Inexpensive O/U 12ga?

[Rallyfan]

Hello,

I own a Browning Citori O/U 12ga in 3" Magnum. However, I am beginning to become interested in an inexpensive O/U. I will simply keep the Browning but want something at 1/3 or less of the cost or so with which to shoot (not hunt) once in a while. What do people like in the rock bottom price range?

I saw this but have not gone by to handle the shotgun in person.

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/Default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2503823&rapid=1227199&listingid=-2083287056&pretailerid=-98565

Suggestions welcomed; thanks.

[Newshooter]

A buddy of mine shoots a Huglu...at least I think that's what it is...and he really likes it. I have not heard many compliments on the Mossberg O/U.

I would shoot the Citori as they are built like tanks and can handle a lot of shooting.

[Rallyfan]

I would shoot the Citori as they are built like tanks and can handle a lot of shooting.

I agree about the Citori -- the reasons I don't want to shoot it are not practical or have to do with its quality, they are sentimental. Thanks for the tip, I will search for Huglu impressions.

[Chuntsman949]

Lanber Makes Impressive O-Us for the price about 800 to your door with 5 chokes and a case.

[mdhpper]

Take a look at a Lanber. They are advertised in CDNN's latest catalog on page 43. A lot of people on shotgunworld say they feel similar to a Citori.

[5539]

Mossberg makes O/U Shotguns.

CZ Custom sells C/Z O/U, comes with a 5 year Warranty.

[Rallyfan]

Thanks guys.

[Rallyfan]

So is the Maverick a low-budget version of the no-frills Mosberg O/U?

EDIT: Found this site with better pictures and a few comments from owners etc. Very interesting proposition with the Maverick.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/04/22/mossberg-maverick-hunter-shotgun/

[Rob454]

The maverick is the entry level mossberg line. I have a mossberg silver reserve. For a base entry level its ok.. I don't mind taking it in the field cause if I put a scratch on it I am not gonna freak like i would with a 1500-2000 O/U. I would keep it as a field gun. I doubt I would spend a ton more money on a O/U simply because i take my guns in some rough terrain where I go through brush and they brush against branches leaves etc. I had a few double fire incidents but that was due to not shouldering the gun correctly. if I was looking strictly for a gun to take to the skeet/trap range i would look for something better.
i checked out the OU you posted in the link today. its actually very very cheaply made. it makes my Silver reserve ( which is not exactly top of the line ) look like a work of art.
Its liek mossberg took a silver reserve but only went through about 85% of the completion process painted it black and called it a day. The Maverick does not have the barrels soldered all the way down from the tip to the chamber where the Silver Res does. Not sure if that makes any real difference but it looks unfinished just as the plain black receiver and barrels and the black stock. I doubt you can cut down the barrels and shorten it up because of the gap of space between the barrels.
Personally i would pass on it. get the Silver reserve or better yet the Remington OU.

[BigDogatPlay]

The Mossberg Silver Reserve are something of a hit and miss. They work well or they don't work. I have only looked at one example of the Maverick O/U but based on what I saw I wouldn't let a friend shoot one.

The CZ guns are Turkish, Huglu, and are fairly decent for the money / an entry level gun, judging by the examples I've seen. The use Beretta/Benelli choke tubes.

Stoeger's Condor had some issues early on but the more recent examples seem to hold up well. They take Winchester pattern choke tubes, IIRC.

Tri-Star is also Turkish made and are also a value play. Haven't personally handled any examples yet. These generally use Beretta/Benelli pattern choke tubes.

For robustness, value and general knock-around-ability the Russian made Baikal (former Remington Spartan) guns are not a bad option. They use Tru-Lock pattern choke tubes.

[nrakid88]

Dude, why own a gun you are not going to shoot?

[Rallyfan]

Thanks guys for the info, advice and links! I appreciate it! I'll be looking at everything posted very carefully. Thanks again!

[five.five-six]

I have one of those russian made remingtons, I like it enough. and it was real cheep, shoots well

[Rallyfan]

The Baikal? OK good to know, thanks.

I did not know that the CZ shotguns are Turkish either. Interesting.

[BMC]

Just an FYI, one of the guys in our trap club used an Baikal for many years. I think in one target year he said he shot over 12,000 targets with it. He said he never had a single issue with it, other than out of the box the action is very tight and takes some time to break in. Most of the low priced O/Us are on the lighter side so if you plan on doing some volume shooting you might want to add some weight to it. Other than that, from what I saw with my friend who used his hard for over 5 years, they can a take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.