what does a big bucks double barrel shotgun got the cheap ones don't?

[deckhandmike]

Cheap ones hunt better. I can toss it over a fence, never have to put it in a case, it’s always ready. I can lend it it to a buddy, leave it in my truck etc. I can afford a fancy sxs but I got a cz bobwhite G2 after looking at the condition of my old shotgun. Hats off to those that hunt a 10k gun hard but I bet most baby them.

[Grendel Guy]

I'm guessing here, but maybe a difference in materials used (harder steel for firing pins, parts that see more wear, etc.).

[Grendel Guy]

I'm guessing here, but maybe a difference in materials used (harder steel for firing pins, parts that see more wear, etc.).

[Dan_Eastvale]

Why buy a Mercedes or BMW if you're only interest is getting from point A to point B reliably and in acceptable comfort?

Separates the lucky monied status seeking people from me.

[deckhandmike]

Why buy a Mercedes or BMW if you're only interest is getting from point A to point B reliably and in acceptable comfort?

Id say the more expensive guns are definitely more reliable over high round counts. If you travel for bird hunts and shout thousands of rounds like Argentine dove I get it. But for quail, dove and turkey in CA just about anything will do. I fire maybe 500 rounds a year through my hunting shotgun. The fancy guns shoot the same shot the cheap ones do. Some will say the fitted high end shotgun is amazing but if I go 20/25 on quail I could care less. It’s not like a rifle where you might get one shot on a week long hunt.

Fancy hunting shotguns are just a status thing and not even a cool one at that. It’s not even practical in the field. I’d be much more impressed with a built out carbon fiber lightweight hunting rifle. At least it’s lighter and most likely more accurate.

[Corbin Dallas]

Seems a cheap one should be same "perfect shape" to within a millimeter all around, and the mechanics except for trigger shouldn't come into play as far as actually shooting.

If I try a $6000 double barrel (side by side or over/under) VS a sub $1000 gun would I be all "This fancy gun is noticeably better"? And what aspects?

Could a mildly experienced shooter be able to tell a $1000 gun from a $6000 gun if they were camouflaged so he couldn't tell the brand and model and handed to him to point and shoot?

What does your vehicle do better that a Yugo doesn’t? Or ford festiva, Chevy citation, Buick anything, Oldsmobile anything, dodge neon…

need I go on?

[W.R.Buchanan]

This is a Discussion I can add to as I like Nice Cars and Nice Guns but only due to their higher level of utility. not for status sake. I don't give a ship about what you think of my cars. I know they are cool! But what you all need to understand and this shouldn't come as news to you, Some people just like nice things! Doesn't mean they will shoot any better or even if the person actually understands why the thing is better.

Here's a pic of my 1983 Mercedes 300SD Diesel which I bought in 2001 for $3500 with 130K miles on it.. It had been Garage kept for it's entire life, and where as it wasn't a hotrod it was dead reliable.
I put 160K miles on it over the next 14 years and the original paint and interior was in tact and looked exactly like this the day I sold it for $5500 with 290K on it. I got nothing but Compliments where ever I drove it, and it was comfortable..
I did have to take care of it because they will go to Ship if you neglect them, but I enjoyed doing it, and it was 32 years old when I sold it and it is still going strong around my town at 42 years old and nearly 400,000 miles on the original Engine and Trans. The new owners are taking care of it as well. the MBZ Diesels are among the finest cars ever to be made and they are everywhere on this planet. Most of these cars end up being Taxi Cabs in Europe, or the Middle East. It is nothing to see one with a Million or more Miles on the clock! They were that good! And the fact that they were 2-3 times more$ than lesser cars only meant you wouldn't have to replace it as often. They did eventually figure out "planned obsolescence" as their new car sales were not increasing as planned, but they still make arguably the best cars in the world..

Scrambler 375.jpg

I recently traded my Browning Citori XT (trap gun)bought in 2010 in for a new Citori CXS 32. I got $100 more than I paid for it because it was nearly perfect. The Salesman who took it in on Trade said the gun obviously had very few rounds thru it because it was in such nice condition. Who was I to argue with him that it had nearly 20,000 rounds thru it? Every time I shot it it was returned to it's Hard Case (where it lived) after having a Bore Snake pulled thru it and wiped down with a Silicone Rag. I also use a paper towel to wipe the breech face off each time so that dirt and grit wouldn't get pounded into it, Hence,,, not look like it had 20K rounds thru it !!!

These were both $2000 Shotguns which in the world of Over/Under Shotguns is "Entry Level." However they compete with more expensive guns simply because they are excellent guns mechanically and the big difference is in the cosmetics like engraving and quality of wood. I saw a $5000 Grade 5 Citori just like my new one the other day at the range. I generally suck at Skeet but I out shot him by 7-8 birds.

I have a friend who has a Perazzi that he paid $53K for and had to wait for 3 years for delivery.! The engraving was done by some well know Italian Engraver and I don't have the vocabulary to properly describe the wood!
I have held the gun in my hands and it is Definitely Alive!

And with the amount of High End Skilled Labor and Thought that went into the Creation of that Gun, it shouldn't be that much of a stretch for the average guy to figure out why it is worth every cent. to him, because he is a Shotgun Efficianodo ,,

maybe not for you or me?,

Browning Citori CXS White Adjustable - 018149303.webp
This is an Entry Level O/U Shotgun!!! and it will outlive me and probably it's next owner as well!

[Scooooter7]

My son was going to bring me home a shotgun from Turkey when he was in the Air Force reserves. Sadly for me, they went to Germany instead, so he brought home a cuckoo clock instead. Bummer.

I would think resell value may be the biggest difference, along with what others have said.

[Revoman]

My take is simply that a more expensive shotgun will last much longer with less breakdowns.

[shovelon]

Probably the only advantage big buck brands have is resale value. I have bought a new double shotgun , and bought used. The one used Turkish double I got a good deal on but although a solid reliable build, the finish is thin and weak. Really gotta keep constantly lubed to prevent rust. I may have to pony up a few hundred bucks to have the barrels reblued.

[Pofoo]

It's really interesting to watch peoples faces when a guy with a Remington 870 out scores them at the trap range.

[Bakerloo]

Some people just like nice things. Nothing wrong with that if you can afford it. I just spent $5K on a shotgun because I wanted it. I probably won't shoot any better than with my $2500 gun, but I don't care. My bills are paid and I have money in the bank. Life's short...

[Surf & Turf]

same as women....

[Surf & Turf]

It is "DA EXPERIENCE!"....Lol

[oddball]

I have a Beretta Silver Pigeon I purchased new 14 years ago and it is an excellent O/U shotgun, price back then was $2K total. The wood is very elegant, the engraving is excellent, and the overall fit and finish of the whole is excellent. Balances well, trigger is great, the mechanics are tight and precise. I also own a Stoeger Coach gun in 12 gauge that I bought for $400 and it is a fun gun, but make no mistake, it does not compare to the SP1, not even in the same ballpark. The wood furniture is OK, does not have the grain structure of a better gun. It is a two trigger system and it works fine, but doesn't have the crispness of the Beretta. Fit and finish is a little rough when you take it apart. But for $400, it is a fun little shotgun.

A couple of months ago, a friend of my son wanted to see and hold my Staccato P, he owns a Glock Gen5 G19. He was blown away by the P, the fit and finish, the sights, the slide action, trigger, the mags, etc. Yes, it is $2K+, and the Glock is $500, but is the Staccato worth the extra $$$? You bet. But it is all according to eye of the beholder.