Which Over/Under to Recommend for Trap and some Hunting?

[ReadyontheRight]

I just got a friend into trap shooting. He's borrowing my Wingmaster at the moment, but I can tell he will buy something for himself.

I know the 870 is the best all-around choice, but I think this will probably be his one and only gun. Our whole trap team pretty much recommended an 870, but this guy tends to like nice "stuff". He can probably afford pretty much anything within reason, so I am thinking a nice over/under would be good if he wants something more than a basic shooter.

The problem is...I know zero about over/unders. Never even shot one. I would recommend a Beretta or Browning just beacause of their history, but I am seeing them from Mossberg, Franchi, Russia, Turkey, Remington "Spartan", etc.

So...Which over/under for trap shooting, some hunting and probably a little sporting clays and skeet in the future?

Let's not go too crazy and keep it under $1500. Way under if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Hoser]

Browning Citori. Easy.

 

[telli97]

Which O/U

I agree with Hoser on the Browning. They are pretty awesome. I've had a Citori Field model for almost 12 years. A bit heavy but a great gun. Don't overlook the following makers: Franchi, I have an Alcione which is great and only cost me $1,000 OTD, Beretta White Onyx, Ruger Red Label (This gun get's a lot of flack here, but I have a 20 gauge that has been great).

There are many choices. Pick one that fits you. A $1500 limit is good amount to have to spend, so pick wisely.

JP

 

[Baba Louie]

I'll "third" the Browing Citori. I have one in 20 ga. and one in 12 ga. Both of mine sport the straight "English" grip (personal preference) and are the older "Upland" models. I believe they are now called "Superlight Feather" with an alloy frame... I'm sure my frames are steel and a little heavier... gotta check.
MSRP is a little over your $1500 limit tho' unless you find a used model somewhere.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/category.asp?value=008B
CZ-USA has some Turkish mfg O/U's that are priced well below that price point. Just FYI
http://www.czusa.com/products_shotguns.php?m=1

 

[RNB65]

They may not be the sexiest O/U's in the world, but you can never go wrong with a Citori. Proven reliable design and manufactured by a highly respected company in Japan. I've got a 425 that I've been clay shooting with for years and it's never skipped a beat in many thousands of rounds.

 

[Ed/Pa]

Again another vote for the Citori. I will however based on what you say the needs would be , would recommend staying away from a trap model. I believe a sporting model would be the best bet. (straight comb/ low rib) 28-30" barrels. Plenty of Citoi's such as the "lightning" to choose from ,especially in the used market which will fit your dollar range. Brownings are hard to beat for the buck and retain their value.

 

[Slugo]

Very easy question to answer...

BROWNING CITORI what else!?!

 

[ArmedBear]

Someone has to say it. I don't like the (12 Gauge) Citori in the least.

I have the old model BT-99, which is more or less a single-shot version of the Citori, and I can vouch for the quality and durability of the gun. That's not my objection. It's a good gun.

I think the 12 Gauge Citori is a club. Now, the 30" or 32" barrel version balances nicely, if you are 6'2" or taller and don't mind lugging an artillery piece in the field. The shorter versions want to go up and down, not side to side, which is pretty undesirable for trap. I'm 5'10", and for me, the Citori is literally too tall. (Counterpoint, though, is that a tall O/U receiver can be made really durable and strong.)

So, in the same price range...

Were I to get one and only one gun, I'd take a long look at the Ruger Red Label. The new Target Gray stainless model is a helluva do-everything gun, if you don't have any moral objections to a Xytel stock on a shotgun. It's a much sleeker design than a Citori, and if it actually should break, it'll get fixed, fast, and for free. And, even in the blue/walnut version, it has a stainless receiver and it doesn't have that pesky condensation problem Brownings seem to have.

Another option I dig is the Browning Cynergy (now available in a "traditional" version). VERY low profile, feels almost like a SxS, but retains all the advantages of an O/U. I like the newfangled look, myself, and the recoil pad works great, but it has to fit you out of the box unless you want to go through a lot of hassle. The Traditional, though, has a regular old stock like most other shotguns, so it should be easier to fit and more pleasing to the conservative eye.

More good choices? The SKB 585 and 505 are wonderful guns, with an innovative lockup system that also allows a nice low profile. DEFINITELY worth a look (and a swing).

Beretta O/Us are always worth a look, and sometimes older ones in excellent condition can be had for bargain prices. Even the new ones are reasonably priced, for Over-Unders... They just feel GREAT, to me, anyway, as well as to a whole lot of other people.

I've liked Weatherby Orions, but I haven't seen a new one in a while.

***

My do-whatever gun right now is an old 1100 Magnum with sling swivels. That will do everything, from doves to trap to sporting clays. Sling swivels are an important accessory, though, for upland hunting! Damn thing's heavy. I don't use it for trap, generally, but I have used it for an inter-club shoot I stumbed into without my BT in the car, without my score suffering noticeably. It doesn't even have a barrel rib.