Posted: 11/6/2006 3:38:47 PM EDT
|
My father is looking for an over and under shotgun. I'm very ignorant to these - what do you all suggest? He has a Citori already and, I guess, is looking to upgrade. Something for 2 or 3 grand used. Thanks! |
| Is he looking for a sporting gun or a field gun? There is a big difference between the two. If you don't know the difference, a field gun is for hunting primarily and a sporting gun is for shooting clay birds primarily. I've got a couple of Beretta O/U's that are sporting models and love them. |
Beretta's are okay, but there is no finer over/under than a Belgian Browning Superposed. If I could do it all over again, this would be the only o/u that I would ever shoot. Having been out of production for several years now, they can be tough to find. But it is a purchase you will never regret making and it will only appriciate in value. The best comparison I have ever heard "The belgian is to over/under's what the pre-64 Winchester Model 70 is to sporting rifles." A twelve gauge grade one can be had for $800, it will basically get you a shotgun that is okay to shoot, but not very good looking expect to pay $1500 or so and there are several grades from there. I have shot several over/unders, for balance, fitting and craftsmanship there is nothing that really compares in anywhere near the same price range.
|
Browing makes a nice gun, and their Superposed was proably their best, but to say that's the best O/U ever made might be a stretch. The guys at Holland & Holland, Purdery, AyA, Beretta (see their S09), Famars, Westley Richards, Rizzini, Boss, Perazzi, L.C. Smith, A&S, Alex Martin, Churchill, David McKay Brown, Fabbri, Fox, Piotti, and Rigby might argue that point... 
|
Yeah I've seen those Silver Pigeons and they are fine shotguns. I think he want's something a little more custom and rare though. |
|
i've got a guy here that sells high end custom guns... i'll get his info and PM it to ya. they're GREAT, you go to the shop to pick out your wood and they measure you to get the perfect stock fit. excellent hand tooling on the receiver... great company to work with. nic |
That sounds right up my Dad's alley Nic. Thanks |
There are many premium grade over and unders that can be customized for a buyer. You can buy some nice and affordable guns by Ruger, Weatherby, Browning, Merkel, ect or you can get the really excentric stuff by the world's best gunmakers whose guns are offered in the $20,000-$85,000 range. See one you like?? Here are some pics of some on the market:                       |
|
What you say is undoubtedly true, however I am one of very few people to be able to say that I have put shot through an over/under from every manufacturer you have listed, with the exception of David Mckay Brown and A&S. Granted, that all of the doubles I have used from the manufactures you listed were not all O/Us (I have handled and shot side-by-sides from these manufacturers as well.) But after handling and shooting those that were, I still stand by what I have said. If you have the chance pick up a Pointer or better grade superposed and tell me that it doesn't hang with, if not surpass,the big boys.
|
You would really choose a generic Browning over a custom fitted Holland & Holland? |
|
Over the sporting 12 &20 bores I have used, yes. I have yet to shoot a Royal Model, however, I have handled one and I have yet to find any reason to say that it is better than any other shotgun out there. If I wanted a piece of art to hang on my wall, it wouldn't be a gun. There is no doubt that the engraving is second to none but there is no other major diference in quality to my eyes. This shotgun doesn't perform any better based on the fact that it has gold in-lays or masterfully engraved scroll work. I guess there is no accounting for my poor taste.
|
|
I can appreciate your thoughts, but unless you are 5-9 and are average in about every way, it's rare to find that a custom fitted gun will not just fit --but shoot-- in a fashion that is clearly superior to an off the rack gun. As for a Browning in particular, everyone has their own preferences, but the one Browning O/U I've owned felt like a log in my hands as compared to the Rizzini I shoot regularly. No doubt many people like them and they do mass produce a lot of guns, but I guess when given the choice, I just prefer a different feel than I've found in their guns. I also like sidelocks, but that's another topic. |