First gun for sporting clays

E

EMJ

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Greetings everyone,

Over the past two years I’ve begun to get more and more into sporting clay shooting and I am now thinking it’s time to buy a proper clay gun. Until recently I’ve been shooting with a Benelli semi but I’m considering a O/U shotgun. I’m a smaller guy at 5’7” so I’ve found that berettas feel better in my hand over brownings. I’m the type of guy who prefers to measure twice and cut once.

With all that said I’ve narrowed down my choices from all the SP1,3 and 690,692 to a beretta 682 gold e with an adjustable comb (adjustable comb is a must for me).

I’m wondering if $4400 for a nearly new 682 gold e sporting is to much to pay? I’m aware a 692 used could be had for the same price but I’ve heard they could have major malfunctions. Your guys in put would be appreciated as it’s hard to gauge price. Gun broke shows sales of 3.5K-4K USD for 682 gold e’s since December 2021.
 
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If at all possible I would try to shoot a couple courses with the O/U you are looking at. I know not too many people would be willing to lend a $4K gun but you never know.

I had been shooting with a Beretta A 400 and decided to get a Browning 725 sporting ( different brand-I know). The gun seems to fit me similar to the Beretta but my scores are suffering, maybe it's a mental thing, maybe the gun just doesn't fit quite right right, I don't know. Now I'm wishing I had tried a Beretta O/U or just stuck with the semi.

I'm still using the 725, trying to see if I can make peace with it, we'll see.
 
I have shot a couple O/U under before and did not feel a significant different, but perhaps its because I have not been shooting long enough to get deeply ingrained into one particular style. I will consult the shop who has it but not sure what they'll allow in terms or return time. The gun as 32in barrels and from what I have been able to research it seems that the length of barrels help balance it out.

Thanks for your input :)
 
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4400$ for a 682 Gold e is excessive. They havent been made in quite a few years, how do you know its nearly new? You cant judge by looks. You can get a new 686 e with adjustable comb for a lot less.
 
cosmic said:
4400$ for a 682 Gold e is excessive. They havent been made in quite a few years, how do you know its nearly new? You cant judge by looks. You can get a new 686 e with adjustable comb for a lot less.
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Good point, the seller and store both say it is 9.5/10 but many have said the the price is simply to high. I think I must wait him out or keep saving and go for a 694 or even a used perazzi. Thoughts on getting a used perazzi?
 
Well - Since you are 21 years old, I think you should reflect on the "gun of a lifetime" approach. Think 'many guns over a lifetime". Realistically, getting a base level browning Citori or Beretta Silver Pigeon (in your case a 686e), would be a good start. Spending more on a single gun like a Perazzi is not going to improve your scores...
 
cosmic said:
Well - Since you are 21 years old, I think you should reflect on the "gun of a lifetime" approach. Think 'many guns over a lifetime". Realistically, getting a base level browning Citori or Beretta Silver Pigeon (in your case a 686e), would be a good start. Spending more on a single gun like a Perazzi is not going to improve your scores...
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Understood, its the driver not the car haha. Thanks for the feedback :) greatly appreciate it!
 
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So- what is it you don't like about your Benelli? Over time the cost of the gun is insignificant compared to shells and targets. Getting an o/u just because isn't how I'd approach the situation. Some advantages to the semi- like softer recoil.

There are some nice guns out there, but none break clays any better than the less expensive guns.
 
cartwheel said:
So- what is it you don't like about your Benelli? Over time the cost of the gun is insignificant compared to shells and targets. Getting an o/u just because isn't how I'd approach the situation. Some advantages to the semi- like softer recoil.

There are some nice guns out there, but none break clays any better than the less expensive guns.
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Nothing really, it’s a sporting version so it’s got the longer barrel. But I’m shorter guy so my arm span isn’t that long and I’ve always kinda felt a semi to be a bit to long for me, Even a 28inch. Perhaps it’s mental thing, but I figured maybe I should switch over to O/U as they have a shorter overall presence.
 
EMJ said:
Nothing really, it’s a sporting version so it’s got the longer barrel. But I’m shorter guy so my arm span isn’t that long and I’ve always kinda felt a semi to be a bit to long for me, Even a 28inch. Perhaps it’s mental thing, but I figured maybe I should switch over to O/U as they have a shorter overall presence.
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I guess my point is, don't sweat a few hundred $ here or there to get "your" shotgun. Add up how much you spend on targets and shells a year, multiply by 20-30 years and the cost of the gun is a small portion of your "hobby" spend. Maybe the asking price is a bit higher than you want- there will be others or the seller will come down to your offer.
A used gun is a used gun- some are nice but none are as nice as opening the box on a new gun. I've never regretted buying a nice gun. Weight can be added to any gun to balance it to your liking as well. 10 years from now you won't remember how much you paid- at least I don't remember. What I can definitely say is that there will be others at somepoint down the road- you never have just one shotgun... I don't buy into "gun for a lifetime" stuff. There will be something else pretty that catches your eye. That's why they make big safes!
 
cartwheel said:
I guess my point is, don't sweat a few hundred $ here or there to get "your" shotgun. Add up how much you spend on targets and shells a year, multiply by 20-30 years and the cost of the gun is a small portion of your "hobby" spend. Maybe the asking price is a bit higher than you want- there will be others or the seller will come down to your offer.
A used gun is a used gun- some are nice but none are as nice as opening the box on a new gun. I've never regretted buying a nice gun. Weight can be added to any gun to balance it to your liking as well. 10 years from now you won't remember how much you paid- at least I don't remember. What I can definitely say is that there will be others at somepoint down the road- you never have just one shotgun... I don't buy into "gun for a lifetime" stuff. There will be something else pretty that catches your eye. That's why they make big safes!
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Those are strong points, I’ll give it a couple weeks and see how I feel then I guess. You’re right, there is always something that comes along that catches our eye :)
 
a j cave said:
See if your range has a sporting clay instructor. He will help greatly and be able to tell if the gun you have fits well.
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Where I live there isn’t much of a range haha, there’s one near me but I don’t think it’s quite up to par like others in ON. Most around here in NB are just clubs with generally an older demographic. Hopefully some young blood will take up clay shooting :)
 
robocop said:
price range? There is a nice browning silver sporting clays on ee for 890.00!!!
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I was willing to go up to 4k haha. The problem with me is that most stocks are to low for me. I pretty much need a trap 1” 3/8 x 1”3/8 comb height. I have not yet been approved for the EE forums also :(
 
Here's my take.

I grew up with Remingtons cause my Dad always had the 870 in his CrownVic. When I was 12, my Dad would put me up against all the old guys at the range with their fancy stuff, I used his 1100 back then. I held my own, with the cheapest ammo we could find, but hadn't learned about how ammo makes a difference. (ie. patterning your gun to know what ammo is best for it and you, will help you out)

Then I was working and bought a 11-87 and pounded it hard. Watched Tom Knapp videos and plowed through several cases a week. Pretty much wore it out. Shells and clays were affordable back then....

Then I was working in Kitscoty AB and tried Sporting clays at an Oilman shoot, well that was right up my alley. They gave us a benelli to use and I really liked it, so I bought one. SBEII 26". I didn't want a long barrel.

Got really into sporting clays and travelled around to any shoot I could. EVERYONE had a fancy over/under so I thought I needed one. Tried as many as I could out, everyone would always let you try a few with their stuff after a shoot.
Bought a Winchester Select Platinum Sporting, it was a beauty.


I played with chokes and ammo at every stage for the best advantage like everyone else. That was the thing to do.

Anyways, it pretty much took the fun out of it. Always overthinking ever stage. Still was always in the $, but still was never at the top. And the fun wasn't there, it was business now.

Sold the O/U
I run the SBEII now for everything. Sporting Clays, Hunting, 3gun(mag ext and 18.5" for it), it's always in the tractor for crows....
If I was going to buy a new gun, I'd buy the same thing.

My advice is to pick one you like the feel of and don't worry about the price, and use it for everything.
 
Thank you for your words of wisdom :), that’s what I plan to do. I don’t particularly know what I like yet haha, I’ve only been getting into it over the last couple years and my range only operates for 4 months in the summer :p. Perhaps someone there with an O/U will let me try their gun out (if it fits).
 
EMJ said:
Thank you for your words of wisdom :), that’s what I plan to do. I don’t particularly know what I like yet haha, I’ve only been getting into it over the last couple years and my range only operates for 4 months in the summer :p. Perhaps someone there with an O/U will let me try their gun out (if it fits).
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What part of NB?
 
I always found guys to be pretty good at the END of the day to try their stuff, as long as you just go out and put a handful through it while they are watching.

Don't even ask to before or during a shoot.
 
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