Browing vs. Beretta

[BuckTrucker]

Folks,

I'm looking to get a new shotgun in the O/U line and wanted to hear what everyone has to say on the Browning Vs. Beretta O/U's. Anybody who has experience with these, please tell me if they have been good for you, which you like best and if you've ever had any reliability problems with either.

Thanks for the help,

BuckTrucker

[Graybeard]

Both are quite nice and I own both. But to me the Beretta smaller gauge guns are a bit too light and whippy to suit me. So for 20, 28 and .410s I prefer the Browning guns. But their 12s to me are kinda bulky and heavy. I've owned several and every time I end up at the same conclusion, they are just too bulky and heavy for me. So I prefer the Beretta in 12 ga.

Now that's a real personal thing and is hardly enough to justify me telling you to chose like wise. As to quality I can't see that much difference. Both will last your life time and your son's as well and still be there for his son to use.

Check them out, perferably on the range. If there is one near you there should be folks who own both shooting them. Skeet shooters especially are usually willing to allow a person to try their gun to see if they like it well enough to buy one. Sporting clays a little less so but it's worth asking if that's what you're interesting in.

What gauge are you considering? For what uses?

[lefty o]

i prefer the browning's, but recommend you get whichever fits you better.

[RBishop]

I love Browning shotguns.  I have 2 Belgian made O/Us and have owned at least 3 Citoris (a 12, 20 and 28) as well as a Belgian Sweet 16. Beretta makes a nice shotgun but I just cannot seem to leave Browning.

[BuckTrucker]

Thanks guys,

GB, I'm getting a 12 since it'll do everything I need it to do. I'm not a waterfowl hunter but love hunting Pheasants and other upland birds. Just got back from a week in S.D. and maxed out on the Pheasants in some tougher hunting conditions. I shot a buddies Citori there since my Rem 1100 decided to become a single shot while there. The O/U's appeal to me from both looks and the few moving parts to create breakdowns.  

My gun dealer is pushing me towards Beretta (he sells both) and my only experience is shooting the Browning which everyone seems to love. I've heard on many occasions that the Citori design causes it to wear in rather than wear out so I've naturally wondered about the quality/longevity of the Beretta. I tend to keep guns forever (my Rem 1100 is 30+years old) and I like the idea of passing it down to my son. I think I'll go to the skeet range this weekend and see if a Beretta guy will let me shoot a few rounds. The Beretta's in the store seem to fit me and handle well. Real difference in the weight but that could be good when walking through miles of fields hunting. Does the Beretta have more felt recoil because of less weight?

You guys are definitely confirming my suspicions that I've never found a dissatisfied Citori owner.

Thanks again, anybody else want to weigh in on this?

BT

[victorcharlie]

BuckTrucker.........I too, shot a Remington Sportsman 58 for 30+ years........I looked at most of the top O/U's and chose the Berretta........because it was lighter.......you being a phesant hunter, a light weight 20 gauge is great about 3 in the afternoon.........My best friend, who had the Browning 20 O/U commented he much prefered my 686 white wing....and sold his Browning to buy a Berretta.....

[Ramrod]

After shooting my Dad's old Browning Superposed, I chose the Beretta in 12 gauge because it is lighter, and the frame design makes it a little less bulky in the hands. Fits me well, too. If I ever trade it, it will be for a higher grade, not a different make. As far as wear goes, the tapered locking bolts are supposed to be self-adjusting.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Had a Beretta--now own Browning-------nothing really wrong with the Beretta---just never fit me all that well is all.