Need some expert opinions on this.

1stmar · February 27, 2016, 05:42 PM

looking at getting a trap gun and found this on gunbroker. What do you think this is worth? Seems in good shape but dates back to 72'. Could have some miles on it.
Thanks

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=541764379

Minorcan · February 27, 2016, 06:11 PM

I saw that and was interested as I like old weapons and such. I was thinkimg of biding if under $900, its past that now. I have a similar model and they are very nice but this one probably does not have changeable choke so you're probably stuck with a full and a modified. Some of the traps had open chokes so may be best to ask.

1stmar · February 27, 2016, 06:40 PM

Yes I was concerned about the chokes. Thanks for the feedback.

tynman · February 27, 2016, 06:59 PM

Well it all depends on how much you are going to use this or any other rifle for trap shooting?
If your not looking for a heavy use of the rifle then you might want to look at a Savage Stevens 555. Its a rifle out of turkey with the savage name on it. I got one last summer new for under $600 and put over 400 rounds thru it and didnt have any problems with it.

The one on gunbroker might have high rounds or not you never know. Dont have chokes, and I personally dont like that it was made in japan. But thats just me.
Good luck

1stmar · February 27, 2016, 07:12 PM

i agree that fixed chokes is a bad idea. Looking at this but it will likely go above what I'm looking to spend. $1500 or so.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...=544221786#PIC

Virginian · February 27, 2016, 10:48 PM

For trap that is an excellent gun. Certainly looks well maintained and not heavily used. Why do you need choke tubes when the range is always the same? It isn't Sporting Clays. BTW, I am a choke tube fanatic, but not a trap fanatic.

1stmar · February 28, 2016, 03:52 AM

The club I belong to only has a trap field. My son (whom I'm trying to get out shooting more) only likes shooting shotgun. We will likely shoot at my club for the most part but depending on his interest may venture out to sporting clays or skeet at surrounding clubs. I don't shoot much shotgun, so my knowledge is limited and I only have 1 shotgun. Just looking for the flexibility if his interest wanders or grows.

Virginian · February 28, 2016, 06:47 AM

If you plan to shoot other disciplines, do NOT get a Trap gun. It is far easier to shoot Trap with a field or Sporting gun than the other way around. You can even stick a riser on the comb to make it shoot high like all Trap guns do.
And, if you are considering shooting other disciplines this would not be the gun as well because it does not have changeable chokes.

1stmar · February 28, 2016, 08:41 AM

So something like this?

Browning Citori Lightning (Japan) ~ 12 GA

Description:
Excellent condition showing light use marks on buttstock. with an excellent bore! With Invector choke tubes.

Caliber: 12 GA
Chambers: 3
Metal Condition: Excellent
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Excellent
Barrels: 28" Vent Rib
Triggers: Factory
Stock: Checkered Walnut Round Knob
Stock Dimensions:
14 1/4" LOP
Fore End: Checkered Walnut
Butt Pad: Brown Vented Rubber
Weight: 8 LB
Sights: Metal Front Bead
Chokes: Invector Choke Tubes

Virginian · February 28, 2016, 11:19 AM

That would be much more suitable in my opinion. Browning and Beretta are THE standards for clay shooting O/Us until you step way up in price, but to me they feel VERY different. I would sure try to get around and feel both before I plunked down my money. Both are good guns; I prefer the feel of Berettas.

1stmar · February 28, 2016, 01:31 PM

Thanks for the advice, I found this and put a deposit on it. I have handled brownings and I am comfortable with them. Seemed like a decent deal and didn't want it to slip away.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100669631

Virginian · February 28, 2016, 02:13 PM

Looks nice, but frankly I am so excited someone is NOT looking to buy the absolute cheapest gun available I'm not sure I'm thinking straight.

Good shooting.

1stmar · February 28, 2016, 02:19 PM

Thanks, price is probably a bit high. But I think it will work out. Appreciate the direction.

BigJimP · February 28, 2016, 02:46 PM

For a "general purpose" shotgun ...I think you're making a smart choice.

There are about 29 different models of the Citori these days...and the Lightning is their "field" grade gun...the price might be a little high / but it looks to be in very good shape from the photos - and all of the Browning Citori models hold their value very well.

Today's current Lightning model list for $ 1,990 ....and in many areas they will sell new in box for around $ 1,800.

Its a gun, if you take good care of it, that will easily last thru 500,000 shells and live on in your family for many generations ( I have a number of Citori models that are well over 500,000 shells with no issues at all ).

If down the road -- you want to look for a dedicated "Trap" gun look at the Citori XT Trap, 12ga, 32" barrels...they're very solid guns as well...a little too long and too heavy for general purpose ( like Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 Stand...).

1stmar · February 28, 2016, 03:32 PM

Thanks, feel good about the purchase. Looking forward to getting out with my son. Going to get a thrower, probably Champion WheelyBird Auto-Feed Trap. Though I may look for something in this price range that I can put a wobbler on.

February 27, 2016, 05:42 PM	#1
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Need some expert opinions on this. looking at getting a trap gun and found this on gunbroker. What do you think this is worth? Seems in good shape but dates back to 72'. Could have some miles on it. Thanks http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=541764379

February 27, 2016, 10:48 PM	#6
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	For trap that is an excellent gun. Certainly looks well maintained and not heavily used. Why do you need choke tubes when the range is always the same? It isn't Sporting Clays. BTW, I am a choke tube fanatic, but not a trap fanatic. __________________ What could have happened... did.

February 28, 2016, 06:47 AM	#8
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	If you plan to shoot other disciplines, do NOT get a Trap gun. It is far easier to shoot Trap with a field or Sporting gun than the other way around. You can even stick a riser on the comb to make it shoot high like all Trap guns do. And, if you are considering shooting other disciplines this would not be the gun as well because it does not have changeable chokes. __________________ What could have happened... did.

February 28, 2016, 11:19 AM	#10
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	That would be much more suitable in my opinion. Browning and Beretta are THE standards for clay shooting O/Us until you step way up in price, but to me they feel VERY different. I would sure try to get around and feel both before I plunked down my money. Both are good guns; I prefer the feel of Berettas. __________________ What could have happened... did.

February 28, 2016, 02:13 PM	#12
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	Looks nice, but frankly I am so excited someone is NOT looking to buy the absolute cheapest gun available I'm not sure I'm thinking straight. Good shooting. __________________ What could have happened... did.

February 27, 2016, 06:11 PM	#2
Minorcan Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2015 Posts: 379	I saw that and was interested as I like old weapons and such. I was thinkimg of biding if under $900, its past that now. I have a similar model and they are very nice but this one probably does not have changeable choke so you're probably stuck with a full and a modified. Some of the traps had open chokes so may be best to ask.

February 27, 2016, 06:40 PM	#3
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Yes I was concerned about the chokes. Thanks for the feedback.

February 27, 2016, 06:59 PM	#4
tynman Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 361	Well it all depends on how much you are going to use this or any other rifle for trap shooting? If your not looking for a heavy use of the rifle then you might want to look at a Savage Stevens 555. Its a rifle out of turkey with the savage name on it. I got one last summer new for under $600 and put over 400 rounds thru it and didnt have any problems with it. The one on gunbroker might have high rounds or not you never know. Dont have chokes, and I personally dont like that it was made in japan. But thats just me. Good luck

February 27, 2016, 07:12 PM	#5
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	i agree that fixed chokes is a bad idea. Looking at this but it will likely go above what I'm looking to spend. $1500 or so. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...=544221786#PIC

February 28, 2016, 03:52 AM	#7
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	The club I belong to only has a trap field. My son (whom I'm trying to get out shooting more) only likes shooting shotgun. We will likely shoot at my club for the most part but depending on his interest may venture out to sporting clays or skeet at surrounding clubs. I don't shoot much shotgun, so my knowledge is limited and I only have 1 shotgun. Just looking for the flexibility if his interest wanders or grows.

February 28, 2016, 08:41 AM	#9
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	So something like this? Browning Citori Lightning (Japan) ~ 12 GA Description: Excellent condition showing light use marks on buttstock. with an excellent bore! With Invector choke tubes. Caliber: 12 GA Chambers: 3 Metal Condition: Excellent Wood Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Excellent Barrels: 28" Vent Rib Triggers: Factory Stock: Checkered Walnut Round Knob Stock Dimensions: 14 1/4" LOP Fore End: Checkered Walnut Butt Pad: Brown Vented Rubber Weight: 8 LB Sights: Metal Front Bead Chokes: Invector Choke Tubes

February 28, 2016, 01:31 PM	#11
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Thanks for the advice, I found this and put a deposit on it. I have handled brownings and I am comfortable with them. Seemed like a decent deal and didn't want it to slip away. http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100669631

February 28, 2016, 02:19 PM	#13
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Thanks, price is probably a bit high. But I think it will work out. Appreciate the direction.

February 28, 2016, 02:46 PM	#14
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	For a "general purpose" shotgun ...I think you're making a smart choice. There are about 29 different models of the Citori these days...and the Lightning is their "field" grade gun...the price might be a little high / but it looks to be in very good shape from the photos - and all of the Browning Citori models hold their value very well. Today's current Lightning model list for $ 1,990 ....and in many areas they will sell new in box for around $ 1,800. Its a gun, if you take good care of it, that will easily last thru 500,000 shells and live on in your family for many generations ( I have a number of Citori models that are well over 500,000 shells with no issues at all ). If down the road -- you want to look for a dedicated "Trap" gun look at the Citori XT Trap, 12ga, 32" barrels...they're very solid guns as well...a little too long and too heavy for general purpose ( like Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 Stand...).

February 28, 2016, 03:32 PM	#15
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Thanks, feel good about the purchase. Looking forward to getting out with my son. Going to get a thrower, probably Champion WheelyBird Auto-Feed Trap. Though I may look for something in this price range that I can put a wobbler on.