entry level trapp gun

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mike_123

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what would all you knowledgable people suggest for an entry level o/u trapp gun
ive been eyeballing the citori with the adjustable comb but it comes with a hefty price tag
then there is something like the IGA Condor Supreme Competition with a much much lower price tag

as a beginner will i notice the difference in these 2 guns
is one really that much better then the other

im a firm believer in you get what you pay for but when your comparing a 1000$ tag to a 4000$ tag you have to ask the question

right now im shooting an old 1148 and really enjoying the sport however i am a beginner and really dont know alot about the different shotguns

thanks for any input
 
Well Mike,
I also agree that you get what you pay for, I am currently shooting a Citori XT trap and absolutley love it, i screwed up though and didnt get the adjustable Comb. now i am waiting for my gun as it is in the shop getting one installed, great gun and i shoot it well, I payed somewhere right around 3500 For it with 7 Invector Plus Extended Chokes, and a Browning Hard case (like a presentation style) sure you could go cheaper, but i already want to upgrade to a higer-end singles trap gun and keep this one for doubles....this sport is addictive, and you will spend money haha. I can't comment on the IGA as i have never even held one, but for my experience with the Citori, i would definatly say its worth it.
 
Timely question.

Not to hi-jack and don't want to start a new thread. Not a O/U, but I just bought a Mossy 500 with synthetic stock and 28 inch vented rib MC barrel. I want to try trap at the POCO range but cash is tight. I hope this shottie will do.
 
all of them are good good to start out in imho, remington and mossberg I have both, a 1100 and 535. mike_123, easyrider604- mine are similar to both of ur guy's guns, and they work allright with the lower powered traploads aswell.

as per the op.. im not too knowledgeable about o/u, but browning is a good name and u couldnt go wrong with that choice.
 
If you are shooting a remington 1148 now I would look for an old remington 1100 with a VR full choke 30" barrel, if you find a trap version great but if not a standard 2 3/4" will do the job.
That is all we used in the 60's and 70's and the 1100 has probally busted more trap targets than all other shotguns combined.
If you stick with the trap game get a more expensive gun later on.
 
Trap shooters are pretty fickle about their guns and trade/sell them often. Keep an eye out for a used Citori XT or one of the other trap models. In the meantime keep shooting your Remington until you find the gun you really want. Try as many different guns as you can. Most clay shooters are pretty good about letting new shooters put a few rounds through their guns.

Buying a Condor now only means that you will probably want to trade up at some later date. Why not skip that step if you can and get a gun with a proven track record of performance.
 
Claybuster said:
Trap shooters are pretty fickle about their guns and trade/sell them often. Keep an eye out for a used Citori XT or one of the other trap models. In the meantime keep shooting your Remington until you find the gun you really want. Try as many different guns as you can. Most clay shooters are pretty good about letting new shooters put a few rounds through their guns.

Buying a Condor now only means that you will probably want to trade up at some later date. Why not skip that step if you can and get a gun with a proven track record of performance.
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x2, Just as well to buy the better quality gun, as you'll be out even more money through upgrading down the road!
 
If I were to start all over again, I'd cut my teeth on a BT-99. Not an O/U as you asked but probably the gun I see the most of on the range old or new guys.
 
Go for a Citori XT with adjustable comb can generally be found under 2K in exc cond. As far as trap guns go this is relatively inexpensive for a gun that will last a lifetime, I would avoid the BT99 as you can't shoot doubles and in my experience they are light enough that recoil can be tiring. As for the cheaper guns I have watched enough guys get beat up from poor fit to say avoid them. If your budget is real tight there is nothing wrong with an 1100 Trap or and older Citori.
 
If budget is tight an 1100, preferably a used trap grade, would be great. The trap grade will give you a higher comb and rib so you can "float" the bird instead of having to cover it. If you use an autoloader, get a shell catcher even if you do not intend to reload. Nothing ticks off a trapshooter more than being hit by hulls from the guy shooting to his left.

The hidden benefit from the autoloader is the reduction in felt recoil. You will find it has more of a "shove" sensation whereas a fixed breech will be more of a "jab". Trap is a game of many targets and recoil is no fun. Take a look at the game and see how many people are selling/trying things to reduce the recoil sensation in fixed breech guns. This should tell you something.

If your budget allows, try for a Browning BT99 or a Citori in a trap style. If you buy used you can always sell with little to no loss of money. Odds are you will turn over a few guns until you find one that suits you.

John
 
Northern Boater said:
Go for a Citori XT with adjustable comb can generally be found under 2K in exc cond. As far as trap guns go this is relatively inexpensive for a gun that will last a lifetime, I would avoid the BT99 as you can't shoot doubles and in my experience they are light enough that recoil can be tiring. As for the cheaper guns I have watched enough guys get beat up from poor fit to say avoid them. If your budget is real tight there is nothing wrong with an 1100 Trap or and older Citori.
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At one time I owned an XT, bought it from a buddy. My first "test" round was 25 straight. So I bought it. After a while I found the palm swell very annoying. To the point it actually hurt my hand. So I dumped it.
For me the regular Citori without the palm swell is a better fit and as we all know fit is everything. I now shoot an SBT for singles and an SX-1 for Doubles.

P.S. never buy a gun that the first time you shoot it you go straight. Because you will never do any better with it.
 
Win/64 said:
At one time I owned an XT, bought it from a buddy. My first "test" round was 25 straight. So I bought it. After a while I found the palm swell very annoying. To the point it actually hurt my hand. So I dumped it.
For me the regular Citori without the palm swell is a better fit and as we all know fit is everything. I now shoot an SBT for singles and an SX-1 for Doubles.

P.S. never buy a gun that the first time you shoot it you go straight. Because you will never do any better with it.
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You are right about fit and no one will be happy with a gun that pounds your face, as a youngster I started with M12 20 gauge and then a M12 12 gauge that belonged to my Dad with a Fajen trap stock. When I was about 15 I found a Ithaca 37 supreme which I swapped field and trap stocks as required, served me for many years and a lot of trap shooting and hunting. I then went through a series of shotguns that beat me up including a BT99, several Citoris and Berettas and a Ruger Sporting Clay. The XT works for me and haven't noticed the palm swell as an irritation which goes to show there is no one gun fits all. I still shoot a M12 Trap as well and for some reason it still feels just right.
 
mike_123 said:
what would all you knowledgable people suggest for an entry level o/u trapp gun
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IMHO, any answer to this inquiry should start with the word Browning. I own three of these (Superposed, White Lightning & XT Trap) and found John Browning's O/U design to be as close to perfect as anyone could reasonably expect. Newer models have had the benefit of almost 90 years of development, but the basic design remains the same.

It was mentioned previously in this thread that it would be better to get an older Citori than a new trap gun of lesser quality. I whole-heartedly agree with this.

I've shot and handled a wide variety of O/U's at the local trap ranges and my preference always comes back to Browning.

For what it's worth, I've heard opinions that the Browning adjustable comb mounts habitually loosen and that it is better to get a regular stock and have a professional gunsmith fit it with an aftermarket adjustable comb by jigsawing out a portion of the stock. I've no personal experience with this, but it may be worth researching if you are demanding an adjustable comb. My own XT Trap has a Monte Carlo stock and I've never found the need for an adjustable comb.

@mike_123 - seeing as how we are local, look for a PM from me.
 
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