Gun Questions

zatch

zatch

Joined
Sep 6, 2008
Messages
460
Hey guys,

I'd like to get some opinions and ideas. Lately, I have been shooting a lot more than I used to (once or twice a week - Now, 3 or 4 times a week). I have been using a Benelli Nova for clays and it has been doing just fine. Any issues I have are user error for sure ;).

I have been getting the itch though for a new gun. I don't want another pump - I'd like to try a semi or an O/U. Here's my dilemma. My price range really seems to be in the low end auto range, something like a Remington, Mossberg, or slight nicer but used gun - I spotted a new Beretta in the 600 range. I really like the way an O/U feels and points - I've shot one before (one that was out of my price range) and it was great.

Do any of you have experience with low end O/U's like Stoeger, Remington/Spartan, CZ, Yildiz, etc. Something +-500? I read some reviews saying good things and some saying to stay away and save money up for a nice one. My biggest concern would be longevity - I don't plan on shooting everyday but I am trying to go at least once or twice a week. Seems like the O/U's in this range, from what I have read, like to break or wear out quicker than more expensive ones. Also, it would be primarily a skeet and trap gun.

My other question is similar to the first but with semi autos. I hear good things about Remington (specifically, 1100 series), Mossberg 930/935(among other brands). What do you guys have experience with? I am mostly curious about the longevity of these guns.

The Stoeger line of guns really has my interest right now, for both an O/U and a semi. The O/U's look fine but I have heard they have firing pin problems and won't last beyond a few years. The 2000 and 3500 look very cool - definitely affordable but haven't heard much about them.

I'm pretty deadset on a getting a second shotgun. It will make it really nice when I want to take someone with and don't have a second shotgun. Plus, Semi's and O/U's are very cool. I know that with this price range, something has to give. I know that most guns will probably suit me just fine as long as I take care of them.

So, O/U or Semi? What's your favorite brand/model?

Thanks!
 
To add, is there any discernible difference between an inertia/gas operated semi's? From what I understand, cleaning and disassembly may be easier with the former. Any reliability issues or differences between the two? Thanks!!
 
A good friend of mine has an 11-87. Great gun! I have never heard anything bad about the 1100 series. Definitely on the list. Thanks! BTW, I couldn't get your link to work.
 
Look up SX3 on YouTube should be the first vid, enjoy.
 
I'm almost, but not quite, embarrassed to say I got along fine with ONE(1) shotgun for almost 20 years - a Remington 870 12 ga which I still have..there were/are other priorities in my life like supporting my family.

Older but no wiser I have other shotguns now and all have served me well however if I had to go back to one - it would be the 870..I will have had it 50 years this November..paid $62.50 new. In my youth I was a bird/bunny/squirrel hunter - then deer and hogs and now in my dotage- waterfowl...and loafing.

Have fun with whatever you decide to buy.
 
shot an 1100 or 1187 for over 25years.... early 3 gun, and 5 years for Chevy Sportsman's Team Challenge for which we shot about 100 birds a week... currently Benelli M1S90 for its reliability for 3 gun... Browning Citori GTI O/U for Clays....

it is very hard to beat the 1100 for the shotgun sports... there are a couple of things that can break, and when you are my age don't like the gun to be the problem at a match, hence the switch to the Benelli... make sure that you get a newer shotgun with factory installed Remchoke tubes....870 works well also, occasionally use mine for heavy metal (pump 12ga/.308/.45) matches

if you can find an older model 1100 with "trap" wood, that has a high comb to the stock, you can cut it to fit your cheek weld... to shoot slightly above the line of sight for clays sports where you can track the bird above the sight.... for 3 gun you shoot most of the targets like a rifle

I would stay away from the low end over unders... with the economy, would check the pawn shops for good used O/U s
 
Les Snyder said:
shot an 1100 or 1187 for over 25years.... early 3 gun, and 5 years for Chevy Sportsman's Team Challenge for which we shot about 100 birds a week... currently Benelli M1S90 for its reliability for 3 gun... Browning Citori GTI O/U for Clays....

I would stay away from the low end over unders... with the economy, would check the pawn shops for good used O/U s
Click to expand...

Yeah, It seems like the 1100 series is the right option. Everyone I talk to agrees on the quality of the 11-87.

Both the Benelli and the Browning sound like a dream to shoot!

I will have to check pawn shops for an O/U. I didn't think of that option and there are plenty of shops around where I live.

Thanks! :thumbup:
 
http://www.shotgunworld.com/ - Lots of good reading here.

In general, I would stay away from the new "cheap" O/U shotguns. They all have issues if you shoot them a lot. Your money really goes a lot farther with a gently used shotgun, whether O/U, SxS, Semi-Auto, etc.

Pay attention to the type of shotgun you buy. A hunting model will kick a lot more on a sporting clays course and a Sporting Clays model will be very heavy hunting quail.

The Beretta 3901 available at Wal-Mart and other similar big box stores for ~$550 NIB is a good place to start for a modern autoloader on a budget.
 
I have the 1100. It's nice.

I also have a Franchi Falconet. It's an O/U that is dreamy to point and pleasant to touch off. Hit a pawn shop, or better yet, a local gun show. Bring the amount of cash you want to spend on your next shotty, and negotiate a good deal.

www.gunsamerica.com has a Falconet for $650 right now, and this isn't the best deal I've found on them either.

Good luck, shotties are the stuff.
 
Sid Post said:
http://www.shotgunworld.com/ - Lots of good reading here.

In general, I would stay away from the new "cheap" O/U shotguns. They all have issues if you shoot them a lot. Your money really goes a lot farther with a gently used shotgun, whether O/U, SxS, Semi-Auto, etc.

Pay attention to the type of shotgun you buy. A hunting model will kick a lot more on a sporting clays course and a Sporting Clays model will be very heavy hunting quail.

The Beretta 3901 available at Wal-Mart and other similar big box stores for ~$550 NIB is a good place to start for a modern autoloader on a budget.
Click to expand...

Seems like everyone is saying the same thing on the cheap O/U's. I am definitely going to stay away from them and look for a nicer, used one. I have seen that Beretta but haven't handled it. I'll have to do that the next time I am out shopping. 550 is a really good price for an auto. Thanks!!
 
Velitrius said:
I have the 1100. It's nice.

I also have a Franchi Falconet. It's an O/U that is dreamy to point and pleasant to touch off. Hit a pawn shop, or better yet, a local gun show. Bring the amount of cash you want to spend on your next shotty, and negotiate a good deal.

www.gunsamerica.com has a Falconet for $650 right now, and this isn't the best deal I've found on them either.

Good luck, shotties are the stuff.
Click to expand...

I haven't heard much about the Franchi, I will look into that. 650 isn't terribly high either (well, high for my budget, low for what I want:D)

I am going to check into some pawn shops around where I live, I didn't even think about it. I know they do sell long guns, but I am sure I have to be extra careful and check out everything before buying something.

Thanks!
 
In an article about shooting dove in Argentina the most common rental guns are Benelli and Beretta ! These shoots can easily involve shooting 1000 rounds per day !!
For an O/U get a good one like Browning or Beretta it will last you many years without problems.
 
Unk said:
I'm almost, but not quite, embarrassed to say I got along fine with ONE(1) shotgun for almost 20 years - a Remington 870 12 ga which I still have..there were/are other priorities in my life like supporting my family.

Older but no wiser I have other shotguns now and all have served me well however if I had to go back to one - it would be the 870..I will have had it 50 years this November..paid $62.50 new. In my youth I was a bird/bunny/squirrel hunter - then deer and hogs and now in my dotage- waterfowl...and loafing.

Have fun with whatever you decide to buy.
Click to expand...

that's awesome.

you just made my day reading that.
 
Here's another vote for the 1100 (or 11-87). I've had my 11-87 since the model was introduced in 1987. It's been my duck gun all that time. I shoot a Browning Ultra for skeet and five stand, which, obviously, is a great gun, but when I bring out the 11-87 out to the range in early fall, I know duck season's on the way! It's as reliable as taxes.

And as I haven't seen it mentioned, the difference between an 1100 and 11-87 is that the 11-87 can shoot 3" shells.
 
My late brother in law shot a Remington 3200 and had to have the frame? repaired by the factory at least twice due to cracking so even the better guns will wear. He probably ran 150 - 300 rounds through it per week for the trap season plus the end of the year shoots. And this would have been over 20 -25 years. I'm guessing that any gun you get will have a high potential for developing problems over 30,000 to 60,000 rounds.
 
I have a Beretta AL391 Urika. I picked mine up as New Old Stock for about $500. It's a great semi shotgun.

Chad
 
Remington 1187. I have put alot of various rounds through that gun. I would buy it again, but I still have it. enough said.
 
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