Free: Contests & Raffles.
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.
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 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.
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.
Don't forget about the Winchester 101. They've been around a long time.
. Tossing out another option no one has mentioned... a Ruger Red Label, but you need tonwatch for it on the used market. Nice solid shotgun thst swings well. There are a few different variations of it and it can also be found in 20 and 28ga. I have one that shares a lityle time with my Browning for sporting clays and skeet. The Ruger is the one that goes in the field with me. I like the 30" barrels, again for me it has to do with swing and follow through. Those extra few ounces in the barrels are easy to pack around and will benefit you more than hurt your shooting. Just change chokes and shot size for shooting different distances. Fit, fit, and fit again. If the stock does not come up to your cheek and give you a good sight picture down the barrel it won't matter what shotgun you get or how much you spend, you will miss. So even finding one off the shelf that you think fits it is well worth the time to see someone who can make sure you have the best fit.
Stock fitters are hard to come by. There used to be a guy on top of the Fredrick and Nelson Building in downtown Seattle....those days are gone. Adjustable combs and Graycoils have replaced the art, and are much cheaper. Only regional guy I have heard of is S and S Plus in Polson Montana
wouldn't hesitate on an older Charles Daly made by miroku in japan. well made guns.Could almost find a 12 and 20 for what you will pay for the others.
I've really been enjoying my Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 20g this year. I didn't enjoy paying the price tag, but it should last a lifetime!
I have 6 Ruger red labels, both 20 ga and 12 ga. I love the 20 ga for all upland bird hunting. I shoot pheasants, quail, grouse, chuckar. Basically everything that flies. Not as much shot in the pattern as a 12 but much lighter and faster to swing. Especially when hunting quail. I shoot #6 Shot for all the upland birds. No one that hunts with me using a 12 ga. Kills more birds than I do with the 20 ga. I have the 12 ga in the stainless synthetic. Love it also. I also have a few SKB O/U They are very light and have worked well for years. I have ran many hundreds of shell thru my Rugers and never had a failure. Very easy to clean and point very well for me. Bottom line. You need to buy and shoot what feels the best to you no matter what anyone else shoots.
Well I just purchased my first O/U and I wanted a long barrel and not break the bank. I bought a Stoeger Condor Longfowler. Came with a set of flush chokes and extended chokes. I did return it to the factory after four shots it would no longer open. Stoeger sent me another brand new gun. And I have had no further issues. But I only have about 50 rounds through it so far. It is not light. But not so heavy I could not carry it around all day. Comes with a five year warranty.Stoeger and Beretta merged I think. Using for ducks right now and turkey in the spring. ix gus in deer camp shoulder it and all liked the fit.
