Need help in selecting a new O/U gun

[bubbaone9]

moderately experienced shooter needs some help:
-I am in the market for an all-around gun (some birds and some clays). Unfortunatelly I cannot afford multiple guns and would like some advise in selecting a 12-gage O/U. Price range of $800-1200.

Many thanks,

[Graybeard]

I pretty much always suggest folks take a look at the lower priced Browning guns althou they have climbed in price so much now I'm not sure any of the Citori line is in that price range new. BUT there are almost always some used ones around that will be. They are as good as it gets.

Other well made guns that might fall into the price range are Ruger, Beretta but likely only used, older Winchester 101s, older Charles Daly guns made my Miroku, older SKBs and Ithaca SKBs and in the new guns the CZ or DeHaan imported Huglu guns are good buys.

Avoid the Mossberg even tho it looks good it is not.

For your use I'd get 28" or 30" barrels with choke tubes. That gives you the maximum versatility in one gun to play the various clays games as well as hunt with it. These days to stay in your budget you almost have to buy used or by a Huglu.

[bubba19]

Thanks a bunch for the advise! It just so happen that I can get a good deal on Brownings. Do you suggest any particular model?

[Graybeard]

That's a pretty personal matter really. What fits me might not be best for you. Feel of as many as you can and select what looks and feels best to you. I've owned several and the one I shot best as the cheapest, a used and ragged looking field grade with 3" chambers. The one I shot the worst I bought brand new it was a 525 Golden Clays Sporting clays guna nd I couldn't hit a bull in the butt with it. I kinda favor the skeet guns myself, they seem to hit where I'm looking a bit better than the field or sporting clays guns in general. But I sure would like to have back that old ragged field grade I used to own.

I shoot a Beretta 12 ga these days myself. But if I were personally going looking for a new Browning 12 ga gun to use as you are going to use it I'd be looking to get the Citori XS Skeet Item # 013065427, that's the 12 ga. skeet gun with 30" barrels and 2-3/4" chambers. It lists for $2507.

I have a 20 ga. version of it with 28" barrels which is the longest offered in 20 ga. I got it used but in like new condition but without box for $1700 cash from an individual who had it on consignment in the store where I do business. I've had it at least a year so am not sure if that price would still be current or not.

The Citori Satin Hunter model is as close as you can get today to that old field grade I used to have that I shot so well. It's a 3-1/2" chambered gun with 28" barrels and lists for $1332 so it would likely be in your target price range.

The Super Lightnight Grade I is another good choice. I have an older version of it in 28 ga. Current list on it is $1903 so it might be in your price range at the upper end IF you can get a good deal.

Those are all three different enough that one of them is likely to fit you better than the others. Which only feeling of them and better yet shooting them will tell you.

[bubba19]

Thank you again for the very complete and informative reply!