Used Beretta 686 vs a new Winchester 101

Winchester 101's are one of the most under-rated shotguns out there. Lot of guys would rather have a "B" gun. I have put about 10,000 rounds through my 101 in the last couple years without a problem. Like bat says, go with what fits you.
 
I'll repeat much the same. Both are good and very different guns. If you just seem to like the feel or fit on one better go for it.

lastly, I agree, 101's are very underrated. My first Skeet gun as well.
 
Good advice here - handling qualities are just about everything in a shotgun.

I think the Win 101 is a very good gun, but a bit overheavy and a bit clubby in handling. The Beretta 686 is a great gun in design and reputation.
Heavy is not a disadvantage shooting many rounds on the trap range or in the duck blind, but heavy gets old quickly when hunting upland birds and walking miles over the hills.
If the Beretta is near spotless it would be an easy choice for me, but you and I are different people.

Handle the guns, shoot them if possible, and make your own choice. Either one should be a reliable lifetime investment.
 
saskbooknut said:
I think the Win 101 is a very good gun, but a bit overheavy and a bit clubby in handling.
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True, but so is a Kreighoff.

Personally, I find the 686 to be a little too light and 'thin'? I dunno why as I love the OLD 682's but they are a little more stout.

saskbooknut said:
Handle the guns, shoot them if possible, and make your own choice. Either one should be a reliable lifetime investment.
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The best advice you can get.
 
The new 101 (Made by FN) is nothing like the old Japan made 101. The new is built more like a Beretta in design, where as the old was similar to the Superpose design. My girlfriend bought a new 101 FN made that was full of small defects. Stripped choke threads, lose safety, crooked rib plane, tooling flaw in the chamber. She returned it for another one. That one was better than the first bit I still had to take it to the gunsmith to get the safety tightened up. I For the price, I'd take a Citori over the 101 any day (new). And a used 686 over both.
 
Mojo99 said:
The new 101 (Made by FN) is nothing like the old Japan made 101. The new is built more like a Beretta in design, where as the old was similar to the Superpose design. My girlfriend bought a new 101 FN made that was full of small defects. Stripped choke threads, lose safety, crooked rib plane, tooling flaw in the chamber. She returned it for another one. That one was better than the first bit I still had to take it to the gunsmith to get the safety tightened up. I For the price, I'd take a Citori over the 101 any day (new). And a used 686 over both.
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Mojo, I didn't know that. Good catch.

The old 101's were quality guns but maybe the new ones aren't the way to go.
 
I own two Beretta 686s (two different models,) my E-Sporting from the 1970's has been firing rounds at the skeet range every week for nearly 40 years without any problems other than replacing firing pins every few years. An Italian masterpiece if you ask me.
 
Have had a chance to see many skeet guns. Not biased by any means but a lightly used 686 is awfully hard to beat.
It's an extremely well made piece of kit.
 
Hard call. I am a huge Beretta fan but I checked out a new FN built sporting model the other day. Was really nice. Seemed well built, had decent wood. It fit me real nice and the 686's fit me as well. I haven't shot one yet and I do not know anyone who personally has one. My local store had a new field 686 for the same price as the sporting 101. I believe the field 101 was $1750
 
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