First over and under

[Diesel40]

I am looking at purchasing my first over and under, I will use it to dove hunt and shoot some clay birds (mostly sporting clays).  I wont be putting a whole lot of rounds through it, maybe a couple of cases a year.  What do you recommend?    I am not looking for an expensive gun, more of an ecomical gun that is reliable and fun to shoot.  I have head some good things about the Stoegers.  Just looking for some opionions, Thanks.

[45-70.gov]

look  at the  savage stevens

i  don't  like the feel of the  mossburg

[odie-wan]

For an o/u on the cheap, check out used Baikal IZH 27 / Remington SPR 310 (same gun) if you need choke tubes.  Others like Stoeger Condors, Lanber, Huglu or CZ's.

If you can deal with one set of chokes, you can have a nicer finished gun by searching the used market for a Nikko, SKB or fixed choke Citori.  Fixed Mod/Full guns with some miles can be had in the $500 range or less if you are lucky.  You won't wear any of these out.

My current o/u is a 3" Citori Satin Hunter that I love. I've had Beretta's, Baikals, SKB's and a Bernardelli (my first - shoulda kept that one).  The Citori fits me better than any prior to it and I can take to the goose field or for quail.  Doesn't matter what the game is.

Make sure it fits you or it doesn't matter how much it costs, you won't like it.

Good luck,
Sean

[Diesel40]

For an o/u on the cheap, check out used Baikal IZH 27 / Remington SPR 310 (same gun) if you need choke tubes.  Others like Stoeger Condors, Lanber, Huglu or CZ's.

If you can deal with one set of chokes, you can have a nicer finished gun by searching the used market for a Nikko, SKB or fixed choke Citori.  Fixed Mod/Full guns with some miles can be had in the $500 range or less if you are lucky.  You won't wear any of these out.

My current o/u is a 3" Citori Satin Hunter that I love. I've had Beretta's, Baikals, SKB's and a Bernardelli (my first - shoulda kept that one).  The Citori fits me better than any prior to it and I can take to the goose field or for quail.  Doesn't matter what the game is.

Make sure it fits you or it doesn't matter how much it costs, you won't like it.

Good luck,
Sean

Thanks for the info, I appreciate your help.  Looks like some good information there.

[dougk]

Are you going to purchase the gun from a local dealer or over the internet?

If from a local dealer you can mount several guns to find the one you prefer.  Over the internet, a thought you save some $, is very tough unless you know exactly what your looking for.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions and what you end up with.

Doug

[Diesel40]

I have a couple of dealers that I know well and will be dealing with them when the time comes.  Thanks for your help.

[SHOOTALL]

an over/under for range use should be a gun you don't ming being seen with IMHO. If a "good" O/U is not in the budget then go auto loader you would be ahead of the game . Browning makes nice stack barrels as does SKB or Bretta . Plan on being in the $1500.00 new 1100.00 plus used for a well built starter gun . The cheap O/U's comming in under old American names just don't fill the bill for me seem heavy and junk like . I suggest you put your hands on as many as possible before you buy . Your ears will hear the quality when you shut the action ( note don't slam it shut as a good gun closes easy ) , your eyes can see beauty or lack there of and your hands can feel it , its called blance . If it is lacking you will not do well on the range so why waste the bucks ?

[Bigeasy]

With a shotgun, you should really purchase localy, where you can shoulder the gun, see how it feels in your hands,  This is a lot more important in a shotgun then a rifle.  You will not hit well with a shotgun that does not fit you properly.  I had a beautiful  original Fox SxS that did not fit me, and try as I might, I could hit better with my rusty old Mossberg pump....

There are several good O/U out there now in the $500.00 range.  Stevens, Mossberg, Charles Daly come to mind.  The Russian guns are OK, but a little rough and bulky.  In the $1000.00 range, the CZ's, Franchi's, used Ruger Red Lable's, Brownings Citori's, and Winchester 101's are all nice guns.  Look for interchangeable chokes, and above all, good feel in your hands, and good fit.  I myself am in the market for a light 28 ga for grouse over a dog.  I really like the Franchi high grade O/U.  Fits me great, pretty wood, nice engraving, but expensive...  The standard grade gun still has nice wood, and is a lot cheaper.

Larry

[RaySendero]

an over/under for range use should be a gun you don't ming being seen with IMHO. If a "good" O/U is not in the budget then go auto loader you would be ahead of the game . Browning makes nice stack barrels as does SKB or Bretta . Plan on being in the $1500.00 new 1100.00 plus used for a well built starter gun . The cheap O/U's comming in under old American names just don't fill the bill for me seem heavy and junk like . I suggest you put your hands on as many as possible before you buy . Your ears will hear the quality when you shut the action ( note don't slam it shut as a good gun closes easy ) , your eyes can see beauty or lack there of and your hands can feel it , its called blance . If it is lacking you will not do well on the range so why waste the bucks ?

WOW!  - SHOOTALL's right!

Did a search on gunsamerica for 12 gauge O/U less than $1000 - found plenty of Win 101s, Browning Citoris and Wby Orions used but in good shape!

[Kal52]

I have a stevens o/u in .410 I really love this little gun, but after looking around for a 20ga, Ive found that the CZ is a better deal overall.

Its got a very nice fit and finish, balance is good it just feels like an overall better gun, and for not much more than the stevens

I can get a canvasback for 539.00 and I think that the stevens is close to that.

Good luck

Dave