Teach Me About Beretta O/U Shotguns

[aigel]

Hi PPOT brain trust.

I have been lusting after a double barrel field gun for bird hunting. I did a lot of reading, including PPOT wich makes a decent gun forum! Today I finally had a chance to go to the store and fondle some guns in my price range. The question was Browning vs. Beretta and it has become pretty obvious to me that it will be a Beretta.

1) Fake wood. I read about this here on PPOT. Do all new guns have it? Which models? When did this start (how far back do I have to go if buying used to avoid this?)

2) What's the difference in all the pigeon models? I am unclear here and need to figure this out. I want the lightest gun without overpaying for too much bling.

3) What's special about the ultralight? This is a tempting route, as I lug the gun for many miles in a day, and lighter would be better. Why can't I find this used?

4) I found a used 12ga silver pigeon from 2012 with SN R22xxxS. Is this a fake wood model? Asking price is $1600 with quite a bit of dings on the wood from the field (I'd expect more from me, so this isn't a big issue). Seller claims $2100 new.

Anything else I need to know before I seriously shop?
Any opinions on 20 vs. 12 ga for quail, chuckar, snipe and occasional pheasant?

Thanks,

George

[Bill Douglas]

Well, my dad was national champ using one shooting skeet/clay pigeon. Nice guns, better than their pistols.

And allways use a 12ga

[aigel]

Bill,

There are of course a lot of other companies out there but most of them are a lot more $. I also think the Beretta will have very good resale value in case I end up not liking it. That's how I narrowed it down. I'd certainly love a Merkel too one day.

G

[targa911S]

They make a very nice shotgun, always have. I would go 20 ga. but I'm old, what the hell do I know. Fake wood is easy to see. If it looks and sounds like plastic then it's plastic. Ask to unscrew the buttplate that will tell the tale. Now most new finishes are a plastic kind of finish that is durable, but a nightmare to repair. A nice oiled finish would be best. If this is a hunting gun, why pay the toll for the pigeon grade. Light is not always best in a shotgun especially in a 12 ga., fit is all important though. I think Beretta is a good choice. Save up for the Merkel.

[mossguy]

I agree with what Dave says, especially the part about 20 gauge. I used to get ribbed a lot by the macho men at the skeet range for using a 20 gauge Model 12. My feeling is that if you can't hit game or skeet with a 20, you needed to practice and improve your skills. Your shoulder will thank you.

As far as pigeon grade, you will spend more time not shooting in the field than you will spend shooting, so why not have something that you can enjoy and admire while at home

[targa911S]

true that Tom. It IS art of a sort.

[Bill Douglas]

CZ make some REALLY nice shotguns. And a friendly price. Shotguns CZ-USA - Ceska zbrojovka

[vash]

I've been looking for a camo O/U that I can put an Aimpoint on it for turkey. George. Will you buy used?

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

CZ make some REALLY nice shotguns. And a friendly price. Shotguns CZ-USA - Ceska zbrojovka

I'm a huge fan of all things CZ. I own 2 of their rifles and a my .410 is a CZ as well. Great guns. Value to price ratio is real high.

[oldgunner]

Look at Ceasar Guerini. They are a newer sporting gun manufacturer based out of Maryland. I've been to their office for a fitting and the guys are awesome. I think the woodlander starts around 2k. In my opinion the summit is as nice and functional as any gun made by Beretta, within reason. Right now I shoot an early AYA and would have a hard time shooting anything else. Good Luck

[Bill Douglas]

Dave, if you are a CZ fan you might like this My Tour of the CZ Factory by Rusty Hubbard

[MT930]

686 & 687 Beretta they handle very nicely #1. Very nice feel, very quick handling

Pretty nice wood on both of mine early 90's O/U Onyx / Silver pigeons

I've had Beretta auto's since a teenager A-303's they were excellent auto's

I like them much better than my Brownings, which do not handle as fast.

[5String43]

I dunno, I think a lot of it has to to do with the way they swing. Berettas tend to be lighter at the fore end than, say, Brownings, which is what I shoot. And guns with built-in chokes, as opposed to those with screw-in chokes, tend to be lighter still.

I shoot a Browning 525 12-gauge and I don't find it to be a big deal. The last 20 I shot was a Beretta. I thought it kicked just as hard as my Browning 12 - which, by the way, has a walnut stock. It's a pretty nice looking piece, as well as great to shoot.

This is a wonderfully complex subject, isn't it.

[tabs]

#1 is a Ferlach, Austrian Godfried Juch 12 GA OU..nicely engraved...this is a handmade gonne made the old fashioned way BY HAND.

#2 is a Browning B 125 C Grade Feather weight 12 GA Ou

[tabs]

[vash]

tabs, are those yours?

[azasadny]

I'd get a 20ga Benelli Super Black Eagle, but it's semi auto. I love the recoil mgmt system, makes a 12ga fun and painless to shoot and I have arthritis in my right shoulder!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by 5String43

This is a wonderfully complex subject, isn't it.

It is, right up until something has to be shot

I have a bunch of shotguns in all possible configurations and gauges. They are all field guns, nothing particularly special (a CZ sxs, Browning A5, Citori o/u, an 870, a few .410's, old family guns I don't shoot, etc.) and I can say that nothing beats pulling the trigger as much as possible...no guns is a magic wand; what feels good in the store may not be best in the field.

We've had folks come to the farm to shoot with the most spectacular shotguns, beautiful iron. And it generally works out to about 20 out of 25 clays, regardless of the gun, unless they shoot all the time.

My son will average 22 of 25 with an 870 Express youth model 20 gauge pump I bought from a friend for $150.00 ten years ago.

About the same with the A5 and Citori.

It is like golf equipment, play more

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

It is, right up until something has to be shot

I have a bunch of shotguns in all possible configurations and gauges. They are all field guns, nothing particularly special (a CZ sxs, Browning A5, Citori o/u, an 870, a few .410's, old family guns I don't shoot, etc.) and I can say that nothing beats pulling the trigger as much as possible...no guns is a magic wand; what feels good in the store may not be best in the field.

We've had folks come to the farm to shoot with the most spectacular shotguns, beautiful iron. And it generally works out to about 20 out of 25 clays, regardless of the gun, unless they shoot all the time.

My son will average 22 of 25 with an 870 Express youth model 20 gauge pump I bought from a friend for $150.00 ten years ago.

About the same with the A5 and Citori.

It is like golf equipment, play more

I agree. I shoot well with my 870 12 ga and have beat many at trap with 3k guns. But saving a couple of pounds and have the safety of a break open action are reason enough (or big enough excuse!) to go looking for a field double barrel ....

G

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

It is, right up until something has to be shot

I have a bunch of shotguns in all possible configurations and gauges. They are all field guns, nothing particularly special (a CZ sxs, Browning A5, Citori o/u, an 870, a few .410's, old family guns I don't shoot, etc.) and I can say that nothing beats pulling the trigger as much as possible...no guns is a magic wand; what feels good in the store may not be best in the field.

We've had folks come to the farm to shoot with the most spectacular shotguns, beautiful iron. And it generally works out to about 20 out of 25 clays, regardless of the gun, unless they shoot all the time.

My son will average 22 of 25 with an 870 Express youth model 20 gauge pump I bought from a friend for $150.00 ten years ago.

About the same with the A5 and Citori.

It is like golf equipment, play more

A friend of mine will consistantly hit 24/25 like clockwork with his Krieghoff.....28GA...On a bad round it is 23/25...Of course he is getting older now and is not as competitive anymore. He used to be #2 in CA. when he was following the Circuit.

His wife will hit 22/25 for Christs sake...

As for me if I hit 5 to 10 I will not only feel I am lucky but doing good for shooting that gun for the first time. I shot 2 rounds of Trap last year...with a gun I had never shot before.