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Over/Under Advise


2 DA GILLS

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I was giving serious consideration to purchasing an over/under for pheasant hunting this fall. Then I start pricing them and got sticker shock. Did I miss something? When did the prices increase so dramatically? I do not recall their prices being in the $2,400 to $3,000 range. I thought I was going to be looking at the $1,000 to $1,200 range, but I have not found many in that range.

Are there reasonably priced over/unders that are quality guns? I found some in the $500 to $700 range, but they are what I would consider some of the more marginal quality brands.

I need some opinions. Should I start saving for next fall and pay the higher prices or can I get a quality over/under around $700 to $1000?

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2 DA GILLS,

Ever consider a used one? Normally guys that are attracted to O/U's take care of their guns. Can you live with one if its scratched up a bit from use? The workings would likely be fine.

I bought a Browning Citori probably 15 years ago for $850 new. It didn't take long for the new prices to jump out of my range either. Its my preferred gun for pheasants and I don't ever plan to sell it, nor buy a different one.

Check the grade. You might be looking at higher grade models. Mine is just a "Lightning" which is more of a utility grade.

Whatever you choose, spend on a quality brand, but pick one that fits. They're all different. If its the right gun for you the price will never be regretted.

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Say CZ makes a great o/u. The Redhead or the Canvasback. They won't break your bank account. Their are a number of price point o/u as well. There's the Mossberg Silver Reserve $459.00 the Escort $599.00, Stroger,Remington has SPR310, My personal choice would be the CZ redhead.

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Good used O/Us can be had for less than $1000. Look in the paper or other classifieds for deals or call around to Pawn Shops... I've gotten 2 great deals from Pawn Shops on O/Us... a Beretta and a Citori. Both were in great condition and both well under a $1000... Usually high end O/Us are a safe used gun bet as they are generally better craftsmanship and guys treat them a little better when they own them.

I bought the Mossberg Silver reserve O/Us (12,28 &.410) as a set new last year... they are O.K. guns, but not even close to being on par with a higher end gun. I do like carrying the 28 ga. for grouse though... light and quick.

Good Luck!

Ken

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Thanks for the comments guys. I am not opposed to a used gun, but I want to get one that is in good shape. I have my duck gun that shows its use. If I am going to get an over/under I wanted it to look good. I will have to check some pawn shops.

What do you think about a 16 gauge? I was thinking about one, but then maybe the price goes up. Also I worry about finding the shells, especially in a pinch. Hunting with a pointer, I probably do not need a 12 gauge for pheasants. However, I may still go that route.

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This is the easiest question I ever answered. Buy a used Browning Superposed, 12-guage, mod and full. Done. Simple as that. A great big sporting goods store in Fargo has TWO of them right now, in great shape, for less than $1000. Trust me, it'll be the best gun buy you ever made. grin.gif

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WARNING: Browning Superposed, 12-guage was the biggest piece of crap gun I ever owned. Every time I shot it the stock hit me in the cheek. I’ve seen other shooter with a bloody hole on his cheek from shooting a Superposed. I spent a lot of $ trying to fix the problem and ended up trading the Superposed for a Browning Sporting I/O. Browning Sporting I/O (I own one), Browning Citori (I own three), Ruger I/O (I own one), Weatherby I/O (I own one) are all good and worth the $ but Superposed stay away from big time.

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Last year I purchased an O/U for the same purpose...pheasant hunting. The gun shop here in town had a couple used Citori's for just under $1000...I was gonna go that way, then they ran a big sale, and I got a Winchester Field Select for $999 new. Nice gun...and I just liked the feel of that one better than the Citori. Look around...you'll find something...

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Dont know if a member of a gun club. I belong to one and people always have used guns they want to sell. I shoot both skeet and trap and people are always buying the latest hot gun and want to get rid of their guns they havent shot much, plus you can try it out before you buy it. Personally I go by feel. Bought a Benelli M2, semi-auto, $900, excellent gun for just about everything including skeet shooting. Also have a H&K o/u 12 ga. I bought for less than $1000, excellent gun to.

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Good Grief T'Town...I don't blame you for feeling terrible about the Superposed. The one I've been shooting for 45-years is far more friendly. And then again, we have to go by the fact that they have been around for 70-years, used by people all over the world, and very few people report "bloody holes in cheeks" from shooting them. And, far from " a piece of crap" they are one of John Brownings finest engineering jobs; his last in fact.

You indeed may have had a bad experience.Sloppy gun fit and poor technique can beat a guy up quickly. Seems the gun just didn't fit you. Glad to hear the Citori meets your needs. It is of course a direct, Japanese made clone of the Superposed.

Thanks for listening. grin.gif

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2 DA GILLS, I was in the same position that you were in earlier this year. I found that there were a large number of o/u in the $1200-1400 range new, but that was in the Spring. Buying an o/u now is kind of like buying a boat in April. If your patient and can wait until Jan or Feb., that would be the best time to start looking. You should be able to get into a new Beretta or Browning for around $1200. Having worked retail in the sporting goods industry, places are a little more willing to bargain with you during that time of the year because it is soooo slow when coming to sell guns. Gander had a disply of about 15 o/u all priced at $1000 this Spring.

Good luck finding a 16 ga.

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I really do appreciate all the feedback. Barony, good point about the timing of the purchase. I will be hunting pheasants until the last day of the season. Even if I wait for better pricing, I could still be shooting an o/u before the end of the season.

I am still considering one of the more affordable models and making a purchase now. I have 3 young boys that are going to need guns handed down some day. Maybe I should start out with a more affordable o/u and in 5 years I can tell the wife that I need to pass it on to the boys and get another gun at that point.

I like the idea of the Silver Reserve sold as a package 12 / 20. I have been wrestling between 12 and 20 (that is why I mentioned the 16 gauge). I saw the pheasant loads that I like to use in 16 gauge yesterday. I think they were priced at $24 box versus the typical $12. I think I will stick with a common gauge for now.

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2 DA GILLS I am also looking for an over/under and have narrowed mine down to a couple of options. I was going to wait a while to buy but just checked out the website of a store up in Walker(don't know if we can post the name) and they have a sale on until August 26th. It looks like all Citori and Cynergy shotguns are $100 off. Don't know if that is an option for you to drive to but if you could find a store to price match you might be able to get a good deal. I am leaning towards the Ruger Engraved Red Label in a 12ga and they have it for 1279. But I was thinking maybe about going with a Browning if I can get it for cheaper than normal. confused.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif

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I got a Ruger Red Label 12 for around 1100 last year and love it. Nice gun and feels great.

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xedge2002:

Off subject here; but what stealth camera do you have that took that picture for your avatar? I'm in the market and have started doing a little research.

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Muleshack, that one is a cabelas 4.1MP camera. It is made by moultrie. It is a really good camera, I have two of them but am thinking of getting rid of them and getting another IR camera in their place.

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moultrie was the brand that i was leaning towards after my inital browsing.

So you would prefer the IR nitevision in B&W over the flash in color? Or is it more of the flash spooking the subject or giving away the position or what is your experience based on?

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Someone (me I guess) should probably mention side by sides here. Not the "cool" gun to be carrying but you can get quite a bit more quality for the $. Looking forward to learning how to shoot my dad's old gun this coming season.

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I went and shouldered a few guns at the major ourdoor retail store in Owatonna tonight. Looks like I may forking over more money than I was thinking. I will probably wait for now and shop around, but I really liked the feel and weight of the Beretta Ultralight.

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That would be an excellent choice. I bought a Franchi Alcione (made by Beretta) and have probably 500 rounds through it. It is an extremely light gun to carry and am looking forward to shooting it this fall. On the down side, the weight (or lack of) beats you up a little if you shoot trap, so be aware of that. The energy has to go somewhere when you shoot, and there is very little in the gun to help absorb it. I don't think I'll feel the recoil at all when that first rooster gets up this fall. Spend the money now instead of wishing you would have spent the money later.

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Your right Koonie. I use Beretta chokes. Who owns who when it comes to European guns? Does Benelli own Beretta, or is it the other way around?

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I think the are seperate companys. Maybe one of the Beretta guys split off and started Benelli.

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I have really appreciated all the comments that I have received on here. The input from this site has made me consider some guns I would not have considered. I have things narrowed down and have found some guns in a decent price range. I am really leaning to towards a Beretta or Franchi.

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I was wondering if anyone had a clue about a gun i recieved as a gift. Its an over/under and the name on the side of it says Atmaca and under the ATMACA it reads AV SANAYI M.K.E. C-60 ISLAH CELGI KROMLU

I have no clue what it means...I did a search for Atmaca on the internet and couldnt find anything to do with guns. Its a very nice gun and its not new but the person who gave it to me got a new one and gave me this one (he didnt like it cause it has the two trigger operation) so they must still be making them, i dont know. If anyone knows anything about this gun i would be interested, but if not its not too big of a deal, im still gonna kill some pheasents with it in a couple of months.

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A Beretta is a nice choice. I've got two and love them. I'd say get what fits you though. Beretta does indeed own Benelli. Beretta is one of the oldest corporations in the world. It's around 500 years old and is still family owned.

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