Need help choosing my first 0/U

Jesus.C

Jesus.C

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Heres my situation. Im looking for the best O/U for upland hunting. Ive read tones of reviews and articles, the browning citori and the berretta 686 always come up as the best choice. But im still doubtful and I want this community opinion on the matter. My main issue is that this weapon will mostly be use for patridge and hare hunting. So its gonna sit right next to my leg during travel in rough terrain, and gonna be bang on bushes and trees. So it will get dinged and scratched. Im not comfortable throwing many thousands in a gun that might loose its value due to this kind of use. So my question is this one. Is it actually worth it. I know the the beretta 686 and citori keep there reselling value. But will it be a wiser choice to go for something else cheaper considering the above?

The ideal gun to me should have theses feature: Ejector, 26 inch barrel, screw in choke, single trigger, barrel selector, no auto safety, 20 ga (might go for a 12ga)

Here the gun im considering: Browning citori, Beretta 686 black onyx, winchester 101, Franchi L insticnt, Akkar churchill 206 orcap.
Im also open to suggestions.

So if you were in my situation what will you go for? I dont mind going for an expensive gun, as long as its worth it.
 
Many here will tell you to handle one in store to see which fits better. If you don't want to think about dings or scratches, logic dictates not to go for an expensive one. Huglu shotguns match price and quality well.
 
Does light weight matter to you?
Handle and preferably shoot the guns that you are considering.
Buy used if you are worried about scratches.
The Citori and Beretta are lifetime guns.
The others, not so much.
The new generation of Winchester 101 might be a good choice. I haven't seen or heard enough to be confident in recommending one.
The order that you list them is about the order I would consider them.
 
Choose a shotgun that fits you. Neither the Citori or 686 costs MANY thousands of dollars, both are at most a few thousand dollars for a base model. As to the scratches, I use much more expensive shotguns than the Citori or 686, and they aren't beat up, used doesn't mean abused.
 
saskbooknut said:
Does light weight matter to you?
Handle and preferably shoot the guns that you are considering.
Buy used if you are worried about scratches.
The Citori and Beretta are lifetime guns.
The others, not so much.
The new generation of Winchester 101 might be a good choice. I haven't seen or heard enough to be confident in recommending one.
The order that you list them is about the order I would consider them.
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Alot of people are mentioning the reliability of thoses gun. Have you ever witness comon, reccuring issues with any other brand?
Weight does matter but its not my main concern
 
stubblejumper said:
Choose a shotgun that fits you. Neither the Citori or 686 costs MANY thousands of dollars, both are at most a few thousand dollars for a base model. As to the scratches, I use much more expensive shotguns than the Citori or 686, and they aren't beat up, used doesn't mean abused.
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I dont plan on abusing it, but its definetly gonna be my main field gun for small game.
 
I agree with most of the above. Don’t worry about scratches etc, they will happen. These are tools not decorations. If you can’t stand the idea of wood scratches etc you could look at the Browning Cynergy as they come in stainless synthetic as well as cerakoted I believe. My hunting partner uses a 20ga Cynergy for Chukar, his has wood stock, and man that things a treat to carry. Super light almost too light for high volume shooting, but a joy to hunt with.
 
The gun that fits is more important then the name on the side of it. I decided to add an O/U back to my cabinet a few years back, I tried a Beretta 686, Browning CXS, Cynergy CX, Caesar Guerini, and the gun that wasn't on my radar is what I ended up with. I had a $4k budget to work with for a skeet/sporting gun. I ended up with a FN Winchester 101 Ultimate Field for Skeet duty and a 101 Ultimate Sporting. A new member at our club bought one, we got talking about it and he suggested I shoot a round with it. Shot a 25 straight with it with I/C and Mod in the barrels. By station #5 I knew I had found my gun. Both have about a pound of lead in the stock to bring the weight back to where I wanted it. The Field has about 6k rounds through it so far and has been flawless.
 
Look at the Franchi Instinct L. Very light and quick handling. I had the Bettinsoli marked one. (Bettinsoli supposedly makes the Franchis.) Nice little gun. There are a few at our club, both field and target models.

You mentioned you wanted a non-automatic safety. Most Browning and Beretta field guns have automatic safeties. The Franchi/Bettinsoli has one too, but it is a two minute job to disable it.
 
saskbooknut said:
Not every Citori is heavy. A Superlight Feather is perhaps too light, if considering recoil.
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You are absolutely correct sbn, my bad.
Citori White Lightning comes to mind, but also at a cost of $$
I was thinking hunter Model.
Partial to Browning's and Remington's (pre-express of course) since being given catalogues (mid-70's) from a life long buddy who recently passed....
Rob
 
Personally, I think the entry grade B guns have become overpriced. A 686 is now 2700$, with plain jane wood to boot. For casual field hunting, I would chose otherwise. I would look around for a decent used gun, see suggestions above, even a used Savage Milano.
 
Jesus.C said:
Im strongly leaning toward the beretta
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How does the Beretta fit you? Do you know how to check to see if the gun is pointing where you are looking? As has been mentioned several times, fit should be a priority. A new shooter at our club was struggling at skeet shooting 14-16 with his Turkish made O/U, and we determined that the gun didn't fit him. He then purchased a Citori CX with adjustable comb, and we adjusted it for him. His first round of skeet was a 22, and the second a 25, and ever since, he shoots in the 20s. Do not discount fit.
 
brybenn said:
Watch the sponsor sites and the ee. They come up used often and sometimes at reasonable prices. A 686 will hood value even if banged up. Not new value but a beat up 686 will still be worth more than most new turkish entry level guns.
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And not just in financial value.
 
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