Looking at O/U shotguns

[aspeedyturtle]

Thinking about picking up a 12ga O/U shotgun and am looking for input. Budget is going to be around $600 and was wondering what experience people have had and anything to avoid.

[farmerj]

I bought one of these and had the forcing cones lengthened on them. Had to sell it as a result of my divorce. Wish I still had the thing. Someday soon again. More likely to buy a Silver Pigeon though.

http://www.khanshotguns.com/?part=products&wip=Arthemis

[bensdad]

I got a Verona over ten years ago and have been pleased with it. When I bought the thing, they were more expensive than they are now... not sure how that happens I guess maybe the brand just never caught on. Anyway, solid gun.

If you wanna spend a couple more dollars, I have a nice silver pidgeon 20ga/28ga combo over at Hoffy's that needs a new home

[mmcnx2]

$600 for an O/U is a tough price. The problem you will run into is that in that price range you will either end up with someone problem or someting that is very heavy. $800-$900 would get you something you might want to hang on to, would acrry in the field and works.

[shackleford]

I was in your same shoes a few years back, I ended up buying a Lanber from CDNN. Think I paid around $500 or so, and I have been extremely happy with it. It's no Citori, but for the money was a good buy. It's a brand that not many people have heard of though, so resale would probably be an issue. Personally I really like mine.

[Belgiboy]

A $600 budget is low for an O/U. There are some offerings in that price range but they are heavy, clumsy, hard to break open and with poor fit and finish. Save your cash, find a way to double it and buy a nice 2nd hand Citori or something similar. Ammocraft in Hopkins has a new drop dead gorgeous Smith & wesson Elite silver for $1100 on the racks. That's a steal. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear but take this into account: a $1200 Citori or Beretta can be sold for $1200 a couple of years later. A $600 Russian Remington will depreciate by about $600 when you carry it out of the store.

[aspeedyturtle]

Thanks for the input so far. Also I think I'd prefer extractors over ejectors so I don't have to be picking spent casings off the ground. If needed I could stretch the budget some

[aspeedyturtle]

Also am I correct in that ejectors throw the spent shells all the way out and extractors only pop the spent shells out partially and then removed by hand?

[grousemaster]

$600 for an O/U is a tough price. The problem you will run into is that in that price range you will either end up with someone problem or someting that is very heavy. $800-$900 would get you something you might want to hang on to, would acrry in the field and works.

Yup....avoid the Mossbergs also FYI, I've had nothing but issues. You're best bet is waiting until you can afford $1000 and look for a used browning, or even a Ruger if you can find one. Buy once cry nce my man, don't make the same mistake so many of us have with double barrels. FWIW, I use a Browning white lightning and it's the ****. Picked it up used at gunstop for like $1099 or something, wholesale on those bad boys is over $1600. Good deals to be found on gunbroker if you keep checking in.

Limiting yourself to $600 on an O/U is like limiting yourself to $250 on a target pistol, you'll be looking at High Points and Taurus....not to knock those brands as they have many happy owners.

[Thunder71]

For what? Hunting, trap?

Extractors for trap, ejectors for hunting usually but that's personal preference.

As mentioned $600 is tough but not impossible.

[aspeedyturtle]

For what? Hunting, trap?

Extractors for trap, ejectors for hunting usually.

As mentioned $600 is tough but not impossible.

primarily going to be used for trap

[grousemaster]

For what? Hunting, trap?

Extractors for trap, ejectors for hunting usually.

As mentioned $600 is tough but not impossible.

primarily going to be used for trap

I'd look at the CZ guns, if I was gonna get a budget o/u that's where I would look, new for $700 and a little up, some maybe cheaper. Can also get a brand new franchi around $1k

[justinvan]

I own 3 citoris and would not trade them for the world. 2 have more rounds through them than I could ever count without a single problem. There is a skb sitting on the shelf at gunstop that would be worth looking into for around $850. Otherwise CZ is the only cheaper o/u that I would consider. Red labels, citori's and 101's are all going to be closer to a grand if they are in any kind of shape.

[spyder357]

Just want to echo what Belgiboy said.

I was in the same boat, a friend of mine advised me to wait a bit for the right deal and to save up a few more bucks.

Ended up getting a used Citori lightning for 1k, in mint, perfect, looked like it had never been fired condition. Today it might even sell for a bit more despite all the pheasant hunting seasons Ive put on it in 10 years.

Honestly I wont ever sell it I like it so much.

[aspeedyturtle]

Just want to echo what Belgiboy said.

I was in the same boat, a friend of mine advised me to wait a bit for the right deal and to save up a few more bucks.

Ended up getting a used Citori lightning for 1k, in mint, perfect, looked like it had never been fired condition. Today it might even sell for a bit more despite all the pheasant hunting seasons Ive put on it in 10 years.

Honestly I wont ever sell it I like it so much.

from some quick looking it seems like all the higher end guns all have ejectors. any ideas what guns ~$1000 have extractors so i'm not having to pick spent shells off the ground? or am I just going to have to deal with ejectors?