looking for a svelt 28 gauge

[Leaky Waders]

Hi everyone,

I've been, and still am, away on hiatus...but while I'm away from the states in this desert, I still can't help lamenting the duck season and upland game seasons I am missing. After I get back, or maybe even before if I get the info I want, I'll purchase a 28 gauge to add to my box of toys.

I want a 28 gauge...because:

1) I just want one, I have a couple of 20's and several 12's - all are awesome. But, I just want a 28.

2) I'd like a light little shotgun for people to shoot who haven't felt the recoil of a larger bore gun.

3) I think my son will like it too...it'll be my gun for damn sure but I think that he'll enjoy the light loads. (He has a 20 gauge montefeltro now).

I want one that is built on a true 28 gauge frame. I could settle for a 20 gauge frame, but I want a nice pettite gun. I was looking at beretta 686's before I deployed - the quail covey one looked nice. I'd be able to spend about 2500 without changing wives (just a joke my wife of 17 years is the coolest.

So which makers currently manufacture a 28 gauge (o/u or sxs) in a true small receiver?

Which ones use a 20gauge receiver?

Thanks for your time...looking forward to your replies.

Stay safe,

LW

 

[mtnbkr]

I handled a Stoeger several months ago that was very svelte. It wasn't their Uplander model, but something much nicer. It had a straight grip and was tastefully engraved. The price was over $1k, but under $2k, IIRC. I think the Uplander model is no larger than a 20g frame and might even be smaller, but it looks like you're shopping in a different market segment.

It's not on their website, so it may not be available anymore.

Chris

 

[kudu]

The Ruger 28ga is made on a 28ga frame. It is light, balanced, and well handling. Mine is the sporting clay model with 28" barrels. I also have a Remington 1100 28ga that is light and quick as well as an 870 28ga. Both are super shooters on the skeet range or after birds. The 1100 has barely any recoil while the Ruger has quite a little snap to it. The 870 is in between.

Iv'e seen a few Berettas and Brownings about, but they have never really caught my interest. I have shot a beautiful little Parker Reproduction 28ga SxS. It was a dream to shoot. You may find one of these in the $2000-$3000 range.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I dont want to spend 2500...

But I that's probably my max that I could live with myself for a shotgun...I'd be much happier spending less.

Is the 870 built on a petite special 28 gauge frame or on a 20 gauge frame - how much does it weigh?

I'd prefer an over/under or a side by side - I know that side by side = a lot more money for the gun...but I wouldn't be put out by a nice single barrelled pump or ato either. Franchi seems to make a 48Al in 28 gauge that reads nice...I wonder if anyone has shot it though?

I'll check the remington website tonite too...the net is really really slow here. Idon't want a gun with any special locks on it though in the safeties...

 

[kudu]

From the Remington website:

In 1999 Remington returned both the 28-gauge and .410-bore field guns to the Model 870 Wingmaster line. They are built on the lightweight, superb-handling,small-frame receivers of their original counterparts, first introduced in 1969. Stocks and fore-ends of each are made of satin-finished American walnut and decorated by generous cut checkering. Receivers and barrels have a high-polish blued finish. Their 25-inch, vent rib barrels each have ivory front and steel mid-beads. The 28-gauge model is equipped with Remington's versatile Rem Choke system and comes with Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full Rem Chokes. The .410-bore has a fixed Modified choke.


I have never messed with the Franchi of any kind but a 12ga semi, I believe it was. I was not impressed, but this was years ago.

I would still recommend the Ruger Red Label in 28ga.

 

[BillL223]

I was very impressed with a Franchi O/U Veloce I handled and the price seemed reasonable. The frame is aluminum and very light.

 

[crawfish]

I have a Ruger Red Label 28ga and it is a real sweetheart. It has become my choice for doves and quail over my 20ga Montefeltro. When I purchased the Red Label I also got the .410 inserts. It has become quite the challenge to decide which to use as they both fit that tiny action so well. This past season my granddaughter “discovered†the Red Label and she has taken it over. Used it this past weekend in it’s .410 guise to kill a limit of 7 squirrel in the pecan grove.

 

[Hoser]

I picked up a Browning XS in 28 a few months ago.

Very nice. Fit me very well. I have been shooting Sporting Clays and skeet with it. About 700-1,000 rounds a month.

The recoil is so light I get to just watch the clay birds come apart right in my sight picture. Not like my 12. And it weights a couple pounds less.

I got a 28 gauge conversion kit for my Dillon reloader and now load 28 for about $2 a box instead of buying it for $7.

Now I am just saving up for an AYA round body or a Win 23 Golden Quail and restlessly waiting for pheasant season to open.

 

[Traveler]

Maybe I misread? Svelte in a 28 ga would eliminate the large majority of the guns mentioned so far. Think 5 1/2 lbs. Then consider the choices.

 

[PJR]

Mmmm....28 gauge.

Although not on a true 28 gauge frame unless in the higher grades, the Beretta 687 is a real sweetheart. The Beretta frames are shallower than the Browning due to the locking system and the difference between the 28 and 20 frames is very small in both size and weight.

If you must have an o/u with a scaled frame the Ruger is one choice but you might also consider Rizzini. However Rizzini uses the bottom locking system ala Browning and a 28 gauge Rizzini is slightly taller than a Beretta 687 on a 20 gauge frame.

In gas-operated autos, there is only the Remington although their new models come with 27" barrels and choke tubes and is a very light and handy gun. Franchis AL48 is a recoil operated semi that is also available in 28 gauge. I've played with one but found it too light and I doubt I could ever shoot it well.

I love my 28 on a 20 gauge frame. Light enough to carry all day, heavy enough to swing well, easy on the shoulder and good on targets both clay and feathered.

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

In a recent issue of Sporting Clays mag, Randy Lawrence did an article on two 28 gauge game guns.

The one was a Guerneri O/U, the other was a Hatfield Uplander. Weight on the Hatfield was 5 lbs, 14 oz. The Uplander was also light.

Both guns looked good.

 

[Darkside]

I bought a Ruger 28 with the 28" barrels and love it. I have converted several friends over to the 28 ga. with it. One had a Uougartachea(sp) that was to die for. He sold it(I cried) and and bought the 1100 28 gauge. He says he likes the fit and feel of the 1100 a little better since he grew up shooting 1100's.

Now, if I could just find a low cost 28 gauge for the kids.

Darkside

 

[halvey]

If you want to get a nice gun, I'd second the Ruger Red Label. I shot one with 26" barrels and it was just great.

In 1999 Remington returned both the 28-gauge and .410-bore field guns to the Model 870 Wingmaster line. They are built on the lightweight, superb-handling,small-frame receivers of their original counterparts, first introduced in 1969.

I didn't realize this. Hmmmm. Must resist...

 

[Tom Held]

More than you think

I also have a Ruger 28 with the 28" barrels, straight stock and the 410 Briley inserts. I really do like this gun. I've put as many as 1500 rounds through it in one day shooting dove in Argentina with one shell failure (probably due to the ammo). With the mod and full chokes you can kill dove out to 40-45 yards consistently once you get dialed in.

The 410 chokes make it an ideal skeet gun as well. The full length tubes add a little front end weight to the gun and throws off the balance a little. But the gun is a little whippy and I think the added weight helps.

I also have a 28 Winchester Model 23 SxS. You can still find these. They look like Model 21s but at a tenth of the price and are well built. My old Remington Model 48 autoloader in 28 gauge is still functional and you can still find these for $400 to $600 in good shape.

28 ammo is a little pricy and if you're going to shoot it a lot you might want to consider reloading.

Tom

 

[Grayrock]

I have a DeHaan S2 side by side in 20 ga and love it.
javascript: opener1 ('images/Side_by_Sides/S2E_LARGE.jpg')
S2 SxS Single selective trigger, extractors, silver sideplates with waterfowl scene, 100% scroll work engraving, 5 choke tubes (16 ga and .410 with fixed IC & M chokes) 12, 16, 20 $795
28, .410 $995

http://www.dhshotguns.com