School me on Over/Unders

J

jethro21

New member
I have been looking for an over/under for bird hunting for some time now and looking a little bit into that arena of firearms, I find myself out of my league. The names and places are completely foreign to me. I know I can't swing the cost of a Beretta, Benelli or Ruger Red Label for sure.

I know the market is full of sub 1k O/U's but I am having a hard time sifting through applicable information. What I mean is, most sub 1k guns have mixed reviews, although most of them come from trap/skeet shooters who put thousands of rounds through them each year. Their typical review is that most don't hold up like a higher end gun would. Reading most reviews is enough to concern me about buying anything in my price range.

I guess my question is, for a guy like me who will put maybe 400 rounds a year through it, is a sub 1k over/under going to be a bad move for me?

Thanks,
Jethro
 
Buy a used Browning, Beretta or SKB (Ithaca) would be my advice.

Slightly behind those, maybe a Ruger.

Stay away from the Mossbergs, Baikals, Remingtons, etc. They're mostly junk. Same with Stoeger. Same with Tristar.
 
wait until you can spend 2K at least, and then look. you will be glad you did, quality and handling will be great in that price range and there will be a lot to choose from. most cheaper doubles handle like a rough cut 2x4.
 
If you can't afford the beretta ot the red label, take a look at the cz. Some of their models are very affordable and very very nice. Just my opinion.
 
Originally Posted By: SShooterZBuy a used Browning, Beretta or SKB (Ithaca) would be my advice.

Slightly behind those, maybe a Ruger.

Stay away from the Mossbergs, Baikals, Remingtons, etc. They're mostly junk. Same with Stoeger. Same with Tristar.

Mostly what he said. I have a Ruger Red Label 28 ga. that I
absolutely love. Unfortunately it is the only model of
Red Label that feels comfortable to me. I had a Beretta 682,
in 20 ga., but the straighter comb of the Beretta just did
not fit me well. If the Browning(my next O/U) is definitely
off your list, then I would look closely at the CZ line of
O/U. They get some good reviews from some local guys that
shoot them for clay, upland birds, and waterfowl. This would
be the only O/U under $1k, that I would consider. The brands
stated above are a poor value.

Squeeze
 
I'm with the other guys. Most sub $1,000 over and under guns aren't worth a dime. I know folks will defend their Russian guns, but I've seen several die on the skeet range. They might hold up for light hunting use, but they won't last like the better made models. I have had several folks whose opinions I value tell me the CZ guns are pretty good for money though.
 
I have only had Browning Citori's.
I had two of them, 12 & 20, for almost 20 years. Loved 'em.
If you can "try before you buy", do that, not all o/u will fit/handle the same.
 
It is pretty hard to manufacture a quality double gun and get it out the door at under $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.

You might want to check out your local trap/skeet club. I know mine usually has 3 or 4 used guns for sale posted on the bulletin board. A lot less than new and you can usually shoot before you buy. Clay sports guys put a lot of lead down range but they usually take very good care of their firearms.

You also might think about an SKB. They are decent shotguns and you can get one for less than $1,000.00.

As to the CZ, I have a sxs in 28 ga. They are about $950.00 new and you get a solid double for that price. It does not have automatic ejectors and the fit and finish are not up to Beretta grade standards. For the price however, it is a pretty darn good gun.
 
Can't disagree with anything I've read so far.

Citori, and Red Label are about as good as it gets for a field grade O/U.
I prefer the Citori, but only because they fit me better.

As mentioned above, SKB's a real sleeper if they still make em.
CZ's allegedly the same, but I've never owned one so can't say. If their rifles are any kind of an indicator, I'd sure take a chance on one.

O/U shotguns are like good rifles or optics in that it's painfull to scrounge up the cash, but worth every penny in the long run.
I saved for years to be able to afford this B. Razzini 16Ga. and don't regret it one bit.
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Sold all my other shotguns (cept the Rizzini) when my boss gave me this little Merkle 20Ga for a retirement present.
If I'd have known I was that good of an employee, I'd have demanded a raise years before that.
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Good luck and enjoy, which ever way you go.
 
Take a look at the CZ's. Another one that I like a lot is the Franchi's. I picked up an old Franchi a few years ago (its leaps and bounds ahead of the new ones) for $699.00 used...I doubt you will find that kind of deal but they still make good guns and they can be found for a reasonable price still. I prefer my Franchi to most Brownings and Rugers I have ever handled. The fit and finish is way better than them and its slick as whale poop on an ice flow.
 
I would watch the used gun racks for a Citori or Red Label or Beretta (in no particular order). If you do look at new OUs I would definately not be afraid of the CZs. I am in charge of a fund raising event for purchasing the firearms and I got my hands on my first CZ for that event 2 years ago. They are very well made, and with the proper model have very nice wood on them. I can't recall the model I got for this years event but it was about a 950 dollar model and I just about ordered myself one, and the tickets for it sold like hot cakes.
 
I have a Citori Feather weight that I shoot skeet and bird hunt with. Two of my buddies love shooting it when we go dove/quail hunting. They were in your same boat. They didn't want to drop that kind of $$ on a gun that they may only shoot 200-400 rounds a year with.

We went up to Sportsman and they had the CZ O/U on the shelf. My buddy, Nate, bought it then and there. It has a single trigger on it, silver reciever, but not sure of the model. This gun has outstanding wood on it and very light weight. He has had it for 3 years now and loves it.

They next year my other buddy bought a CZ O/U for his son to use hunting and skeet shooting. Same thing...great wood, great fit, very light.

I would not hesitate to buy a CZ for any reason unless you are planning to put 1000-2000 rounds through it shooting trap or skeet. Not sure how they would stand up to that amount of shooting. Who knows though....both of the CZs my buddies own now already have over a 1000 rounds through them easily and their actions are just as tight as they were when they were brand new.

My buddy Nate walked out the door of Sportsmans only paying $705 for his CZ three years a ago after taxes.
My other buddy's CZ for his son cost him $825 out the door.
 
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Franci is owned by Benelli, which in turn is owned by Beretta. The make very nice double guns at less than Beretta prices. I have the Renaissance Elite. You can probably pick a used Renaissance Classic for under $1,000.00.

I shoot a lot of trap and the Renaissance is too light for that job. I am not a big fan of recoil. For upland bird hunting it would be perfect. Of course, no one ever feels recoil when shooting at a game bird.

As RePete says, CZs are kind of a sleeper. Some gun manufacturers market their product as if they could care less about selling another gun. CZ is kind of like that for some reason.

As you read these forums, you will find a lot of rifle shooters singing their praises of CZ. Their rifles are top notch for the price point and I think their double guns fit that bill as well. You even get inter-changeable choke tubes for less than a grand.
 
I was once in the same predicament looking for an O/U. My mind was made up it was going to be Browning. And I have no problem buying a used Browning.

But I just never could find one when I was actively looking. I did however find a Red Label All Weather. It's not in the same class as a Browning but it is US made and I've had no issues in 6 years.

I'm told the Red Label is junk by more then a few people. Sorry, but I don't buy that either, I figure it's somewhere in between. I don't shoot more then 200 shells a year so don't have need of a s super expensive gun.

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Here are a couple of points to ponder... First, don't cut yourself short and buy something that won't give you pride of ownership in the future. There are some good buys on quality used guns such as the Beretta, Browning, SKB, ect. if you are patient and look around some. You'll be happier in the end with a sweet handling shotgun of quality build than to lower your standards just to say "I have an O/U." Baikal or some such won't bring that pride of ownership, nor will it handle and carry as well as something like a Beretta. Buy quality and cry once... buy junk and cry twice.

That brings up the second point. Try to handle some guns before you buy. I always knew I wanted a Browning Citori for my O/U. When I was able to buy one I actually went out and shot a Citori and couldn't hit squat with that tall slab sided son-of-a-gun. Still can't, the Browning just doesn't fit me worth a darn. Great guns... but I can't hit anything with one. Now on the other hand, the Beretta O/U's bring out my best shotgunning skills. The Beretta's just point naturally without any thought or effort applied to it and that is what it takes to hit fast movers with a shotgun. I now have two Beretta's, a .12 and a .20 and really enjoy them. I also have a slightly older Weatherby .20 gauge made by SKB which is a classic game gun and points as well as the Beretta'a do for me. For you it may be Beretta or it may be Browning, or SKB or some other quality gun. But find the one that fits you best - then you'll be in business.

So don't buy an O/U based on looks, cheaper price, easy availability, ect. Buy a quality built gun that fits you like an extension of your pointing finger and laser eye. Then you'll have pride of ownership and pride of your shooting ability with your new O/U because the hits will come easy.
 
What GC said! I've seen used SKB's under $700 locally, more like $600. Other brands of good quality, as mentioned above also, can be found for good prices, esp. 1) used, 2) with handling marks, 3) if you have patience/time. Shop the local gun shops, gunbroker, the website classies, etc., even Cabela's used gun rack has good deals occasionally. MAKE SURE IT FITS YOU, OR YOU CAN RETURN IT if buying long distance. Used should have some kind of trial period to inspect and shoot for problems. I have a double trigger FIAS made a couple/few decades ago that fits me well - was way too cheap when I found it, but FIT ME WELL. There was a SKB this year on HuntingPA.com for $600 if IIRC - I'm not sure if it sold or not. Other deals pop up from time to time.
 
If you look around you should be able to find a browning or beretta 686 for under $1000.00 with out a lot of problem. New is a different story.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I am really out of my knowledge base when it comes to double guns.

I found a used Winchester 101 in 20ga locally for a under $800...didn't make any of your advice lists, but is it a decent gun for the money?

Jethro
 
Tough call. Many of them were cast in a way that made recoil stiff. If it is one of the "newer" models, not as well built but still a decent gun.

The Rizzinis are good guns too.
 
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