Need help! Over/Under recommendations?

[SubieRX]

Hey guys!

I'm looking for recommendations for a dedicated skeet/clay gun. Up until this point, I've been using my trusty Mossberg 930 with a vented 28" barrel. She's served me well, but I promised myself that I'd buy a dedicated over/under skeet gun when I shoot a perfect 25! I took care of that obstacle a few months ago and I'm finally getting around to looking for a gun in earnest.

I'm not looking to spend toooo much money, so I'm most likely looking for a used gun. The problem is, I really don't know where to start. I'm not familiar with the over/unders at all.

Roughly how much should I be looking to spend and which brands would be best for an intermediate shooter? I don't have any plans to compete seriously (maybe a few shoots just for fun) so I probably won't be needing a tube set or anything (assuming they cost more).

Would it be reasonable to set aside 700-800 for a decent condition used gun? Or am I being too optimistic?

Thanks in advance for all of your infamous calguns wisdom.

[osis32]

everyone seems to really like the browning citori. theres some on here for pretty reasonable (I say that tentatively) prices. I know very little about o/u Im sure others will chime in.

[ysr_racer]

Would it be reasonable to set aside 700-800 for a decent condition used gun? Or am I being too optimistic?

Yes, you're being way too optimistic. A new Browning or Beretta runs about $2500, so used you're looking at around $1800.

You get what you pay for, so a $700 shotgun, is really a $700 shotgun.

As far as picking out a gun for you, that's like asking someone to pick out a car or a wife for you.

It's all about you, what you like, and what fits.

[Thefeeder]

Yes, you're being way too optimistic. A new Browning or Beretta runs about $2500, so used you're looking at around $1800.

You get what you pay for, so a $700 shotgun, is really a $700 shotgun.

As far as picking out a gun for you, that's like asking someone to pick out a car or a wife for you.

It's all about you, what you like, and what fits.

This ^^^^^^

I will add that field guns are less expencive the Sporting or Skeet models so don't overlook it if field models fit you better then sport stocks.

Fit is key....don't throw this advise away.

You are at the range quite a bit.....ask your fellow shooters if you can try a few shots with their gun. You will know when you find the right fit and feel gun...also ask if their stock has been worked on.

As far as brands that have a rep for lasting a long time and are a good value O/U

Browning, Beretta, Weatherby (Japan), older Wichester 101, SKB or Caesar Guerini.....these are 900-3000 range gun, new or used....used are the best value.

I will add, if you use a fellow shooters gun and you love it and the clays seem to be easy to hit with it, ask what specific model and make it is.....there are over 25 different Citroi models and about the same Beretta models out there. Some are quite the same and some feel like a totaly different gun then the Citori you shot at the range.

[scamp62]

you can find used browning citori in the Private Firearm Sales section here in the $1200.00 range

[goldduster]

I'm amazed that you have put in the time and effort to obtain the 25 straight without trying various guns, which I still aspire too. I'd recommend spending some time with the "B" guns, determine what fits you best and start looking. Normally, after Christmas when the bills come in, some nice ones come available at good prices, maybe in the $1,200 -$1,400 range. Since you're in CA, don't forget the sales tax.

[ysr_racer]

Come out the Raahauge's this weekend, or Triple B next, and you can probably try guns to your hearts desire.

[c0re]

Big fan of Raahauge's great place.

[RayPDA]

(used)

Older Browning Citoris can be found used for 1k or below (floor is about 750-800).

Charles Daly (Miroku) guns are similar (Miroku did, and does make the Citori) and great used values as well. Read: http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional...kusprings.html

Weatherby (Miroku, and Nikko I think), also good.

Earlier Winchester 101 (Nikko)...I do remember seeing the new Win 101 (Belgian FN plant production) going for 1k some months ago...

Older SKBs - Model 600 and the like...oh and SKB made some guns for Ithaca at one point in time too...

And if you're lucky to come across them, there are older Beretta 686s floating around for 800-1k...but more than likely its 1k-1500

There's one more highly undervalued, but well built model out there, but I'm going to keep quiet because I'd like to hoard them to myself in the future. YSR has seen me shoot mine

Or, you could always save up a bit more and turn that 800 into 1600-2000, and the selection opens up quite a bit.



Examples:

Citori Skeet model

http://www.trapshooters.com/noframes/cfpages/thread.cfm?threadid=307815&Messages=21

Charles Daly (Miroku)
Superior Skeet

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=127516&StockTemplate=0

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=107063&StockTemplate=0

SKB

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=128635&StockTemplate=0

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=127531&StockTemplate=0

it's a 30" Mod/Full gun so it's not suited for skeet, but...



Anyways, if you can, as others mentioned...try different guns and see what you may or may not like. It's harder to do with the older, used guns, but there's bound to be someone at the range with a Citori at anytime

[ysr_racer]

What ever you decide to do, please don't buy a shotgun based on price or internet recommendations.

Would you buy a suit based on price or internet recommendations?

Do people even wear suits any more? But you get my point.

Seriously, come out to Raahauge's either day this weekend, or Triple B next, and I'll get you a bunch of guns to try out.

[Dirtrider....]

i'm at a similar stage related to shotgun buying... my schedule doesn't allow me to attend either of these events but i called both and Triple B says they have plenty to Demo any day of the week. so thats probably what i'm going to start with. then take it from there. good luck with your search!

What ever you decide to do, please don't buy a shotgun based on price or internet recommendations.

Would you buy a suit based on price or internet recommendations?

Do people even wear suits any more? But you get my point.

Seriously, come out to Raahauge's either day this weekend, or Triple B next, and I'll get you a bunch of guns to try out.

[10rounds]

http://www.pacificsportingarms.com/

Good place for window shopping!

[SubieRX]

(used)

Older Browning Citoris can be found used for 1k or below (floor is about 750-800).

Charles Daly (Miroku) guns are similar (Miroku did, and does make the Citori) and great used values as well. Read: http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional...kusprings.html

Weatherby (Miroku, and Nikko I think), also good.

Earlier Winchester 101 (Nikko)...I do remember seeing the new Win 101 (Belgian FN plant production) going for 1k some months ago...

Older SKBs - Model 600 and the like...oh and SKB made some guns for Ithaca at one point in time too...

And if you're lucky to come across them, there are older Beretta 686s floating around for 800-1k...but more than likely its 1k-1500

There's one more highly undervalued, but well built model out there, but I'm going to keep quiet because I'd like to hoard them to myself in the future. YSR has seen me shoot mine

Or, you could always save up a bit more and turn that 800 into 1600-2000, and the selection opens up quite a bit.



Examples:

Citori Skeet model

http://www.trapshooters.com/noframes/cfpages/thread.cfm?threadid=307815&Messages=21

Charles Daly (Miroku)
Superior Skeet

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=127516&StockTemplate=0

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=107063&StockTemplate=0

SKB

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=128635&StockTemplate=0

http://www.jaquas.com/gunlist/Details.asp?StockNumber=127531&StockTemplate=0

it's a 30" Mod/Full gun so it's not suited for skeet, but...



Anyways, if you can, as others mentioned...try different guns and see what you may or may not like. It's harder to do with the older, used guns, but there's bound to be someone at the range with a Citori at anytime

Awesome! Thanks for the recommendations! I'll look into these.

What ever you decide to do, please don't buy a shotgun based on price or internet recommendations.

Would you buy a suit based on price or internet recommendations?

Do people even wear suits any more? But you get my point.

Seriously, come out to Raahauge's either day this weekend, or Triple B next, and I'll get you a bunch of guns to try out.

YSR, I will definitely try and make it out this Saturday! I already replied to your other thread about it. Sounds like a good time...

[kalguns]

I got an All Weather OU Ruger Red Lable for $1000.00 used off of Gunbroker.
I love it and it was made in the U.S.A.!!

[toby]

The Winchester 101 is a sleeper.