Over Under? Side by side?

[The Original Godfather]

To be honest, I know little to nothing when it comes to break-action shotguns.


When it comes to trap/skeet, those that I have asked gravitated more towards an over n' under than a side by side. Logically, I would lean to an O/U more since it keeps a similar fit and form as my pump.

My question is:

What would be the O/U and side by side equivalents to the Remington 870s, Mossberg 500s, and Winchester 1300s of the pump shotgun realm (comparable quality and price)?

[bjl333]

There are less expensive O/U from Mossberg and Remington but those are Russian guns. I would recommand tightening the belt and buy a Browning Citori or a Beretta 686. The basic field guns for those makes are about $1000-$1200 used.

The reason for an O/U instead of a SXS is the O/U has a single plane to look at versus 2 barrels. SXS can be challenging because people often get the lead wrong with 2 barrels in front of them. And the SXS torques to one side after the shot where the O/U helps you stay on target faster/better.

[YourHuckleberry]

O/U would be my vote. But to be fair, I don't know much about side by sides, other than the old coach gun from Big 5.
By the by, I just saw a new Browning Citori at the gun show this past weekend for $990. Thought that was pretty amazing. Probably a notch above on quality and price, but if you ever see this in your area, jump on it.

[bjl333]

By the by, I just saw a new Browning Citori at the gun show this past weekend for $990. Thought that was pretty amazing. Probably a notch above on quality and price, but if you ever see this in your area, jump on it.

Great price !!!

[Fjold]

O/Us are also easier to regulate (get both barrels to shoot together).

In a SXS you get the right and left torque due the the bores being off the centerline combined with the vertical torque from the recoil. With an O/U all you have is the vertical element of the torque.

[The Original Godfather]

Thanks for all the info guys.


Wow, nearly a $1000 for a good OU? I didn't realize they were that much more than an 870 or 500/590.

[Chris M]

I have a Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U that I bought in 2008 (mine was manufactured after Mossberg resolved the firing pin problems)

After putting a limbsaver butt pad on it, and getting some quality chokes (I use Trulock), it's a great fit for me, points good, shoots straight, and patterns nicely.

The gun was about $470 at Big 5. After purchasing a few chokes, a hi-viz bead, and the limbsaver, I've got about $600 invested.

I use it for waterfowl hunting and shooting trap/skeet. I have no complaints.

I see you're in the bay area. I usually shoot at Coyote Valley Sporting Clays. If you want to join me some time, and try it out, just send me a PM.

[aippi]

I am an FFL Dealer and a friend had me get one of those Remington International shotguns for his Son.

Man the stock looked like a hand carved 2X6. The finish looked like a DIY by some kid. Part fits were horrible. I could not believe that Remington was selling this junk. That was over three years ago so they may have changed. Find a new one to look at before you buy one sight unseen.

I have never in my life seen a worse stock on any weapon. If anyone can post in and comment if this has changed, please do. If you have an older one and have been able to replace the stock, let us know where and how as my friend still has to POS and is to embarassed to sell it like it is. His son is now using a pump and he commented if he could find a half way decent stock for the International he would put it on and sell the gun.

[mjsweims]

If you are interested in trap or skeet a quality OU or SXS is the way to go. I would stay away from the cheaply made coach guns or OU's. But you are not going to find one at the same price as an inexpensive pump. Remember, what you are buying with a quality double gun is really two guns that have been joined together and matched for point of aim (the cheaper ones are not matched).
Quality side by sides are getting fewer and fewer and are generally well beyond the $1,000 mark. They are more difficult to build than OU's and take some getting used to to shoot well.
You can often find a good quality used Citori or 686 for under the $1,000 mark and these are generally GTG. New ones are quite a bit more.
If you want to shoot trap or skeet and want to invest less than $1,000 in a quality gun look at some of the Remington 1100's or Winchester 1200's or similar semi-autos/pumpsconfigured for trap or skeet.

[ysr_racer]

Here you go:

http://www.trapshooters.com/noframes/cfpages/sthread.cfm?threadid=228387&Messages=14