Why Expensive Shotguns??

[classic095]

My tournement trap 1100, has over 200,000 rounds through it and dang back in 1990, I think it was then, I had to replace the extractor. Now that is what I call a major overhaul..

[Ruger4570]

TA Sharps. Personally I think you need to expand your thinking, much as you like to use Tom Sellecks movie line as your signature. He simply said that he was aware of the Colt Pistols, just didn't use them. You should adopt the same attitude, you are aware some shotguns are priced above $1,000, you simply don't use them.
I sure wish I could afford some of the guns out there and I sure don't find fault with those more fortunate than I when it comes to what they can afford.
We all know what that kinda attitude means. I am sorry you feel that way about people that have more spendable income than you, but, there is NO reason for someone with the money to drop down to YOUR level of thinking, just so YOU can feel good about your opinion. You obviously have a problem with people making more money than you. May I ask what Law school you graduated from, or Medical College, well maybe a College that specialised in Accounting?, Nuclear Science?, Electronic Engeerining maybe??
I dunno, did you ask my opinion when you bought your last pick up truck? Or for that matter, anyone on this forum what THEY thought about YOUR opinion and choice? Doubtful, Huh?
Next time you buy a loaf of bread, you should check with us to see if it is permissable. You need a new TV, well ,, check with us and we will let YOU know what you can have based on OUR opinions, regardless of what you want or think. If you spend more than we think you should , we will most likely jump your case as flaunting your money and making us all feel bad. Get the point yet??

[Shell Shucker]

The guys I know that have expensive shotguns are getting there moneys worth.
Most of them are shooting 2 or more times per week. They are using a beautifully crafted tool that fits them and will hold up for hundreds of thousands of rounds.
They have the money and they use it several times a week almost every week. In that light I don't see a $10,000 Krieghoff as an extravagant purchase for them. I think that is a much better purchase than a $20k Harley or $35k bass boat that gets used 4-5 times a year (I'm only referring to the Harley's and boats that rarely get used).
I'm using my Citouris, and an old 1100, a couple of times a week. I'm getting my moneys worth and I'm happy!

[castnblast]

I think I addressed the bottom line on another thread about pump guns...Someone asked which one was best...My response was the one that fits you best. The same goes here. An expensive perrazzi (sp? yeah, i don't own one, probably never will...LOL!) or a cheap whatever wont hit jack if it does not fit you...buy a gun that fits, and you will save yourself lots of anguish. I bought a new I-12 limited...I didn't set out to buy this gun, I wanted the lesser expensive synthetic version, but when i picked this gun up, and it FIT, I couldn't say no. It's like a shoe that fits exactly perfect. For a new gun, after shooting the same gun for 25 years, I'm shooting extremely well. the sight pix is slightly different because it does fit, and has a longer barrel, thus a tighter group than my old gun. So it takes some getting used to, but the feel and swing difference is HUGE.

[pistola40]

First shotgun I learned to shoot with was a browning light twelve (shot my first deer with this gun) Because my grandfather left it to my younger brother, I had to give it back. I now own a remington 870, gets the job done, but there is a night and day difference... I will buy one of those light twelve's some day down the road.

[skeeter1]

"But, why buy a $1000+, smooth bore shotgun????? "

To each his own, I guess. In my own experience, I have one SKB 12-gauge double (now worth much more than $1K) with more than 25K rounds through it at the trap range, and never a single failure to fire. Engraved, silver-plated receiver, black-chromed barrels, gold-plated trigger... hey, you get what you pay for.

If you like what you have, fine, but don't carp at the rest of us. Fine shotguns cost some fine money. In the long run, IMHO, they're worth it.

[Frank Ettin]

[1] My Perazzi MX14 combo that I shoot trap with and my Bernardelli Lusso SXS that I shoot pheasants with are worth it to me.

[2] I don't have to justify why I have such shotguns -- not even to my wife. She has her own Perazzi combo and her Gamba SXS.

[ActivShootr]

I would LOVE to be able to spend 30 grand on a Kreighoff or Perazzi. That would mean I have plenty of money to take care of the day-to-day operations. Right now $1000 is kinda steep but if I had a grand or more to spend on a shotgun I surely would.

I think to some, an expensive gun is more like a functioning piece of art rather than just a shotgun.

[Frank Ettin]

Apropos of what ActivShootr has written, let me add that one doesn't necessarily need a high end shotgun for the clay target games, hunting or anything else. Championships have been won, and bag limits filled, with modest equipment. It's the Indian and not the arrow.

But if one appreciates high end shotguns (or rifles or pistols) and is lucky enough to have the means to satisfy his business and familial responsibilities and also indulge his tastes, there's no reason he should not.

And while one doesn't need a Perazzi (or Mercedes or Rolex or Les Baer), they are wonderful machines, can perform their functions well and are satisfying to use.

[Ruger4570]

I guess my take is that I DO own a few high end shotguns along with a few not so high end ones. I could shoot Trap or whatever with a Rem870 or 1100until it just fell apart, buy another one and start over, all for a WHOLE lot less than a single K-80. In fact, I probably could repeat this scinerio forever and still not have the cost of a Kreigoff invested. Why in Gods name would I want to spend the price of a K-80 when I can have a lifetime of 1100's for less?
It is because "I Choose too" I don't NEED TA Sharps input, opinion or permission to do this and if he can't understand that he is obviousy a "reverse elitist".
Actually, I have more of a Browning kinda budget as opposed to the really classy guns.

[M14fan]

While I do not own one due to monetary constraints, I have had the privelege of shooting clays with a Browning Citori 20ga over and under. I can honestly say that I now understand the price. That is the sweetest shotgun I have ever put to my shoulder! It is truly (to borrow a line from Harley riders) a case of 'if you have to ask......' Maybe someday I will have the incredible good fortune to be able to own a shotgun of this quality.

[P95GI180]

Anyone have a $30K shotgun? I want to see it!!

[YukonKid]

Me to, i would love to see some pics. I have about $3,000 in 3 shotguns, but a 30K would be awesome.

YK

[johnbt]

No $30k shotguns at my house yet. The ones I keep looking at are all $50k to $120k. I can dream can't I?

John

[BruceRDucer]

This IS a very enjoyable thread though.

I learned that people who can afford shotguns costing over $1,000 are very nice people.

If I had a complaint, it would be that nobody has ever given me an expensive shotgun, so there's obviously an absence of charity.

But seriously, I did learn that the serviceable and low-end guns might have a breakdown faster than a more expensive gun due to machining quality I guess. (correct me if I'm wrong).

If I bought a gun like I see in the glass cases, in the $4,000 to $7500 range, I would probably never even shoot it. I'd let it sit there and love it. Wouldn't it feel good to be so rich I could buy a dozen of them, then invite my friends to come shoot them all with me? Yep. I'd build my very own private shooting range too.

But why build my own range on acres of land, when I can just shoot in the forest? (I do shoot in the forest, actually!)

If I was rich, I'd hire a team of gunsmiths, and keep them working full time just building my own guns. Then I would hire an expensive WEBSITE BUILDER and have my own website forums to discuss everything.

However, I wouldn't judge the man by the gun he shoots. I would only judge a man by whether or not he's shootin' AT ME!

[johnbt]

Why stop at $30k, let's move straight to the top.

Check out www.fabbri.it

The last time I looked their guns, the few they make a year, ran $100k to $250k each.

"Every single part of the shotgun is designed and produced in house, from the smallest screw to the barrels, actions and everything else, using only the very best materials available today, optimized by specific vacuum heat-treatments."


"Steven Spielberg shooting one of his Fabbri shotguns with the Jurassik park engraving."

[johnbt]

For about $2500 you can get a Guerini Woodlander O/U, their entry-level field gun. Mine is a 28 ga.

www.gueriniusa.com

Oops, I see the price is now $2850.

John

Disclaimer: My father bought it a few years ago when he was 83. He gave it to me last year (along with all of his guns) when I moved my folks to nursing/assisted living. I'm thinking I'd like a Guerini Summit Limited sporting gun for about $4k.

[Buzzcook]

The question isn't whether the old grizzled guy shoots his rusty winchester better than the dude with the expensive gun.
The question is whether the old grizzled guy shoots better with the rusty winchester or the expensive shotgun.

I started shooting with a Montgomery Ward 20 gauge pump, I still own it. I did pretty good with it even placing near the top in competitions. (oh to have those young eyes again).
I wasn't getting beat by old guys with rusty Winchesters I was being beat by old guys with nice looking doubles and pumps.
One of those old guys was nice enough to let me try his Browning. It was an eye opening experience.

Do the same thing. Shoot lots of clay with your shotgun, then try a few rounds with a nice double. I'm betting you'll see a difference.

[wncchester]

Homely guns, like homely women, may well work just as well as pretty ones. Some men just don't much care about looks while others do. But the well made, good looking ones are more expensive in either case.

I have one old but very pretty shotgun and one woman who was, in our distant youth, right good looking too. Both the gun and gal are showing signs of some honest wear now - so am I - but I still love both and have lots of nice memories of long-gone days.

Moral: Work to acquire what satisfies YOU, not someone else.

[kawasakifreak77]

I'm just a simple country boy but here's my thoughts. I've never understood then expensive shotgun thing either (or any other gun for that matter) My most expensive firearm is my k-38 combat masterpiece I just bought which was $350 said & done. Shotguns are for one thing to me, putting food on the table. I could never bring myself to taking a pricey gun into the woods & dropping it in a mudhole or scratching it, etc. I have two scatter guns, a 20 gauge single that's so worn out you can't read the name on the barrel, the fore grip is held by duct tape & at one time someone tried to refinish the wood very poorly. My dad gave me a long time ago & taught me to make that one shell count. Of course all my buds poke me about the 'ole thing but hey, I've killed everything from rabbits to small deer with it. My newest is a NEF 10 gauge that I bought for a whopping c-note & I like it because it blows big holes in things & can reach farther than my friend's beretta suprema with a super-duper choke that hangs out the barrel half a foot. I know people use shotguns for many other uses but in the end doesn't just shot or maybe a slug come outta the end?

[akr]

The guys with the expensive shotguns do a lot of shotgun sports, and they have to have a gun that will handle well and last for many thousands and thousands of rounds.

[akr]

johnbt---

You mean that liberal Steven Spielberg shoots? LOL. You know he's for Obama or Clinton. LOL

[Picher]

Shotguns, to me, have to be an extension of my body, whether shooting clays or birds in the field, they need to come up perfectly each time. I don't particularly care whether the gun costs $100 or $10,000, if it shoots well, I'll want one.

I just decide not to mount any shotgun that I don't want to pay for. It's simple as that. Two years ago, I picked up a Franchi 20 O/U and my hands stuck to it like it was covered with super glue. It had to go home with me. Fortunately, I got it for under $800.

At a recent gun show, I made it a point to NOT pick up a really nice 20 gauge Winchester 101. But tomorrow, there's another gun show.......

Picher

[YukonKid]

This question applies to cars and trucks as well.

I would love to get a Lambo, but i cant mud with it or pull a trailor with my toys on it. Maybe someday i will get one though, just for fun A geo would get me somewhere to, but not nearly the same way.

I love all my shotguns from 300-1200 they are all fun, but there is no doubt that my Citori is better for skeet then my 870. The 870 with its 18 inch barrel and 8 round mag is better for messng around.

YK

[JWT]

With the Euro getting higher vs. the dollar the expensive European guns like Perazzi and Kreighoff are only going to increase in price. That should make the Brownings, manufactured in Japan, look more attractive for shotgunners wanting the expensive toys.