Cheap Semi Auto vs. cheap o/u

[luke6417]

I know this topic is going to elicit several, "You get what you pay for," comments, but that is not what I am looking for.  I already have a rem 870.  It will be used as my turkey gun and back-up for dove, duck, squirell and rabbit.  I know it works.  It will always work.  I have an itch right now for a Semi-auto or even an o/u.  My budget would be under $500.  I know that's not alot to work with, but it is what I can afford.  I'm just a lowly teacher with two little boys to feed; so, with my budget in mind, what is your advice?

[Dustyvance]

New England firearms has had good reviews on their auto and its only $380

[squirrellluck]

I have a Tri-Star phantom that I have been real happy with. Turkish made

[hunt-m-up]

Look at Wal-marts synthetic stocked version of the Beretta 390. Also the Stoeger semi-auto, I think it's the M2000, is supposed to be much improved from earlier versions. 

[luke6417]

Those were pretty much most of the options that I was considering.  I was also interested in the SPR453 aka the Baikal 153.  Has anybody had any experince with them?  I still have a little time before I am going to make the purchase.  I still have to pry the money out of my wife's hand.

[Bullseye]

After my owning one gun made by Baikal, I would not consider anymore.  It was a SxS.  I looked past the rough build and lack of smooth operation and took it squirrel hunting.  After blasting one two times at close range and only finding a few pellets in it I patterned the gun.  There really was not a pattern.  A squirrel or two could have been sitting in the pattern laughing.  It also rusted easy, terrible blue job.  I was really disappointed when I saw Remington was putting their name on these things.

[45-70.gov]

of  the  cheap  o/u  i  looked  at  i like the stevens  the best

i  want to put together  a 4 gun  set  410  28  20  and 12 gage

i  got  410  and  20  in  charles daly  then they quit  importing  i  like them

the  stevens  is made  in  turkey by  the  CD  makers  brother [i was told]

[mcwoodduck]

+1 for an auto for the same $500 or less.
The cost of the side by side or over unders comes in joining the tubes to intersect at 35 yards.
anything else to cheapen the gun becomes a problem of cheaper metals, cheaper springs, or other.
I had a friend that thought scatter guns were scatter guns and killed three of the cheaper O/U before he spent a small fortune on a Beretta O/U and has not had a problem since.  He shoots about 600 to 1,000 rounds a month for sporting clay, skeet, and trap.
The cheap guns would last about 15,000 rounds.
I have not known anyone to kill one of the cheaper Autos.
Also check the used bin/ Rack.
I bought a Rem 1100 for 300 and stuck an new 26" barrel on it for another 300 a few months later (the original was cut off to 25.5")
Rem 1100 and 11-87's have a number of after market equipment made for it and can be made into what ever type of hunting/ shooting you want to do.  I kick my self for not picking up an 11-87 four months ago for under $400 in the used rack.
I also picked up a Browning 2000 two shot for less than 200 that had the gas system in upside down.  Worked well dove hunting.

[Graybeard]

If that's all I had or all I was gonna spend I'd get a Remington 1100 or 11-87. Unless you find a real bargain price on a well known higher priced O/U used I'd pass on those available new for that price.

[stevinator]

Have to agree with graybeard I have a couple 1100's in different gauges and can't be beat.The bad part is everyone wants a 400.00 dollar o/u and that's what you get in the long run. Including myself.

[dougk]

I agree with the used route.  For your price I bet you could find a used O/U like Huglu or  CZ that are well made.