Oh you fancy pants nobles running around the countryside with yur fancy boomsticks!!!

Why in my day we had to take down a bird with a trebuchet!!! Sure we starved but we are better from the experience.

Skeet/Trap/Sporting Clay - Is there a one size fits all solution?
 

Unless your build is way out of the norm (in particular very long or short arms and long neck) a fitting will be of limited value. Agree with the lesson idea just to get the basics working. I shoot a LOT in NJ but at the southern end of the state at M&M. In fact will be there this week for a lesson.

The following is clays specific-

For autos Beretta rules the roost. Main factor is reliability.

For o/u to start I’d go browning or beretta. 32” is by far the most common barrel size. Avoid field models which will prove too light for any volume shooting. Guerini is also very popular though more expensive than the base B guns.

Avoid Turkish doubles for any volume clays. Quality and reliability don’t compare to B guns.

I shoot most of the nsca events in Md, De and NJ and love talking about the game so if you end up looking at competitive sporting clays I’m happy to help!

Skeet/Trap/Sporting Clay - Is there a one size fits all solution?
 

Regarding one size fits all games in an o/u- trap and sporting clays are suited to longish barrels. Again 32” is great for most. Competitive skeet is more often shorter at 30” but fun skeet can be shot with virtually anything. Shorter folks may find 30” perfect for all games.

Stick with sporting models in whichever brand you choose. Trap specific guns are great for trap but not good for skeet or sporting.

I haven't shot skeet or clays in awhile, need to get out there again. I have a Winchester 101 Pigeon grade that I use, great gun and can sometimes be found for a reasonable price.

I recommended a cheap Turkish as a starter. It’s a $500 gun you can sell for $300 if you decide it’s not for you or want something higher quality. The difference is what - 4 rentals - so OP if you are prone to deciding you like something quickly go rent instead.

I prefer berettas to brownings. My friend prefers brownings to berettas.
Neither are a bad choice. After that though the price starts to really ramp up…

where do you live? I would love to unload a barely used Beretta Silver Pigeon.

What gauge?

Morris County NJ.

12 gauge. it is the cool one with the factory sling attachments.

'Length of pull' is key to comfort and proper aim.
Whatever you buy, be sure you can have the stock size adjusted or replaced. It isn't that expensive and it is very easy to make sure you have the right size.

https://hsprecision.com/how-to-measure-length-of-pull/

https://youtu.be/RnANGZOrQi4