Post by: nutntoit on November 17, 2016, 12:37:38 PM
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
Post by: Bwana Bob on November 17, 2016, 01:06:34 PM
Post by: theleo on November 17, 2016, 01:39:55 PM
Post by: Bill W on November 17, 2016, 01:41:24 PM
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.
Post by: Henrydog on November 17, 2016, 01:49:20 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 17, 2016, 02:05:15 PM
@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.
Post by: nutntoit on November 17, 2016, 02:20:28 PM
Post by: Camp David on November 17, 2016, 02:41:58 PM
Post by: Henrydog on November 17, 2016, 02:46:32 PM
Post by: nutntoit on November 17, 2016, 03:11:15 PM
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 summerI 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.
Post by: jackelope on November 17, 2016, 03:33:57 PM
Post by: wadu1 on November 17, 2016, 03:38:52 PM
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.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.
@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.
:twocents:
Post by: Badhabit on November 17, 2016, 03:56:37 PM
Post by: Bill W on November 17, 2016, 04:18:24 PM
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.
Post by: nutntoit on November 17, 2016, 06:47:59 PM
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.
Post by: uplandhunter870 on November 17, 2016, 08:46:09 PM
i would stay away from Franchi, they look pretty but kick like a budwieser horse. Browning makes a really good O/U, CZ's are solid guns, IMHO Beretta's silver pigeon line is the cream of the crop but im biased. Beretta's just fit me and feel like an extension of my arms, one day ill own one
I picked up a TriStar O/U in 20ga that im putting through its paces and so far so good especially for a $400 O/U haha
Post by: wadu1 on November 17, 2016, 08:49:25 PM
Don't forget about the Winchester 101. They've been around a long time.Actually the newer 101's are FNH, imported by Browning (same company now). They are OK, but for me the wrist is to small and causes wrist problems for me as well as most Remington's. This all comes back to "FIT".
Post by: Firedogg on November 17, 2016, 10:24:21 PM
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.
Post by: Henrydog on November 18, 2016, 06:04:28 AM
. Tossing out another option no one has mentioned... a Ruger Red Label,
[/quote]
They are great guns, I have shot one. I was at a ATA shoot this summer in Montana and there was a guy looking for parts, I guess ruger doesn't even work on them or have any parts stock anymore. Kind of hard to believe
Post by: Henrydog on November 18, 2016, 06:44:11 AM
Post by: Come Get Some on November 18, 2016, 12:11:43 PM
Post by: nutntoit on November 18, 2016, 01:16:42 PM
. 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 have actually been thinking about this gun. Almost half of my guns are Rugers, I like them a lot. Is there somewhere I can go to see a fit expert?
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.
Post by: Henrydog on November 18, 2016, 02:14:14 PM
Post by: jackson7 on November 18, 2016, 02:48:39 PM
Could almost find a 12 and 20 for what you will pay for the others. skb is another.
Post by: wadu1 on November 18, 2016, 03:07:05 PM
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:yeah:
Mike and Jon do great work at S&S Plus.
Quote from thee website "We are considered amongst the top custom shotgun fitters in America."
http://www.ssplusstocks.net/ (http://www.ssplusstocks.net/)
Post by: nutntoit on November 18, 2016, 05:20:26 PM
wouldn't hesitate on an older Charles Daly made by miroku in japan. well made guns.This is something I have looked into, however I still haven't yet fired a Miroku made gun.
Could almost find a 12 and 20 for what you will pay for the others.
I tried out a CZ Huglu today and it felt really nice for the price.
Post by: aaronoto on November 18, 2016, 08:09:00 PM
Post by: RadSav on November 18, 2016, 08:17:50 PM
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!
:tup: :tup: Love mine! I'll never carry a 12 for upland ever again. This is the lightest gun I own and it makes a difference when chucker are on the menu.
I normally run IMP/MOD as chokes. The wife runs Skeet/Imp with Heavy shot or FastLead depending on where we are at. She busts them at some surprising distances with Heavy Shot. Not as good as when Remington had their HD loads, but still impressive.
Post by: ghosthunter on November 18, 2016, 08:24:03 PM
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.
Post by: nutntoit on November 22, 2016, 09:54:25 AM
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.What would you say is a good price for a used new model red label? I found one for sale in my area that looks very nice, but I don't have anything to compare it to other thank GB which is always high.
Post by: Henrydog on November 22, 2016, 10:00:18 AM
Post by: b23 on November 22, 2016, 10:43:41 AM
I don't know anything about there shotguns let alone their over and unders but I've heard good things about them and that seems like a pretty good deal if they're any good.
Post by: wadu1 on November 22, 2016, 10:57:40 AM
Well I just purchased my first O/U and I wanted a long barrel and not break the bank.The three are Benelli, Stoeger and Franchi. The Stoeger is not a bad gun for the price, they are a little heavy. I do shoot one in the Longfowler SXS for ducks and geese just for fun. For after market chokes you can use the Browning/Winchester Invector tubes.
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.
Post by: wildweeds on November 22, 2016, 07:30:10 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on November 22, 2016, 07:37:28 PM