Help me pick a nice 20 Gauge

bill c68

bill c68

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Prince Edward Island
Alright, Here's the deal, I have a nice Citori lightning 20 and like many Candians I am in need of some cash. It is worth more than any other firearm I have so it is on the EE. BUT I cannot be without a 20, I love them and have tons of ammo.

I know after having a Citori, I will never find a $500 O/U that will compare.

I did like my 1100 I had except for the maintenance, I had a Browning Gold for awhile, but opted to sell it instead of custom fitting the stock. I am not a fan of pumps and have found very few SXSs that I liked.

3" would be nice, not necessary and choke tubes likely necessary but an I/C Mod double would suffice.

So suggestions? under $700
 
Save up and get a Beretta 391...they are really nice in 20 ga. A used one could pop up in or just above your price range.
 
dilly said:
Save up and get a Beretta 391...they are really nice in 20 ga. A used one could pop up in or just above your price range.
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Did you not read the original post?
I have a great 20 Guage, I have to sell it as I need the cash, but I can not be without a 20, so I am looking for a nice one under $700. I won't be able to save money for at least 3 years (I do see a light at the end of the tunnel)

Having said that I have yet to meet a Beretta that feels comfortable in my hands.
 
11-87? Pick an older model if you can, as it sounds like quality has slipped recently.

I have an 1100 and don't find the maintenance to be an issue at all. CLP on the mag tube and gas parts and that's it.
 
bill c68 said:
Once you've used a Citori, the condor is junk, plus I have seens lots of them with problems.
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The problem you are going to find is that once you've used a Citori trying to step into a lower price category is going to bring you to the same conclusion as the Condor. I've seen the Reserve and the Optima and the low priced Stevens and they won't measure up to the Citori.

I'd second G Man's recommendation of the 11-87, an older one if you can find it.
 
Grouse Man said:
11-87? Pick an older model if you can, as it sounds like quality has slipped recently.

I have an 1100 and don't find the maintenance to be an issue at all. CLP on the mag tube and gas parts and that's it.
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They are not that maintenace hungry and I don't shoot skeet anymore, but when I did, man if you didn't give the gas system a good cleaning they were useless on day two.
I currently shoot a Baikal MP-153 for ducks and I only clean it when it gets wet, what a difference. For a 20 Gauge though it likely won't see as much abuse so maintenace shouldn't be an issue.
 
Do yourself a favour, find a part time job to make the extra cash if you can, then keep the Citori. It'll be one of those small pleasures to get you through the next 3 years. I've been in the same spot as you years ago and regretted it all the time.
 
If you're looking for a safe queen, you can buy anything. The cheap o/u shotguns all stand up well if you leave them in the safe. For actual steady use there isn't a a lot of choices in your price range. Possibly Baikal, which can be a good shotgun but sometimes has QC problems. If it goes 200 rounds without breaking it will probably last a lifetime. Unfortunately it has all the charm of a fence post.

Buying a cheap shotgun is just wasting money, IMO. If it were me, I'd keep looking for a deal on the EE, or just bite the bullet and wait until I coulld afford a decent one. Under similar circumstances i would have sold 2-3 lesser quality guns and kept the citori. Quality beats quantity in most cases.
 
I can always get another Citori in 3 or 4 years. I have already sold (or am selling) anything that was surplus to my needs or didn't have sentimental value.
I won't buy cheap and when I said under $700 I was talking used as well. My wife has a Baikal 20 O/U and I definitely won't be buying one, I like them but they are not for me.
I am leaning towards an 1100 if I can find a good one.
 
Gunslinger said:
Do yourself a favour, find a part time job to make the extra cash if you can, then keep the Citori. It'll be one of those small pleasures to get you through the next 3 years. I've been in the same spot as you years ago and regretted it all the time.
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X2

This is what I was going to say, then I got busy at work and abandoned the post, half written.

This approach has many advantages. It means you get to keep the gun you're obviously satisfied with. It means, also, that you could continue working part time a little longer, if you like, and realise much more than merely the difference between the two guns. And, it means that you could afford to shoot the guns that you already have and could then keep.

Selling assets, whatever they may be, at distressed prices should be avoided except as an absolute last resort. Part time jobs are the easiest form of employment to get because the hours are flexible, the qualifications are low, and, if it goes south, it's unlikely to affect your career. In fact, it could open the door to a better career. All depends on who you meet doing it, what you learn, and how you leverage the two.
 
straightshooter said:
X2

This is what I was going to say, then I got busy at work and abandoned the post, half written.

This approach has many advantages. It means you get to keep the gun you're obviously satisfied with. It means, also, that you could continue working part time a little longer, if you like, and realise much more than merely the difference between the two guns. And, it means that you could afford to shoot the guns that you already have and could then keep.

Selling assets, whatever they may be, at distressed prices should be avoided except as an absolute last resort. Part time jobs are the easiest form of employment to get because the hours are flexible, the qualifications are low, and, if it goes south, it's unlikely to affect your career. In fact, it could open the door to a better career. All depends on who you meet doing it, what you learn, and how you leverage the two.
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But when do I get to use them? Hard enough now to find time.
 
bill c68 said:
I can always get another Citori in 3 or 4 years. I have already sold (or am selling) anything that was surplus to my needs or didn't have sentimental value.
I won't buy cheap and when I said under $700 I was talking used as well. My wife has a Baikal 20 O/U and I definitely won't be buying one, I like them but they are not for me.
I am leaning towards an 1100 if I can find a good one.
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It sucks having to sell stuff you really like.

There was a 20 ga winchester model 101 on the EE for $750 a few months ago. That's similar quality to a citori in my opinion. It was an older fixed choke model in used but decent shape. If you're patient deals on quality stuff will eventually appear, but if you're like me the "deal" shows up 2 weeks after i already gave up looking and bought something else. :(
 
If that's all that's holding you back, forget about that issue. CLP on the mag tube and gas rings/piston, and carbon absolutely does not cake on. One wipe with a rag, and all the parts are clean again. Re-wet with CLP and shoot it like that. It gets cleaner as you shoot it. I'll have to take some pics of it when I get shooting again in spring.
 
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