what shotgun would you get?

[jeepster]

i want to get a nice shotgun, not that there is a single thing wrong with my benelli nova, i would just like to own something nice and have something that i can hang on my wall and be proud of. now, im not looking for a krieghoff or perazzi, but, im thinking of a price range between 700-1500$ give or take. i was thinking id like to get a nice O/U, but i shouldered a browning maxus, and was pretty impressed.  im thinking it would be nice to have something for upland, trap, nice-weather stuff...

im thinking a 20ga citori or a 12ga maxus sporting, not that im fixed on browning, i just really like those 2 guns...

what would you guys get?

its not like getting a nice gun is a bad investment, especially with the way things are going

[high country]

I think a silver pigeon would be worth consideration. If you stick to the right names.....beretta, Browning, lc smith, parker....etc in terms of quality shotguns, they only seem to gain value....even with use.

My personal latest was this 1902 parker. It is the first gun I will consider "a fair weather gun"

 

I also have a rather precious Browning bss grade 2 that is not quite as rare as hens teeth....but close. I shot a limit of chukar on the last day of the season with it in a nasty snow storm....

 

I find that buying a classic desirable gun allows me to use it and watch its value increase every day. Trendy guns won't always do that. In shotguns the #1 thing to consider is fit. If you have the fanciest piece made, but can't hit anything with it.....its worthless IMO.

[Dhoey07]

Rugar Red Label, you pick the Gauge

[CP]

I own a Maxus, 12g, 3 ½” - great all around hunting gun – it’s lighter than many 20g guns (6lbs 14oz) so it makes a good upland gun but yet it tames the recoil of the nastiest 3 ½” goose loads.  It doesn’t make a very good trap gun however, too light and it pelts the shooter to your right with empties.  No one makes a decent shell catcher for it.

For trap I shoot a Citori, great gun, for the money, I doubt if you can find a better trap gun for the price.

Next on my to do list is a Cynergy feather – 20g  - 5lbs 10oz.  A bit out your price range (mine too) but if I ever decide that a need a 20g it’s on the top of my list.

[high country]

Some red labels are quite nice, but the design favors shooting loose and they are heavy. I have had several and if you can score one in nice shape for $6-700 you should be happy....till you fondle a silver pigeon...lol.

[AWS]

I like SxS with two triggers and as light as possible for upland hunting as we put alot of mile on.  Right now my goto favorites are a French Darne(6# even 12ga), a LeFevre upgraded Nitro Special(20ga at 6#) and I just picked up a nice little CZ Bobwhite(6#) in 20ga for high volume steel shot and saltwater ducks.  Back in the safe there are a couple O/U left over from the 70's a Browning Superposed Lightning 20ga and a pair of Win 101's.

Don't ask other what shotgun you should buy get what YOU like, if you buy something other than the one that trips your trigger your ALWAYS going to wonder "What If".

I lusted after the Darne since 1965 I finally got one for myself for my retirement.   

[high country]

I like SxS with two triggers and as light as possible for upland hunting as we put alot of mile on.  Right now my goto favorites are a French Darne(6# even 12ga), a LeFevre upgraded Nitro Special(20ga at 6#) and I just picked up a nice little CZ Bobwhite(6#) in 20ga for high volume steel shot and saltwater ducks.  Back in the safe there are a couple O/U left over from the 70's a Browning Superposed Lightning 20ga and a pair of Win 101's.

Don't ask other what shotgun you should buy get what YOU like, if you buy something other than the one that trips your trigger your ALWAYS going to wonder "What If".

I lusted after the Darne since 1965 I finally got one for myself for my retirement.   

We would get along quite well......

[Jekemi]

There are a lot of really nice shotguns out there, all well within your price range. I saw a nice S&W 20 GA S by S the other day. It had nice scroll work and was very light. It would be great for the field. The CZ Bobwhite mentioned above is a very nice gun for the price - great value. All the modern gas-operated guns including the Maxus and the new Remington Versa-Max are great guns. I'm partial to the Benelli because of the simple and very reliable inertia drive - check out the Vinci. The important thing is to get a gun that feels good in your hands and against your shoulder. Is it well balanced for you? Can you swing it to the target effortlessly? Can you shoot it all day without breaking your shoulder? And, is it easy to clean? I had a Winchester model 1400 20 GA gas model once. It was a monumental exercise to clean it. My Weatherby SA08 is a great gun, shoots well and all day long, and is easy to clean. For $600 it's tremendous value.

[mr user]

Browning citori would also be a great gun in your price range.  All the o/u's that have been listed are good guns, so its really a matter of which feels the best.

[Shoffy]

Rugar Red Label, you pick the Gauge

Mine is a 20Ga. W/English Stock 26" Barrels I ordered from Federal Way Discount Guns. I love it!

[Dhoey07]

Rugar Red Label, you pick the Gauge

Mine is a 20Ga. W/English Stock 26" Barrels I ordered from Federal Way Discount Guns. I love it!

Sweet gun! I almost pulled the trigger, pun intended, on a red label .410 for the wife, but bought a 20ga stoeger condor instead  I got him down to 850 on the red label and the gun fit her perfectly but I didn't think it was quite enough for pheasant

[Jekemi]

One more shotgun recommendation that is often overlooked but represents great value and reliability. It's the Franchi Affinity. It's a beautiful Italian semi-auto, inertia driven, and around $800. Of course Franchi is owned by Benilli.

[Shoffy]

One more shotgun recommendation that is often overlooked but represents great value and reliability. It's the Franchi Affinity. It's a beautiful Italian semi-auto, inertia driven, and around $800. Of course Franchi is owned by Benilli.

I've always thought those 20Ga. Franchi 48 AL looked really nice too. They look like a mini Auto 5 and affordable too. I think you can get one under $700 in a field grade

[jeepster]

im not too sure if i want an autoloader, i tend to lean more towards the classic lines... those ruger red labels dont look too bad....

[TwoSixFourWins]

I have a 20 gauge red label. They shoot and swing very nicely. Too bad Ruger stopped making them.