Over/under experts needed

[nutntoit]

I am looking into getting an Over Under shotgun for upland bird hunting. I have been hunting upland for the past few years and want to get a dedicated gun. Also want a noce gun that will last and can be handed down someday. The two chokes on an o/u would really help me with having the extra distance if I miss the first shot. My question is what are some of the favorite O/Us for upland hunters? The only O/U I have experience with is a browning superposed and an old Ithica, both 12ga. I am pretty set on 12ga.

I have gone and felt up and shouldered sone guns and I think I have narrowed it down to a few I like in no particular order.
Browning Citori 12ga 26in barrels
Browning Citori feather 12ga
Franchi Instinct SL 12ga 28in barrels
Used Beretta Blackwing 12ga 28in barrels

[Bwana Bob]

Make sure you check out the 28 in barrels in the Browning's also. They swing much smoother with the longer barrel and are still much shorter than a pump or an auto of the same barrel length. I had a 20ga Browning super light with 26 in barrels and was amazed at the difference in sing with the longer barrels, much better.

[theleo]

Depends on what fits you and what hunting you're doing. If your hunting grouse and chukar much I'd go with 26" barrels for weight savings and being quicker to shoulder and point for pheasant something longer works great for the swing. Of the ones your looking at I'd say go with what fits. I would recommend trying a S x S before you buy though. I like double guns but OU guns always bug me when I shoot them in the wind.

[Bill W]

Make sure you check out the 28 in barrels in the Browning's also. They swing much smoother with the longer barrel and are still much shorter than a pump or an auto of the same barrel length. I had a 20ga Browning super light with 26 in barrels and was amazed at the difference in sing with the longer barrels, much better.

That 20 gauge  Browning super light sure was a nice gun, wasn't it.

If you want to pass one down I'd go with a Browning Citori of some sort.  A little pricey, but a good gun.

[Henrydog]

Citori's are pretty bullet proof construction wise, with a shotgun it is all fit, the barrel length is less important than fit in my opinion.  The Franchi I would stay away from.  A kid at the gun club I belong to has sent his back 2 twice in the last 6 months and only has 4500 down the tube shooting 1 1/8oz trap loads.  My kid shoots a Citori and he has 6500 down it since the end of June and it is tight as a tick

[jackelope]

I agree with the fit side of things. It'd be my first priority. If the stock doesn't fit you, you're not going to shoot it well.
@CP  and @wadu1  are very experienced in the shotguns. I'd see what they think as well. Citori's are great guns if they fit you well.

[nutntoit]

Seems like there are a lot of browning fans. I hunt mostly pheasant and sometimes quail. Anyone have expipirience with both the standard and feather weight models? Which do you prefer?  Shouldering a gun in the store doesn't give me much to go off of as far as fit. Is there anywhere in the Spokane area where I could shoot a couple O/Us? I'm 6'1" and have long arms so that might become a factor in fit.

[Camp David]

O/Us can be heavy....make sure you get one that you can carry around for hours. Also the safety on O/Us is normally on top of the receiver...it will require you to retrain your safety off finger/thumb. Fit is Key. Make sure the one you pick fits well or you are willing to work with stock fitter; spend time with a pattern board for POI and choke selection. Buy a quality gun. I've seen some "off market" O/Us that failed quickly...with that said...my newer Beretta 692 has required some gunsmith time early in it's life.

[Henrydog]

Nut, Cabelas is Post Falls has several o/u.   I hate Cabelas but you can feel them there and then order one from a real company. Look at a Citori CX the White Eelepant in the Valley has one is stock right now.  Great gun for the money, invector plus chokes 3" chamber for $1600.  POI of 60/40.  NorthWest Collector Pawn off of Pines had a 725 trap and a couple of nice used Winchester 101's this summer

[nutntoit]

Nut, Cabelas is Post Falls has several o/u.   I hate Cabelas but you can feel them there and then order one from a real company. Look at a Citori CX the White Eelepant in the Valley has one is stock right now.  Great gun for the money, invector plus chokes 3" chamber for $1600.  POI of 60/40.  NorthWest Collector Pawn off of Pines had a 725 trap and a couple of nice used Winchester 101's this summer

I went to The White Elephant, that's where I was able to check out a couple Citoris. Haven't tried northwest yet. I agree with you about Cabelas. Is there anywhere I can actually shoot any of these guns? Anyone willing to meet up at the trap range or something? I have never been fit for a shotgun so I don't really know what to look for.

[jackelope]

Length of pull and the comb height are what you want to look at. A lot of the top clays shooters shoot guns with an adjustable cheek weld.

[wadu1]

I agree with the fit side of things. It'd be my first priority. If the stock doesn't fit you, you're not going to shoot it well.
@CP  and @wadu1  are very experienced in the shotguns. I'd see what they think as well. Citori's are great guns if they fit you well.

I agree with jackalope 100%, fit is number one. I shoot a Browning 525 for sporting clays and have about 100K down the tubes. I got it on a trade a few years ago and I don't know how many rounds were placed down the tubes before I got it. Like henrydog stated stay away from  Franchi thy look nice but have issues as well as some of the other lower end O/U's. My choice would be any Browning from the later 90's because they use invector plus tubes the 425 era uses invector the plus is easer to find (all Brownings are Citori based guns). The other is Beretta in the 68X series the later uses optima chokes the early ones use Mobil here again the later ones the chokes are easer to find. The other plusses for the Browning and Beretta is the parts that can go south on you can be purchased from Midway USA or Brownells and are easy to change.
 

[Badhabit]

Don't forget about the Winchester 101. They've been around a long time.

[Bill W]

Seems like there are a lot of browning fans. I hunt mostly pheasant and sometimes quail. Anyone have expipirience with both the standard and feather weight models? Which do you prefer?  Shouldering a gun in the store doesn't give me much to go off of as far as fit. Is there anywhere in the Spokane area where I could shoot a couple O/Us? I'm 6'1" and have long arms so that might become a factor in fit.

Half the shotguns on your list were Brownings and you said you wanted one of quality to pass down.   Now if you want one for upland birds and are looking at price I'd whole heartedly recommend a CZ Huglu ultralight upland.   I have one and really like it.  Especially the 6 lb weight.  I believe Browning does have an equivalent and if you want light weight and the Browning name, check that one out.

[nutntoit]

Half the shotguns on your list were Brownings and you said you wanted one of quality to pass down.   Now if you want one for upland birds and are looking at price I'd whole heartedly recommend a CZ Huglu ultralight upland.   I have one and really like it.  Especially the 6 lb weight.  I believe Browning does have an equivalent and if you want light weight and the Browning name, check that one out.

Thanks for the suggestion! I am not set on a Browning, I just have only ever actually fired Brownings and 1 Ithaca. That's being said I am open to any suggestions. I just want a shotgun that is quality, fits me, and will last.