Lightweight O/U ?

J

jwstewart

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I am thinking replacing a 12g semi auto with (or adding) a light 20g O/U for upland/small game.

I am curious if the aluminum receiver models are going to be durable or more suceptible to damage than the similar steel guns?

Also, how much do I need to spend to get a quality gun?
 
J.W.

I have always used a semi as well, casually shopped for a light 20ga O/U for a couple years. I finally found one that I am happy with, picked up a really nice used 20ga Charles Daly/Miroku O/U, beauty gun, a nice lightweight.

You should be able to find a nice used O/U in the $650 to $1100 ballpark. You will see 10 times as many in 12ga, I would be patient and wait for a 20ga....it may take awhile.

Look at the Winchester 101, Ithaca SKB, Browning Citori, Beretta BL-3, Franchi etc etc

For around $500 you could pick up a Stoeger or a Yildiz, depends what you are after...
 
At one time I owned a Browning Citori Feather XS with the aluminum receiver. I put a few thousand rounds through it and saw no indications of wear greater than the steel framed guns. There is a steel insert in the breech face which Browning claims makes it stronger.

FWIW, the breech face is not were a hinge gun wears most. The wear is on the hinge and locking lugs.
 
sherlockbonez said:
Franchi comes in 20 now?
Click to expand...

Yep they sure do. Franchi Reniassance. I have the 20 ga Field model that I got on sale at Gagnon's in Oshawa. They had a father's day sale back in June. $1600 taxes in. Regular price is up to $2200 plus tax. Awesome gun. Ligitimately just over 6 pounds (weighed on my digital scale) and really nice recoil pad. I've probably shot close to a 1000 rounds through it since June with zero problems. A friend has the "Classic" which is the same gun just with a little fancier finishing. I would highly recommend it.

Dave
 
20ga Franchi Reniassance is light as a feather and very well balanced. It was tops on my list, could not find one used, didn't have coin to go new. Settled on a older Charles Daly and am very satisfied.
 
You could look at a Browning Cynergy Feather.

28" Barrels 5 lbs even

26" Barrels 4 lbs 14 oz.

What is even better is your wallet won't be as heavy either with an MRSP of $2749 USD.

Think of the weight savings!!
 
Well, I don't intend to shoot a couple hundred rounds at a time, as I would favor a semi for that. I want something lighter than my 1100g3 12g. for bushwacking.

I was sort of put off of the Cynergy by a clerk at the local WSS who claimed they were designed bad and problematic. However, I'm curious whether I should rely on someone from WSS at all, I was skeptical of his firearms expertise anyhow.

Any reports of Cynergy problems?
 
My franchi is an older model. But I believe they have always focused on lightweight models. Not alot of experience with the cynergy but since it appears to be a copy of an older european gun as seen in double gun journal a about ten years back, it should be pretty good. It sure looks racy I do not think I've ever seen a Browning under the 6lb mark.
 
Baby bretton doesn't win any competitions for beauty but is functional /light and pretty cheap compared to others out there.
 
sherlockbonez said:
Franchi comes in 20 now?
Click to expand...
The Franchi Falconet was offered in a 20 gauge for years, I broke in on pheasants shooting one in the 60's.The lightest 20 o/u I have ever shot is a Berreta BL3 that I sold last year, they are SUPER light.

A Yildiz O/U with an alloy receiver and 28" barrels is a tad lighter than my 28 gauge CZ Bobwhite with 26" barrels with a case hardened receiver, BTW....
Cat
 
You used to be able to get both barrel sets for the franchi alcione. The last one that I purchased had both the 12 gauge and 20 gauge barrel sets.
 
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