Looking for advice please

SteelCityCoach

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Hello,

I recently shot clays for the first time and have been bitten by the bug, I loved it!!! So much that I am in the market for a shotgun, but have no idea what to get just starting out.

I am looking for advice/opinions/input etc. from those more experienced about what kind on gun would be appropriate for a beginner. Having already done a bit of research I am looking for something with:

-12 gauge
-semi auto
-wood stock
-budget up to $1000
-NOT interested in getting into competition....recreation only

Please feel free to add anything you feel I am missing or should consider.

Thank you in advance for your time,

Coach

p.s. feel free to message me privately
 
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-know what your budget is and then add 1000 dollars.
-handle as many as you can and buy whats the most comfortable for you. what works for someone else may not work for you as well.
-add $500 more for wood stock
-have a blast
Cheers
 
What about a used o/u "B" gun? Browning, Beretta...

You can usually find a deal for one of them on the EE and they would be a great gun for your purpose.

Cheers
Jay
 
Are we talking sporting clays, or one of the other clay games? With a $1000 budget, I would definitely be looking at used guns like a Winchester SX-3, or a Maxus.
 
Agreed, my SX3 has been flawless on waterfowl!

Cheers
Jay

Stay away from the Maxus and stick to the SX-3 or a used Browning Gold/Silver. All three use the same gas system. The Maxus line is having piston and trigger assembly issues. Browning is warranting them even on guns whose warranty time has run out due to an overwhelming number of flaws but dealing with Browning Canada is a nightmare and unfortunately Browning USA who is awesome to deal with can't ship parts to Canada directly to you.
 
I'm an O/U guy myself, but if I had to buy a semi tomorrow it would be a Beretta 391. Has all of the features you are looking for. They can be bought used for around 1000 if you look hard enough.

If at all possible, buy a gun with an adjustable comb. With shotguns, the most important thing is that the gun shoots where you are looking (gun fit). An adjustable comb allows you to dial in the "rear sight" (which is your dominant eye) so you can make the gun fit you better.

Cheers and welcome to the addiction!

James
 
I'm an O/U guy myself, but if I had to buy a semi tomorrow it would be a Beretta 391. Has all of the features you are looking for. They can be bought used for around 1000 if you look hard enough.

If at all possible, buy a gun with an adjustable comb. With shotguns, the most important thing is that the gun shoots where you are looking (gun fit). An adjustable comb allows you to dial in the "rear sight" (which is your dominant eye) so you can make the gun fit you better.

Cheers and welcome to the addiction!

James

James,

I appreciate the helpful tip....I wouldn't have ever thought of that.

Cheers,

Coach
 
I do have the SX3 and it won't ejects trap loads. For 3 and 3.5 shells no problem but with light loads is iffy. So I always end up putting it back in the case and get the faithful Baikal O/U (rough and heavy) and finish the day in glory.
 
I do have the SX3 and it won't ejects trap loads. For 3 and 3.5 shells no problem but with light loads is iffy. So I always end up putting it back in the case and get the faithful Baikal O/U (rough and heavy) and finish the day in glory.

My 3" chamber SX-3 cycled every target load that I tried. My 3.5" chamber SX-3 usually misfeeds once or twice per round of skeet with the cheap Winchester target loads, but it cycles Kent, Challenger and Federal loads just fine.
 
The beretta 391 was a favorite for a lot of shooters as well as the 390 and the 300 series with interchangeable chokes. I used one at one point for 5 years. I shot every clay games with it as well as hunting and it never let me down.
 
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