Over/Under guns

mr00jimbo

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I have to own one of these, it seems that each and every one is a beautiful work of art and carries a price tag to back it up. I've seen Stoeger makes some for like 500 bucks, which is the only one I've seen so far under 1000. How do you guys like these guns, and do they usually prove reliable?


I guess nothing can go wrong with 'em really...I'd suppose a smooth barrel one would be the best but I've heard things about shooting slugs through guns with chokes..is that true? So I'd have to look at one with a screw in choke that's just choke-free without it in. (i.e non built in)
 
I've got a Stoeger SXS and its a good serviceable gun, but you get what you pay for, and the cheaper guns lack the feel, balance, solid feeling, the forearm has been slightly loose since new. I don't know what you've heard about slugs and choke tubes but you "can have at it" , slugs won't harm your gun/chokes, you may be best off with I/C choke, or CYL., but the others are o.k., use foster type and all will be good.
 
If you are considering an "economical" O/U, don't overlook the YILDIZ. It is imported from Turkey, and very new here in Canada. It as been VERY popular south of the border, due to its good looks and great price.

www.shotgunworld.com has a complete forum for "I love my YILDIZ".........check it out.
 
mr00jimbo said:
I have to own one of these, it seems that each and every one is a beautiful work of art and carries a price tag to back it up. I've seen Stoeger makes some for like 500 bucks, which is the only one I've seen so far under 1000. How do you guys like these guns, and do they usually prove reliable?


I guess nothing can go wrong with 'em really...I'd suppose a smooth barrel one would be the best but I've heard things about shooting slugs through guns with chokes..is that true? So I'd have to look at one with a screw in choke that's just choke-free without it in. (i.e non built in)
Best advice I can give you is save your money till you can afford something better.
 
I found an older Beretta (BL-4 skeet) here on CGN for $700. It's a beautiful gun in excellent shape. Skeet chokes and 2-3/4" is what I wanted for the skeet field so I was lucky.
Man am I ever glad I didn't buy a Stoeger!!! Yes I looked at em and they're just OK. The Beretta (maybe a little light) but it fits and swings perfect. I've since invested in a set of Briley 20 gauge companion tubes and I'm perfectly satisfied with it. Go shopping and pick up and point all the guns you can get your hands on, or to the skeet club and ask the guys what they like and why. If someone offers to let you mount thier gun or shoot a round of skeet with it take them up on it. Take your time and find a gun that fits and swings for you, I'm glad I did. Come to Kingston (ON) and shoot mine all day long if you want.
If you don't want to spend the time shopping find a used Browning Citori it will do.
 
GHughes has a good suggestion. See what is listed on EE and shop around. If you need a gun with interchangeable chokes, you will have a harder time finding a used bargain, but if you can be satisfied with a used gun you can get a better quality for the same or less money than a new crappy one. Also, you might beat the Govt. out of the tax. I picked up a Beretta 686 sporting clays for $1500 through a friend. If you have buddies who are gun club members ask them if they know of guns for sale.
 
bushwhacker said:
If you have buddies who are gun club members ask them if they know of guns for sale.
Good suggestion. I just jumped into trap shooting and was surprised at the amount of guns that are up for sale and change hands by word of mouth. I think trap/skeet/sporting clays shooters are never happy and are always looking for something that may help give them an edge and improve their score. ;)

Most of the guys (in my Club anyway) are generous to a fault :D in allowing newbies to use and handle some very expensive and very nice firearms once they get to know you.
 
"...shooters are never happy and are always looking for something..." It's not just shotgunners. Target pistol shooters and IPSC/IDPA types are the same.
"...shooting slugs through guns with chokes..." They won't hurt the shotgun, but the slug will be deformed and will fly funny with the resulting loss of accuracy. Screw in chokes usually don't fit O/U's well. Not enough space for them to fit.
"...Most of the guys..." That's true of most shooters, no matter what game they play. It's a great way to get new club members shooting and helps them decide what they want to buy.
It applies to manufacturer's reps too. Colt reps especially at the large matches. At least before Colt changed their whole company. Got to shoot a 10mm Delta Elite when they were new on the market, he provided the ammo too. Shot an M-16K, a 9mm FA at Second Chance, long ago, a buddy's ammo, but that was ok. We started loading mags before the rep came back to his table. No big deal.
 
sunray said:
Screw in chokes usually don't fit O/U's well. Not enough space for them to fit.
Maybe you should stick to posting about something you know about. I'm not sure what that might be but it sure as hell isn't o/u shotguns. With the exception of a couple of fixed choked guns, all of my o/u guns have had screw in chokes and they fit just fine.
 
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Not only screw in choke tubes are fine in any double, but it can be worth while to have them installed in the right gun that has fixed chokes.

Very strange indeed.
 
Keep an eye on the exchange forum. There was an O/U Franchi that need some TLC that just sold for $300. Not too long ago a Winchester Supreme with choke tubes went for I believe $800, less than half new price. Also you might want to consider a SxS. I picked up a very nice Browning BSS (SxS) for a very reasonable price here on Gunnutz. Choke tubes are nice but not critical if you get the right chokes for your intended use.
 
I had a condor, it was alright. Heavy compared to some of the nicer and more expensive O/U out there. If you can justifiy it, I'd look at a used O/U in the $1400 range before I bought a new $500 Stoeger.
 
Browning makes an excellent O/U

The local shop here has a 12Gauge Hunter 3 1/2" chambers for $1499 NEW these are just as good as their hi grade guns, just not as shiny and no gold on them. This is probably the best buy going on a 12G O/U.
(compare at $2700 for a Browning Cynergy)
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I shoot a 20Gauge Browning and absolutely love it.

As far as the chokes not fitting... the above poster may have been thinking about extended chokes that were installed aftermarket. Any chokes designed to fit the gun will work fine.

I have seen alot of Baikal O/Us, they are under $1000 new, good guns but definitely not a Browning, Beretta, Winchester etc. My wife has on in 20 guage and likes it, has a few rough parts on it but works flawlessly. My buddy had a gun shop and sold tons of them, only a few needed some minor work.
 
Baikal seems to be an alright o/u for the price(same as the remington spr), I was looking at their 20 ga. I also just saw some Traditions over and unders and they seem to be a nice shotgun for a decent price.
 
Find the stock dimentions that fit you the best and work it from there.
I shoot lefthanded and most U/O's are too straight for me, as well,
look for cast-off, as it does really make a difference in how the gun fits.
They also kick a lot more than auto-loaders. I have owned and shot Winchesters, Beretta's, Rugers, and Brownings, I shoot better with Remington Auto-loaders.
 
I'm not going to quote anyone here but I find personal attacks really irritating. A difference of opinion is one thing...and perfectly fine. But are uncalled for pot shots at people really necessary? I enjoy these forums and view them as a place to amicably exchange ideas and knowledge and as a place to learn something new. I'd hate to see our Canadian forum infected by a "Bubba" from the US.
 
sunray said:
"...shooting slugs through guns with chokes..." They won't hurt the shotgun, but the slug will be deformed and will fly funny with the resulting loss of accuracy. Screw in chokes usually don't fit O/U's well. Not enough space for them to fit.

This Statement is SIMPLY NOT TRUE! All slugs are made to pass safely through full choke shotguns... period. And many foster style slugs perform the best with a little more constriction than Cylinder!:rolleyes:

I have seen lots of doubles set up for both Foster and Sabot Slugs with the use of the proper choke tube..... and they certainly don't fly funny.:confused: :dancingbanana:
 
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