Choosing a mid-priced 20 gauge over/under....

hoytcanon

hoytcanon

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I have always been a pump action guy... just what I started on as a kid 35+ years ago and stuck with it until I bought a Browning Silver Lightning semi-auto a few years back... but I have always wanted a nice 20 gauge over under... (for grouse, woodcock & snipe and some pheasants, and a couple flats per year on skeet and clays)... gonna pick up one in the next couple weeks... my budget is in the $1000 - $1400 range... I am not interested in the bottom line Stoeger's or Mossberg's or Baikal's or Yildiz' etc... The guns that I am currently considering are;

1. Browning Citori Silver Lightning (to be honest it's about $5-600 more than I want to spend, but I am tempted to bite the bullet)
2. Franchi Instinct L
3. CZ Woodcock Deluxe (or possibly the Redhead Deluxe)
4. Webley and Scott 920K

I am open to hear any and all opinions on these or others...
 
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Of your listed choices, the Browning is by far the most proven reliable gun. Have you handled your short list to compare fit / feel?

My favorites for the above usage are used but not abused 20. Ga Browning Superposed and or SKB 500-600 with IC-MOD 28" bbls if there will be much pheasant hunting, Skt-Skt if not.
 
For your budget try and find a use 686. I have one and they are much lighter than the Browning. Weight is a huge consideration for me at least when it comes to a hunting gun. I would forego the others and keep your search limited to the Browning, Beretta, SKB and/or a used Guerini if you can find one.

Patrick
 
I have a Beretta BL3 20 guage. 28 inch barrels. Weighs 5 pounds 13 ounces weighed on the post office scale. It handles better than a 686 (had one) They are out there.
 
like the others said...wait it out...keep an eye in the EE, and other sites for a used browning, beretta, skb etc....I picked up a used..but excellent plus condition Browning citori upland in 20 gauge a while back for $800 shipped... To me, that was quite a deal...and grabbed a 12 gauge, same model for $750 shipped a month before..and the 12 was literally mint, as new.. The deals are out there!!!
 
As follow-up... All the guns I listed are on the shelf of my LGS... I have handled all of them and they all fit well... All of the guns that I did not mention were already weeded out, mostly for "chunky" feel and poor handling... Weight is not an issue for me, and while many are trying to shave every last ounce, I prefer a gun with some heft (I'm 6'4" and 260 pounds). I tried the Franchi Instinct SL and did not like it... I found it too light and "wieldy"... I have also handled and shot Beretta 686's, they are a nice gun, but I prefer to buy new and not inherit someone else's bruises... I have no intention of ever selling this gun.
 
hoytcanon said:
As follow-up... All the guns I listed are on the shelf of my LGS... I have handled all of them and they all fit well... All of the guns that I did not mention were already weeded out, mostly for "chunky" feel and poor handling... Weight is not an issue for me, and while many are trying to shave every last ounce, I prefer a gun with some heft (I'm 6'4" and 260 pounds). I tried the Franchi Instinct SL and did not like it... I found it too light and "wieldy"... I have also handled and shot Beretta 686's, they are a nice gun, but I prefer to buy new and not inherit someone else's bruises... I have no intention of ever selling this gun.
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Based on that criteria, Browning is your choice. Not to mention the fact that most Browning dealers should likely have a few different configurations of the Citori in stock. If you don't plan on selling it for a long time if ever, get the one that will hold its value the longest and has the best pedigree.

Patrick
 
The Citori version that I was looking at is the Silver Lightning... I thought it would be a good mate for my Silver Lightning Semi Auto 12 gauge, both guns will have 26" tubes....
 
I can't find a "Silver Lightning" Citori on the Browning website, do you mean the "White Lightning" with the Silver nitride steel receiver finish ?
In any case, I would strongly reccommend you consider the 28" bbls over the 26" considering your build and despite saying you intend never selling. #### happens or another skirt (gun) gets you drooling and 28"s are more desired in the used market.

The semiauto is at least 4" longer (receiver) overall with same bbl lengths.
 
If you simply base your purchase on overall quality and value retention, basically none of the shotguns you listed are comparable to the Browning.

General rule of thumb is always buy slightly better than what you can afford, otherwise you may be stuck with a gun you never use!
 
planemaker said:
I can't find a "Silver Lightning" Citori on the Browning website, do you mean the "White Lightning" with the Silver nitride steel receiver finish ?
In any case, I would strongly reccommend you consider the 28" bbls over the 26" considering your build and despite saying you intend never selling. #### happens or another skirt (gun) gets you drooling and 28"s are more desired in the used market.

The semiauto is at least 4" longer (receiver) overall with same bbl lengths.
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I have been shotgunning for almost 40 years... I have shot with barrel lengths from
21" to 32" and I have a strong personal bias for shorter barrels... If I were able, I would get 24" tubes on this gun...(I know they do have 24" tubes on certain Citori versions but they are not in stock at my LGS)
Ilike the handling characteristics of shorter barrels and can choke-up for any loss of pattern density.

romiogt said:
General rule of thumb is always buy slightly better than what you can afford, otherwise you may be stuck with a gun you never use!
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That general rule of thumb will send you into bankruptcy...
 
hoytcanon said:
I have been shotgunning for almost 40 years... I have shot with barrel lengths from
21" to 32" and I have a strong personal bias for shorter barrels... If I were able, I would get 24" tubes on this gun...(I know they do have 24" tubes on certain Citori versions but they are not in stock at my LGS)
Ilike the handling characteristics of shorter barrels and can choke-up for any loss of pattern density.
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Fair enough, that is info not previously provided. By all means buy what you feel is best. But asking advice then busting someone's chops for doing so only gos so far, make up your own mind.
 
I have a Citori featherweight in 20ga, with 28" barrels. I am 6'2", and personally, would not go any shorter. Longer will swing better.

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I wasn't busting your chops or anyones chops... I was providing more detailed information so that I could receive more focused advice... I am still interested in opinions but am leaning toward either going with the Webley or biting the bullet and shelling out foe the Browning.
 
hoytcanon said:
for grouse, woodcock & snipe and some pheasants, and a couple flats per year on skeet and clays.
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hoytcanon said:
I have been shotgunning for almost 40 years... I have shot with barrel lengths from
21" to 32" and I have a strong personal bias for shorter barrels... If I were able, I would get 24" tubes on this gun...(I know they do have 24" tubes on certain Citori versions but they are not in stock at my LGS)
Ilike the handling characteristics of shorter barrels and can choke-up for any loss of pattern density.
Click to expand...

While it may not be immediately evident at this point in time - the advise to go for 28in bbl length is very sound and will save one frustration in the process, particularly if the thought is to use the firearm for years to come. Given the type of use mentioned (both range and field), it would be to your advantage to stay atleast at 26in minimum where a breechloading shotgun may be concerned. Nevertheless, 28in bbls will be your best compromise for hunting and clay shoots.
 
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