Why are semi-autos/over-unders so expensive?

[ysr_racer]

Buying a shotgun is like buying a car or getting married. Test drive, test drive, test drive.

[otteray]

Since you mentioned the Browning Gold, the Winchester SX2 3" is pretty much the same as a Browning Gold, mostly just re-branded (same parent company.)
New, they were $1000 or more; now one can be picked up for half that since Winchester started making the SX3 in its place.
Mine functions great with light 7/8 oz loads and heavy hunting loads, too.

[mjsweims]

The round counts you quoted for the CZ before breakdown are horrible. If you think they are good you are sorely mistaken.
Since price is very important to you try for a used Browning Gold, or failing that a used 1100. Either way you will get a very good gun at a reasonable price. Better to wait a while and get higher quality. An A5 is also a very good quality shotgun and usually perform extremely well even if they are much older (no steel shot). Before you buy any semi-auto shotgun fire (or have this done for you) three consecutive shots to make sure it cycles properly.

[Tallship]

The reason O/Us are more expensive than semi-autos, is that there are a bunch of small, intricate parts inside the action that, among other things, allow you to switch which barrel fires first, and re-cocks the hammer(s) after the first shot.

[Javi]

The round counts you quoted for the CZ before breakdown are horrible. If you think they are good you are sorely mistaken.
.

Hm =/ I'm starting to look at the better known brands again then. Yes, my plan was after I bought the shotgun, I'd go take it to the indoor range and run at least 100 shells to make sure it's working before I look stupid(er) on the field

Thanks to whoever mentioned the Winchester. Found the Super X 3's for $700-800 on Buds gun shop. That's pretty darn good! Looks like layaway will have to be used.

[RayPDA]

On a side note, an example of quality and craftsmanship in a semi from years gone by would be the Winchester Super X-1.

If you can also find one of these used in the configuration you want/need and it fits you, GRAB it.

Unarguably one of the best semis ever made. Arguably the best ever.



Question: Are you looking for something that will cover all the clays games, or something more specific (trap, skeet, SC)?

[Javi]

On a side note, an example of quality and craftsmanship in a semi from years gone by would be the Winchester Super X-1.

If you can also find one of these used in the configuration you want/need and it fits you, GRAB it.

Unarguably one of the best semis ever made. Arguably the best ever.



Question: Are you looking for something that will cover all the clays games, or something more specific (trap, skeet, SC)?

I'll look up the Super X-1. I've only shot skeet once and loved it, would like to continue with that as my main focus but would like to try both trap and sporting clays eventually. I figured a 28" barrel would do well in all 3 and I noticed that these things come with 3-5 chokes so that could help too.

[Newshooter]

The 3901 citizen comes with wood furniture and I believe it I around $599. Beretta quality at that price is worth it.

[Newshooter]

Sorry...you want the 3901 Statesman. That one comes in wood.

[Javi]

Sorry...you want the 3901 Statesman. That one comes in wood.

Oh! Thanks for the heads up, I've never heard of that version.

[goldduster]

Now that you have been squeezed up to the $7 - $800 range, take a look a CDNN. Winchester 101 for $999. I shouldered one and it seemed very nice and its an O/U. I am sorry to get you back at the $1000 level, but perhaps there is a used one around.

[Javi]

Perhaps this could be a tax return gun? That's the only time I get $1,000 paid to me at once haha. I'm pretty sure I wont go $1,000+ . $700-800 may work. I miss CZ pricing =/

P.S. I'm not finding the "Statesman" that easy and not for $600 haha. How are Remington 1100 sporting series? New, current production?

[Fjold]

O/Us are more expensive because in a quality double the two barrels have to be regulated to shoot together. The barrels are brazed together and test shot, then the lower barrel is unbrazed and moved with wedges and re-brazed and test shot again. This is repeated until both barrels shoot to the point of aim of the one sighting bead.

[ja308]

Although I do not own an 1100 -- I saw a Tennessee guy win the knob creek jungle walk 2 years in a row . Jungle walk is 00buck at pepper poppers .
The same gun could be used for other shotgun activities too.
1100s are reasonably priced .

[Rob454]

The reason O/Us are more expensive than semi-autos, is that there are a bunch of small, intricate parts inside the action that, among other things, allow you to switch which barrel fires first, and re-cocks the hammer(s) after the first shot.

This^^
And not to mention the barrel has to be fitted to the receiver and usually cannot be interchanged with another barrel. most O/U have the serial # on both the receiver and the barrel to make sure they are matched set. This requires more labor than the typical pump action.
As for a semi its simply the more intricate workings and mechanism than a basic pump shotgun
I have had all three types of actions and they all have their good and bad points.
Now someone please invent a semi auto break action pump shotgun for crying out loud