Need opinions on Over/Under purchase

KTMan77

KTMan77

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I'm seriously looking into getting a 12ga over/under shotgun for sport shooting, want to spend just over $1000 and get ejectors. I went by a couple gun shops today and they both recommended the Churchill 206 orcap 28" @$1100 to me, not 100% sure I like it with the auto safety but it's in the price range. There was also the recommendation of Savage Stevens 555 @$900 but I didn't look at it seriously but the price is a chunk less, however I just think quality is going to be lower. All that being said I looked at a Fausti Conrad 28" @$1600 and it felt good, is it worth the 500$ more to get it over a Churchill? Maybe I'm totally missing something that someone with experience in the o/u world that would be helpful. I've only shot pump and semi auto shotguns before so I'm inexperienced in the break action field. Thanks
 
Cheap over and under's are just that, cheap!
For occasional shooting they might work fine for you but most of them are not built for heavy use such as if you start shooting a couple hundred rounds at sporting clays every time you go out. As Dilly said, find a used gun with a good name that fits you.
 
You say 'sport shooting'... So I'll add to the comments above that the o/u you chose has to have choke tubes. That allows you to use skeet/skeet for skeet, and switch tubes to then shoot Trap or even head to the field upland gunning...

I'll also say that the cheaper 'new' options won't be half the gun you would get if you bought a good one used... I'd question whether the cheaper o/u's are well regulated & shoot to point of aim...

Cheers
Jay
 
Well - The Turkish guns seem to be earning their place in the market. I have several "B" guns that I have picked up over the years, all have performed well. However, today a Silver Pigeon 1 with 2X4 grade wood retails for ~ 2800$, a decent used one goes for ~2000$. Both Beretta and Browning seem to be ratcheting their pricing every year.
If you are just getting into the game, and are unsure about your long term interest, the Churchill may suit your purposes. Most field guns these days have an auto safety, I wouldnt let that deter you as they can be easily disconnected. If you decide to go the Churchill route, I would ask some pointed questions about warranty support and service in Canada. BTW - Used Churchills list regularly on the EE for ~800$.
 
With your budget, I think you'd be better served with a used, quality semi-auto rather than an inexpensive O/U (it's much harder to find a used "B" over/under with chokes at just over 1K). There isn't a single clay target game that can't be shot well with a semi, and a quality gun is a much better overall experience.
 
A few years ago, $1000 would easily get you into a fixed choke used citori. $1500 for something with removable chokes. Now you’ll have to hang out online for hours to hopefully be first in line for anything used. And prices have gone up at least $300. I think I’d go semi if I was looking to get into clay sports right now. That way you could at least get some practice until the right deal fell into your lap. I’d avoid the off brand o/u if at all possible.
 
Ive seen churchill 206 guns run consistently well on the skeet fields. Will they last as long as a beretta? I doubt it but to get into the sport i think they are good starting guns. Ive shot them and liked them.
Id have no issues recommending one to someone with a lesser budget to start out with. They depreciate about the same as a beretta 686. The 686 2800 new and sell for 2000 used. Churchills range from 900 to 1300 and sell for 800 to 900 used. The orcap is not the cheapest model of the churchill ou line either
If the conrad fit you there was a 12ga listed in the ee for i believe $1400 if its still there. I do not know the seller but myself have been tempted to try a fausti. The conrad is the entry level from them though. Im interested in sub gauges and have not heard or read much negative about the fausti guns

A used beretta 68x series or browning or even winchester 101 or 96 are all great options as well and if bought on the used market will likely keep their buying price if you choose to upgrade later
As for sport shooting clays yes guns are expensive but if you plan on shooting regularly the cost of ammo will surpass the price of the gun quicker than you might expect
 
when I was young, the kids were small and mortgage big,. I save hard and long for my first O/U. I ended up with a used Citori for $1500.00. I shot it for six years and if was flawless. When I upgraded, simply because I wanted a more dedicated target gun, I got $1300 for it. Good quality guns hold value regards ken
 
rmsg0040 said:
89 year old guy at my club showed me a magazine yesterday. Told me he shot pump for 20 years. Showed off his OPTA watch from 1990, now he shoots a Krieghoff K80.
Click to expand...

Perhaps it's a KX-5 and not a K-80? That 89 year old man has forgotten more about trapshooting than most people will ever know.
 
brybenn said:
They depreciate about the same as a beretta 686. The 686 2800 new and sell for 2000 used. Churchills range from 900 to 1300 and sell for 800 to 900 used. The orcap is not the cheapest model of the churchill ou line either
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Yes but how long until it’s worth 0$ because it broke? That’s going to be a steep depreciation curve.
 
gr8trapper said:
Perhaps it's a KX-5 and not a K-80? That 89 year old man has forgotten more about trapshooting than most people will ever know.
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Nope, its a K80 with a release trigger. His son bought it for him. Only can do 1 round per day and can still out-shoot most.

OP, decide what kind of sport shooting you want to do, trap or skeet.

I notice the majority of guys do only 1, either trap or either skeet.

They are totally different in terms of shooting and the type of shotgun.
 
KTMan77 said:
I'm seriously looking into getting a 12ga over/under shotgun for sport shooting, want to spend just over $1000 and get ejectors. I went by a couple gun shops today and they both recommended the Churchill 206 orcap 28" @$1100 to me, not 100% sure I like it with the auto safety but it's in the price range. There was also the recommendation of Savage Stevens 555 @$900 but I didn't look at it seriously but the price is a chunk less, however I just think quality is going to be lower. All that being said I looked at a Fausti Conrad 28" @$1600 and it felt good, is it worth the 500$ more to get it over a Churchill? Maybe I'm totally missing something that someone with experience in the o/u world that would be helpful. I've only shot pump and semi auto shotguns before so I'm inexperienced in the break action field. Thanks
Click to expand...

I would not discount the 555 so quickly there is a bloke who is on his 6th flat of ammo with it and it has been flawless. A good starter gun by all that I have seen so far.
 
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