First shotgun purchase. Trap and Skeet - O/U recommendations unto $1500

quikcolin

quikcolin

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Hey guys,

I've never owned a shotgun, but I just joined a new gun club last night that has a massive trap and skeet facility. I've always been intrigued about the discipline, and it only makes sense that I buy a shotgun to enjoy. I've done some limited research, and it seems like an over under is the way to go. I'd like to keep it under $1500 all in.


I've looked all over our great Canadian retailers websites and the stand out for value seems to be Churchill o/u shotguns. I could be wrong?

Could some of you please offer some advice, insight and recommendations. I'd like to buy new (it's just the way I am).

28" or 30"? 12 gauge I'm assuming.

Thanks,
Colin
 
A used Citori/Beretta will hold their value much better than a Turkish made gun, if you don't like the sport, or decide to change guns in the future. As for trap and skeet, if you want to shoot both, a skeet or sporting clays model, is more versatile than a trap specific model.
 
stubblejumper said:
A used Citori/Beretta will hold their value much better than a Turkish made gun, if you don't like the sport, or decide to change guns in the future. As for trap and skeet, if you want to shoot both, a skeet or sporting clays model, is more versatile than a trap specific model.
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Problem is they're twice the price....
 
You should be able to find a used Citori in your price range if you shop around. Also a Franchi O/U is a decent shotgun that can easily be found in your budget.
 
Don't be afraid of buying used. Any B gun in good condition o/u in excellent condition would be in your price range. I shoot a 1953 Browning Superposed 20ga and it stands up just fine beside $5000 trap guns.
 
I would avoid the Turkish guns if you want to get serious about trap and skeet. I shoot with a guy who's Churchill just broke the stock at the wrist after less than a year. Another has firing pin problems. If you are only shooting oncee a month or so they should be fine but resale will be next to nothing. 1500.00 will buy you a used Citori, Superposed, 101, 3200, Ithaca, Charles Daley or lower end Beretta. All are better guns used than a new Turkish model. If you plan to shoot both trap and skeet you will need removeable chokes as trap is shot with a tighter choke than skeet.
 
brybenn said:
The churchhill over over guns have held up well week after week at my local club.
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Apparently they're huge in New Zealand and they love them. It just seems like good "bang for the buck"... but again, who am I to say that lol. I don't know much about these things. I just wondering at what point (like all things).... does it a make sense to spend a lot, on the lowest level of a premium brand, or get something that's higher in the range from a not as well known brand. When does paying for the name, verses quality blend with eachother...
 
bdft said:
I would avoid the Turkish guns if you want to get serious about trap and skeet. I shoot with a guy who's Churchill just broke the stock at the wrist after less than a year. Another has firing pin problems. If you are only shooting oncee a month or so they should be fine but resale will be next to nothing. 1500.00 will buy you a used Citori, Superposed, 101, 3200, Ithaca, Charles Daley or lower end Beretta. All are better guns used than a new Turkish model. If you plan to shoot both trap and skeet you will need removeable chokes as trap is shot with a tighter choke than skeet.
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You might have answered my question... I appreciate the insight
 
As already noted, if you can find a good lightly used Beretta, Browning or similar in your price range you will likely get get good service for the price at club level shooting and it will retain a good proportion of it's value indefinitely if properly cared for. On the other hand, no gun lasts forever, the better ones just last longer with fewer problems along the way. One of our members bought a new Churchill in the early spring and has shot the $hit out of it, at least 4000-5000 rounds and counting. Zero problems and it's still as tight as a Citori with the same mileage. All this with a well fitted and well finished gun that looks great and cost him just under $1000! Maybe in 5-10 years after it has 20,000, 50,000 rounds down the tubes we'll be in a position to honestly compare it to the Brownings and their 40 year track record but right now it looks like a good option for a beginner.
 
If I were you, I would just show up and hang out a bit. I believe you will find the people very helpful and there may be rental or loaner options available. You should at least figure out what you would most enjoy, trap or skeet, as one gun can be used for both but it wouldn't be ideal.

Once you get to know some folks there would no doubt be some leads to a good deal. This way you could get to handle and likely shoot the gun before buying. Being new to shotguns, you will soon learn that fit trumps everything else and a poor fitting shotgun will frustrate your attempts at enjoying the new sport. It is a very expensive exercise buying shotguns to try when there are many helpful people at most clubs.
 
bdft said:
I would avoid the Turkish guns if you want to get serious about trap and skeet. I shoot with a guy who's Churchill just broke the stock at the wrist after less than a year. Another has firing pin problems. If you are only shooting oncee a month or so they should be fine but resale will be next to nothing. 1500.00 will buy you a used Citori, Superposed, 101, 3200, Ithaca, Charles Daley or lower end Beretta. All are better guns used than a new Turkish model. If you plan to shoot both trap and skeet you will need removeable chokes as trap is shot with a tighter choke than skeet.
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I've shot a Churchill for 2 years now, putting about 75 shells through it a week (3 rounds) and have has zero issues and while I'm not the best shot, I'm not the worst either. I'm not promoting them as I think a Citori is indisputably a better gun but I also feel the Churchill is being unjustly maligned here.
 
Get something that FITS. A $1500 gun is USELESS if you cant shoot it. I spent $2000 on a used Marocchi that wasnt worth 5 cents...I had an old Stoeger Condor with 26" barrels that FIT and I could consistently break 24/25 on the skeet field. Price is meaningless compared to comfort and fit.
 
Current trend is to longer and longer barrels. Tomorrow's fashion - who knows? Most shooters do better at trap with longer barrels if properly balanced for trap, up to 32" and even 34". Skeet is a much faster, more reactive game and most shooters prefer more responsive guns with shorter barrels. As a compromise 28" will work fine for most beginners, 30" slightly better if the majority of your shooting will be trap. Fit and balance of the gun are more important than barrel length. Physicality plays a part here, larger more muscular people handle heavier guns and longer barrels better than shorter slighter people. If at all possible try before you buy.
 
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H. E. Pennypacker said:
I've shot a Churchill for 2 years now, putting about 75 shells through it a week (3 rounds) and have has zero issues and while I'm not the best shot, I'm not the worst either. I'm not promoting them as I think a Citori is indisputably a better gun but I also feel the Churchill is being unjustly maligned here.
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To be fair, Churchills are probably the better of the Turkish guns. One more thing to consider. Turkey is a major sh!t disturber in the middle east right now. Parts might become hard to get. Honestly, buy any gun you can afford and get out and shoot. That's what's important. Once you shoot trap or skeet for a while you will want another gun.
 
I know your set on an o/u but there's something to be said for a semi auto ( unless you've already tried them and decided against ).Reduced recoil,interchangeable chokes and a number of "B" gun models ( and Remington and Winchester ) might be available in your price range ( used or new ).You'll have to pick up your mt's but they might be worth "trying before buying" along with the various o/u's that are available.Extra barrels can also be available for some depending on your preference for trap,skeet or sporting clays later down the road.

As mentioned,shotgun fit is the most important factor to getting the most out your shotgun of choice.It's worth taking any opportunity offered to try different guns on the clays field ( and the gun counter ) before making your final decision.

You'll have alot of fun in the meantime just looking at and trying out what's available.

Have fun
 
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quikcolin said:
Okay, I can’t thank everyone for all the help.

Is a 28” okay? Or is 30” better?
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Well - The 30 inch barrel brings you 2 inches closer to the clay birds! I wouldnt agonize over the Churchill purchase, it will get you started. If you really get into the shotgun sports you're going to be buying more (expensive) shotguns anyway. Ask me how I know...
 
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