Re where to buy a shotgun
- Thread starter colombe
- Start date
I would suggest that you travel some and shoulder a few diff. models, see what fits, and feels good. How far are you from Winnipeg? I'd suggest, Beretta, Browning and CZ. If you can't make it to the 'peg, check out the Wholesale Sports on-line catalogue.
If you happen to get a shotgun that you like but does not fit you well, consider getting the stock steam-bent. I did this via email with a gunsmith near Montreal. He would have rather had me in the store to measure me up, but since I could not travel there at the time, he told me how to do it over the phone and I sent him my shotgun. He charged me 150$ to steam-bend the stock perfectly and the fit is excellent. Plus I paid shipping/insurance both ways of course, so the total cost was about 250$. Of course, you'd be much better if an off-the-shelf shotgun fits you well so that you don't have to bother with sending it away, but I just thought I'd mention it to set your mind at ease if you end up ordering by mail - you can still make it fit after the fact. Given your budget, I'm confident that you can get something very nice from either Beretta or Browning. I bought both of my Beretta OUs from the EE forum here on CGN and I love them both (an ultralight 686 12 gauge and a 687 Silver Pigeon II 12 gauge). Good luck!
I plan to take a trip up to Ellwood Epps when I am ready if I can't find a good used one here. I have been told to expect to spend some money on getting the gun to fit me via adding an adjustable comb etc.
Ya if you live in North Ontario Ellwoop Epps is really the closest store that offer a good selection and decent prices.
If you live near/around Sudbury there is a place east of Sudbury on Hwy 17 called Kukagami Jacks (they aren't on CGN as far as I know) that I have checked out a few times and bought a Nikon scope from. While there inventory is nothing like Epps' they always have a variety of hunting firearms and seem to stick pretty close to msrp. Might be worth checking them out if your in the area.
If you live near/around Sudbury there is a place east of Sudbury on Hwy 17 called Kukagami Jacks (they aren't on CGN as far as I know) that I have checked out a few times and bought a Nikon scope from. While there inventory is nothing like Epps' they always have a variety of hunting firearms and seem to stick pretty close to msrp. Might be worth checking them out if your in the area.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It may be a bit hard to find, but look around for an SKB 585 or an Ithaca SKB Model 500. If you can find a 585 you may not come away with much change from 3000 smackers, but a used but not abused SKB/Ithaca at fairmarket value, you will have plenty of cash left over to spend on whatever you wish sir.
IIRC the 585 came with replaceable choke tubes, the earlier 500 may or may not come this way.
IMO, for upland game an O/U 20 gauge with 26 inch barrels and fixed chokes is the cat's meow for our northern forests!
IIRC the 585 came with replaceable choke tubes, the earlier 500 may or may not come this way.
IMO, for upland game an O/U 20 gauge with 26 inch barrels and fixed chokes is the cat's meow for our northern forests!
Last edited:
You need to go and shoulder some guns. As for the Browning vs Beretta, they seem to be the opposites fit wise. If a Citori fits well, the Beretta won't have enough drop at the comb, if the Beretta fits well, the Citori will have too much drop at the comb.
X2 - Berettas fit me, but all I see on a Citori is the back of the receiver! Again though - if you're planning an adjustable comb or steam-bending, this will not be a problem.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If I didn't have my Ithaca/SKB, I think an alloyed receiver Berretta would be mine or perhaps a Citori Upland Special maybe.
I personally find the Cynergy kind of wanting in the looks department. And I wonder if the manufacturer had a younger generation of shooters in mind when they designed it? However I've never even handled one so my opinion is not an informed one at all.
Your thoughts on this please.........
I personally find the Cynergy kind of wanting in the looks department. And I wonder if the manufacturer had a younger generation of shooters in mind when they designed it? However I've never even handled one so my opinion is not an informed one at all.
Your thoughts on this please.........
My thoughts on this is that the Cynergy is an effort to radicalise and otherwise fairly stagnant design - doubles have been doubles have been doubles for a long time. They're definitely not for those who like a classic look, that's for sure, but to me, they have a certain appeal - nice "fast" looking lines. That's as far as looks go. HOwever, when I picked one up, it certainly did not feel good in my hands or brought to my shoulder, so that was the end of my intrigue about them.
I have both and alloy and a steel receiver Beretta. My vote goes to the steel receiver. It's still lighter than many others (Citori, for example), but it swings better and soaks up more recoil than the allow receiver model, which kicks like an angry mule. Although it comes to the shoulder in a FLASH, the light weight and strong recoil stops the swing unless you really force your follow-through. I love it for snapping off fast shots at woodcock, but otherwise, my full-weight steel model gets the nod...
The Browning Citori went through changes in their stock and forend design from year to year, and yes there are some Citori years that do feel like a club, but others that feel very slick.
Weatherby Orion was a nice feeling O/U last time I tried one. Very much like a Citori with the finer stock shape. Also, Ruger's Red Label looked pretty nice, but I have not actually tried one in the field and on the range.
what???
if you live in Northern Ontario, you will be a thousand miles from EPPS.
Epps is just a bit north of Toronto. Hardly Northern Ontario.
