Best Budget O/U

two guys that shoot at my club have Baikal's and both guns have the same problem,the forestock wood split in two and they both had lots of trouble getting replacements. one guy glued his but that only lasted a short time. by looking at the piece,you can see why,they are very thin in a place near the end. both of these guns broke in the exact same spot.
 
What about older beretta? I received a s56e from my dad as a gift. Date of manufacture 1976 I believe. Solid beautiful O/U. Pretty sure clean model can be had for under 1000$?
 
Trinimon said:
Are the Stoeger Condors O/U any good?
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Honestly, I have never had an issue with mine. Works fine and busts clays just the same.

But, I don't shoot it very often. 100 rounds a year.
If your doing it every week then you should invest in a higher quality shotgun.
 
JoKa said:
Honestly, I have never had an issue with mine. Works fine and busts clays just the same.

But, I don't shoot it very often. 100 rounds a year.
If your doing it every week then you should invest in a higher quality shotgun.
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The stock cracked on the one I had at about 600 rounds. Warranty was good. Bought a Beretta while it was getting fixed and never looked back. The Beretta was expensive, but so was the Condor if you figure the number of shots it had and the lose I took when I sold it after 8 months.... Buy once, cry once.
 
I believe that could happen... just hasn't happened to me. For shooting once a year I don't need to have a 4000 dollar o/u. It does the job. If I did 5 stand every week I would invest in a higher quality shotgun. But, at this moment, it is does the same job.

OP
What's your expected round count out of curiosity?
 
FYI, my stag party was shooting sporting clays. Guys basically gave me a pipe taped to a stick for a shotgun trying to beat up my shoulder.... and I still out shot everyone else there. Point is, the gun doesn't make the shooter. (But then again, a polished turd is still a piece of sh!t)
 
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Those early Berettas are noted for being light for their gauge, well made, utterly reliable. The higher grade ones had hand engraving too.
I also like the early 68* series black onyx fixed choke 20 gauge guns. I have admired, coveted a friends gun of this type for years.
The problem is finding one for sale. Their owners seem to be pretty firmly attached to them.
 
JoKa said:
Honestly, I have never had an issue with mine. Works fine and busts clays just the same.

But, I don't shoot it very often. 100 rounds a year.
If your doing it every week then you should invest in a higher quality shotgun.
Click to expand...

Yup, that was my thinking. I probably shoot trap 3-4x a year if that.
 
Trinimon said:
Are the Stoeger Condors O/U any good?
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The only one I have shot is remarkably heavy, poorly balanced, hard to break and close..and has been sent back twice for repair.

The CZ is a much better gun for just a little more..

Of course I'd be looking for a used Citori..."trash" that advice if you want but a well fitting POS is still a POS..the Stoeger feels like it has a cinder block hanging under the barrel.
 
When it comes to O/U's, people are drawn to them because of the elegance, craftsmanship, balance, looks and shootability. How you prioritize those qualities is up to you but they are what attracts shooters to this sort of action. When a person budget shops for an O/U they have to be prepared to sacrifice or at least ignore a few of these qualities if not all. If you're ok with that by all means, but be honest with yourself about why you want one and what you are going to do with it as only non-budget versions will be representative of the above listed attributes.

Patrick
 
andr333y said:
How about Baikal?
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Like most guns coming out of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant(AK-47's, Mosin-Nagant, SVT-40, etc), they are not very refined, but built to last and go bang when you pull the trigger. The older soviet made guns tended to have better hand fitting on them, they weren't in a rush while making them
 
LOL I just did a plain old Google search for " used over under 12g Canada" a few years back.. It turned up an ad on FirearmsCanada and a consignment listing at Kelly's in London. The former was $700 but Kelly's had boosted it to $1000!!

I called the nice old gent at the number listed on FC and got a REALLY beautiful EXC ++ condition Remington 3200 Trap gun for a mere $700

Always be on the look-out :)
 
I hope to average 4 rds of trap per month now so I have finally bought a new and a almost new O/U. The first is a new two trigger Baikel O/U. I have shoot four rounds with it and when I am on the bird the gun crushes them. That happens about 15 - 23 times a round. Aside from being badly in need of a hinge polish, for $250 and another $60 for a recoil pad the gun is going to outlast me. The gun has been in the stores inventory since the early 90's. Fit and finish on the gun is really very good for what it is and what it cost. The 2nd is a CZ Canvasback., cost me $700, Way nicer gun, wants a recoil pad (I have long arms and an aversion to sore shoulders). I plan on using the Baikel mostly.

I have no plans to be anything more than a recreational shooter with the hopes of beating my oldest son occasionally at a round. If I were younger and wanted to chase being good than I would be all over a nicer gun. Both of the guns I have will meet anything I want to do at trap.

I should add I manage to hit about as many birds using my M4, my Norinco copy of the Win 97, my BPS or Mossberg Defender, Jeffery SXS, Ithaca SXS or my old Model 12 Field gun. There is a certain satisfaction at being really average at what you do. LOL

Take Care

Bob
 
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