Best O/U shotgun for .... ?

[bigjeepman]

I am getting ready to purchase an O/U shotgun for my son who just turned 21 for Christmas this year. I have looked at the brochures and what is in the gunshops I frequent. Since I do not own an O/U, what do you think is the best value and why? I am prepared to spend $800 to $1200.

The local gunshop has about ten to look at:

Ruger
Huglu
Heckler & Koch - White Lion
Baikel - Russian made
used Winchester - model 101 I think

I like the Beretta's and Browning's that my friends have. What do you all own and use?

[dakotashooter2]

I have owned two O/Us. A Browning Citori and most recently a Ruger Red Label. I only had two dislikes with the Browning, the first being it had fixed chokes and I wanted to use the gun for all around hunting. It just didn't shoot steel well. Second it was a big, bulky gun. I have only used my Ruger for one season but I love it. The price was right and it handles like a dream. I know a couple of guys with the Baikel guns and they are happy with them but they are again, too bulky for my taste and the guns do not fit me well. It seems like some of the european import guns have more cast in the stock and just don't come to the eye as well.

[Ramrod]

For me there was only one choice....Beretta. I have a 686. It just plain feels good to me, almost a zen thing. Fit and finish are excellent, and the gun locks up like a bank vault. Best of all, I shoot better with it than anything I have ever tried. There are several models in that price range.(real world prices, not MSRP).

[Graybeard]

I've owned O/Us made by Browning (both Belgian Superposed and Citori), American Arms, Remington (3200 and newer), Winchester (standard 101 and Pigeon), Ruger and SKB/Ithaca. I'm probably forgetting some.

For me it is a toss up whether the next will be a Browning or Beretta. I like both. The Beretta's really have a nice feel to them but are a tad lighter than I like for a target gun.

I love the feel of the Ruger in  20 ga. and hate it in 12 ga. But I have found after owning several I cannot hit a bull in the butt with them so have given up on them. The American Arms was way too light and didn't hit where I pointed it so it left. Shame as it was a nice light gun to hunt with but just didn't shoot where I looked. The SKB made guns and the Winchester 101 guns hit me in the face way too hard so I've given up on them. For some reason the field grade Belgian Brownings in 12 ga do the same. The lesser gauges don't.

I guess my all time favorite was my Belgian Browning three barrel (20, 28 and .410) set. Man I need to be kicked for letting that one get away. In 12 ga. I like the old Remington 3200s better than all the rest as a clay target gun. I'd love to find a new or near new one with 28" or 30" barrels.

Given the list you provided I'd look elsewhere to be honest. Get a Browning Citori or Berretta would be my advice.

[dave375hh]

Of the list you have only the Ruger and the Win. are worthy of consideration. The HK's have been discontinued due to several problems, The huglu's in the SXS are good but the O/U's were iffy untill you get to the upper grades(Huglu is now the DeHaan). No appologies when I say the Russkie Guns are a POS!!!.
   The Berreta entry level O/U's can be bought new for $995.00(Dick's, Gander Mtn.). Also look at used higher priced models of Browning, Berreta, SKB, Weatherby, etc.
Take a look at Gunbroker and www.shotgunsports.com classified section.

[victorcharlie]

I went with a Berreta 686 white wing in 20 gauge and regularly shoot 150+ rounds through it every other week.   Wanting to keep cost below $1500, I looked for months before deciding on the whitewing, and chose it because it fit great and the finish was much better than on the Ruger which is pretty plain Jane, and better than a browning for a couple of hundred dollars less.  I wanted something light weight to hunt with and prefer the 20 over the 12 as not only is the gun lighter but the shells as well.  The gun still locks very tight, and looks great after thousands of rounds through it.

I really like the new Remington, but it wasn't readily available when I bought the Berreta.  That being said, Browning seems to be the easiest to find choke tubes and such for locally.

[NYH1]

A good friend of mine just bought a new Ruger Red Label. I'm not sure what gauge it is or what the barrel length is. He does a lot of grouse and chukar hunting. He has a Remington 1100 12 ga. but he wanted to try the over/under.

I've always been a "pump" guy myself. I'm just getting into "semi-auto's", I'm getting a Remington 11-87 Premier 20 ga. I'm sure it won't be long before I start looking at "over/under's" myself! :-D  :grin:  

[bigjeepman]

Thanks for all the opinions and suggestions guys. All my life, I have been a "buy quality first" kind of consumer even if that meant waiting until additional funds were saved. I went to two gunshops yesterday and the cheaper made O/U's are definately off my list. I am leaning toward a Beretta or a Browning. I might even be willing to go a little over the $1200 limit if need be. We have been talking about getting one of these O/U's for a long time now.
 
My son has had a rough year having had 4 surgeries though he is now doing really well and is in his third year of college ( now you know why I have a $ limit.) I made a promise to myself to buy a minimum of 3 guns a year during his college years. I have bought or traded for 8 up to this point. I think a quality O/U would be an excellent addition.

[Doc TH]

Hard to believe you'd regret either the Browning or Beretta.  Your concept of choosing quality is very perceptive.  Sorry about the sugery; presume all is now well.  Having put 4 through college and three through post-grad I understand the fund limitation issue.  I see neighbors driving BMWs, but I'm still happy with Toyota because they don't have my kids to enjoy!