Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I am purchasing an o/u 12ga for my boyfriend for his birthday. I have done tones of research and have it narowed down to a Ruger Red Label or a Berret 686 (I can't afford the citori).......Any thought? The gun will be used for pheasant hunting. Thanks

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Get him a ruger red label and he'll be happy for a long time to come.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Wow... What a great girlfriend!

In shotgunning, how the gun fits is an important factor. Does your boyfriend know about this gift? Has he tried shouldering each of the shotguns?

I've got a Citori O/U that I use for sporting clays and doves. I tried packing it through the fields for some quail hunting and it seemed like it got awfully heavy. Since he's going to be toting it through the fields, I might be influenced by how much each of those weighs. They're both pretty decent shotguns, although, I think Berettas might have anedge in overall quality.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

The gun is a suprise....he shoots someone else's right now.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

How about giving him a card with pic of each and a gift card. Then go together to the store and let him shoulder each one.

Tell him to be ring shopping. Sounds like you're a keeper.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Thanks.....I'll tell him that. The gift card idea is a really great idea, but i really want to be able to give him the physical gun, its more fun. I am lame like that.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

The Berreta is weighs a bit less and the prices are virtually equivalent.Sorry to keep posting, I just really want to pick the best one.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Has your boyfriend made any passing remarks about either that would given you a hint as to which he would prefer? Tough decision, both are good shotguns.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

He has said Ruger, but it was VERY much just in passing like (I need to get a shot gun. What kind? There are lots of kinds, A ruger, but can't afford that). That is one of the biggest reasons i am still looking for feedback. Most people have been saying the Berreta and after i looked at them, I liked the Berreta.....but I could be wrong. I would rather not be wrong on this one:D

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

The Beretta will havemore of a "WOW" factor when you give it to him. In my opinion, Berettas are about as good as they come ;). I would rather have the Beretta, but I would take either as a gift :D.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Beretta makes a quality shotgun so does Ruger so you can't go wrong. I hesitate to tell someone what to buy and I only have experience with older Beretta shotguns but they are made extremely well and will last a lifetime. I would lean toward them but only from owning a few. Everything I've heard/read about the Ruger was good too.

To be honest with you I think it's going to floor him that you put this much time and effort into this gift to where the actual gift itself (Ruger or Beretta) will not matter as much as you think.

I can only go off of my past experiences, my wife has purchased shotguns for me in the past (a Beretta and a Browning) and I was floored each time she did it.

Good luck but I'm sure it will turn out just fine.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

ask his friends to find out for you, they might know already. thats how a good friends wife ended up buying him a Benelli Super Black Eagle.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I have handled way too many loose Ruger's right out of the box. The Beretta is a superior product.If he does not shot a lot the Ruger will handle the job. But if he shots a lot(1000 rounds or more a month) go with the Beretta. Tom.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I used to sell both at a sporting goods store and I like both. The berretta has a better fit and finish as well as being a little lighter (easier to carry all day). The ruger is built like a tank, most rugers are. The ruger will take more abuse. If it were the stainless ruger, it would handle the wet weather much better. If he hunts when it is wet that is. Are his other guns and such stainless? That could be a clue. What every body is telling you about “fit” cannot be stressed enough. Since a shotgun is pointed and not aimed the proper “feel” is of utmost importance. A cheap gun that “fits” would be better than an expensive one that did not “feel” right. Use his friends, the gift card with pictures, or if it is a good store that has both; take him in and demand that he picks which one he wants! If they have more than one of the type he wants, request to see all of them. The wood on both of these models can vary greatly from gun to gun. I have seen some truly beautiful wood on both models, but it is very hit and miss and the only way to tell is to see all that they have in stock.

Again, you are a wonderful girlfriend and my wife just rolled her eyes when I pointed this out.;)

mello

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I see 1 thing we all have overlooked is barrel length. Barrel length will determine balance and how easy it is to swing. Try to determine what he is going to use it for as with trap,sporting clays,and waterfoul guns it's desirable to have longer barrels whereas with most upland game shorter barrels work better. This runs in same catagory as fit.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

I am so excited. I am just hoping this is my wife, wanting to surprise me, but she says boyfriend just to throw me off.:D

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Like others have said, Beretta, Browning, and Ruger all make quality O/U shotguns, and I have owned Berettas and Brownings and handled several Rugers owned by friends. My taste runs toward the Beretta which I have an english grip Onyx now. My only complaint about Brownings is that they tend to be more "clubby". My only complaint about Rugers is that they don't tend to be as "tight" and flop open. I have a friend that really USES his Red Label, and the guns can take alot of abuse with little effect. Any way you go you will have a great gun.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

You will not go wrong with the Red Label-they are excellent guns!

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

One is a 26 and one is a 28........I am not to sure about the barrel length he would prefer......it isfor Upland game.....but some people told me that the 28 might be better because of his height (His is 6,4).

Right now my plan is to purchase the Berreta the day before his Birthday, give it to him and then he will have about two weeks to decide if it "fits"........If not......back to the store for one of theRugers (The store has 2 (a regular red label and a woodsided).

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

Does that seem like a good plan? By the way...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS!!! It has been a GREAT help.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

in many stores firearm sales are final. He may not be able to exchange.

RE: Buying an O/U need Help!
 

The man who is selling me the gun said he would give me a (very small)window after I bought it to let him go shoot it to make sure he liked the way it worked.......i don't know if he is supposed to do that or not.......he thought i was cute trying to figure this whole this out while still making it a suprise :)