Sporting Clay O/U Shotgun

[mound]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this has been discussed over and over but for some reason there aren't many threads showing up in this forum.

I'm looking to get an over/under for shooting clays. I was going to shell out for a Beretta 686 SPI in 12 gauge, 28" barrel -- but then as I thought about it more and more, I started to doubt whether investing in a $2000 shotgun for someone who has only been a few times is worth it. I definitely like it and would like to make it a twice a month thing, at the minimum. The reason I was eyeing the Beretta is because I liked how they shoot and everything felt rock solid on the construction and craftsmanship--but again, $2000 is a lot for starters.

My questions are:

How well would a 686 SPI hold value, say, if I sold it in a year, and it was in good condition?

Are there any other cheaper O/U shotguns that you could recommend? I was not a fan of the Brownings. I've heard bad things about the CZ's and Mossberg O/U.

I recently came across the FNH SP-1, which is hideous blue. Has anyone shot it?

Thanks!

[guns4life]

I hunt upland game and occasionally shoot trap with my 28" SP1...it does both with ease. It does feel rock solid, and is still light enough to field carry all day. I absolutely love my SP1.

The first time I shot trap with it I got 21/25, that was probably my 3/4th time ever having shot clays.


The ONLY gripe I have is the finish on the stock, it's pretty porous and I'm not experienced with finishes so I'm afraid to mess with it. I got a dime sized drop of mud on the stock as I put it back into the case, two hours later when I pulled the rifle out the mud had stained the stock(at the edge of the butt pad). I wiped it down and hoped it would dry up in the safe, that was a good 7 months ago and the spot is still there. I'm going to start reading up on how to seal the stock better after I get that stain out. It is my field gun, and I do expect it to get marked up, but I'll do what I can to keep it pretty.



As far as your questions go, I can't really help as I am new to both clays and the SP1 is my only O/U. I can tell you it's everything I had hoped for and would recommend it to anybody(like yourself) who is considering one.

[somiskid]

This what I bought. Shots likes a champ!! Comes with some great features.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_235/products_id/411549031

[epic1856]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this has been discussed over and over but for some reason there aren't many threads showing up in this forum.

I'm looking to get an over/under for shooting clays. I was going to shell out for a Beretta 686 SPI in 12 gauge, 28" barrel -- but then as I thought about it more and more, I started to doubt whether investing in a $2000 shotgun for someone who has only been a few times is worth it. I definitely like it and would like to make it a twice a month thing, at the minimum. The reason I was eyeing the Beretta is because I liked how they shoot and everything felt rock solid on the construction and craftsmanship--but again, $2000 is a lot for starters.

My questions are:

How well would a 686 SPI hold value, say, if I sold it in a year, and it was in good condition?

Are there any other cheaper O/U shotguns that you could recommend? I was not a fan of the Brownings. I've heard bad things about the CZ's and Mossberg O/U.

I recently came across the FNH SP-1, which is hideous blue. Has anyone shot it?

Thanks!

Buy used if you are worried about the price. Worst case you get a gun that has depreciated (if any) and if you decide to sell down the road you'll get your money back.

Here is a good price for a used Beretta 686. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...?f=69&t=366001

[mjsweims]

You will get your best value and resale if you buy used. An O/U is fairly easy to check out. The lock-up should be tight. The top lever should be slightly to the right of center. The bores should be bright.
That being said Brownings are at the lower end of quality O/U, and I would definitely stay with a quality gun if you buy used. Used Berettas, Guerinis, etc. are also good quality and in your price range. With any of these you should get hundreds of thousands of rounds through them before any serious (e.g. tighten the lock-up) maintenance is necessary.

[epic1856]

One more;

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=364657

[mound]

Thanks guys, I'd love to buy a used Beretta O/U to save some money but I'd like to see it in person first. Most listings I've seen are out of state--anyone know of a local store that has one? (I am in Los Angeles). I'm not picky since this is my first O/U. If not, I might just pick up a new one and to hell with it.

[mound]

This what I bought. Shots likes a champ!! Comes with some great features.



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411549031

How many rounds have you put through it? I'm a bit weary of synthetic because I've seen one break...everyone at various gun stores tells me it's hard to find a good o/u for less than $2000. Something about them breaking or not lasting the 100,000+ rounds that the good ones do. I really want a trouble free shotgun.

[jbj]

My buddy was in the same situation as you (we're also in LA), he found a 686 w weighted tubes for cheap. Yeah, the gun's finish isn't perfect, but it shoots great and that's what matters. As long as it fits you well, the rest is vanity (and less ammo).

[epic1856]

Thanks guys, I'd love to buy a used Beretta O/U to save some money but I'd like to see it in person first. Most listings I've seen are out of state--anyone know of a local store that has one? (I am in Los Angeles). I'm not picky since this is my first O/U. If not, I might just pick up a new one and to hell with it.

Pacific Sporting Arms. You will not find a finer high end firearm retailer and will give you a chance to drool over the shotguns that cost as much as a new car.

Call them and tell them what your looking for. They have used guns for sale.

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

Buy the Beretta, its worth the money... The 686 SPI is an excellent shotgun..

If you were to want to save a little coin but still get quality take a look at the Browning Citori Satin Hunter.. You get the same mechanics and quality of the higher end models but with plain wood and a matte finish on the steel..

[naeco81]

Buy the shotgun that fits you best. Seriously. That one you've been eyeing on the internet? Nope, buy the one that fits you best.

The absolute most important thing is the fit of your gun. You cannot make or take any brand/model recommendations until you know how it fits YOU. Also realize that you will spend more on ammo in a year than you will on your shotgun, so it really doesn't make too much sense to worry about the price of the shotgun so much. However, if you are on a budget the CZ line is excellent value and widely regarded as the best budget O/U. But that doesn't matter, because you aren't going to look at it yet. Why?

Because you don't know how it fits you, and all you care about is buying the shotgun that fits you best. Seriously. If that ends up being a Mossberg well fine then. You will shoot that Mossberg better than a $3000 shotgun. Why? BECAUSE IT FITS BETTER!

[mound]

Thanks everyone.

Buy the shotgun that fits you best. Seriously. That one you've been eyeing on the internet? Nope, buy the one that fits you best.

The absolute most important thing is the fit of your gun. You cannot make or take any brand/model recommendations until you know how it fits YOU. Also realize that you will spend more on ammo in a year than you will on your shotgun, so it really doesn't make too much sense to worry about the price of the shotgun so much. However, if you are on a budget the CZ line is excellent value and widely regarded as the best budget O/U. But that doesn't matter, because you aren't going to look at it yet. Why?

Because you don't know how it fits you, and all you care about is buying the shotgun that fits you best. Seriously. If that ends up being a Mossberg well fine then. You will shoot that Mossberg better than a $3000 shotgun. Why? BECAUSE IT FITS BETTER!

Thanks naeco, I agree and this is what a lot of people have been telling me. That's why I've not only been trying to look, feel, and hold the guns before I even consider buying them. I am eyeing the beretta because I have shot it before and know that it fits me well.

[somiskid]

How many rounds have you put through it? I'm a bit weary of synthetic because I've seen one break...everyone at various gun stores tells me it's hard to find a good o/u for less than $2000. Something about them breaking or not lasting the 100,000+ rounds that the good ones do. I really want a trouble free shotgun.

I have put dam near 2000 through it with not one problem. Shoots like a dream comes with a bunch of chokes too.

[naeco81]

Thanks everyone.



Thanks naeco, I agree and this is what a lot of people have been telling me. That's why I've not only been trying to look, feel, and hold the guns before I even consider buying them. I am eyeing the beretta because I have shot it before and know that it fits me well.

Okay cool - just wanted to avoid some potential heartbreak down the road. Good luck! The 686 is a great shotty IMO.