Help finding a mid priced O/U

[Bonstrosity]

So I have the bug for an over under. I am having a problem finding one that is in my price range but still a good gun. I am looking to spend around 600 maybe more if the right gun comes around. I have started at the bottom and found some stoegers and low end remington's but the fit of the gun does not seem to feel very good on them and I've heard some bad reviews on the stoegers. I had an experience with a low quality gun once and I ended up losing the amount of money it would have taken to get the next step in quality. I have looked at the mossberg silver series and found a liking with that gun for around 500-600. From there I can seem to find any others in that price range it just goes way up to over 1000 from there. Does anyone have any other recomendations that I can look at? I'd like it to have choke tubes, single trigger and be able to select the barrel on the safety.

[charlie in md]

This is a little off your requirements, but you might want to look at a used SKB 500 or 600. They were imported by Ithaca, and run about $600. They have a very strong action and are well made. There are a few on gunbroker.com

Drawbacks are they are fixed choke, so choke tube installation would cost you another $200 or so, and the barrel selector is on the trigger.

Also- Huglu is a turkish made over under that you can get for about 800-900. I think it meets all your requirements.

good luck

C

[BigJimP]

Beretta and Browning dominate the "relative entry level" of the Over Under market - with their field guns in the $1,000 - $1,250 range and most of their target configured guns between $2,000 and $2,500. In terms of a quality gun under those prices - there just aren't any - especially if you want to hang onto a gun for 20 years.

But having said that - fit is the number one issue on any shotgun. If it doesn't fit - it's a waste of money. Shotguns do not come in one size fits all. They can all be modified to perform for you at a 50% / 50% pattern based on where you look - but dimensions are the key (not the quality of the gun). But the barrels, barrel connection, making sure both barrels hit at the same point (rather than one is 6" high at 30 yards), quality of triggers, etc - all of that comes at a price - and $600 doesn't get you there - sorry. Browning and Berettas are built to different dimensions - if one fits you, the other probably will not. There are a number of good used Brownings and Berettas out there - but you'll have to be patient - and I still think you're in that $ 800 - $1500 range even used depending on the model.

[Picher]

Shotguns are all about fit. If you have shot enough to be able to mount a shotgun exactly the same every time and know what good fit is all about, money is secondary, though important. If you can find one that fits as naturally as pointing your finger, buy it! You'll always wish you had.

A good-shooting shotgun doesn't need fancy engraving and gold inlays to be able to shoot well. It needs to point perfectly every time; it needs to be extremely well balanced and as light as necessary for the intended use; it needs to shoot reliably; and it really needs a good choke tube system.
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If you have a Dick's Sporting Goods Store, check out the Franchi (Benelli) Diamond. They're on sale now for $799, which is what I paid last year. I'm a part-time gunsmith and an avid upland game hunter. The Franchi fits me and functions better than many shotguns for twice the money.

Benelli owns Franchi and Benelli choke tubes fit. The Diamond is a steel-receivered version of a more expensive version (Veloci or something like that) and looks a bit like a lower-priced version of a Beretta, especially the forend.

I just got back from hunting three days in Northern Maine and my Diamond performed better than any shotgun I've ever owned/used! I've been shooting shotguns and upland game hunting for about 50 years. It's my favorite fall sport.

Before the Franchi, I used a Rem 11-87, straight-stocked 20 ga Upland Special and a Rem 1100 12 ga. Special Field. Both pointed pretty well, but the 1100 shot a bit low. The 11-87 is great, but I like the Franchi so much that it may get sold or traded.

Picher

[dbgun]

I bought a Mossberg Silver Reserve this past summer, to hunt Doves with. I've used it 4 times already and am very pleased with the way it handles. Wal-mart was selling them for $477 a few months ago, but don't know what they are going for now. A friend of mine that hunts with a Beretta & Browning (o/u's) was impressed with the look and feel of my Mossberg.

I've read a couple of post that pointed out a problem with the firing pins that go bad, but I beleive the replacements are a lot more reliable. just my $.02

[perazzimx14]

I hope I do not come off as a snob but... I would consider a mid-priced O/U in the $1800 to $5000 range. A NIB $600 O/U is certainly "low end".

Spend a little more money and at a bare minium get a used Browning Citori. They can be had in the $600-$800 price range.

You do get what you pay for. When I bought my Perazzi 3-1/2 years ago I paid $4700.00 for it. Since that time I have put about 53,000 rounds through it. I did break 1 firing pin and 2 leaf springs. All three parts cost a total of $150 and I could install them myself. Also since the time I bought my gun the price of Perazzi's have gone up. I am confident that I could sell my gun for $4500.00 rather easily. So in reality the total cost to shoot my gun for three and a half years is about $300.00.