looking for a budget over under. Yildiz or Baikal?

Get a used Browning, Beretta or Winchester. Most economy O/U's handle like 2x4's, just buck up and buy a much better example of what makes O/U's so popular. Many of the cheaper O/U's are tough and do hold up mechanically, but man are they brutal to handle. O/U's require so much more hand fitting and craftsmanship just to regulate the barrels and make them shoot properly, its not the same as a cheap pump gun or semi.

If you are going to spend close to 1k on an O/U, you'll be much much further ahead with the above suggestion and chances are you'll keep it and enjoy keeping it much longer.

Patrick
 
The term "furniture" when applied to a gun refers to barrel straps, escutcheons, trigger guards, and assorted small metal parts. Modern guns have steel furniture. Old trade guns and flintlocks employed brass. The earliest examples of European guns may have used wooden blocks to clamp the barrel to the stocks...

Apologies for perpetuating an erroneous application of terminology. My Bad.
I will note all those places that led me down the garden path...

And thanks for the answer I really wanted.
 
Get a used Browning, Beretta or Winchester. Most economy O/U's handle like 2x4's, just buck up and buy a much better example of what makes O/U's so popular. Many of the cheaper O/U's are tough and do hold up mechanically, but man are they brutal to handle. O/U's require so much more hand fitting and craftsmanship just to regulate the barrels and make them shoot properly, its not the same as a cheap pump gun or semi.

If you are going to spend close to 1k on an O/U, you'll be much much further ahead with the above suggestion and chances are you'll keep it and enjoy keeping it much longer.

Patrick
I've shot numerous Yildiz, and CZ shotguns and didn't find them any more bulky or clunky than many of he so called "better" guns, in fact a friend has a Yildiz and a Citori and prefers the Yildiz because it swings nicer and is l,ighter.
No, he has not had any issues wit it and has hunted it for 5 years now, the Citori sits in the gun cabinet.
One must remember that not all shooters are talking about high volume when they mention shooting trap and skeet.
I don't consider 4 or 5 rounds a week high volume at all, triple that and yes.

Many of the less expensive O/U shotguns do fine if just a few rounds a weekend is the order of the day.
On the other side of the coin, many guns suitable tor trap and skeet end up too heavy for hunting .
There is a balance that can be found, but it is up to the individual to find it.
Cat
 
Last edited:
Baikal is good. corwin arms has a ~$600 O/U 12g on their web page. 12 or 14" barrels I think. looked well made when I got to play with one at a recent gun show.
 
Not everyone is interested in an unsolicited "lesson" from some old fart who can't keep his mouth shut.

Happy to be here :)

If you're not interested, you're welcome to mind your own business. The question was about shotgun furniture. The answer was about shotgun furniture and was accurate in every detail. If you have something constructive to add, please do, it would be a nice change.
 
My wife uses the Yidiz and a CZ Redhead both in 20ga. I have owned and used the CZ Redhead in 12ga as well. Both brands seem to be well put together and the wood and wood to metal fit is better on all of them then on my Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 1. They point very naturally for both of us in both gauges. That been said the Yildiz gets the nod from both of us just for the way it feels and points for us ever so intangibly better. The only drawback if it is one is the Yildiz is about 3/4 to 1 lb lighter then the CZ Redheads are. Seems to make them swing a little more natural but also has a slightly more noticeable recoil to them, more so in the 12ga. Never having shot the Baikal I won't comment on it, But would say I would not hesitate to buy either the Yildiz or CZ O/U's.

Jim
 
I really like my Yildiz and the fit and finish is well above it's price point.... This has been what I have found from most of the Turkish manufacturer..... Plus it has nice wood furniture..... :)

image_zpsiuinvijo.jpeg
 
While the hs12 doesnt have the longest barrels, I have zero issues hitting clays. Its not always about the equipment..

Proper equipment does make it easier. What is your average score at trap with the hs12? Skeet? Sporting clays? If you are not shooting at least 90% at trap or skeet, or 80% at sporting clays, then you are having issues hitting clays.
 
Last edited:
Nice gun. But in reference to the term "wood furniture", there are many refined Englishman rolling over in their graves, lol.

Meh.... I am sure they aren't happy with my choice of Turkish shotgun either..... They also call chips crisps, elevators lifts and toilets loos..... And drink warm beer over there.....
 
Back
Top Bottom