looking to buy over/under for a beginner shooter

Depends on what you are wanting to shoot ? Skeet , 5 stand , sporting clays ect. Also size of the Individual is important as it correlates with stock fit. Maybe a little more background on the situation. Thanks
 
zelly said:
Depends on what you are wanting to shoot ? Skeet , 5 stand , sporting clays ect. Also size of the Individual is important as it correlates with stock fit. Maybe a little more background on the situation. Thanks
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Shooting skeet and trap, I measure 5'8'' and I'm 47yrs old, just starting shooting. Don't want to spend lots as I want to make sure I like shooting before I invest in a lifetime gun.
 
Go to a club. Get to know some of the members and try as many different guns as possible before you buy. There are usually some good used deals at clubs. Quite often some bad ones as well so be careful.
 
The short answer is to either buy a cheap Turkish O/U like a Churchill 206 for 600.00 to 1000.00 or a used Browning Superposed or Citori for 1000.00 to 1500.00. The Browning will hold their value. The Turkish guns probably won't. Something to think about, if you spend 1500-3000.00 on a mid range gun you should be able to resell it for what you paid for it if you don't like the sport. BTW, no such thing as a lifetime trap or skeet gun. You will always have to buy another one for some reason.

Edit: Theres's a Franchi trap gun in the EE right now for 700.00. Choked full over IM. Just right for trap but a bit tight for skeet but it will get you started. Half decent resale as well.
 
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I would suggest a Remington 1100 semi. It would be in the 400-790 dollar range but will get you involved in the shooting sports. I know it’s not an over/under but for a new shooter it’s spot on. Gets you shooting and like it was suggested guys at the club are usually more then happy to let you use there’s. Barrel length, and stock fit are very important. Then from there you can choose something that can have different chokes for the different clay sports. The best knowledge is usually at the club. Really put the time in and figure out what aspect you like best (skeet ect) you will more then likely end up buying a four barrel set or a gun that has sub caliber tubes or 12 ,28,20,.410
 
Well - In the world of over and unders, cheap and reliable generally don't go hand in hand. If you are really stuck on getting a 500$ over and under, try to get a Baikal with a single trigger and removeable chokes. It would be difficult to find a new one, given the current Russian embargo, but there are used ones around. If you are really lucky, you might get your hands on a "sporting " model for a few bucks more.
 
As said , stay away from Turkish guns. They are built to be priced cheaply. Their quality is substandard. Most volume shooters that I have seen buy one. trade it in less than a year
 
One of the problems with buying a cheap O/U that handles like a 4X4 is that you may end up deciding clay targets aren't for you because of the gun ! I think you're better off with a decent pump action in that price range to decide if you like it or not. If you decide to invest in an O/U you will get your money back from a decent pump gun.
 
Find yourself a Stevens or stoger and see what one you like better I was using a citori and found it was not the gun for me. I went back to using the stoger. So I have a decent growing forsale! Depending on your location! Be sure to hold the gun before buying it pictures say a thousand words but the feeling can wreck the deal!
 
This inquiry has been answered many times on CGN.
Used Beretta or Browning, whichever fits you better, is the best value for dollar. Either has a secure and reliable resale if you change your mind later.
Try before you buy, at a local club, as mentioned already.
The cheapest level of over/under guns are not suitable for long term, high volume target shooting. To put it bluntly, they are a crap shoot with your money.
 
I'd agree with the above comments. As noted, its been asked here quite a bit.

1) Don't rush into buying. Try as many as you can and learn proper stance (it's likely something different than what you are doing now, and shotgun fit. The two are closely related).

2) Ask people to try their shotguns. Club members may not offer, but I bet 99% of them will let you shoot their guns if asked knowing that the options out there are plenty and prices vary widely. Fit means everything. Try to be neutral with opinions. Everybody has one, and often people will say what they have is the best.

3) Consider taking shotgun courses on proper fit and shooting first. You can often rent guns and with choices, they can select a gun that better fits. Using guns that don't fit will cost you 1000's in ammunition and frustration.

4) Once you know what fits, look for a proper gun. Buy quality. If in doubt, stick with the BBB's (Beretta, Browning, Benelli). There are others, but you're safe with those.

5) Remember that advice is often given, but not always correct. That said, some of it is and it's valuable when free. There are A LOT of back seat drivers with shotgun shooting. The general rule is to not give advice unless asked for, but that's rarely followed. Keep in mind some good shooters can't teach, and some who know well can't shoot. In other words, take it all in stride and do your own research. Read some books, discuss with qualified shooters, etc.

6) Also note, not everybody measures or sees the same. Distances quoted are often received or given differently. Some will say shoot at the front of the clay, when it should be 3' ahead. This will frustrate you. You'll get to a point eventually when you don't measure and just shoot. It may be best to start this way by not focusing on people yelling what the lead should be.

7) don't apply the same lead to every shot. Even the same clay on different days can change depending on wind. The beauty of EVERY shot in clays (non/typical sports) is every one is different. They all need to be read, and shot knowing they are different. Don't focus on where to aim, but what the clay is doing. Aiming is often assuming the bird is keeping the same flight path, which it's not.

8) Don't track clays forever. The farther you let it go, the harder it'll be to shoot. Shoot quickly, even if it has to be instinctively. You'll expand on this once skills improve. Vice versa, if they clay is getting closer, it's not always getting easier. It's change of direction during flight is increasing, and your shot pattern is decreasing in size.

9) Don't be afraid to shoot repeated clays. You need to work on the basics before getting better. Learn the more typical shots and how they differ with position change, then start adding variation once you are feeling more confident. Don't jump head first and struggle for years. ($$$)

10) Lastly, some fellow shooters will help you learn. Some won't. Know who to shoot with.
 
Shibby! said:
I'd agree with the above comments. As noted, its been asked here quite a bit.

1) Don't rush into buying. Try as many as you can and learn proper stance (it's likely something different than what you are doing now, and shotgun fit. The two are closely related).

2) Ask people to try their shotguns. Club members may not offer, but I bet 99% of them will let you shoot their guns if asked knowing that the options out there are plenty and prices vary widely. Fit means everything. Try to be neutral with opinions. Everybody has one, and often people will say what they have is the best.

3) Consider taking shotgun courses on proper fit and shooting first. You can often rent guns and with choices, they can select a gun that better fits. Using guns that don't fit will cost you 1000's in ammunition and frustration.

4) Once you know what fits, look for a proper gun. Buy quality. If in doubt, stick with the BBB's (Beretta, Browning, Benelli). There are others, but you're safe with those.

5) Remember that advice is often given, but not always correct. That said, some of it is and it's valuable when free. There are A LOT of back seat drivers with shotgun shooting. The general rule is to not give advice unless asked for, but that's rarely followed. Keep in mind some good shooters can't teach, and some who know well can't shoot. In other words, take it all in stride and do your own research. Read some books, discuss with qualified shooters, etc.

6) Also note, not everybody measures or sees the same. Distances quoted are often received or given differently. Some will say shoot at the front of the clay, when it should be 3' ahead. This will frustrate you. You'll get to a point eventually when you don't measure and just shoot. It may be best to start this way by not focusing on people yelling what the lead should be.

7) don't apply the same lead to every shot. Even the same clay on different days can change depending on wind. The beauty of EVERY shot in clays (non/typical sports) is every one is different. They all need to be read, and shot knowing they are different. Don't focus on where to aim, but what the clay is doing. Aiming is often assuming the bird is keeping the same flight path, which it's not.

8) Don't track clays forever. The farther you let it go, the harder it'll be to shoot. Shoot quickly, even if it has to be instinctively. You'll expand on this once skills improve. Vice versa, if they clay is getting closer, it's not always getting easier. It's change of direction during flight is increasing, and your shot pattern is decreasing in size.

9) Don't be afraid to shoot repeated clays. You need to work on the basics before getting better. Learn the more typical shots and how they differ with position change, then start adding variation once you are feeling more confident. Don't jump head first and struggle for years. ($$$)

10) Lastly, some fellow shooters will help you learn. Some won't. Know who to shoot with.
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Most of what you said applies well to my club, it's a tough go on most shooting days with some of the characters either coaching or heckling, it's a very fine line.
 
My biggest advice is the feel which gun feels the best for you. O&U are the easiest to fit. If you don't want to spend much look for a good used one. They last forever!
 
atomichaircut said:
Most of what you said applies well to my club, it's a tough go on most shooting days with some of the characters either coaching or heckling, it's a very fine line.
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Please don't let this go unnoticed.

It's worth bringing up the conversation to the right people in a correct way. If you feel direct correspondence with those doing the heckling isn't a good idea, bring it up to a director or other person who can make the change anonymously. If you feel this way, likely others do too. Which means people choose to do other things than shoot.

I'm not trying to say everybody should get a metal, but shooting sports should include respect for all shooters. As you mentioned, it's a fine line between buddies rubbing eachother, and others starting to feel offended or uncomfortable.

Our club was getting a bit carried away, but has been toned down considerably this past year. I think general satisfaction of the majority of shooters has gone up, and we've had a great year with many new shooters coming out.
 
Check out Franchi Shotguns, they make some really nice guns , they have gone up in price the past couple years but are still a decent quality shotgun.
 
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