I have followed a recent post on choices for a trap shotgun and would like to elaborate on it some.

 

I have shot trap a few times using my Mossberg 500, so far so good

 

Would like to get a gun more appropriate for Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays

 

I understand that at some trap places people are reluctant to be around semi-autos for fear of getting hit by a shell. Therefore I am settled on getting an over/under. I know each variant has its own specific characteristics, but right now I am pushing the budget to get one (multiple guns are out of the question).

 

I could use some help on following:

 

1. Which stores in northern NJ have a good selection of O/U shotguns?

 

2. Is it worth buying one of the cheaper imports like a Stoeger or a Mossberg Silver Reserve? or by a used better gun?

 

3. What is you opinion about buying used? Like a used Browning or Winchester 101?

 

4. Who has a good selection of used O/U's

 

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

I would avoid stoegers, mossbergs (the O/Us), and rugers. shotgunworld.com has a wealth of info. The two cheapest guns worth getting are the CZs and the Brownings. If properly cared for a well built O/U will last VERY long, so used is OK, although once you consider the life of the shotgun, paying for a new gun really isnt significant if you take into consideration the cost of ammo, clays, etc so you may as well just buy new... you know the guns whole history then. Although as I said, its pretty hard to kill an O/U. Winchester 101s are nice but kinda hard to find one to hold, the Citoris are somewhat cheap and plentiful but they point like barges! I settled on a Browning Cynergy and totally love it. Feels like an extension of my arms. Got a 93/100 with it at lehigh valley sporting clays!

 

 

I could use some help on following:

 

1. Which stores in northern NJ have a good selection of O/U shotguns? Use the Price Request on this site.

 

2. Is it worth buying one of the cheaper imports like a Stoeger or a Mossberg Silver Reserve? or by a used better gun? O/U guns are more expensive in general. The cheaper O/U's are just as expensive as decent quality semi-autos or pumps. While we're at it, I wouldn't shy away from a semi-auto or pump based on a few accounts of shells hitting people. Don't compromise the best gun for you just because of some stories you've heard. Explore everything. If you're a bit tight on the budget, then an O/U probably isn't the best option for you. To answer the original question, I would lean towards buying the better brand used than buying the cheaper brand new. Don't be afraid to buy a used gun.

 

3. What is you opinion about buying used? Like a used Browning or Winchester 101? Like I said, if you can find a high quality brand in good condition at a good price, go for it. Used is not a bad thing.

 

4. Who has a good selection of used O/U's See #1. FIgure out what you want and send out requests. I always get lots of replies. To figure out what you want, though, it's best to handle a couple of guns. I'm sure any of the vendors on this site would be helpful with that. Or take a drive out to Cabela's and peruse the used gun racks, where you can shoulder as many guns as you want and then just simply put them back after you get an idea of what it is you like. They have dozens of guns that you can handle at your own convenience as much as you like.

 

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. As stated before, don't shy away from semi-autos and pumps. If you can find a used Browning for a good price, then go for it. But otherwise, don't be afraid to check out a Remington 1100 or Remington 870. Both are great guns for a lot lower price than any Browning will probably be. I shoot a Rem 1100 that I bought used for $500, and it's absolutely flawless. And that's probably as high as you'll see a used Rem 1100 priced. Remington also makes an 1100 in a Trap Model, which is a bit more expensive, but is great for trap and sporting clays. Shop around, don't decide on an O/U simply because of what you heard. Also, a semi-auto or pump can also be simpler for target acquisition because of the single barrel. Also, for what it's worth, there's not much wrong with a Mossberg 500 to begin with. If it works, keep shooting it. I shoot clays with my Mossberg 500 20 gauge sometimes, and while it may not be the most recognized option for sporting clays, it still works well if you do it right. Can't blame you for wanting more guns, though. We're all guilty of that. Good luck on your search!

 

Thanks

I always wonder why I never see anyone mention the Extrema II when these topics come up. I have never shot it, but it sure looks impressive and with the recoil reduction I would think would not only be good for picking up multiple targets, but also for smaller women and kids to shoot.

I would agree with a lot of statements here. Used O/U's are a great route, but find the right one. Citori's are stout guns and Winny 101's are a great find as well. Old Belgium Browning Superposed's are great guns but escalating in price everyday. The model to get is the Lightning, only because it's a touch lighter in weight than the standard Superposed. Only problem is these may have fixed chokes, and are not as easily tuned for the task at hand should your target game change. Every now and then I see an old used Citori CTI selling just a bit north of $1,000, a great all-around clays gun. SKB's are fine shotguns as well. I prefer O/U's for clay targets, but if I was told I could only buy one shotgun for sporting clays, skeet & trap, I might opt to go with a Beretta gas-auto Sporting Clays model. With a 28" or 30 bbl., it would suffice for all three clay games, and is a very comfortable gun to shoot. And, if I wanted to take it hunting, it's still portable enough to be carried afield and capable enough for ducks and geese with the 3" chamber. If one deems that a 3.5" chamber is necessary, the Beretta A400 Explor could handle everything and would then be my pick. I'd pick either Beretta over the Rem. 1100/1187 purely on balance and feel.

I might opt to go with a Beretta gas-auto Sporting Clays model. With a 28" or 30 bbl., it would suffice for all three clay games, and is a very comfortable gun to shoot. And, if I wanted to take it hunting, it's still portable enough to be carried afield and capable enough for ducks and geese with the 3" chamber. If one deems that a 3.5" chamber is necessary, the Beretta A400 Explor could handle everything and would then be my pick. I'd pick either Beretta over the Rem. 1100/1187 purely on balance and feel.

 

Whats your take on the Explor vs Extrema??

I have tried the Extrema, it is a nice gun. Only fondled the Explor in a gunshop, which feels good and balances nicely. I've always preferred the Beretta's feel and its full buttstock and comb over other makes. The gun just feels "right" for me. I kick around the idea of getting one someday but I never seem to get around to it.

learn from my mistakes; don't buy cheap shotguns! If money is an issue, save a little longer, or find something decent used. Try out different shotguns until you find the one that fits you best. Most gun folks, I think, would let a nOOb shoulder their weapons to encourage him.

 

 

I'm partial to Brownings myself.

I have a Browning 525 that I use for everything, it is a great gun, and it isn't cheap.

 

I started shooting Trap with a Remington 1100. Yes, it will toss the shells to the right pretty good, but, if you are shooting Trap there is a $11 fix. There is a clip you can put on the side of the gun which stops the shells from getting ejected onto the person to your right, it works great, just ask my wife! If you want to shoot Skeet and/or Sporting Clays, you need to take the clip off (2 seconds) so you can load two shells.

 

I have also used a Rem 870, did just as well with that as my Rem 1100.

 

I have two barrels for each gun so we can use them for Skeet/Sporting Clays or Trap. Takes a few seconds to swap between the barrels.

 

The Browning O/U I bought is really nice, but my scores have not really changed. I average 19 shooting Trap, never broke more than 23 so far with any of my guns. I have shot 84/100 at Lehigh with the Browning, did almost as well with the Rem's. Having two different chokes does help with Sporting Clays.

 

Most important, get something that fits you well! The Rem 1100 Competition Model is a nice gun for the price, check it out too.

I have followed a recent post on choices for a trap shotgun and would like to elaborate on it some.

 

I have shot trap a few times using my Mossberg 500, so far so good

 

Would like to get a gun more appropriate for Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays

 

I understand that at some trap places people are reluctant to be around semi-autos for fear of getting hit by a shell. Therefore I am settled on getting an over/under. I know each variant has its own specific characteristics, but right now I am pushing the budget to get one (multiple guns are out of the question).

 

I could use some help on following:

 

1. Which stores in northern NJ have a good selection of O/U shotguns?

 

2. Is it worth buying one of the cheaper imports like a Stoeger or a Mossberg Silver Reserve? or by a used better gun?

 

3. What is you opinion about buying used? Like a used Browning or Winchester 101?

 

4. Who has a good selection of used O/U's

 

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Went out to Clinton WMA this morning and put 75 rounds through my Remy 870 Tactical. Was hitting 70 - 80 percent of the clays. The short 18.5 inch barrel and cylinder choke did not seem to be a factor and was quite fun. The 7 shot capacity was great.

I always wonder why I never see anyone mention the Extrema II when these topics come up. I have never shot it, but it sure looks impressive and with the recoil reduction I would think would not only be good for picking up multiple targets, but also for smaller women and kids to shoot.

 

The beretta is a great gun. I own one as well as a Citori. I have not shot a lot since getting them because of my surgery but plan on getting out there when it warms up a bit. LHVS is calling me....

Depending on you circumstances, don't dismiss the inexpensive guns. When I first got into trap/skeet I picked up a Stoger Condor o/u for about $250 new, I did not know my level of interest with clays yet. I shoot well with it, but after the clay excitement wore off the first two years I only go about dozen times per year. I would not buy any of the new Stogers, but the older ones like the Condor are workhorses. I am getting my kids into clays, and I don't cringe when the Condor gets banged/dinged. Yes, my friends Remington is much nicer, and I would not mind having one, but the Condor has served me well and matches my needs. Now, if clays take off with one of the kids, then I will pick up a nicer o/u for myself.

I purchased a Lanber 2097 Sporting Lux from CDNN for about 700 I think. It's a really fantastic gun for the price, easily the best value in that price point. Most people haven't heard of Lanber, they're produced in Spain and somehow CDNN had some great deals on them, not sure if they still do. They only had the 28" barrel when I ordered, but then again GlennP has 28" bbl and he shoots damn well. It came with Cyl, Imp Cyl, Mod, and Full chokes too. Only issue I have with the gun is the auto-ejectors are so damn powerful the empties are never seen again. They throw aluminum snap-caps 8 feet away!

 

Bottom line is most cheap O/U's aren't great, but the Lanber is a diamond in the rough.

I use a Remington 870 for trap and do just fine. The range I go to only allows one shell in the gun, so you don't have to worry about a mis-fired weapon.

Most Trap ranges only allow one shell loaded at a time. Since they are thrown in singles, no need to load more than one.

 

Skeet needs two shells loaded at a time. So do most Sporting Clays ranges. Most ranges will not allow more than two shells loaded at a time.

 

Old Bridge is one that allows multiple shells because of the way we shoot targets there. We can shoot at 3 or 4 targets there, not too sure if anywhere else does that many.