20 Ga. Bird Gun Advice Needed

442man · October 19, 2006, 02:20 PM

I am in need of a good quail gun and looking at the 20 ga. semi-auto Charles Daly, cost about $300.00 at Wal-Mart. Are these good guns for the money or should I spend the $1000.00 bucks for a Beretta AL391?
Thanks,
442Man

Scorch · October 19, 2006, 07:08 PM

Whew! That's an awfully big price spread! I won't try to answer yuor question, but take a look at the Stoeger M2000. It has the same action as the Benelli M2 at less than half the cost.

442man · October 19, 2006, 07:15 PM

Scorch,
I'll check out the Stoeger. I guess my question was somewhat open ended but I am considering something in between the $300.00 and $1000.00 I have an O/U Beretta I love so my natural attraction is to Beretta. Thanks for the info.
Regards,
442Man

Logs · October 19, 2006, 07:33 PM

I paid around $500 for a Franchi AL48 in .20 GA. It is about 5.5 lbs and is a real shooter. Beretta's are nice guns also, but I would look for one used if it were me.

I haven't shot a Charles Daly, not sure how well they hold up.

skeeter1 · October 19, 2006, 08:38 PM

442man,

You need to do a little more research. There's a world of difference between a $300 shotgun and a $1K one. If you've got the money, get the best you can afford. My two cents.

butwhat · October 20, 2006, 03:09 AM

I bought my wife a Charles Daily for Christmas last year. I love that little gun. It shoots like a dream.
I don't know anything about them other than that. Does anybody know their faults? We haven't had a problem with it yet. We've run about 8 or 900 shells through it so far.

guntotin_fool · October 20, 2006, 04:41 AM

+11111 to what Skeeter said.

And do not be tied to just new guns either, some wonderful 20's can be had used for some of that money. i recently bought my daughter another Rizzini Aurum for about $800, replacement would be nearer to 2400. But someone needed to sell fast. I just passed on a superposed lighting in 20 for about 1100. I would have loved to have been offered that before the Rizzini came home

442man · October 20, 2006, 07:14 AM

Thanks for all the great info. I'm going shopping today and I do like the look of CZ'S Bobcat although I don't know how well they perform. Skeeter and guntotinfool you're right, I need to see what else is out there, especially in the used market.
Thanks,
442Man

Huntergirl · October 20, 2006, 08:41 AM

I think there are much better, consistently proven shotguns out there for a good price than the Daly. My experience with a Charles Daly semi auto was not good, failure to feed, jams, such that I traded it a week after I bought it.

auto45 · October 20, 2006, 08:53 AM

Remington 1100, new or used.

442man · October 21, 2006, 11:38 AM

Thanks Huntress, I decided to pass on the Daly in part from your experience.
Regards,
442Man

scotts_4x · October 21, 2006, 03:24 PM

you already have a beretta o/u and you need a good quail gun. is that not a question and answer in the same sentence? I have been knocking them dead this year with my 20ga white onyx o/u and couldn't be happier.

-Scott

springmom · October 21, 2006, 06:28 PM

You shouldn't have to pay $1000 for a Beretta. I got mine for less than $900 at Bass Pro.

It's worth every single penny. Unlike a pump or a O/U, you are depending on that gas system to work, to work well, and to be cleanable. Beretta's scores on all of those. I love mine.

Springmom

442man · October 27, 2006, 07:54 PM

Scotts_4x-My Beretta O/U is a 12 ga. so it's heavy carrying on a quail hunt, 32" inch barrel too. I definately want a 20 ga. just haven't decided which way to go.
Springmom-thanks for the tip on the white onyx, I'm checking Bass Pro out tomorrow.
Regards,
442Man

Clayfish · October 27, 2006, 08:50 PM

I wouldn't go with a charles daly. At least go with the Rem 1100 but I shoot a Browning Gold Hunter ultralight with the semi humpback design and love it. I got mine brand new for $700. I hunt mostly quail with it and it is extremly light.

Ruger4570 · October 27, 2006, 08:59 PM

I have an older Berreta 390 and it has been faultless. I also have a few Rem1100's which has performed just as well. The Browning is also a good choice and all should be well under a $1,000 if you look around. I haven't had a lot of personal experience withthe others mentioned, I just believe you get what you pay for,, at least some of the time. If the gun is strictly for hunting, well most any gun will work to some degree, but, if you are considering Skeet, Trap or SC you are going to need a gun that will do many 1,000's of rounds which some of the budget guns just aren't up to. I have well over 50,000 through my 390 and it still works as well as new,, maybe better.

butwhat · October 28, 2006, 08:01 AM

If you buy a Berreta Auto make sure you get a 390. I got a pintail not knowing the differance. The pintail has cery little recoil relief. Anybody want to buy a Pintail, slug barrel & red dot scope?

442man · October 31, 2006, 08:42 PM

I ran across a really nice used Beretta A303 Field, 20 ga. 28" barrel at a gun shop for $349.00 plus tax. Included a nice Boyd case, 4 Briley choke tubes so I brought it home. The price seemed good although I'm not familiar with this particular model. Anyone familiar with the A303 series I would appreciate your comments.
Regards,
442Man

kudu · November 3, 2006, 08:22 PM

Your 303 is a very nice gun, and not too bad a price. It is the predecessor of the 390-391 series. It ranks closely with LT-20 1100's in fit and handling. I had the opportunity to buy one a couple of years ago and kick myself for not getting it.

Ruger4570 · November 3, 2006, 09:46 PM

As Kudu said, the 303 is sorts the parent of the 390. They are very similar in many respects and are fine shotguns in their own right. I have tried the 391 and the other following models, but I just prefer my 390 for fit, finish and performance.

Endigo · November 4, 2006, 07:56 PM

Do yourself a favor forget about the semi in 20ga. for Quail. Look for an older SXS German or Belgium "Guild" gun in 16 or 12 ga. The prices are reasonable and the make a great Quail gun.

442man · November 4, 2006, 08:29 PM

Endigo,
Why is the 20 ga. semi not good for Quail? I will check out the "Guild" SxS you mentioned.
Thanks,
442Man

Endigo · November 4, 2006, 09:09 PM

Just promise me you will never buy a gun from Walmart.

442man · November 4, 2006, 10:00 PM

Hey Indigo, WalMart is not at the top of my list for gun buying anyway. The only thing about a SxS for bird hunting is getting accustomed to two triggers. I might have a problem making the adjustment.
Regards,
442Man

Picher · November 6, 2006, 06:40 AM

I absolutely love the Franchi Diamond 20 that I bought at Dick's Sporting Goods. It was on sale for $799 and it's about the best handling shotgun I've ever used.

My 20 gauge Rem 11-87 Upland Special is also a great gun, but the Franchi comes up much better for me. It has perfect cast-off for a right-handed person.

The Rem has a 23" barrel and straight grip. It's pretty light and fast. The lines are very attractive and the dark wood on mine looks especially nice to me. Finish is not shiny, just right. I have a fairly large hand, and the grip is a bit smaller than I'm used to with my 12 Gauge Special Field.

With a 21" barrel, the 12 handles almost as quickly as the 11-87, 20 ga. It's been a very good, extremely reliable gun. Recoil is very mild for a 12. I've shot it one-handed, like a handgun, to show people how mild the recoil is with upland loads.

Picher

October 19, 2006, 02:20 PM	#1
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	20 Ga. Bird Gun Advice Needed I am in need of a good quail gun and looking at the 20 ga. semi-auto Charles Daly, cost about $300.00 at Wal-Mart. Are these good guns for the money or should I spend the $1000.00 bucks for a Beretta AL391? Thanks, 442Man

October 19, 2006, 07:08 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Whew! That's an awfully big price spread! I won't try to answer yuor question, but take a look at the Stoeger M2000. It has the same action as the Benelli M2 at less than half the cost. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 21, 2006, 06:28 PM	#13
springmom Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,823	You shouldn't have to pay $1000 for a Beretta. I got mine for less than $900 at Bass Pro. It's worth every single penny. Unlike a pump or a O/U, you are depending on that gas system to work, to work well, and to be cleanable. Beretta's scores on all of those. I love mine. Springmom __________________ I will not be a victim home on the web: www.panagia-icons.net (my webpage) www.nousfromspring.blogspot.com (Orthodoxy) "I couldn't hear you. Stop firing the gun while you're talking!" Frank Drebin, The Naked Gun

November 3, 2006, 08:22 PM	#19
kudu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 273	Your 303 is a very nice gun, and not too bad a price. It is the predecessor of the 390-391 series. It ranks closely with LT-20 1100's in fit and handling. I had the opportunity to buy one a couple of years ago and kick myself for not getting it. __________________ "a shootin' we will go"

October 19, 2006, 07:15 PM	#3
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Scorch, I'll check out the Stoeger. I guess my question was somewhat open ended but I am considering something in between the $300.00 and $1000.00 I have an O/U Beretta I love so my natural attraction is to Beretta. Thanks for the info. Regards, 442Man

October 19, 2006, 07:33 PM	#4
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: BLUEGRASS STATE KY USA Posts: 1,780	I paid around $500 for a Franchi AL48 in .20 GA. It is about 5.5 lbs and is a real shooter. Beretta's are nice guns also, but I would look for one used if it were me. I haven't shot a Charles Daly, not sure how well they hold up.

October 19, 2006, 08:38 PM	#5
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	442man, You need to do a little more research. There's a world of difference between a $300 shotgun and a $1K one. If you've got the money, get the best you can afford. My two cents.

October 20, 2006, 03:09 AM	#6
butwhat Member Join Date: September 8, 2006 Location: Clifton, Illinois Posts: 94	I bought my wife a Charles Daily for Christmas last year. I love that little gun. It shoots like a dream. I don't know anything about them other than that. Does anybody know their faults? We haven't had a problem with it yet. We've run about 8 or 900 shells through it so far.

October 20, 2006, 04:41 AM	#7
guntotin_fool Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2004 Posts: 1,446	+11111 to what Skeeter said. And do not be tied to just new guns either, some wonderful 20's can be had used for some of that money. i recently bought my daughter another Rizzini Aurum for about $800, replacement would be nearer to 2400. But someone needed to sell fast. I just passed on a superposed lighting in 20 for about 1100. I would have loved to have been offered that before the Rizzini came home

October 20, 2006, 07:14 AM	#8
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Thanks for all the great info. I'm going shopping today and I do like the look of CZ'S Bobcat although I don't know how well they perform. Skeeter and guntotinfool you're right, I need to see what else is out there, especially in the used market. Thanks, 442Man

October 20, 2006, 08:41 AM	#9
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	I think there are much better, consistently proven shotguns out there for a good price than the Daly. My experience with a Charles Daly semi auto was not good, failure to feed, jams, such that I traded it a week after I bought it.

October 20, 2006, 08:53 AM	#10
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	Remington 1100, new or used.

October 21, 2006, 11:38 AM	#11
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Thanks Huntress, I decided to pass on the Daly in part from your experience. Regards, 442Man

October 21, 2006, 03:24 PM	#12
scotts_4x Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Posts: 71	you already have a beretta o/u and you need a good quail gun. is that not a question and answer in the same sentence? I have been knocking them dead this year with my 20ga white onyx o/u and couldn't be happier. -Scott

October 27, 2006, 07:54 PM	#14
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Scotts_4x-My Beretta O/U is a 12 ga. so it's heavy carrying on a quail hunt, 32" inch barrel too. I definately want a 20 ga. just haven't decided which way to go. Springmom-thanks for the tip on the white onyx, I'm checking Bass Pro out tomorrow. Regards, 442Man

October 27, 2006, 08:50 PM	#15
Clayfish Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 953	I wouldn't go with a charles daly. At least go with the Rem 1100 but I shoot a Browning Gold Hunter ultralight with the semi humpback design and love it. I got mine brand new for $700. I hunt mostly quail with it and it is extremly light.

October 27, 2006, 08:59 PM	#16
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have an older Berreta 390 and it has been faultless. I also have a few Rem1100's which has performed just as well. The Browning is also a good choice and all should be well under a $1,000 if you look around. I haven't had a lot of personal experience withthe others mentioned, I just believe you get what you pay for,, at least some of the time. If the gun is strictly for hunting, well most any gun will work to some degree, but, if you are considering Skeet, Trap or SC you are going to need a gun that will do many 1,000's of rounds which some of the budget guns just aren't up to. I have well over 50,000 through my 390 and it still works as well as new,, maybe better.

October 28, 2006, 08:01 AM	#17
butwhat Member Join Date: September 8, 2006 Location: Clifton, Illinois Posts: 94	If you buy a Berreta Auto make sure you get a 390. I got a pintail not knowing the differance. The pintail has cery little recoil relief. Anybody want to buy a Pintail, slug barrel & red dot scope?

October 31, 2006, 08:42 PM	#18
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	I ran across a really nice used Beretta A303 Field, 20 ga. 28" barrel at a gun shop for $349.00 plus tax. Included a nice Boyd case, 4 Briley choke tubes so I brought it home. The price seemed good although I'm not familiar with this particular model. Anyone familiar with the A303 series I would appreciate your comments. Regards, 442Man

November 3, 2006, 09:46 PM	#20
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	As Kudu said, the 303 is sorts the parent of the 390. They are very similar in many respects and are fine shotguns in their own right. I have tried the 391 and the other following models, but I just prefer my 390 for fit, finish and performance.

November 4, 2006, 07:56 PM	#21
Endigo Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 8	Do yourself a favor forget about the semi in 20ga. for Quail. Look for an older SXS German or Belgium "Guild" gun in 16 or 12 ga. The prices are reasonable and the make a great Quail gun.

November 4, 2006, 08:29 PM	#22
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Endigo, Why is the 20 ga. semi not good for Quail? I will check out the "Guild" SxS you mentioned. Thanks, 442Man

November 4, 2006, 09:09 PM	#23
Endigo Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 8	Just promise me you will never buy a gun from Walmart.

November 4, 2006, 10:00 PM	#24
442man Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 15	Hey Indigo, WalMart is not at the top of my list for gun buying anyway. The only thing about a SxS for bird hunting is getting accustomed to two triggers. I might have a problem making the adjustment. Regards, 442Man

November 6, 2006, 06:40 AM	#25
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,694	I absolutely love the Franchi Diamond 20 that I bought at Dick's Sporting Goods. It was on sale for $799 and it's about the best handling shotgun I've ever used. My 20 gauge Rem 11-87 Upland Special is also a great gun, but the Franchi comes up much better for me. It has perfect cast-off for a right-handed person. The Rem has a 23" barrel and straight grip. It's pretty light and fast. The lines are very attractive and the dark wood on mine looks especially nice to me. Finish is not shiny, just right. I have a fairly large hand, and the grip is a bit smaller than I'm used to with my 12 Gauge Special Field. With a 21" barrel, the 12 handles almost as quickly as the 11-87, 20 ga. It's been a very good, extremely reliable gun. Recoil is very mild for a 12. I've shot it one-handed, like a handgun, to show people how mild the recoil is with upland loads. Picher