20 ga O/U

Status
Not open for further replies.

Xeon256

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
58
Any recommendations for a USA made 20 ga over/under that’s not a bank buster? Primarily for target/skeet/trap, etc. I really like the Browning Citori, however they’re exxxpeeeennnsive:what:.
 
Well, my suggest was going to be the Citori. Remember you get what you pay for, and the Citori isn't, in the grand scheme of things, expensive.
 
Of course, the Red Label is no longer made. The Citori is Japanese made. Off hand, I can't think of any USA made O/U currently manufactured. There are plenty of low cost O/U's on the market, Turkish or Russian made, but none I'd actually recommend. My suggestion would be to forget about the USA made requirement, and start saving your money for a Browning Citori or a Beretta Silver Pigeon I. Or, look around for a nice used example. I've seen very nice older Citori's for $700. I'm a Beretta guy, myself.
 
You may need to hit the used market as the guys suggested. I like my Red Label 28, I bought it used years ago without a mark on it. With a bit of patience and searching you will be able to find what you're looking for.
 
Heheheh that Citori is one beeeaaauuutiful piece. :). I’ll keep a eye out for a good used Ruger. Never saw a Marlin but keep a eye out as well. Shame there isn’t a all American O/U that doesn’t cost as much as a car. Just was wondering tho if I was missing something. Russian, Japanese, Czech and Italian made I’m perfectly fine with. Prefer USA, buy American hire American, but don’t want Turkish for personal reasons I won’t elaborate on. Whelp! Here’s to looking forward to my tax returns :rofl:.
 
There were durability issues with the Marlin and parts are scarce. In the past three years i have picked up a Superposed and two Citoris paying $850, 750, and 1100, the last for a Super light. The first Rugers had some problems so if you go that route, be sure it is late production.
20s generally sell a little higher than 12s.
You should consider a 12. You can shoot 7/8 and 1 ounce loads in it and they will pattern better than out of a 20.
 
I found a quite nice, tight Superposed 20 ga not too long ago for around $750 IIRC. That said there are a lot of loose fitting ones floating around out there that probably need to go in for service, and there's the saltwood ones as well.

I foolishly sold an SKB in 20 ga I'd bought new a few years back, seems to me it was a pretty good value. Don't see too many of those used though.
 
Have very much enjoyed used SKBs (not USA guns, but very good and I've had had several). Have a Franchi 28 that is very good. My best O/U is a used Winchester 101 12, but surely can be found in 20. For some reason I have found that I prefer these to Brownings and Berettas, but that's maybe just me.
 
There were durability issues with the Marlin and parts are scarce. In the past three years i have picked up a Superposed and two Citoris paying $850, 750, and 1100, the last for a Super light. The first Rugers had some problems so if you go that route, be sure it is late production.
20s generally sell a little higher than 12s.
You should consider a 12. You can shoot 7/8 and 1 ounce loads in it and they will pattern better than out of a 20.

Heh, why I’m looking at a 20 is...... wellllllll I bought two 100 shell boxes from Wally World, annnd wasn’t paying attention, and got home, and well (bleep!) had one box of 12’s and one box of 20’s lol. I have a 12 ga already (not that I won’t buy more ☺️)
 
you could just sell the 20ga shells, if you bought them at wally world you only have out about 20-22 dollars in them. and you could sell them for close to what you paid for them. eastbank.
 
you could just sell the 20ga shells, if you bought them at wally world you only have out about 20-22 dollars in them. and you could sell them for close to what you paid for them. eastbank.
True true
 
Xeon256

My suggestion would be to forget about the USA made requirement, and start saving your money for a Browning Citori or a Beretta Silver Pigeon I. Or, look around for a nice used example. I've seen very nice older Citori's for $700.

I would also add Franchi to the mix. New or used, they're well made and durable shotguns that balance and handle very nicely; much like a Beretta O/U.
 
Xeon256



I would also add Franchi to the mix. New or used, they're well made and durable shotguns that balance and handle very nicely; much like a Beretta O/U.
Never heard of Franchi, I’ll check them out too :)
 
Have very much enjoyed used SKBs (not USA guns, but very good and I've had had several). Have a Franchi 28 that is very good. My best O/U is a used Winchester 101 12, but surely can be found in 20. For some reason I have found that I prefer these to Brownings and Berettas, but that's maybe just me.
Never heard of SKB or Franchi, def will check them out :)
 
Most of the 101s were Miroku, same company as made Citoris (and some Charles Daly). I have only considered buying a gun for shells I had a quantity of and i had a couple thousand of them. Eight boxes is one good afternoon at the trap club.
Shoot, you might be able to find a used 1100 in either 12 or 20 for under $500. Shoot anything you want.....I shoot trap, skeet, and sporting clays with one (have five barrels, none with tubes).
 
Any recommendations for a USA made 20 ga over/under that’s not a bank buster? Primarily for target/skeet/trap, etc. I really like the Browning Citori, however they’re exxxpeeeennnsive:what:.

It depends on what you are planning to do with the shotgun. For shooting clays once in a while and annual bird hunting, about any over/under will serve you well.

But, if you are going to shoot lots of clay targets, a better shotgun is a must. It is not difficult to shoot 400 to 1000 or more rounds a month. Citoris, Beretta 686s or something equivalent are about the minimum to have the reliability to stand up to that kind of use.

When I shot competitive skeet, I shot a Citoris, first a 20 ga Grade 1 and then a tubed 12 ga Grade 3 skeet model. They never missed a beat in the years I was competing. I still have both shotguns. (The 20 ga now has a shortened stocked cut to fit my 5'-2" wife, she will not part with it for love or money.:)).
 
SKB is a good one. Or it might be possible to find a 1960s era Charles Daily. Between my dad an i we owned 12 of them. Really good O/U skeet guns.
 
Another really good, reliable O/U in 12 or 20, is a Valmet 412...

You will have to find a used one, they were made in Finland...

DM
 
:DLooks wise (yes I know that’s not a good metric) the pointer sporting, or the CZ redhead are downright gorgeous, not quite as beautiful as a Citori or a lightning, but how do those two compare (I’m guessing the pointer may be junk given it’s 520 bucks) but I’m open minded. Is the pointer Turk? I’ve heard the CZ’s are Czech. Obviously you can tell I’m new to shotguns aside from mossberg, remington, Browning, or Beretta. Yes I am looking to try and hopefully get good at trap and skeet. :). Plus I know I’m a hardheaded pain in the ***. I’d like to avoid turk, or Chinese. :D I’m also the type that likes bang for buck too. The berettas I’m just not sure right now I can justify 2 grand, unless I can show talent, same with the upper end Citoris (tho I’m just drooling over the Citori 725 VII) how are CZ and Pointer? As of right now I don’t have the money, I’m just trying to narrow down, get people’s experiences and make a good decision based on that info + how those models fit to me. Though lol right now the Citori is hitting many marks.
 
Last edited:
Another really good, reliable O/U in 12 or 20, is a Valmet 412...

You will have to find a used one, they were made in Finland...

DM

Eeek! The Valmet is a beautiful piece but yikes 2300 used
 
cry when you buy and laugh when it lasts. a good used remington 870 pump or a 1100 auto may be better for you to start. rudy echen used a Remington pump to shoot 100-100 at doubles trap two different times with the same 870 pump. eastbank.
 
Xenon256

Both the Pointer semi-auto shotguns and the Pointer O/U shotguns are made in Turkey and are imported by Legacy Sports International. CZ shotguns are also made in Turkey but I believe they are serviced here by CZ USA. Franchi shotguns are made in Italy and they have their own service center. I had a Franchi Renaissance O/U shotgun and it was very well made and performed perfectly without any problems.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top