Another "Pick a newbie a gun for clays" post

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jheath

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Hey Team,
I am just starting to get into clay shooting, as well as shooting and gun ownership in general. I used to shoot rifles and such when I was younger, but have only shot a shotgun limited times. I've tried my hand at breaking some clays and I really love it, want more! Also going to join a local club, get some proper teaching on technique, etc.
I would like a gun that will work "fairly" well for someone learning and trying most disciplines, and obviously for someone with limited shooting experience. I have no intention to hunt at any point, so it will specifically be a sporting gun. I would consider an auto or an O/U, with my only preference being the O/U for visual appeal. I'd say my budget would top out at about $2k, but would certainly look at something less.
So far, some that I've considered are:
Beretta 686 Sporting
Franchi Renaissance Sporting
Beretta 391
Remington 1100
Obviously, any other tips for someone just starting out are appreciated.
 
jheath said:
Hey Team,
I am just starting to get into clay shooting, as well as shooting and gun ownership in general. I used to shoot rifles and such when I was younger, but have only shot a shotgun limited times. I've tried my hand at breaking some clays and I really love it, want more! Also going to join a local club, get some proper teaching on technique, etc.
I would like a gun that will work "fairly" well for someone learning and trying most disciplines, and obviously for someone with limited shooting experience. I have no intention to hunt at any point, so it will specifically be a sporting gun. I would consider an auto or an O/U, with my only preference being the O/U for visual appeal. I'd say my budget would top out at about $2k, but would certainly look at something less.
So far, some that I've considered are:
Beretta 686 Sporting
Franchi Renaissance Sporting
Beretta 391
Remington 1100
Obviously, any other tips for someone just starting out are appreciated.
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Grab an 1100 and get shooting!:)
You may find you want an O/U later, but the Remington will do you fine....
Cat
 
You CAN NOT go wrong with a citori I once handled citori with over a million rounds through it and it was still tight, I own and shoot four and have never had a problem. you can easily get one for under 2K. Forget about Reminton 1100's. The two guns I have seen the most problems with are Perazzi's and 1100's
 
The Beretta 680 series guns are very popular with clay shooters because the are very durable and have few mechanical problems.
Next Beretta 391 hands down the most common autoloader now in all disaplines. They have the benefit of low recoil with fairly good longivity.
Reminton 1100 used to be the most common autoloading gun also low on recoil but not as good on reliability in the long run.
Franchi I have never witnessed anyone shooting one in any disipline and there is usually a reason for that although I have no experience with them.
You forgot to include the Browning citori O/U which is on par with the Beretta in quallity and cost.

As a new shooter you will change guns before you wear out either if the autoloaders so my recomendation would go to the autoloader. Every clay shooters worst enemy is recoil and sooner or later it will effect you so any target gun that mitgates it is a good choice. The choice boills down to what gun fits you and feels the best but I would recomend getting a gun with an adjustable comb as it allows an easy change in point of impact and gun fit.
I hope this answers your questions.
Regards
 
bunny said:
You CAN NOT go wrong with a citori I once handled citori with over a million rounds through it and it was still tight, I own and shoot four and have never had a problem. you can easily get one for under 2K. Forget about Reminton 1100's. The two guns I have seen the most problems with are Perazzi's and 1100's
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That's strange , I own 4 of them (1100) and have no problems with them at all.
D. Lee Braun didn't either....
Cat
 
beretta 68x series ... i have the 686e and love it... brownings are good as well, but i love berettas more...
i think if you have a chance to handle different ones at the gun club you'll be going to, it would be a good idea to see which gun would make you get down on you knees and propose :))
 
bunny said:
Forget about Reminton 1100's. The two guns I have seen the most problems with are Perazzi's and 1100's
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Maybe you should explain this statement. 1100's are not my favourite gun but I rarely see any problems with them. And as far as the Perazzi's go they are very well made shotguns and infinately rebuildable. Once you try one it's hard not to want one.
 
I'm not particularly a fan of the Remington 11xx series. I own an 11-87, and I had problems with it. I also didn't care for the regular o-ring replacement. Many other people seem to shoot them and like them. YMMV. I would look at the Beretta 391 for an autoloader.

Perazzi is a high end gun beyond the scope of this conversation. I don't understand why it is being flagged as a problem child. They are quality shotguns, but like anything else, must be properly maintained.

My personal preference would be the Beretta 680 series. The Browning Citori line is also very solid. These guns are very popular. There are lots of parts around, and many gunsmiths are familiar with them (very important).

I would probably avoid the Franchi primarily on the fact that I don't see many around. It may be a fine gun. Parts and repair may be an issue though.

Target guns will likely break if you shoot them enough. Being able to get them fixed is extremely important if you don't want to take an unexpected 3 month break from shooting.

Brad.
 
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Beretta 391. It is the best clay target semi-auto on the market today. Secondly place would be the Browning Gold.

My experience with the 1100 isn't good. On mine I have replaced action bars, link, extractor, cocking handle retention parts and (of course) o-rings. Current Remington QC on their current products is also lacking.

In an o/u the Beretta 680 series guns and the Citori are good and I've owned both over the years.
 
Do you have any intention to reload? The big strike against an auto is spitting hulls all over the ground. For single shot trap, use a shell catcher but for skeet/sporting expect to be chasing around your hulls, assuming the range even lets you pick up dropped hulls.
 
Wow fellas, thanks for all of your opinions, very helpful group here. Although there are some disagreements, I think the Franchi and the Remington are off the list. I would definitely have considered a Browning Citori, I just wasn't sure if I could find one to fit the bill and budget. I'm going to a couple places around town today (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario) and I'll probably hit the road and check out some of the big gun dealers soon.
I'm still a little torn on the Auto vs O/U issue. I would appreciate the cost savings and lower recoil of the auto, but I appreciate the aesthetic and basic functionality of the O/U.
 
MauserMike said:
Do you have any intention to reload? The big strike against an auto is spitting hulls all over the ground. For single shot trap, use a shell catcher but for skeet/sporting expect to be chasing around your hulls, assuming the range even lets you pick up dropped hulls.
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I can't say I have ever been to a range that won't let you pick up spent hulls. Most are glad you do.:)
 
Reloading for target shooting is hardly cost-effective these days, and as a new shooter, I doubt the original poster has unlimited access to once fired AA's, RST's or GM's.

I'm 100 percent with Claybuster on this one. Having owned Remington 58's, 1100's and 11-87's, Browning Citoris ( 325 & 425 Sporters ) and a number of Beretta's, I'd recomend the 391 Parallel Target for a new shooter ... much less expensive than a comparable quality target O/U ... the remainder of the budgetted funds can buy a lot of ammunition and rounds of Trap, Skeet, Sporting & 5-Stand. Lots of time down the road to purchase a dedicated O/U for the type of Clays you want to shoot down the road - and I see a growing number of high volume shooters going to the 391 to allow a couple of hundred extra targets a day without the recoil fatigue the doubles tend to produce.
 
Win/64 said:
I can't say I have ever been to a range that won't let you pick up spent hulls. Most are glad you do.:)
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Depends on the club. Some don't want squads delayed while people pick up hulls.

Galt asks that you pick up your hulls. If shooting sporting with my semi-auto I generally don't pick up MY hulls. I do pick up the equivalent in once-fired AA hulls that some kindly shooter in an earlier squad left on the ground. I figure it's a fair trade. ;)
 
Win/64 said:
I can't say I have ever been to a range that won't let you pick up spent hulls. Most are glad you do.:)
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Some have policies that hulls on the ground become the property of the club.

If a new Citori is too dear for you, consider a Miruku or Charles Daly. These guns were all made at the same plant in Japan and you see a lot of them around for about $1000 or less.

$2000 ought to get you into a later model Citori with screw in chokes. I wouldn't buy new right now. Prices are up 20% and these guns last a heck of a long time.
 
Claybuster said:
Depends on the club. Some don't want squads delayed while people pick up hulls.

Galt asks that you pick up your hulls. If shooting sporting with my semi-auto I generally don't pick up MY hulls. I do pick up the equivalent in once-fired AA hulls that some kindly shooter in an earlier squad left on the ground. I figure it's a fair trade. ;)
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My thoughts are. You should not be letting your hulls drop on the ground anyway. Even if you don't reload. I know it's difficult with an auto on the second shot. I think it is just common courtesy to use a shell catcher or with a break open gun just put your empties in a pouch. Why should someone have to pickup after you?
 
Win/64 said:
My thoughts are. You should not be letting your hulls drop on the ground anyway. Even if you don't reload. I know it's difficult with an auto on the second shot. I think it is just common courtesy to use a shell catcher or with a break open gun just put your empties in a pouch. Why should someone have to pickup after you?
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A shell catcher makes the second shot somewhat of a challenge. ;)
 
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