a year averaging at least 200 rounds a pop.



-How do you like yours/one that you have shot? I loved shooting it but I also like to hear others share their stories.



-What would you realistically pay for something like I am describing?



-How would this thing compare to something else in this price range (quality wise, resale value, ease of getting parts if needed, etc.)?





Thanks guys for any and all input you have for me!

[Horrendo Revolver]

SKB and Miroku were different companies, Miroku of course is still in business. Mitsui is a conglomerate.

From the SKB website: SKB continued production and re-entered the US market in 1979 being represented by the Mitsui Company in Chicago, IL.

I believe the older SKB’s to be about the same quality to one step below Citoris and 686 series Berettas.

[Ducky's Dad]

I believe the older SKB’s to be about the same quality to one step below Citoris and 686 series Berettas.

The SKBs tend to be a bit trimmer than Citoris, but not as trim as typical Beretta field guns. In terms of absolute reliability, many think Beretta is top of the heap, but there is really nothing wrong with Miroku/Citori or Japanese SKB guns. Lots of guys prefer the old SKB SxSs as duck guns with steel shot. The only problem that some SKBs seem to have is that the ones with the scalloped back on the frame will have a tendency to split the wood from repeated recoil with heavy loads. It's due to wood to metal fit and concentration of the recoil force on the scallops. It still takes a lot of shooting to split one of those.

[Daryl Dixon]

What barrel length ?
What caliber ?

12G but not sure about the barrel length.

[Kingair001]

12G but not sure about the barrel length.

Probably 26 or 28 inch
It would be a starter if 28 inch
No clue what you friends wants but there are a lot of nice used o/u on the market
Don't jump into it to fast

There's always that little voice . . . what if I . . . .

[Daryl Dixon]

Thanks for all the great info/stories you guys

But I have to ask again, what do you guys think it is worth? I believe when I looked it up in the Blue Book around 2 years ago, I think the high end was around $1000 for mint in box. Does this seem reasonable? I know the owner tends to over value his 'collection' (I think he said he wanted $1400, which I definitely am not paying) so I am trying to gather some real world data from experienced people to make what I think is a reasonable counter offer. Thanks again fellas!

[Daryl Dixon]

No clue what you friends wants but there are a lot of nice used o/u on the market
Don't jump into it to fast

There's always that little voice . . . what if I . . . .

My thoughts exactly. I mean, it has been over 2 years since I've even shot it but I do think about it every now and then so I am finally getting some research together to come at him with a reasonable offer. Whether or not he goes for it is up to him and I'm not going to be disappointed either way. If he won't come down, I'll just look elsewhere/possibly put the cash into a new Beretta/Browning.

And its not like I need a trap gun, I bought my dad's Beretta A400 Xcel for $500 last year (he needed a little help justifying buying a left handed shotgun so I offered him $500 for his old gun that he wasn't going to shoot any more) but O/Us are just so dang pretty that I've always wanted one.

[Ducky's Dad]

Not enough info to establish realistic value, but $1400 is completely nuts. Cabela's has a 12/28" right now for $765. 500s came with different levels of engraving, so factor that in. Barrel length and chokes make a big difference in value, as does chamber length. I think all the 500s were 2-3/4", but if it's a 3" gun, it will probably be a little heavier than typical 500. Butt plate or butt pad? Stock shortened for pad? It all adds up. Plus, most 500s are ugly, so one needs to take that into consideration when comparing to Citori or Beretta or Ruger or Rizzini or ...

[RNE228]

Don't tell my son that... He thinks they're nice looking. And does very well on trap with his.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Plus, most 500s are ugly, so one needs to take that into consideration when comparing to Citori or Beretta or Ruger or Rizzini or ...

[Bastard]

$1400 is just stupid - I wouldn't consider anything over 1k... and even that is a stretch

$1400 is getting into Browning/Beretta territory - there is a Citori in the marketplace right now for $975

the Greener Crossbolt in nice/different