"Churchill" shotguns?

[FL-NC]

I have been seeing pump action shotguns made by "Churchill", along with some other obscure brands as of late, either in various online ads, on the shelves in stores, and at gun shows. Typically they seem to be selling between $300 and $350. Personally, I am most familiar with the current production scatterguns that have been around a long time, like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590. I do have a couple of H&R 870 "copies" I bought for less than $150 each as truck guns. How do these Churchill and other "off brands" like tri-star measure up? Are they any good? Are these prices reasonable? Asking for a friend who is thinking of buying a "typical" HD 12 gauge, since it seems like the "old standby" 870's and 500's are less easy to find.

 

[tws3b2]

I have been seeing pump action shotguns made by "Churchill", along with some other obscure brands as of late, either in various online ads, on the shelves in stores, and at gun shows. Typically they seem to be selling between $300 and $350. Personally, I am most familiar with the current production scatterguns that have been around a long time, like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590. I do have a couple of H&R 870 "copies" I bought for less than $150 each as truck guns. How do these Churchill and other "off brands" like tri-star measure up? Are they any good? Are these prices reasonable? Asking for a friend who is thinking of buying a "typical" HD 12 gauge, since it seems like the "old standby" 870's and 500's are less easy to find.

Several months I was looking for a HD shotgun. I found only two in the town I live in. A Churchill at the gun shop for $300 and a Mossberg 500 used for near $300 at the pawn shop. I felt I was overpaying for the Mossberg. But, That's the one I got. Been happy with it since. I didn't like the feel of the Churchill, but that could be just me.

 

[greyling22]

most of them come out of turkey. if you're fine with aluminum receivers and light guns, they're all right. Really, fantastic values. Armsan, ata, etc, all OEM for other companies. The weatherby sa-08 for example, is a turkish gun. All the CZ's are turkish.

 

[DocRock]

The Churchill brand was at one time owned by FIE, a FL based importer and wholesaler. I have a surprisingly nice “Churchill” Windsor 20 ga box lock SxS 26” barrels, coin finish receiver decently engraved rose and scroll, well rust blued barrels IC/M that was made by Zavala Hermanos in Eibar, Spain. I have seen two higher grade “Churchill” SxS, I think the model was called Sandringham, that were nicely engraved sideplated guns.

As I recall, FIE went out of business in the early 90s? So, somebody has purchased, received or otherwise resuscitated the Churchill brand. As per above, they are almost certainly Turkish guns, which can be quite reasonable even at that price point.

 

[FL-NC]

The Churchill brand was at one time owned by FIE, a FL based importer and wholesaler. I have a surprisingly nice “Churchill” Windsor 20 ga box lock SxS 26” barrels, coin finish receiver decently engraved rose and scroll, well rust blued barrels IC/M that was made by Zavala Hermanos in Eibar, Spain. I have seen two higher grade “Churchill” SxS, I think the model was called Sandringham, that were nicely engraved sideplated guns.

As I recall, FIE went out of business in the early 90s? So, somebody has purchased, received or otherwise resuscitated the Churchill brand. As per above, they are almost certainly Turkish guns, which can be quite reasonable even at that price point.

I remember FIE for making/selling some very low quality handguns "way back when". Little 25 ACP's, derringers, and the like.

 

[jag1954]

I recently purchased a Charles Daly 301 tactical 12 gauge /18.5" for HD at the local Rural King for under $200.00. No pistol grips nothing fancy. Felt good in my hands and goes bang every time with no issues. Saw a few Churchills there but they just didn't do it for me. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[cdb1]

How do these Churchill and other "off brands" like tri-star measure up?

Tristar has been around for awhile now and though I don’t own one, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one of their shotguns.

It looks like the Churchill pumps are made by Akkar and imported by EAA. The only caution I’d have is EAA customer service wasn’t all that good at one time. Maybe it’s gotten better, I really don’t know.

 

[meanmotorscooter]

https://www.akkar.com.tr/812-12ga-2-584

 

[Jim Watson]

When I saw the header, I first thought of the English Churchill XXV double with its 25" barrels and tapered rib giving the impression of a longer sighting plane.

 

[Roknstevo]

I have been seeing pump action shotguns made by "Churchill", along with some other obscure brands as of late, either in various online ads, on the shelves in stores, and at gun shows. Typically they seem to be selling between $300 and $350. Personally, I am most familiar with the current production scatterguns that have been around a long time, like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590. I do have a couple of H&R 870 "copies" I bought for less than $150 each as truck guns. How do these Churchill and other "off brands" like tri-star measure up? Are they any good? Are these prices reasonable? Asking for a friend who is thinking of buying a "typical" HD 12 gauge, since it seems like the "old standby" 870's and 500's are less easy to find.

I recently traded for a Churchill pump 12ga with a regular stock and pistol grip. Don’t shotgun hunt any more. Just needed a bedside snuggle gun. If I have any issues I’ll be sure to post them.

 

[9x56MS]

I recently bought an Iver Johnson over under 20 gauge that was made in Turkey. Nicely figured walnut stock and fore arm. Deep bluing over well polished barrels and reliever. The receiver is some type of alloy as the gun is light even with 26” barrels. Came with 5 choke tubes and select safety. Nice gun for about the same as a 555.

 

[entropy]

The Churchill shotguns made today are not the elegant SxS's of yore. They are indeed made in Turkey, The pumps are usually 870 semi-clones, and the semi autos are usually Beretta A300 clones. Most are decent guns for the money, as long as you are aware they will not hold up to the pounding an 870 or A300 will. But for a gun that will see 10 boxes of shells a year, like many shooters will do, they are fine.
As for Turkish SxS's and O/U's (and SBT's); Caveat Emptor- Again for a light use field gun, they'll do the job. The clays games dedicated versions have a deserved reputation for not holding up to higher shell volume.
To answer your original question, FL-NC, for HD use, with moderate training/familiarization use, they should be just fine. I'd probably replace it, or augment it with an 870 or 500 when I could.