Semi Auto VS Over/Under

[ak4seven]

Just recently got into skeet/trap/clays and I've been using my berreta 1301 comp with 24" barrel. With the chokes and setup I have (3gun setup), it does the job fine. I don't see a reason for change, just been noticing everyone shooting skeet/trap/clays that they've all got over/unders.

Is there something I'm missing with over/unders? Are Over/Unders that much better or is it just an aesthetics thing?

[Boarhuntor]

It is like a cultural thing if you do not use $$$$$ gun you are not a real shooter.
Think Toyota vs Lexus, vs Mercedes vs Ferary. All of them do their job done very well but the higher price for your toy, the higher society you get accepted.
Ones i saw a guy with Mos500 embarrass a bunch of gizzards in 5 stand. I think the cheapest gun gizzards had was more than $20K. All of them were high-grade custom build tools.
It pissed them off big time.
But i have to admit, it is a pure joy to hold in the hand such thing, let alone own and use it.


..

[jon94520]

Agree with the above poster, a lot if it has to do with status. O/U’s are also advantageous especially with sporting clays because of the 2 different chokes.
I personally went from shooting my dads old Citori to a Remington Versamax. I just shoot the semi better and the reduced recoil is an added benefit.

[Bastard]

[whlgun]

Something about getting that over under makes you feel like you are part of the tribe.

I also feel like when you miss with a cheap gun you are judged differently than when you have a nice gun.

[Shovel]

You don’t have to pick up shells with an o/u. Just catch them and put them in your belt/vest.

[RayPDA]

[fecalguns]

Just recently got into skeet/trap/clays and I've been using my berreta 1301 comp with 24" barrel. With the chokes and setup I have (3gun setup), it does the job fine. I don't see a reason for change, just been noticing everyone shooting skeet/trap/clays that they've all got over/unders.

Is there something I'm missing with over/unders? Are Over/Unders that much better or is it just an aesthetics thing?

OP. FWIW, I was in the same thinking when I started competing. I really didn't understand what the big deal was about O/Us UNTIL I started shooting them which then I ended up getting a Perazzi. Once I got the Perazzi I realized the finer details of why people who compete use them in my experience. First the trigger: I have shot several O/U including Blaser, Beretta, Krieghoff, and others, and there is no trigger like a Perazzi. Others may have a different opinion, but the triggers are amazing. Second the balance: Swinging a shotgun 200 times a day becomes pretty exhausting. If you have a balanced shotgun that works for you it makes a huge difference in your followup shots and stamina for the competition.

I realize I'm talking about a particular brand, but in general there is a common quality with an O/U produced by a handful of companies that IMO are constantly competing against each other to become the standard. Because of that, us shooters are the winners.

I know speaking like this may mean nothing to you as I am a sample size of ONE, but hopefully others will chime in who also compete and/or shoot a lot who would more likely agree that O/Us feel more comfortable from several standpoints compared to a semi auto. It's not JUST a status symbol IMO.

[pzbike]

[ghideon]

Growing up I shot, and competed with a semi auto. My dad reloads, so I used to have to pick up all the hulls.

I started shooting O/U just because of that in high school. Haven't stopped.

[hunterb]

O/U advantages:
2 different chokes
Faster 2nd shot
If you reload, you don't have to chase your shells around
Swing better and better balanced
RELIABILITY

A quality O/U will need very little maintenence and parts compared with a semi if you shoot a lot. Less moving parts, less things to break, etc.
Semi's are fine for casual shooters. If you shoot clays a whole lot you will want an O/U eventually IMO.

I used to use a Rem 1100 semi-auto. Shot it until it broke. Got it fixed. Shot it until it broke again. Then got a Beretta O/U ("entry level" Silver Pigeon). Have shot 10 times as much as the semi and not a single hiccup. I'm sure it would be different with a higher quality semi like a Beretta A400, but still more moving parts and things to break.

Just my opinion. I'm sure more guys with a lot more experience will comment like FecalGuns who shoots a TON of sporting clays.

OP. FWIW, I was in the same thinking when I started competing. I really didn't understand what the big deal was about O/Us UNTIL I started shooting them which then I ended up getting a Perazzi. Once I got the Perazzi I realized the finer details of why people who compete use them in my experience. First the trigger: I have shot several O/U including Blaser, Beretta, Krieghoff, and others, and there is no trigger like a Perazzi. Others may have a different opinion, but the triggers are amazing. Second the balance: Swinging a shotgun 200 times a day becomes pretty exhausting. If you have a balanced shotgun that works for you it makes a huge difference in your followup shots and stamina for the competition.

I realize I'm talking about a particular brand, but in general there is a common quality with an O/U produced by a handful of companies that IMO are constantly competing against each other to become the standard. Because of that, us shooters are the winners.

I know speaking like this may mean nothing to you as I am a sample size of ONE, but hopefully others will chime in who also compete and/or shoot a lot who would more likely agree that O/Us feel more comfortable from several standpoints compared to a semi auto. It's not JUST a status symbol IMO.

Great.... now I want a Perazzi!

[novelty]

Extractor is easy

For ejector, needs some practice

[ghideon]

A quality O/U will need very little maintenence and parts compared with a semi if you shoot a lot. Less moving parts, less things to break, etc.
Semi's are fine for casual shooters. If you shoot clays a whole lot you will want an O/U eventually IMO.

Good point. I still shoot Skeet with a 40yr Browning O/U. Hunt with it, too.

[smittty]

Just recently got into skeet/trap/clays and I've been using my berreta 1301 comp with 24" barrel. With the chokes and setup I have (3gun setup), it does the job fine. I don't see a reason for change, just been noticing everyone shooting skeet/trap/clays that they've all got over/unders.

Is there something I'm missing with over/unders? Are Over/Unders that much better or is it just an aesthetics thing?

If you're just starting then just use your 24" gun, there's no need to jump into it! How much shooting you'll do is a huge factor and knowing how a shotgun should fit takes some learning.

Try as many guns as you could get your hands on!

[ceh383]

When I started shooting clays I already had a semi-auto and a pump (didn't shoot either that much). I learned very quickly that I didn't really like the SA ( too light and whippy for me)and the pump sucked for quick doubles. I bought a cheap O/U and it taught me what I needed to know. I now shoot a Zoli, not a cheap gun, but not super expensive either.
If I would have started out with the Zoli, I would be many $$$ ahead at this point.
Live, learn, grow...Shoot what you have, borrow/rent other guns, you will learn what you want/need in a clays gun...Then buy it, even if it costs more than you want to spend, you'll end up $$$ ahead in the end.