Shotgun Ranking???

[Shotgun Dave]

Hey guys need a favor. Please rank the following brand shotguns 1 thru 6,
one being the best for its intended use which is shooting clays. All 12ga. 3"
chambers, o/u. Dave McCracken please reply, really like your responses on all of the threads I've read. Most of these are close in price at retail.

Lanber 2097 Sporting
Berreta 686 White Onyz
Browning Citori 525 Field
Browning Cynergy classic field
Ruger Red label KRL1226-BR
SKB 585 Field

Which "one" beats them over all, in quality, lasting ability, trouble free functioning?

Thanks, Shotgun Dave

 

[BP44]

Browning Citori 525 Field
Browning Cynergy classic field
Ruger Red label KRL1226-BR
Lanber 2097 Sporting
SKB 585 Field

I have only shot the brownings and ruger so I might not be the best of help But I have looked at all of them except the lanber. With that said I love my benelli SBE II

 

[PJR]

Berreta 686 White Onyz
Browning Citori 525 Field
Browning Cynergy classic field
SKB 585 Field
Lanber 2097 Sporting
Ruger Red label KRL1226-BR

 

[Pete409]

Here is my ranking from best to worst. I don't know why you would want or need a 3" chamber for shooting clays, but that has almost zero effect on the performance/durability of the gun for shooting clays. You only need the 3" chamber for waterfowl hunting, IMO.


Browning Citori 525 Field
Browning Cynergy classic field
Berreta 686 White Onyz
SKB 585 Field
Ruger Red label KRL1226-BR
Lanber 2097 Sporting

 

[riverdog]

Don't really know how I feel about the rest, but IMO the Browning Citori 525 Field would be #1 of that group. I have the 525 Sporting, steel receiver will last many thousands of rounds, fits me like a glove -- what's not to like.. .

 

[clang]

Beretta
Beretta
Beretta

Browning Citori


Browning Cynergy - SKB 585


Ruger






Lanber

 

[Redseal]

shotgun ranking

Browning (Either)
Browning Citori
Browning BPS
Browning A-5
Browning Superposed

 

[Dave McCracken]

686

Citori

Cynergy

Ruger

SKB

Lanber

My 686 kinda biases me. It's a hard gun to not like.

 

[goose2]

For my trap gun I like Beretta
For my waterfowl gun there is only one gun made, Its the Benelli SBE II
For my pump field gun I like Browning BPS.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Shotgun Dave.......

While the 686 and Citori lead that pack, IMO, all those dogs can hunt.

In your shoes,I'd get the one that FELT best.

FYI, after two years and maybe 9K shells, my White Onyx Sporter is a thing of joy to me. On occasion, the inertial trigger does not reset for the second shot with my creampuff 7/8 oz loads. No other probs to report.

 

[rbernie]

My local gunshop is very complimentary of Lanber, and has been trying to sell me one for a while.

Are they really OK for moderate-to-heavy use?

 

[earlthegoat2]

I would say:

1. Beretta

2. Browning

3. The Rest

 

[Pete409]

My local gunshop is very complimentary of Lanber, and has been trying to sell me one for a while.

Are they really OK for moderate-to-heavy use?

I seriously doubt it. Go to any clays gun range where there are a lot of veteran (i.e. "old") guys shooting and look at the guns they have been using for years. I doubt that you find any Lanbers.

Besides, if a person is going to do a moderate to heavy amount of clays shooting over several years, their cost in shells and targets will greatly dwarf the cost of their shotgun.

A moderate amount of clay target shooting at a range will probably cost $2,500 to $5,000 per year for targets and ammo alone (not counting transportation or any other costs). In a few years, you could easily spend $15K to $20K on just targets and ammo.

It doesn't make sense to me to try to save a few hundred dollars by buying a cheap shotgun when you will spend MANY times more than the shotgun cost in targets and ammo in a few years.

 

[Riss]

You really have to look at the functions if you are going to buy one. Cock on open, or close, inertial hammers etc. Ruger Red label is the favorite. BUT it does not feel as good the Browning Superposed.

 

[PJR]

My local gunshop is very complimentary of Lanber, and has been trying to sell me one for a while.

Are they really OK for moderate-to-heavy use?

Yes and it's why I put the Lanber ahead of the Ruger Red Label in my ranking.

Lanber shotguns are not that common in the U.S. but are very popular entry level shotguns in the U.K. I know of at least one high-end shooting school that uses them for instruction.

Here are some reviews on Lanber guns from the U.K.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/shotguns/142213/Lanber_Sporter_shotgun_review.html

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/shotguns/126680/Lanber_Sporting_De_Luxe_shotgun_review.html

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/137275/Lanber_overunder_used_gun_test.html

 

[Pete409]

PJR,

Reviews of this type from professional gun writers are nearly worthless, IMO. Professional gun writers know how to make the most worthless POS sound like a great gun.

If these writers ever really told the truth about how poorly made some of the guns were they were reviewing, then they wouldn't be professional gun writers much longer.

I've read many glowing reviews of guns that I know to be poorly made pieces of crap. Also, the fact that all 3 reviews that you posted a link to were from the same publication (ShootingUK) makes it that much more suspect.

The best way to find out what guns are worth the money is to go to the ranges where the guys who shoot a couple of times per week (year round) are shooting and see what they are shooting. If a gun is a POS, then it won't last long with these guys.

Also, just because a "high end shooting school" uses them, doesn't necessarily mean they are good. It may simply mean they are cheap and they got a good deal on a bunch of them.

 

[rbernie]

The best way to find out what guns are worth the money is to go to the ranges where the guys who shoot a couple of times per week (year round) are shooting and see what they are shooting. If a gun is a POS, then it won't last long with these guys.

The fact that these guys don't shoot a particular brand of gun may also mean that Brand B has better marketing and distribution in the US than does Brand L. Who's to say? Too many variables.

While it's a valid data point, I certainly don't see brand affinity as the sole definition of suitability.

 

[PJR]

PJR,

Reviews of this type from professional gun writers are nearly worthless, IMO. Professional gun writers know how to make the most worthless POS sound like a great gun.

If these writers ever really told the truth about how poorly made some of the guns were they were reviewing, then they wouldn't be professional gun writers much longer.

I've read many glowing reviews of guns that I know to be poorly made pieces of crap. Also, the fact that all 3 reviews that you posted a link to were from the same publication (ShootingUK) makes it that much more suspect.

The best way to find out what guns are worth the money is to go to the ranges where the guys who shoot a couple of times per week (year round) are shooting and see what they are shooting. If a gun is a POS, then it won't last long with these guys.

Also, just because a "high end shooting school" uses them, doesn't necessarily mean they are good. It may simply mean they are cheap and they got a good deal on a bunch of them.

Clearly, Pete409 you don't travel much nor have a knowledge of the publication I cited. UK magazines aren't the same fawning milksops you find in North America. Frankly, I'd rank their views higher than yours.

The shooting school involved is one where I spent some time and they used Berettas, Mirokus and Lanbers. Their in-house gunsmith said of the three Lanber was equal to the Berettas and better than the Mirokus.

Just because you don't see some aged clay shooter in sunny Florida shooting a Lanber doesn't mean they aren't good guns. Have you shot one?

 

[Pete409]

PJR,

Nope, never shot a Lanber and not sure if I've ever seen one. I've shot at many sporting clays tournaments in several states (in addition to numerous skeet and trap ranges and gun clubs) and often observe the guns that other shooters are using and ask about them if I'm not familiar with that particular gun. I don't recall even hearing anyone say they shot a Lanber.

Perhaps they are good guns at a reasonable price, but if they are, they are sure keeping it a very good secret from the guys and gals who do the greatest volume of shooting. The original poster asked if these guns (Lanber) were good for "moderate to heavy use." If they are as good as or better than the Brownings (Miroku) and Berettas as you claim, why is it that they are so scarce in the hands of the people who do the "moderate to heavy" shooting of shotguns?

Perhaps we have a difference of opinion of what "moderate to heavy" usage of a shotgun means. To me, moderate usage would be about 5,000 to 10,000 rounds per year and heavy usage would be 15,000+ rounds per year.

There is also the matter of getting replacement parts and/or gun repairs done. If a person needs a part or a repair done on a Browning or Beretta O/U shotgun, there are many such places to get the work done or obtain the parts to do it yourself right here in the US. I doubt that Lanber has anywhere close to the same sources for parts and/or service.

Again, this is just my 2 cents, but if I'm going to spend the money on targets and ammo required to give a shotgun "moderate to heavy usage", then I see no point in taking a chance on a shotgun that has no more track record (in this country) than the Lanber. That's particularly true when proven, dependable guns like Browning and Beretta are readily available for just a few hundred dollars more.

 

[Pete409]

I thought that some people might be interested in reading about one person's experience with buying a Lanber shotgun. Here is a link to that story. From what I can gather from reading about the Lanber O/U's, they may be decent buys for an "entry level gun", but no comparison to the Brownings and Berettas. For that matter, I don't think they would compare with the SKB either. But again, this is MY opinion.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=152226

 

[clang]

I suggest you look at the resale value the the guns you are looking at. Used Berettas and Browning fetch a sizable portion of their new cost. Don't think I can say the same thing about Lanbers....

Why? Two possible reasons, The "B" guns are better or the "B" guns are more trusted. Doesn't mean the Lanbers are bad, but wouldn't you rather go with a proven winner that will sell for a sizable amount of your original investment if you later decide to sell it?

The only gun shops I've seen that are pushing Lanbers are the ones that just happen to have them in stock.

 

[Shotgun Dave]

Shotgun Ranking??

Thanks everyone for responding, I have my selection down to two currently.
I went to the range this weekend and my buddy brought his Browning 525, and man it was sweet. It shouldered perfectly for me and shot about 10-rounds through it. It was tight and you could actually feel how tight when you locked in two rounds of ammo. He has a Ruger red label also, and will bring it next time we shoot. Hopefully I will know after actually firing it also.

Hope I did not cause any ill feelings asking my questions, because at this point I respect all of your opinions, cause I don't know crap....yet

Pete 409, you hit it on the nail man with your explanation of why buy a cheap gun with all the extranious cost associated with ammo and clays.

Shotgun Dave

 

[Pete409]

Pete 409, you hit it on the nail man with your explanation of why buy a cheap gun with all the extranious cost associated with ammo and clays.

Thanks. That point was driven home to me a few years ago when I was going to sporting clays tournaments about 30 times per year plus practicing at least twice per week in between tournaments.

I figured that I was spending about $8,000 per year on targets and ammo not counting all the travel expenses. With that in mind, it didn't make much sense to try to save a few hundred dollars by shooting a gun that wouldn't hold up and be dependable.

When all expenses are figured in, if a person is going to do a moderate to heavy amount of target shooting, then the cost of the gun is the LEAST of his expenses. Buy something that will last and that you can depend on. There are enough other things to worry about (like how to hit the targets) that you don't need to add in another (like whether your gun is going to break down in the middle of an important tournament).

Even if you are not planning on doing any tournament shooting, a good shotgun is a good investment in your shooting happiness and peace of mind.

 

[Pete409]

Shotgun Dave,

BTW, if your choices are between the Browning 525 and a Ruger, then go with the Browning.

The Ruger O/U has a spotty record based on numerous situations I'm familiar with. A few people have had good results, but far more were sorely disappointed. Ruger makes good handguns and rifles, but their O/U shotguns leave a lot to be desired in quality and durability.

 

[45auto]

Lanber does get good "reviews" from what I've read and they have a "history" in the UK. But, they are distributed by the Beretta Importer there, so "service" is not an issue.

I've picked one up and they look pretty good, better than the Russian, Turkish guns I've seen.

But, IMHO, Browning and Beretta have a "strangle hold" on that "class/cost" of O/U shotguns and I think it would be extremely difficult for any "new" manufacturer to compete against them.

I'd rather compete against the Ruger's, Huglu, Spartans, CZ, etc, etc than "B&B". Or, go the Ceasar Guerini route and go a step above.