I have plenty of rifles, but I don't own a shotgun, although I have owned a few in the past. All were SXS doubles. I've never fired an o/u. The one I could consistently hit with (mostly pigeons, often doubles) was a Sauer. I've never shot trap/skeet. I'd like to have a shotgun, but just one. Not interested in waterfowl. It would be used for upland game, rabbits, etc. Any suggestions?
No shotgun
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I think you need to be a bit more specific, such as what do you prefer, pump, semi, sxs, o/u, wood, plastic, etc.
For upland game I prefer an English stocked and double trigger sxs in 28 gauge but there are plenty other options.
For upland game I prefer an English stocked and double trigger sxs in 28 gauge but there are plenty other options.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
You like "unique" firearms Rob, consider a French Darne sxs.
Overwatch3985
Regular
- Location
- Utah, United States of America
Ithaca SKB MODEL 100, 200 or 280. All very well built doubles available for reasonable money used. The 100 is plain but serviceable. The 200 a little more ornate. I like the 280 best, has the English straight grip but tougher to find.
An English stocked, double triggered side-by-side is the ultimate upland game gun. Ideally, it should be on the light side for the gauge (under 7 lbs for 12 ga, around 6 lbs for 20 ga, etc.). Removable chokes are nice, but by no means required. Because lead shot is permissible on dry land, vintage sxs's are perfectly serviceable (using appropriate 2 1/2" low pressure shells).
The guns that you're already used to, like a Sauer, would be fine. Sauers tend to be heavier than necessary and built kinda square. The extra weight can get tedious on a long hunt and square edges gets hard on the hands (especially as we get older). But your experience with sxs's will serve you well. True "round" actions are typically expensive. But, "rounded" actions are quite affordable.
My personal preference is for a 20 ga rounded action sxs equipped with removable chokes, an English (straight) stock, and double triggers.
The guns that you're already used to, like a Sauer, would be fine. Sauers tend to be heavier than necessary and built kinda square. The extra weight can get tedious on a long hunt and square edges gets hard on the hands (especially as we get older). But your experience with sxs's will serve you well. True "round" actions are typically expensive. But, "rounded" actions are quite affordable.
My personal preference is for a 20 ga rounded action sxs equipped with removable chokes, an English (straight) stock, and double triggers.
I've put a lot of rounds through a straight-stock, 20ga Browning Citori built around 1979. If money was no object, I'd say a nice O/U would be my top pick, and probably in 20ga. Probably be a 26"-barreled gun too. I've held the Beretta/Benelli but haven't shot them.
**since you're new to shotguns, if getting an older one...be sure it has a Vent Rib barrel. I wouldn't want to be a new shotgunner with only a long, plain barrel with a single bead. I mean, I was exactly that for years....lol
For field guns, an older 870 Wingmaster LW in 20ga would be a lovely pump (heavier than an O/U so less ideal for long walks) but chances are you'll want to get the barrel threaded for tubes. Lately though, I've not only come to really like Mossberg 500s....I REALLY like the older Lakefield/Mossberg guns. Blued steel, regular old wood with stamped checkering...but put together nicely and I don't know....they just feel like there is more to them than a modern 500. Again, older gun so like the LW will probably have a fixed/FULL choke and need to be threaded for tubes to open-up it's versatility. Expect an older Lakefield/Mossberg to come in around 1/3-1/2 the cost of a nice LW Wingmaster.
Dozens of other options (like semis) but since nothing was specified, thought I'd go to what I consider the best answer...followed by a couple of good quality/affordable alternatives.
Good luck!
**since you're new to shotguns, if getting an older one...be sure it has a Vent Rib barrel. I wouldn't want to be a new shotgunner with only a long, plain barrel with a single bead. I mean, I was exactly that for years....lol
For field guns, an older 870 Wingmaster LW in 20ga would be a lovely pump (heavier than an O/U so less ideal for long walks) but chances are you'll want to get the barrel threaded for tubes. Lately though, I've not only come to really like Mossberg 500s....I REALLY like the older Lakefield/Mossberg guns. Blued steel, regular old wood with stamped checkering...but put together nicely and I don't know....they just feel like there is more to them than a modern 500. Again, older gun so like the LW will probably have a fixed/FULL choke and need to be threaded for tubes to open-up it's versatility. Expect an older Lakefield/Mossberg to come in around 1/3-1/2 the cost of a nice LW Wingmaster.
Dozens of other options (like semis) but since nothing was specified, thought I'd go to what I consider the best answer...followed by a couple of good quality/affordable alternatives.
Good luck!
Wallenstein
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Not the Fraser Valley
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
IMO, you can’t go wrong with a HUGLU or CZ (same thing). Bought a CZ bobwhite 20GA a few years ago and love it. Fit great, shoots great, triggers are not too bad, a tad heavy for my liking but that seems to be the norm these days. Has screw in chokes (I would have preferred fixed but it is what it is).I think I paid something like $1100CAD brand new from Reliable gun. If you are going to be buying ammo, 20ga is the ticket IMO. If you are planning to reload, a 20 is still an excellent choice but I am quite fond of the 28.
I'd be poking around a few of the dealers to see if any of them have something that tickles your fancy. Intersurplus has a lot of used Euro shotguns, but I want to say Frontier and Great North Gun Co also have decent stock (or they did at one point).
