OK Guys, I have been wanting an over/under for clays for a while now and I was wondering if any of you any experience or knowledge whatsoever on these models. I want to stick with a 12 guage.

I don't know if I need a chrome lined barrel or not as I hear positive and negative comments about them.

Also - Is a Ruger Red Label chrome lined?

Thanks in advance!

 

Stevens 512

Diamond O/U - Imported by Benelli ($799.99 at Dick's)

Premier O/U Field - supposedly (according to the fellow at Dick's) made by Beretta to the exact same specs as their higher end guns without all the fancy high $$$$ dollar cosmetic upgrades like engraving and Gold/Silver inlays. Only $999 at Dick's and has the chrome lined barrels.

Winchester 101 - $1000 to $1500 depending on model but a friend who has one said it is as good as the Belgian made Brownings for half the price. He usually hypes up his own firearms purchases as better than other guns (as most do) but I usually feel he is extremely critical yet fair at the same time when discussing the pros/cons vs price of his purchases.

 

Now comes in the Ruger Red Label.

It runs over a grand but less than $1500 depending on where you get from but from what I understand (also from the fellow at Dick's), it doesn't have chrome lined barrels and is very blocky in feel compared to the others above.

 

Normally - I never listen to gunshop counterfolk as it has been my experience that I know far more than most about all the firearms in their stores. There are a few guys at stores I frequent that do know of what they speak and they are not included in this "quazi blanket statement".

 

When it comes to over/unders - I must admit I am a COMPLETE neophyte.

Please educate me!

My knowledge of O/U's is limited to the following statement: If it's cheap, don't bother.

you have posted some very good o/u's.

 

I would compare weight and ability to pick up sight..

 

I did get a chance at to shoot a beretta o/u while shooting clay's one year. my 1100 lost a clip and was hanging open.

the gentleman i was paired up with let me shoot his for the rest of the round. I was able to pickup the sights right away and shot extremly good with it. I missed one rabbit and one quail I shot 32 out of 34 with it. very comfortable o/u.. do not know what they cost but if i were to be in the market i would be looking into it.

Just went and looked, they are pricey but found this one close to ruger price.

 

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... /411534428

Just went and looked, they are pricey but found this one close to ruger price.

 

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... /411534428

 

Thanks Tony. I just registered and now I'm going to check my email for the quote.

People love the berettas but they are an arm and a leg from what I have seen.

I thought the Premier was made by Remington?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/premier_over_&_under/field_grade.asp

I thought the Premier was made by Remington?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/premier_over_&_under/field_grade.asp

 

Wow - Thanks - perfect example of why I like to ask you guys rather than listen to the "know it all" behind the counter.

 

Well, like I said, I know nada about O/U's other than what little reading I have had the time to do, and what the "expert" at Dick's Sporting Goods had to say.

 

Well, is it any good Captain?

 

 

I think I have to go talk to my friend Joe at the NJ Firearms Guild in Rahway - his favorite thing is busting clays and he offered to educate me. Now I have to find some time to get down there.

I thought the Premier was made by Remington?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/premier_over_&_under/field_grade.asp

 

Wow - Thanks - perfect example of why I like to ask you guys rather than listen to the "know it all" behind the counter.

 

Well, like I said, I know nada about O/U's other than what little reading I have had the time to do, and what the "expert" at Dick's Sporting Goods had to say.

 

Well, is it any good Captain?

 

 

I think I have to go talk to my friend Joe at the NJ Firearms Guild in Rahway - his favorite thing is busting clays and he offered to educate me. Now I have to find some time to get down there.

 

I don't know if it is any good. I read online that it is good for $1000(which is a good price). Don't think it is as good as the Ruger Red Label but i have never shot either so don't trust what I have to say. When i saw the price in the Dicks ad, i tried talking the wife into letting me get it, but with the AR i just purchased, she wasn't buying it. Maybe i'll try for a christmas present.

 

I put the guys behind the counter at Dicks, advanced auto parts and Mcdonalds in the same category. DIcks guy is an gun expert just like the mcdonalds guy is a chef.

I thought the Premier was made by Remington?

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/premier_over_&_under/field_grade.asp

 

Wow - Thanks - perfect example of why I like to ask you guys rather than listen to the "know it all" behind the counter.

 

Well, like I said, I know nada about O/U's other than what little reading I have had the time to do, and what the "expert" at Dick's Sporting Goods had to say.

 

Well, is it any good Captain?

 

 

I think I have to go talk to my friend Joe at the NJ Firearms Guild in Rahway - his favorite thing is busting clays and he offered to educate me. Now I have to find some time to get down there.

 

I don't know if it is any good. I read online that it is good for $1000(which is a good price). Don't think it is as good as the Ruger Red Label but i have never shot either so don't trust what I have to say. When i saw the price in the Dicks ad, i tried talking the wife into letting me get it, but with the AR i just purchased, she wasn't buying it. Maybe i'll try for a christmas present.

 

I put the guys behind the counter at Dicks, advanced auto parts and Mcdonalds in the same category. DIcks guy is an gun expert just like the mcdonalds guy is a chef.

 

That is great. McDonalds guy a chef.

The Dick's guy is definitely an "expert" in spewing random BS for sure.

Last time I was there, he told my wife the Ruger 10/22 was chambered in .223 Remington.

She even handled it (with a trigger lock on as that is their rule - stupid IMO) and showed the same counter guy it said .22LR.

Counter guy responded with, it must be a typo, and went on to explain how not many who work in the gun section know too much about the guns they sell.

I could hear myself thinking, "Well said moron!"

We bought the 10/22, some gun club shot shells, left, and laughed the whole way home.

Darian, what do you want an O/U for? Hunting or trap/skeet?

Darian, what do you want an O/U for? Hunting or trap/skeet?

 

Hey Tim - I just want it for busting up clays at the range - just a pretty toy gun with a good old wood stock - classic beauty that I can leave to Gavin!

When I need some wings....lol....I usually take my synthetic auto-loader in case I need to use it as a paddle or walking stick.

I held a Stoeger at a friends earlier today! He got it for under 350 bucks. Made me like it even more but many say it is unbalanced and doesn't swing well and I haven't shot enough of them to even really understand what they mean. It felt fine to me but like I said, I can't pretend I know much on this topic - I'm new to these fancy dancy shotguns.

Those same people told me my auto-loader swings horribly too but Lorian and I never took our weimaraner out without giving him a chance to fetch something yummy!

For hunting in the briars and thorns in NJ I love my Stoeger. Shoots great and well balanced for me. And for the price, I do not think twice about using it to move thorn bushes when I get in the thick stuff. I beat the hell out of it and it takes it. The only other one I've shot regularly is an older SKB which handles beautifuly. But my dad only brings it out for fair weather walks or skeet.

1911Fan when it comes to O/U shotguns where the intended use is trap/skeet I'd consider spending more money and get a quality gun. When you are shooting 25 or even 300 clays where the process is repeated over and over you will apprecaite a gun that is balanced, one that shoulders easily and swings smoothly, a break action that isn't stiff or notchey. I'm not suggesting a custom high end but I do think a Beretta or Browning O/U would serve you well. One of your important criteria was " classic beauty that I can leave to Gavin", I think you would be proud to present one of these to Gavin.

Darian, after meeting, shooting and talking to NJ Tom, I would definately take his advice on skeet/trap guns.

1911Fan when it comes to O/U shotguns where the intended use is trap/skeet I'd consider spending more money and get a quality gun. When you are shooting 25 or even 300 clays where the process is repeated over and over you will apprecaite a gun that is balanced, one that shoulders easily and swings smoothly, a break action that isn't stiff or notchey. I'm not suggesting a custom high end but I do think a Beretta or Browning O/U would serve you well. One of your important criteria was " classic beauty that I can leave to Gavin", I think you would be proud to present one of these to Gavin.

 

Would you be so kind as to recommend a few models that would fit the bill.

I know I will have to go shoulder some and swing them (as my friend says so he can help me find one that fits perfectly.) but perhaps you could give me some sugguestions I can begin to research.

 

Just in case this helps,

I'm 6 foot 1 inch tall and weigh just under 200 pounds.

My buddy Joe says I'm tall with long arms so I will probably need a longer length of pull than most. He shoots clays every week religiously so I've been picking his brain a bit. He says top of line Beretta or Bust. My wallet ran away when he said that screaming Saiga first please.

Christmas is coming though.........

 

 

Thanks again to everyone for their help.

1911Fan - I'm assuming the top of the line Beretta your friend recommends is the D10 Trident, it's a beautiful shotgun, but when I checked it retails for more than $7000 (MSRP). If you are looking for a more cost effective alternative I would suggest the Beretta 682 Gold series or the Browning Citori series of shotguns. The Brownings seem to be a little less in pricing. You also mentioned you have long arms without handling the guns you will not know if this is a problem.

 

Good Luck in your search!

Tom

Thanks Tom.

Just spent a few hours in my friend's shop and handled just about every o/u he had on the racks.

The Browning Lightning and white lightning, Charles Daly, and Winchester 101 felt just about perfect.

14 3/8 to 14 1/2 inch LOP seems to fit me very well and I can pick the sights up very easily when I shoulder the above mentioned guns.

I also tried a Beretta (not sure which model but it didn't feel very different from the Browning Citori and Winchester 101.

I like a wide fore-end to fill up my hand and the beretta had a thin to medium fore end. A little small for my liking but supposedly the action is thicker and slightly more sturdy from what I was told by another patron at the store. Does anyone know if this is true and worth the increased price and wait time?

 

So far, The Winchester 101 is probably the way I'm going to go. Chrome lined barrels and nice wide fore end. Oh...and did I mention it was a classic beauty. Amazing wood and an excellent classic blued action without any inlays or unclean lines.

It sounds like you found the winner. Good luck with it

I have a browning Citori XT trap I might be willing to part with. I bought it a few years back and have not shot it. It is in as new condition, not a mark on it. I have a SKB soft take down case with tags still on it and a SKB take down hard shell case still in the box . Seriously I only handle the gun with white gloves on and thats not very often.

 

Barrels 30"

overall length 47"

LOP 14 3/8"

wiight 8 lbs. 6 oz.

msrp $2,749