I always wondered what would happen to spoons if the bottom fell out...well one day back in October of 08 I found out..a Walker Colt sold for $925,000 when the Stock market PLUNGED 1000 points...

while not completely liquid, as a bank account or money market..there will always be a market for this stuff...so you can consider spoons like your 42 to be at least a store house of value like a CD, or an investment....a non realized capital gain.

Lately spoons have been mentioned in the same breath as Gold and Silver...interesting huh?

There is another little secret about these people they will dicker on price...

I too have bought stuff from them as well, My John Krider Percussion rifle came from them...

I check this guyz inventory everyday...to see what he has that is new.

I have seen stuff sold at auctions offered for a sizable mark up 2 weeks later.

Higgy laid it out right for you.

Beretta 390's and 391's are without peer. Having said that I love my little browning 20ga auto.

For clays use you want a heavier gun. Kids should have autos for recoil reduction (actually it spreads the impact out, only weight can reduce it).

Pumps are a lousy choice for clays use. All the negatives of an o/u with zero of the benefits.

O/U's are beautiful to look at and fun to shoot. Beretta and Browning are the working man's standard here. Each fits a bit differently and they used different receiver designs (one shallow one deep) so you may pick one up and say 'this is it' and the other makes you feel awkward. Understand that they kick and if you fall into waterfowling you will be scratching, denting and otherwise abusing your prize.

Recommendations for Model 12's, 101's, fixed choke superposeds, 1100's, A-5's and the like are based in nostalgia rather than functionality.

Odd rib on that gun...wonder if it's a bit off for general use as it was clearly a skeet gun. Also you need to be careful that older shotguns (may not) have choke tubes and are not fixed choke. It is a very pretty gun, as most old Brownings are, and priced pretty nicely!

Also thought in addition to Higgy's comments you should know that, generally, target guns have longer stocks whereas field guns have shorter stocks. Longer stocks suit pre-mounting the gun and steady swings. Shorter stocks suit quick mounting and fast swings. Clays vs. birds.

On the 28 ga subject pick up a nice purpose built 28ga field gun and you will fall in love. The idea behind carrying a 28ga into the field is that the gun is LIGHTER and as a bonus your load of shells is also lighter and easier to carry. For a beginner a 20ga could be a nice compromise as ammo is nearly the same price as 12ga and you're not giving up too many pellets.

Beware newer Beretta's that have 'xtra wood'. This is literally a sticker that simulates wood grain. Tacky beyond all belief (big surprise from an italian company) and, imo, ruins any hope of future appreciation on the gun. Real potential value appreciation in shotguns comes from HAND engraving and quality wood selection. Machine/rolled engraving doesn't really add to value and when overdone is just cheesy....imo.

Again, more great information. I hadn't realized that field models have shorter stocks. That might explain why I've felt more comfortable with the sporting models I've shouldered. I'm pretty tall and have long arms.

I'm interested in the differences between the Browning Maxus and Beretta 390/391. Both look outstanding and have gotten good reviews. Junior hasn't shouldered either, yet, but prefers Browning because he's always wanted a BAR. Well, who hasn't?

I saw in the catalog that Beretta was touting its Xtra wood product. It didn't fool me then, either. I hope it doesn't mean that they're willing to degrade the brand accross all lines.

I did stop in to the local sports store and looked at their Browning 625 Sporting. They want almost $3,000 for it; quite a premium over the plain field model. CDNN Sports still hase new 525 Fields available for about $1,400. Considering those prices new, a used gun like Tabs suggested looks like a great deal. I like the idea of buying from someone reputable who can give some advice.

Nothing wrong with used. I'd look for a Beretta 682 or any Browning if looking for o/u. For autos used the 390 sporting is a sure bet...not so much the Browning Gold (simply not as reliable when used for high volume target shooting). Again both fit VERY differently and fit is king.

At $3k there is no question i'd be looking at used o/u's. Tab's suggestion is evidence that there are better ways to spend that kind of dough. Again, be sure you're not buying a fixed choke gun.

Consider the conditions you'll be shooting in when checking fit. For a duck gun you'll want to be wearing your parka. For a clays/dove gun a t-shirt and maybe light sweater is plenty. Some longer stocked target guns will hang up at your armpit if you don't push out when mounting.

For autos look at 28" bbls, for o/u's a 30" is the comparable size (difference in receiver length). 26" bbl on an auto functions well but is not as condusive to smooth swings.

Some examples

Beretta 682 Super Sport 28" Barrel : Over Under at GunBroker.com

Browning XS Sporting CU-1282 : Over Under at GunBroker.com

Don't particularly care for the ported bbls on the browning but gives you an idea of what's out there.

Remington 870 express is about the best "pedestrian" shotgun out there. A million barrels and other items for sale to go with it. Hell, a brand new barrel is $120 at my local gun store.

If you want a SXS I would go for this:

SKB 200E 20ga/25" IC/MOD (USED) - SKB Shotguns

I have one and it is my go to gun for just about all my shooting needs.

If you want a winchester 101 pigeon grade, we have one at the shop that is very nice..

Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade XTR Lightweight 12 ga. : Other at GunBroker.com

We also have this .410 bore.

CZ .410 Woodcock O/U NIB : Other at GunBroker.com

I found it odd you wrote the above. For geese and duck, my 1950's vintage A-5 magnum is an avenger. It tracks well from a blind, never fails to go bang is has been, at least in my sons hands, very accurate.

Perhaps you meant just for clays.

Correct. OP was talking clays use.

The best modern autos can fire everything from 1oz light target loads to 3 1/2" goose loads, don't require cleaning until round counts top 1,000 + and have conveniences like vented rib bbls, multi-choke systems, etc etc

I don't disagree at all...I just can't see replacing the purpose built oldies:)

What about the CHARLES DALY SUPERIOR 12 GAUGE SHOTGUNs that were made by Miroku in Kochi Japan ?

I have a Browning BPS Hunter 12ga. Its nothing fancy but a great performer, looks great, and is really well built.
http://hammerbackguns.com/images/BPS_Hunter.jpg