Over and Unders for skeet

[peteinct]

A coworker is getting into skeet and asked me about over and unders for it. He has a mossberg which had to have the firing pins replaced. He now worries that they will break again and wants some advice on a lower priced O/U to use. So what ones are decent and reliable?

If he buys used, is there a checklist of things to inspect before buying? I know that skeet guys shoot alot and put wear on their guns so he worries that he'll just buy someone else's problem.
Thanks, pete

 

[ArmedBear]

SKB

Not too expensive, excellent gun.

 

[romeo212000]

Go to Academy and ask to see a Yildiz. It is an excellent gun with beautiful walnut for about $450.00. I have one and wouldnt trade it for anything.

 

[TX1911fan]

+1 on the Yildiz. Although if he wants to spend a bit more, a used Ruger, Browning or Beretta may be the way to go.

 

[romeo212000]

If you want to spend a bit more look at the New Franchi Renaiassance. You can get a fantastic, beautiful Italian shotgun for around a thousand. I will shoot a Franchi any day.

 

[Pete409]

O/U for Skeet

Pete,

My preference in O/U's priced under $2000 for skeet would be (in order of preference)

1. Browning

2. Beretta

3. Weatherby/SKB

4. All others


BTW, I think that the top 3 are WAY ahead of whatever is in 4th place or below. And I wouldn't be too concerned about buying a good used gun of the top 3 listed, especially the Browning Citori. It's so easy to replace firing pins and hammer springs (if needed) that even I can do it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Skeet guns get shot lots. The inexpensive O/Us on the market may not hold up, though they probably are good to great for light use.

T'were I getting a sub $2K o/u, my first choice would be a Beretta WHite Onyx. Mine has been terrific.

Seocnd shoice would be a used Browning, SKB or Winchester 101.

HTH....

 

[Barr]

I had the same problem and bought a CZ Redhead and could not be happier. CZ shotguns start at 600 dollars and go up to 1000 dollars. They are only 100-150 dollars more expensive than a Mossberg Silver Reserve.

 

[Pete409]

As I see it, the problem with the O/U's costing less than $1,000 new is that the companies that make or import them seem to be in a constant state of fluctuation.

With Browning, Beretta, and SKB/Weatherby, they have been making and selling basically the same O/U shotguns in this country for the past 50 years or longer. Even if you bought one of their guns 30 years ago, the chances are excellent that you'll have no problem whatsoever finding parts and service for their guns.

With the sub $1,000 O/U shotguns, their record is no where near as long. They may sell like hotcakes for a year or two, and then they go out of business and/or stop importing them. Parts may be difficult or even impossible to find. As long as your sub $1,000 shotgun never needs any parts or service, then everything is OK. But if you bought it a few years ago and they are no longer importing them or servicing them here, then a simple broken part can put the gun out of service for good.

That's why I would prefer to spend a little more and at least know that I've got a gun that can be repaired if it needs to be. With some of the cheaper O/U's, it's a crap shoot. If it needs a part or repair in a couple of years, you may find that your "investment" is totally worthless because it won't work and you can't get the parts to fix it.

Buy a good used Browning, Beretta, or SKB/Weatherby and you'll likely have no trouble with it. Even if it should need a repair, the parts and service are readily available. With the "cheapies", you may save on the initial purchase price, but may find that it's worth nothing on the resale market in a couple of years. I understand that they do make good tomato stakes though.

 

[ilmonster]

Have him look at a used Beretta or Browning O/U. These have stood the test of time, won't wear out in any one person's lifetime, are readily available used, are easily serviced by most gunsmiths if the need arises, and come in many configurations (barrel length, different stock shapes, wieghts, etc.).+
I personally have a Browning Citori XT with 5,000 rds. through it with not one problem - looks and functions like new.

 

[Hokkmike]

The lower priced Beretta's are still good guns!

 

[romeo212000]

Also Lanber is an excellent spanish gun maker. And They have also benn around for many, many years.

 

[sm]

I used Citori 3 barrel sets, SKB, Rem 3200, Perazzi, Beretta, and Pedersoli's.
3 bbl sets were just handy and when they are free, all the more reason to use one.

I'm recommending Beretta, used or new.

SKB is a great gun for the money, just don't recommend them as some of us don't want folks buying them so they will be available for us.
*grin*

 

[glockman19]

Great to see this thread pop up as I'm also looking to get into shooting clay's. I have narrowed my search down to Beretta's and Browinnigs.

 

[Striker]

In skeet O/U's I have and shoot Remmie 3200s most of the time, a Browning Xs skeet for backup, and a pair of SKB 85Ts that I take on the road when traveling.

While I love my 3200s', I've been impressed with the SKBs' and could live with one as my only gun.

Mine were less then $1300 each, w/hard case and extra chokes (from Jaqua's). They fit well and the crossbolt action locks up like a bank vault. While I have less then 10K each through them, they are as tight as the day I got them.

I'm an exception when in comes to Beretta O/Us. I had an Onyx and a EE/LL and both of them knocked the snot out of me with recoil. (though in fairness, Dave's Beretta was quite pleasant with the couple of shots he allowed me to fire). Don't know why that is. I also had the stock crack twice and replaced under warranty on the Onyx. That sorta soured me on Beretta O/Us. (But I do dearly love my Golden Mallard gas gun!!).

My recommendation is a SKB, but don't tell my 3200s' I said that.

 

[ArmedBear]

My SKB is 30 years old and still locks up tight. I have no clue how many rounds have gone through it so far, but I'm at least the 3rd owner.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Dont overlook the Rugers - they are great guns, especially for around $1500....then again I am a little bias...I have no problems or complaints about mine.

 

[txgolfer45]

I can definitely recommend a Browning Citori Lightning or White Lightning as an affordable new o/u shotgun. Others to consider would be Beretta White Onyx or Onyx and SKB 505, 585. I own a Browning Citori White Lightning. Great o/u. Classic looks and feel.

The used SKB's seem to have gone up in price over the last year. It's harder to find good deals. A buddy bought a 585 Waterfowler last year in excellent condition for $750. Haven't found one like it since.

 

[Red Label]

Still within the affordable range, the Ruger Red Label I love my 30" sporting for skeet and sporting clays. Give one a try. You won't be sorry

 

[theCZ]

Another vote for an SKB. New they are reasonable, and used they are a steal! My dealer sold his 28ga O/U for $900 to my grandfather, although I would definately have picked it up had I possessed the funds. I'm very happy with my 12ga SKB.

 

[peteinct]

Thanks everbody, I'll talk to my coworker when I'm back on shifts next week. I think he is hoping that the firing pin fix works on his mossberg.

thanks again, Pete

 

[Pete409]

I have a Browning O/U with somewhere around 20,000 rounds through it and not a single problem. I'll bet that your buddy's Mossberg didn't have anywhere near that amount of rounds through it before the firing pins broke.

When you buy cheap O/U's, don't expect to take them shooting on a frequent basis. They are intended for someone who wants to take the gun hunting a couple of times per year and perhaps take it to the range another couple of times per year. If you are going to do any more shooting that that, then buy a quality O/U. You'll save money and headaches in the long run.