Help me buy a new O/U!

What to buy?

  • Beretta 686

    Votes: 21 46.7%

  • Try and find a Browning 525

    Votes: 15 33.3%

  • CZ Redhead

    Votes: 1 2.2%

  • Some other form of wood married to pipe

    Votes: 8 17.8%
  • Total voters
    45
Potshot21

Potshot21

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Location
Moose Country, Ontario
Well, after yet another firing pin failure on my cheapie Hatsan O/U and an ever expanding love of shotgun sports, I've decided its high time to invest in a higher quality firearm! I know one's success is greatly dependant on the fit of the firearm to user, so please refrain from "the one that fits" comments. If money was no object I'd buy every gun I could to try out.

The Criteria...

- O/U
- Extractors, not ejectors
- Schnabel Fore-stock
- Interchangeable chocks (points for common choke systems)
- Single Trigger
- Would prefer 28" barrels
- 12 gauge!

I'm immediately drawn to the Beretta 686s. I love the look, fit & finish, and Schnabel fore-stock as well as their reputation for making excellent shotguns is attractive, the large price tag however isn't. The lowest tier 686 is all my budget will allow unfortunately.

I like the older Browning Citori 525s. They seem more shaped the way I want over the newer 725. However, finding a used one is like trying to find hens teeth.

I'm intrigued by the CZ Redheads as well. They seem to fill the checkboxes in my criteria, however I have no experience with CZ and I'm a little concerned about the availability of parts, chokes, etc. Also, they don't seem to be a regularly stocked item this side of the border, so may take some time to track one down.

Of course I am open to others as well that I may not have thought of. Truth be told I'm fairly new to looking at "fine shotguns" and it hurts my brain a bit to be saying "shotgun" and "over 2 grand" in the same sentence. Alas, it seems you get what you pay for!

Thanks for your input, experiences and advice!
 
Beretta & Browning have respectable track records for durability, however both have ejectors and both have different stock dimensions. Throw the Browning Cynergy & Citori CX, Winchester 101 on your short list, final decision should be based on fit not price.
 
CZ shotguns are definitely a lower tier of quality than Beretta and Browning, though many have found CZ or their maker Huglu shotguns serviceable enough. I have found some CZ shotguns less well proportioned, weight forward in the barrels, than my Beretta and Browning guns.
Beretta and Browning are "lifetime" quality firearms.
Add handling "feel" and weight to your criteria. A gun that is light enough for carrying miles in the field is likely too light for heavy target usage. Recoil is a significant factor influencing concentration on the range. You need a clear vision of your intended application for this new shotgun to choose a model suitable to your needs. A Trap stock is not so suitable for field shooting. There are other Browning shotguns than the 525 with a Schnabel forend.
Browning and Beretta shotguns can have their ejector springs changed to only extract and also be changed back again. Ejectors are significant for resale value. A CZ Redhead also has ejectors.
Good luck in your search.
 
saskbooknut said:
Browning and Beretta shotguns can have their ejector springs changed to only extract and also be changed back again. Ejectors are significant for resale value. A CZ Redhead also has ejectors.
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Browning Cynergy can be switched between ejector and extractor in under 30 sec and I routinely change back and forth depending on what I am doing. Certainly nothing make or break, but a nice little bonus.

And based on the aesthetic comments probably isn't an option for the OP, but still worth mentioning.
 
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I always advocate getting a used B gun over a lesser quality new gun and it sounds to me like you should look for a used 686. There are usually plenty of them around in pretty good shape and you can probably shoot it for a few years then sell it and get your money back for the most part. I like the 525 too but the Beretta has a shallower receiver and always feels less clunky to me, both guns have a distinctly different feel. Personally I don't like schnabel fore ends but if you like them then that's good because the majority of 686's and 525's have them. Both models are made in target and field models and the target models are heavier to mitigate recoil over a day's worth of shooting so that's something to consider, will you carry a lot and shoot a little or will you shoot a lot and carry a little?
 
Not that the CZ isn't good quality, it just isn't as good as the B guns. And the ascetics as are not really to my taste either.....

As for ejector vs extractor. Most of my guns have ejectors and when you don't want your hulls to go on the ground it's easy enough to open the gun and cover the hulls with your right hand (if your right handed) so they don't fly out and pull them manually as you would do if the gun had extractors.
 
It depends on what you want to use it for. For an ordinary O/U critter gitter,Stevens 555 would fit the bill. If you're into skeet and trap where they require tuxedos to just show up,you might want to show up with something a little more "high end". Not being the "uppity,politically correct" type,that's too rich for my blood,though.
 
Trimmer 905 said:
It depends on what you want to use it for. For an ordinary O/U critter gitter,Stevens 555 would fit the bill. If you're into skeet and trap where they require tuxedos to just show up,you might want to show up with something a little more "high end". Not being the "uppity,politically correct" type,that's too rich for my blood,though.
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Tuxedo’s?! What trap and skeet ranges have you been to that have that dress code? Sounds like a good old fashioned case of envy to me....just because you cannot afford something a bit more money doesn’t make those that can “uppity”. :rolleyes:

OP.....buy as much gun as you can afford. You’ll never regret owning a better quality gun and won’t ever lose a dime on it. The “B” guns are great dollar to quality ratio and will last a lifetime when cared for properly.
 
the spank said:
Tuxedo’s?! What trap and skeet ranges have you been to that have that dress code? Sounds like a good old fashioned case of envy to me....just because you cannot afford something a bit more money doesn’t make those that can “uppity”. :rolleyes:

OP.....buy as much gun as you can afford. You’ll never regret owning a better quality gun and won’t ever lose a dime on it. The “B” guns are great dollar to quality ratio and will last a lifetime when cared for properly.
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Relax,I was just being faceteous,but,the rest of your post is right on the money,though.
 
Trimmer 905 said:
It depends on what you want to use it for. For an ordinary O/U critter gitter,Stevens 555 would fit the bill. If you're into skeet and trap where they require tuxedos to just show up,you might want to show up with something a little more "high end". Not being the "uppity,politically correct" type,that's too rich for my blood,though.
Click to expand...

"uppity, politically correct, tuxedo wearing type? Your obviously frequenting the wrong trap ranges, I've never seen that anywhere!
 
OP, I picked up an older Browning Citori for a reasonable price (they do seem to hold their value) and would recommend this route. Very nice quality piece and I can see this lasting me quite some time. It has ejectors, but I grab the shells as described previously.
 
I know you mention in your post that you dont want a comment about getting the one that fits. To be honest, that is the absolute best advice you can get. Talking about prices and brands means nothing if you dont know what gun will fit you best. Quality and brand name will not help you shoot a shotgun well. Also, you need to decide what the intended purpose is for this shotgun. If its a hunting gun, you may be able to get away with a gun that is less expensive and maybe one that is lighter which would be more conducive to carrying in the field. If you think this will be a high volume clays gun, then you will want something a bit more expensive and something heavier and more durable. In my opinion, having a conversation about Beretta vs Browning is worthless as both guns fit very differently. My suggestion is to figure out which one fits better by going to a store (or gun show) that stocks lots of different shotgun brands and start handling them to determine fit. Once you figure out what would work well, start looking in the used gun market for something within your budget. Lots of great offerings in the used market at a fraction of the price of new. When it comes to quality firearms, used guns that have been cared for could last you a lifetime. I have purchased a massive amount of used O/U and sxs and never had an issue, and never came out backwards when it came time to move it along.
 
I had the same issue with a beautiful little Yildiz 20 ga field gun. Not meant for 100 rds of clays twice a month...lol...lesson learned.
Lots of nice used Browning, Winchester semi auto sporting clay guns out there...1200-1500 w/chokes and hard cases...I also see a few Browning CX and CSX's, Fausti's from time to time in the used section of different dealers as well. Here's a few places I've dealt with personally and recomend..,....The Gun Dealer(NB) Accuracy Plus (ONT) Bashaw Sports(ALTA)
Getting something more reliable as you grow into the clays game is paramount...and it'll do wonders for your confidence as well when you're not always wondering if the gun's going to go "BANG" when you pull the trigger !!
Best of luck with your search....Kevin
 
I only own two 12 gauge shotguns. First is a Rem 1187 LH. It’s been a great gun for everything from clays to geese. My second is a Citorri 725. It’s too pretty to take in the field but works great on clays.
 
Another vote for a good used B gun in either the Browning or Beretta line up. Recommend shouldering a variety to see what fits you best first, most shooters will allow a test drive if you ask nicely. I typically offer on my guns if the person is a known entity that I've shot with and seen how they handle their own guns. My drugs of choice are a Caesar Gerini Magnus which I picked up as a demo gun and got a tremendous price on along with the Browning 725 Sporting in 20 gauge.

Keep an eye on the EE as their can be some great deals if you get a reasonable seller, who isn't trying to retire to the Cayman Islands on the profit of one sale from CGN.
 
I will echo the same sentiment as the others here .buy the best you can afford be it a used Browning or Beretta . With care both will out last you and our heirs .
 
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