Teach me about shotguns

[MRM]

My older son and have been members of a local gun club for a couple of years and have gotten to enjoy trap and skeet shooting quite a bit. We've gotten to the point where we both need to buy guns (we've been renting or borrowing until now). We're looking for good, solid all around guns that we can keep for a while and not be embarrassed to pass on to the next generation someday. So I started researching and looking for guns. I have enjoyed the search, but I have come to realize one thing: I don't know enough about shotguns to make an intelligent selection. Every shotgun forum discussion on gun selection seems to devolve into "Porsche vs. Mustang" type arguments. Everyone is sure the gun they selected is the best for their needs.

What I'm looking for isn't so much a recommendation of what guns out there would make a good all around sporting model at a reasonable price; I'm more looking for an education in the differences between types, styles, makes, and models so that I can intelligently select a gun for each of us that fits.

Obviously, generally speaking, there are pumps, autos, single shots, over-unders, and side by sides. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? What makes over-unders the gun of choice for sporting clays? What differentiates an expensive over-under from a cheap one? What qualities differentiate good guns from cheap ones? I'm willing to pay a decent price for our guns; I'm just not sure what I should be looking for in a shotgun. Something tells me that the Pelican Parts Braintrust knows a thing or two about shotguns, er, spoons.

[Rick V]

Sorry I couldn't resist. It is called a street sweeper

[genrex]

MRM, kudos to you and your son for enjoying trap and skeet shooting.

I wish I could enjoy it, but alas I can't hit the broad side of a barn.

[porsche4life]

Hard to go wrong with Browning if you are willing to pay up. Look at the Citoris, they are trap/skeet monsters.

Browning also makes a damned nice semi auto.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Look at the Citoris,

For some reason I had to read that about a dozen times...

[MRM]

Gen, I'm thinking that with Rick's streetsweeper, you and I both might be able to.

Rick, that puppy looks just like what we're looking for. Can you fill me in on its technical specs? Is it a 2.75 or 3 inch chamber? Does it come in 3 1/2 magnum? Gas or inertia driven auto? Is the barrel back bored with choke tubes or is it a fixed choke? Can it handle steel shot? Is it set up for skeet or trap? Is the cycle fast enough for a second shot on sporting clays? How does the kick affect the second shot? Manufactured in Belgium or Japan? These are the things I need to know to make an intelligent selection.

[porsche4life]

Browning Citori Shotguns, Product Family

[porsche4life]

Maxus Sporting Carbon Fiber, , Browning Firearms Product

[Hugh R]

I have about a 20 y/o Browning Citori over and under 12 ga. with replaceable choke tubes for skeet. Its an excellent, solid, shotgun that you won't be embarrassed to own, and it shoots very well. My old neighbor convinced me when he showed me that the Browning has about 1/2 the parts to do the same mechanicals as a Baretta.

[HHI944]

Something functional that will also be nice to pass down one day...........A5

[fred cook]

If you don't mind using a slightly older gun, take a look at some of the 12 and 20 gauge Winchester Model 12 pump guns that are for sale. I personally prefer to shoot a 20 gauge, but that is a personal preference. You can find Model 12s with vent or solid ribs, fancy wood and/or engraving and gold inlays if that is to your liking. Another one that I particularly like is an Ithica Model 51 semi-automatic. The magazine holds 2 rounds and with one in the chamber, you have 3 fast shots. Even the 20 gauge guns are built on a 12 gauge frame so it has just the right mass for a nice consistant swing. Also, on the Ithica, you will find some of the nicest triggers ever put in a shotgun! If you don't mind paying more, then the Winchester Model 21 makes a great skeet or field gun. Sometimes you can find them with 2 or 3 barrel sets. The only downside is that they tend to be pretty pricey! The main thing is to find a gun that fits you, length of pull, cast off, drop, etc. An inexpensive gun that fits your body will help you to make more hits than a very expensive gun that doesn't fit! Good luck with your search!

[azasadny]

My son started at 14 with a Remington 870 Wingmaster (used) and I have a Remington 1187. I would recommend a 20ga, since it can do everything that a 12ga can do but with less recoil and a few less projectiles.

[legion]

As a guy who owns a single shot, an over/under, a pump, and a semi-auto, all in 12 gauge...

For trap/skeet, can't go wrong with an over/under. The main advantages are that you have a quick follow-up shot, have the same sight picture for both barrels, and the extra mass makes for more even, consistent swinging (and kind of forces a follow-throw). They are generally the most mechanically and most expensive kind of shotgun.

Side-by-sides are mostly relegated to cowboy shoots these days. They were originally designed to allow for a follow-up shot, but the the need for external hammers made an over/under impossible.

Pumps are simple and dependable. They are great for hunting. Most will tolerate some abuse.

Semi-autos have more capacity than over/unders, and can be much lighter. (Which can be both good and bad). Some (most) can be fussy about cleaning and ammunition. They can be pricey as well. If you get a gas-operated one, it will help reduce recoil as well.

[Jeff Higgins]

The world of shotguns is generally divided into two distinctly different categories. There are "upland" bird guns and "waterfowl" guns. The former tend to be light and lively in the hands, the latter tend to be heavier and slower.

Shotgun competitions have traditionally followed these divisions as well, with "skeet" guns following the upland gun pattern, and "trap" guns following more the waterfowl gun pattern. Sporting clays has now kind of blurred the lines, providing targets suited to both guns, but forcing one to use just one.

Traditional upland guns are doubles, with side by sides being the most traditional. Traditional waterfowl guns are pumps and autos. The over/under seems to be the one most successful at bridging the gap and filling both rolls, both in the field and in competition.

Shotgun manufacturers put a bit more pride and effort into the doubles, especially the side by sides. Where a decent over/under can be had for about a grand, a decent side by side will triple that. Pumps and autos are a dime a dozen in comparison. They are seen more as "working" guns and tend to not have the fit and finish of the doubles. Not many are considered "classic" and most never will be. Yes, they are passed from father to son and down through the generations, but I don't think they ever attain the "heirloom" status of an over/under, much less a fine side by side.

I don't follow the current side by side market, so someone else will have to chine in on those. All I know is there are no low end or medium priced players left in the game that are remotely worthwhile. As far as the over/unders, I think Beretta and Browning fairly well dominate the market. Can't go wrong with either.

On the pump and autoloader end, you'll be looking at the broadest variety of guns and manufacturers. All of the big players are in this game. You can get anything from fine blued steel and walnut to plastic and camo finishes. I would lean towards the more traditional wood/steel finishes, and away from the plastic stocked camo guns as a potential heirloom piece. Also, as an "all around" gun, I would stay away from the big 3 1/2" 12 gauge or the 10 gauge. They are not only useless in a blind, they are even more so outside of one.

I would look for something in the seven to eight pound range, in 12 gauge, with 3" chambers. Choke tubes are on every modern shotgun outside of the very expensive doubles but, keep in mind, changing chokes on a ten or eleven pound waterfowl gun will never make it an upland gun. Nor will changing chokes on a six pound upland gun make it a waterfowl gun. So, look in the middle ground. You will find that's where over/unders seen to live. Their fit and finish is generally superior to the pumps and autos, giving them more of an "heirloom" quality.

[enzo1]

Cool, very good answers to a great question...

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by HHI944

Something functional that will also be nice to pass down one day...........A5

But those have to be first run belgian guns... Hard to find these days.

I have a 20ga and my dad has a 20ga feather. Very nice guns, and extremely enjoyable to shoot.

[L8Brakr]

Here's another vote for Browning Over/unders. Great shooting guns.

[tabs]

That shot spoon Ricky showed ya is called a Street Sweeper...it is purley a Tactical or self defense weapon if you wana be a Travis...

I say Browning Citori..12 or 20...made in the land of the Rising Sun..cost about 1200.00 for a Grade 1.

The Browning Superposed OU (Beligium) go well beyond your budget.

As do most worth while SXS's[




This is a SXS Parker Repo DHE 28 GA 2 Barrel set..made in Nippon and is now discontinued.. they run $7000.00 to $7500 and sell very quickly.

An original Parker DHE 28 GA would run about $40,000 + a 2 B set would run well north of that figure if U could ever find one.

[enzo1]

what about the 28 gauge, how does it play in all this?

[tabs]

A Browning B 125 Superposed 12G Grade C Featherweight...parts made in Nippon, engraved and assembled in Belgium...last list $5200

If this were a B25 which means completely made in Beligium...about $14,000