Selecting a used O/U for a newbie learning to shoot trap and skeet

geologist

geologist

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I have decided to try trap and skeet shooting at my club. I have only done it informally with friends and plan on learning properly from the experienced members at my club.

I have decided to go with an O/U with 30" or 32" barrels and an adjustable comb (or not if I can find a gun that fits me well). I would prefer a wood stock.

The gun will be used at the club up to 10-12 times per year so I will not be a high volume shooter like many here. I will not be waterfowl hunting with it though it may go grouse hunting in open conditions on sunny days (minor importance, I have other shotguns for grouse).

My budget is up to $3000 (I could go a "little" higher.....) for the gun and based on my reading the fit is more important than the brand of gun. I am willing to buy used as that may get me a better gun as long as it has not been abused.

I doubt that I will be willing to go through the process of having the gun professionally fitted to me though many sources say that it is necessary.

My plan is to go to the stores in the Lower Mainland and handle their new and used stock to see which guns fit me and then decide.

My question to the shotgunnutz are:

1 Are there any brands/models of O/U that I should be either looking for or avoiding?

2 How do I go about testing the fit of the candidate guns at the gun store counter?

3 Are there any specific things/features (possible/damage abuse areas etc.) I should look at/for or test in the used guns?

Thank you for any advice or suggestions.
 
I was informed to get with the B Guns. Beretta, Benelli or Browning. I didn't to start with but ended up with a Beretta in the long run. In your price range you should be able to get a really nice used one. Get something with chokes, for sure. Check EE. They come up quite often.
 
Check out the "First O/U" thread about ten down. Lots of good stuff I there.

Shoot the guns at your club. Odds say if you are serious, they will be more than willing to let you use them. And you never know, they may want to sell.

It's a good thing you are not interested in waterfowling, opening a 30/32 or even 28 over under in a boat is 100% guaranteed to lead to damage. Its not so great in a blind either. Been there, failed at that...

Think resale value. 32 inch barrels, good name. No modifications. I don't see a benefit to K guns, But I do like my browning 725.

On the EE, expensive shotguns are a slow sell. Particularly if they are not instantly recognizable. Food for thought.

If you are prepared to take a bit of risk on resale, there is a used gun dealer in mcadam NB that has a used Caesar Guerini Summit Sporting for less than 3K. I handled the same model today at a shop in Florida (while looking for a Syren Tempio for my wife) and it was a very nice gun.

C
 
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You can get a base level sporting o/u, such as the Beretta 686(e?) used for ~ 2 k. It has the adjustable comb. Just bear in mind that sporting guns tend to get shot a lot, so check the tightness of the action and the position of the top lever... If you drop the adjustable comb requirement then a standard 686 or Citori will fit the bill.
There are lots of vids on Youtube describing shotgun fit - have a look.
 
My recommendation is to start by figuring out what discipline you primarily want to shoot. If you shoot once per month then might consider concentrating on only one. What you look for in a dedicated trap gun will not be the same as skeet or sporting clays. Aside from which sport is more fun/challenging to shoot, you might find that the personalities in your particular club's (pick one: skeet or trap) fraternity are a better fit for you. If your motivation is to become a better wing-shooter then I would lean toward skeet vs. trap.
As far as fit - better to research the web and talk to guys at the club prior to taking advice from a sales clerk who may know his stuff or may just think he does. A little advance knowledge will help you separate wisdom from folklore.
90% of my clays are at 5-stand (with the occasional round of skeet or sporting clays) most often shooting a Citori XS Skeet with 32" barrels and adjustable comb. Great gun for me with 40K shots through it and locks up like a bank vault. Although not as pretty as the 725 it is a clay busting machine. Even so, my particular gun would be a poor choice for left handed shooter (because right hand palm swell) and probably not what I would suggest for shooter of small or even medium build.
 
A Browning or Beretta target gun with 32" barrels, choke tubes and an adjustable comb will fill your requirements and both have models in your price range. These will be the guns you see most often at most clay target clubs. Pick the one that feels better in your hands.

Don't get a Trap model. Trap is a very specific game and good trap guns are generally not great for anything else. What would serve you best would be an all round gun which means a skeet/sporting clays gun.

The adjustable comb means you can fit the gun for drop and cast and adjust it to shoot where you look. Set up 16 yards away from a patterning board, put in your tightest choke and find out where your pattern is landing. Adjust the stock the way you'd adjust the rear sight on a handgun. A 60/40 pattern is what most people prefer.

In a store if you are trying a gun for fit hold the gun at waist level, focus on a distant spot on the wall and mount the gun by bringing it up to your face. If you are centered over the rib then it fits. Don't get too preoccupied with fit because skeet and trap are pre-mounted games and you will to some extent fit yourself to the gun.

I'm a big believer in "run what ya brung" to get started and try as many guns as possible. Clay shooters are pretty accommodating about letting people try their guns and they are notorious gun switchers so there may be good used guns available. (Don't let the nice man with a Perazzi let you try his unless you are prepared to drop a five figures. ;))

Used guns are an option but stick only with the established brands that are still in production. The top lever when the gun is closed should be to the right and the more the better. Look for damaged screw heads which means someone's been inside who didn't know what he was doing. Check to see that the choke tubes come out smoothly. Test the gun for functioning and, if possible, shoot it.
 
struff55 said:
30 inch bbl's 32's tend to be muzzle heavy when shooting a lot of rounds in one day and add no real benefit to hitting targets
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Depends on the gun and barrel weight. I've found 32" guns that were beasts but others that balanced quite nicely.
 
Trap and Skeet are two different animals.
A 32 inch barrel will fit the bill for Trap, but might be a hindrance at the Skeet House.

28inch would be a good compromise for the two if thats your game ...

Browning Citori is going to be heavy for Skeet (slows the wing) .
This of course is dependent on the model of Browning Citori (hunter model)

Have you though about a semi auto for the games you mentioned?

Rob
 
FLHTCUI said:
Trap and Skeet are two different animals.
A 32 inch barrel will fit the bill for Trap, but might be a hindrance at the Skeet House.

28inch would be a good compromise for the two if thats your game ...

Browning Citori is going to be heavy for Skeet (slows the wing) .
This of course is dependent on the model of Browning Citori (hunter model)

Have you though about a semi auto for the games you mentioned?

Rob
Click to expand...

I have thought about a semi but as a newbie learning I would rather not try the patience of the more experienced shooters with semiauto jams (and they will jam) and would prefer the simplicity and strength (and the elegant beauty) of an O/U.
 
geologist said:
I have thought about a semi but as a newbie learning I would rather not try the patience of the more experienced shooters with semiauto jams (and they will jam) and would prefer the simplicity and strength (and the elegant beauty) of an O/U.
Click to expand...


Move beyond that thought process. I have both O/U 's and semis and use them for the various sports and with the semi action I can't recall a jam with my guns. A modern gun along the Beretta, Benelli and Brownng action should give you no issues. An issue with a shell such as bad primer will affect either action.

Pick what you like regardless of action as both O/U or semis have a lot going for them other than an elegance feature.

Benelli Supersport - has its own elegance and so far zero malfunctions

Beretta 391 Gold - proven by many as one of the best out there and likewise flawless.

Browning Gold - again great gun and zero malfunctions.

All personal preference so pick what works for you not what you think will keep somebody else happy.
 
Personally, I think that 32 is great for all games. Probably because I am about 6'2. Modern steel barrels make the difference.

C

FLHTCUI said:
Trap and Skeet are two different animals.
A 32 inch barrel will fit the bill for Trap, but might be a hindrance at the Skeet House.

28inch would be a good compromise for the two if thats your game ...

Browning Citori is going to be heavy for Skeet (slows the wing) .
This of course is dependent on the model of Browning Citori (hunter model)

Have you though about a semi auto for the games you mentioned?

Rob
Click to expand...
 
geologist said:
I have thought about a semi but as a newbie learning I would rather not try the patience of the more experienced shooters with semiauto jams (and they will jam) and would prefer the simplicity and strength (and the elegant beauty) of an O/U.
Click to expand...

I share your thinking on this. The build quality of a well-made break action is so evident vs. the sheet metal receivers and plastic stocks that cost so much new it makes you wonder how manufacturers can justify the price. Two guys on my squad today had issues with their semi's and one guy with his pump. Meanwhile my 60 year old SXS just kept firing like a champ.
Nothing against Beretta's except avoid models with artificial "enhanced grain". Who are they fooling with that lipstick? Suckers, that's who.
Get a solid 12 ga. O/U, get addicted to clays, then down the road a classy 16, 20, or 28 ga sxs for handicap and extra style points. Great path to start along.
 
geologist said:
I have thought about a semi but as a newbie learning I would rather not try the patience of the more experienced shooters with semiauto jams (and they will jam) and would prefer the simplicity and strength (and the elegant beauty) of an O/U.
Click to expand...
Jams are very rare in a modern semi-auto that is well maintained and shot with the proper ammunition. I've never seen the patience of experienced shooters tried by the occasional jam. They do get a little testy on the trap line when a semi-auto tosses hulls that bounce off them or their gun but there are shell catchers to prevent that.

I use and like both platforms but for different reasons.
 
Browning offered a Citori model called the Crossover?, that seemed interesting... The recently offered Bettinsoli Sporting model also looks interesting, and pleasing to the eye as well.
 
I've been told many times that browning o/u's are the starting point for quality sporting guns and represent one of the best values when considering the round count sporting guns can go through. I was told this by a guy who buys 10 flats of shells at a time, and shoots more than anybody I know at any club around that has clays and machines to throw them.
 
"Citori is heavy for skeet"??

You want a heavy, well balanced gun for skeet.. Most shooters would avoid lightweight field guns for this reason, or add barrel weights. The Citori in all of its forms is likely the most common gun on the field. The XS Skeet if you can find one is an excellent choice for clays..and with your budget you could buy a used one and a Precision Fit stock to get a good fit.

Don't consider light weight when shopping, if anything look for weight.
 
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