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Old February 17, 2013, 12:50 AM   #1
rcase1234
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Good cheap O/U?

Is it possible to find one? I am not looking for right now but possibly in the future because this will probably be my next shotgun purchase. If I don't have to, I won't pay a ton of money. When the time comes, I'd like to keep it under $800 but will go up to $1000 if I find something I like. If I still can't get a nice reliable O/U for that, I'll wait till I can spend more. What about the Mossberg Silver Reserve? Or how about the Franchis?
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Old February 17, 2013, 01:49 AM   #2
idek
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I can predict already that many replies will say to save up for a good used Beretta or Browning. Those commonly seem to be considered the starting point at which O/Us are really well made and will last forever (well...almost). They may be near or a bit over $1000.

As far as cheaper O/U's go, I've heard some good things about CZ guns (those made around 2007 and later), but I haven't used one.
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Old February 17, 2013, 01:19 PM   #3
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IMHO, when it comes to O/Us (and many things), good and cheap are mutually exclusive. Of course, it all depends on your definitions of good and cheap.
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Old February 17, 2013, 03:50 PM   #4
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If you want a used "field grade" gun on a budget, it's hard to beat an old Marlin 90. They were very well made and can be had for $400 or so.
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Old February 17, 2013, 09:47 PM   #5
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"Good" and"cheap", whether guns, or anything else,are rarely used in the same sentence.
What you may want to determine is your intended usage. If it is a few boxes a year for some hunting, an inexpensive gun may work for you. If you are starting into target shooting, that is something else entirely. Another aspect to give consideration to is the quality of the materials and the construction of the gun. Barrel convergence, swing dynamics, proper heat treatment, etc. are areas that have corners cut in cheaper guns

Last edited by BigD_in_FL; February 18, 2013 at 10:16 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old February 17, 2013, 09:54 PM   #6
BarkeyVA
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I agree with what Doyle said about Marlin Model 90's. I think they handle and shoot great. A 16ga. Model 90DT with 26" barrels is my favorite upland bird gun.

They are available with double triggers, extractors and fixed chokes. 28" barrels typically choked mod/full and 26" barrels typically choked ic/mod. by Sears also sold Model 90DT's as the Ranger 103.xx designation prior to WWII and as the JC Higgins 103.xx after the war.

Marlin also made single trigger versions that generally sell for more than the DT's.
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Old February 17, 2013, 10:21 PM   #7
rcase1234
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It probably won't see a lot of rounds through it a year. Maybe a few hundred (which, to my understanding, is not a lot for target shooters)
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Old February 18, 2013, 12:15 AM   #8
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I have a Stevens 512... it is not bad. I got a 612 for $400 (SxS) but it had issues so I shipped it back to Savage and got a pigeon grade 512 back! The 612 is discontinued.

It shoots well, has really crisp triggers and seems fine. It probably won't hold up to high volume shooting but that's not a huge issue with me. I wish it had ejectors and not extractors but so did the 612 and I bought it anyway. For $400, it is a good gun... not a browning though.
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Old February 18, 2013, 10:00 AM   #9
BarkeyVA
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I recall that Weagle posted on Shotgun World that he stopped counting after shooting 25,000 shells at trap with his used 12 ga. Model 90 without any problems.
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Old February 18, 2013, 02:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
It probably won't see a lot of rounds through it a year. Maybe a few hundred (which, to my understanding, is not a lot for target shooters)
If that's all your going to shoot in a year, buy whatever you like. Sometimes I shoot that much in one weekend....lol. People steer shooters toward the ''B'' guns simply because if your going to shoot a lot, the budget O\Us' just won't hold up.
When your ready to buy, keep an eye out for a Ruger Red Label, SKB, Franchi, Lanber, etc. These are all pretty good guns and prices will be inline with your budget. For $1,000, you may find a well maintained older Browning field gun. Perfect example is one of my Browning sporting guns I have that I'm selling for $825.00 right now. It's well used but has been well maintained. I'm not trying to sell you a gun, but you will run across these from time to time.
I've never seen a Mossberg O\U, so I can't comment on them.
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Old February 18, 2013, 02:39 PM   #11
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I REALLY like the looks of the new Franchi Insinct L. I just want a gun that will last. If I can, I want to buy made in the USA or Italy. The rest of the quality in my price range (such as turkey or brazil) is questionable. When the time comes, I may just buy the Franchi. Don't know though. Eventually I hope to have a Beretta.
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Old February 18, 2013, 03:44 PM   #12
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Not sure where you live, but if you are near an Academy Sports store look at their line of Yildiz shot guns. The O/Us are nice.

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Old February 18, 2013, 09:35 PM   #13
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I bought a mossberg O/U for $477 at a wally world. It's a good little gun and has done nothing but go bang each time I pull the trigger. I hang out with a bunch of duck hunters. One of em said . "Bought yaself a boat oar I see". I told em "yep I can row the boat with it ,throw up and shoot and go back to rowing the boat" Not really shiny and frilly but it's a good gun..
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Old February 18, 2013, 10:18 PM   #14
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I would not rule out Japanese guns, and in a nicely used condition, the SKB is one to look at. Another is the Spanish Lanber from the likes of CDNN
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Old February 19, 2013, 09:25 AM   #15
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Sorry Big Din, but I will try my hardest NOT to give my money to them. Just some stuff that comes from that island is very questionable
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Old February 19, 2013, 03:33 PM   #16
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Maybe so, but Brownings come from there, and the parent company Mirokus, SKB and Lexus. What's not to like? They took the lessons from Deming to heart and have done a great job
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Old February 19, 2013, 04:14 PM   #17
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I agree with you, BigDinFL, and I especially second your motion for the op to take a hard look at a used SKB o/u. These were well-made, affordable shotguns, no matter the country of origin.
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Old February 19, 2013, 07:18 PM   #18
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Ditto on SKB's. My dad has a Ithaca (SKB) 685 o/u and an SKB 200E sxs and I have a Weatherby OrionIII Classic Field O/U made by SKB (all happen to be 20 ga. ) that are very nice guns.
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Old February 19, 2013, 11:09 PM   #19
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I have Stoeger Condor. Picked it up at Dicks for $400 shoots great not a bad looking gun either. They make it with both 12 and 20 guage barrels for $550. I have only put about 2500 rounds through it. Never had a problem with.
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Old February 20, 2013, 04:47 PM   #20
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Stoeger Condor

The shooters at the field trials I attend and run my dogs in use them. Thousands of rounds thru it he said and not 1 issue. 2 shooters is all they use so they get a lot of action.
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Old February 21, 2013, 05:18 AM   #21
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Lanber?

The Lanbers are Spanish and I have an 26" 12ga that has been hunted a bit with zero problems. I got it for a song about 20 years ago, imported by an Alabama outfit. The bluing is thin and has worn easily, but mechanically good so far.
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Old February 21, 2013, 08:42 PM   #22
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Savage

Savage Arms makes decently prices over and unders, take a look at their site!
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Old February 21, 2013, 08:48 PM   #23
rcase1234
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Thanks for the help everyone. I think when the time comes I'll look at Franchis and if that ain't cutting it, I'll just get a Beretta. Thanks for the help
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Old February 21, 2013, 09:15 PM   #24
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Quote:
I have Stoeger Condor. Picked it up at Dicks for $400 shoots great not a bad looking gun either. They make it with both 12 and 20 guage barrels for $550. I have only put about 2500 rounds through it. Never had a problem with.
+1 on the Stoeger mine is close to 3k rounds and looks and shoots and locks up like new. I also have one of the first run Mossberg silver reserves in 12ga o/u its close to 10k rounds now and has never missed a lick either.
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Old February 21, 2013, 11:11 PM   #25
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Save up till you can get a Beretta. It will last you a lifetime.
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