Looking for a new O/U under $1k. So far looking at Mossberg, Tristar, CZ, and Weatherby. Any recommendations?

There was a thread a while ago about the Winchester 101 that had good things to say

Big fan of CZ in that range. I have a Stoeger. It's ok too but I like CZ more.

I had a Weatherby Orion. Great gun for the $ and you get a legendary name on it. CZ would be my second choice

I have a CZ drake. Keep in mind that it's actually Turkish made, and just CZ branded, but I think most O/Us in that range are Turk made.

It's absolutely not as nice as a beretta or other more expensive options. But it patterns well and I don't feel bad about dragging it through rough terrain and scratching it up.

I also like that it only has extractors instead of ejectors so I don't have to go fishing in the tall grass for shells, since I only really use it for quail/pheasant.

I'm happy with my purchase.

I have CZ upland sterling which is right at your price point new-- I got mine used here on texags... I put a little gel pad on the stock to go under my cheek b/c strangely enough the thing hurt my face after shooting a hundred rounds...but other than that the thing has been amazing.

I believe that Mossberg, Tristar, and CZ all source their shotguns from the same plant in Turkey. Different levels of quality between them and different fits/options available, but I'd definitely put the CZs on the top of the list. The Mossbergs used to be a firm no from me when they first came out. First O/U I ever owned was a Mossberg that I won at a competition. Sold it faster than any other gun I've owned. That was a long freaking time ago, though. When I opened the store, I still held the same opinion until I had a few transferred in. Not bad anymore, though the Tristars and CZs tend to be nicer.

I'd encourage finding a lightly used Browning or SKB.

phideaux_2003 said:

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I'd encourage finding a lightly used Browning or SKB.

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I agree that I think this recommendation would make you happier in the long run. You may want to add in Beretta in case one of them fit you better, but you are also looking used there too at this price point.

I would be cautious about buying a Ruger O/U. They have a pretty poor rep and Ruger has stopped servicing OR making parts for the older models so if it breaks a gunsmith will have to machine the part needed. It's a shame too because my 20 gauge Ruger is one of my favorite field guns, and the 12 gauge is no slouch either, but as a whole the reliability of the red label line is suspect.

AggieGunslinger said:

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I would be cautious about buying a Ruger O/U. They have a pretty poor rep and Ruger has stopped servicing OR making parts for the older models so if it breaks a gunsmith will have to machine the part needed. It's a shame too because my 20 gauge Ruger is one of my favorite field guns, and the 12 gauge is no slouch either, but as a whole the reliability of the red label line is suspect.

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I thought this was only with recently manufactured guns? They never fit me well, so I do not own one, but know of some folks that do.

the entire line across multiple generations has had trouble, I think they've started and stopped making them about three times. the goal was always to be an American made over and under at or below the thousand-dollar price point, and they've never really pulled it off. And like I said, they're great guns I love them but the reliability isn't there, I got my 12 gauge because the previous owner was turkey hunting with it and was leaned against an oak tree when it fired both barrels with one pull of the trigger.

Thanks for the info...I went back and edited that out of my post. Don't want someone buying crap on my recommendation.

On thing to keep in mind, there's more than one factory in Turkey..... many of the imported Turkish guns come from Huglu. Huglu is a massive facility that has the capabilities to do some inexpensive guns, but also some very nice guns. Similarly, there are some very cheap optics that are made in the same facility that makes some very expensive optics.

CZ does source some guns from Huglu, but also sources from Akkar, who makes a very nice gun.

This is something that is commonly forgotten or not known.

I think it's more just buyer beware, I wouldnt hesitate to pick up a 28 gauge for the right price.
There are a lot of really junky Turkish made over and unders out there, however the Turks can produce some quality guns. Yildiz is cranking out a $5,000 souped-up sporting clay gun that's getting some real positive reviews, I think they're kind of like Kia and Hyundai when they started making $60,000 luxury sedans and everyone scoffed but here we are 15 years later and they're considered some of the best value buys in that market. there are lots of guys with the cheap Turkish guns that never have an issue, but across the entire product line they're going to fail more often then any of the B company guns.

Absolutely true about the Red Labels. And I like Ruger and the Red Label design. It's a pretty fun. Just wish it was a better design.

What about Yildiz? Are they what the price says they are or good quality?

Only time will tell. They certainly make decent looking guns and I believe I saw some higher end stuff from the factory but all I've seen thus far is somewhat lower quality. One of those things we'll find out about 20 years from now. If someone's still rocking some old Yildiz they have 25,000 rounds through... we'll know.

Looking for an O/U 12 ga. to hunt pheasants at about $2,000 or under new or pretty new. What recs do you guys have?

TAM85 said:

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Looking for an O/U 12 ga. to hunt pheasants at about $2,000 or under new or pretty new. What recs do you guys have?

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Best thing, go into somewhere that has both the Beretta and Browning to try out. See what fits best. Then call me

Thanks for that. How do you think the Franchi Instinct LX compares to the Browning or Baretta?

Second question. Would you recommend buying the top of your budget, or buying $500 less gun and then take it to Briley for custom choke tubes?

Buy all the gun you can get. Custom chokes aren't going to do a whole lot vs quality factory from a B gun. They sure won't get your $ back if you ever sell the gun like a more valuable gun would hold.

I have a buddy who got a yildiz, took it to briley and got a custom/adjustable butt plate for it and a set of chokes, and he shoots it really well. It handles nice.

Here's another question though: why do you want an o/u? Do you think you will shoot better with one? Want a pretty/nicer gun than what you have?

I have an 870 26" IC, which I think my be too open of a choke for pheasants over dogs in S. Dakota.

So I am trying to get a gun my wife and I can both use. She is left-handed and shoots skeet a few times a year when her company holds events for clients. I am right-handed and am thinking an O/U would be fine for her on the skeet range and work for me in the field.

Just want a nicer shotgun than what I have and I do a lot more clay shooting than hunting. I have an old 1100 and just want something different.

makes sense. Assume you're sticking to 20ga? I'd get her to shoulder Yildiz, Stoeger, Winchester 101, CZ, mossberg, and savage, as well as a citori and a beretta or two (maybe something like red label or skb if you can find a place to fondle them). If one of the cheap guns feels good to her, and they don't feel cheap to her compared to the nice guns, then get it. if they all feel cheap compared to the nice guns I'd stretch your budget and get a used beretta or browning. Better investment, support, aftermarket, etc

edit: this was in response to TAM85

Most Over/Unders come with stocks in a fixed cast-off position from the factory for right handed shooters.

My Beretta and Benelli shotguns came with shim kits that can be flipped in about 5 minutes to set up for left handed shooters.

If I were Pheasant hunting tomorrow, I'd be carrying my Benelli SuperSport hands down. It's light weight and points lightning fast. Perfect for a Pheasant gun

holy thread hijack TAM85

FTA03 that's the exact scenario I've run myself several times over the years and decided that I wouldn't be happy with a cheap O/U. Since then I haven't run across a screaming deal on a Citori at a time that my finances aligned with a new shotgun I didn't need, so I keep shooting my pumps.

you can also modify the snot out of your old 1100, or get one someone else has spent a bunch of money doing it and have a sweet sporting clays gun with the familiarity of your old field gun

Thanks guys. Didn't mean to hijack. No one had commented on the thread for about a week, and it seemed like the guys who would and could advise were on this one.

No worries

If I remember correctly Browning O/Us don't have any cast in their stocks nd the 725 Field gun is a great hunting gun, but they aren't sub $1k guns either.

Best thing I ever did was get my wife her own gun a gas semi auto with a cut down stock.

AggieGunslinger said:

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If I remember correctly Browning O/Us don't have any cast in their stocks nd the 725 Field gun is a great hunting gun, but they are sub $1k guns either.

Best thing I ever did was get my wife her own gun a gas semi auto with a cut down stock.

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Definitely not under a grand, but one of my distributors has White Lightnings for $200 off right now and some Beretta Silver Pigeons for $275 off.

Well after looking at all options I think I've decided not to get an O/U and instead get a new semi-auto (same budget). Feel like I can get a higher quality auto than O/U for the price. Right now leaning towards the Franchi Affinity 3 Sporting. Anyone have experience with these?

I bought my older boy a Franchi Affinity for his first shotgun. Solid gun, but, EyeGuy sold me a Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus for his second gun and I'll take it all day over the Franchi. It's comparable to my A400 Xcel for about $500 less.