I'm going to look at a used SKB O/U 12 gauge (not sure of what model it is). I understand that the owner kept it in mint condition. I don't know anything about SKB. The website is kind of weak. Does anyone know anything about the quality of these shotguns?

-Mathewsconquest2

my friends dad had an over an uder he wouldnt even take hunting....it was worth like 3grand i think......but they will take browning citoris out.....except the highest grade one they have its worth 3grand also....my friend takes it shooting though....i dont WANT a shotgun worth 3 grand....i use my shotguns as workhorses in the brush with me....im my own dog.....but if your all into clay shooting or something sure it owuld make a good gun.....i dont know if all skbs are like that but my friends dad told me they are top of the line think.....

SKB is a pretty old company that is based in Japan. They used to make all kinds of stuff and still make some varried things, think Daewoo but not exactly.

Problems with buying a SKB shotgun...you can't get parts in the US very easily. Essentially there is a US importer who deals NEW ONLY, SKB tends to make a batch of guns, then stop...and parts for older guns are pretty limited. Considering the jing you'll probably drop on the guns...you would probably want more support than an importer is going to give you on this product.

Now as to price, besides the quality of the guns the price is inflated because of import tarriffs and the dollar to yen exchange rate. Back in the day when I used to import, it was a pleasure because the dollar was so strong againts the yen and the mark and the pound...now that it's weak, you are paying more US dollars for a product than it is worth.

Your call...but in reality they cost about 30-50% more than they are worth.

The price I was told was $400. It is being sold by a recent widow of an all around bird hunter. I thought the price sounded good. Is it worth the hassle of dealing with potential broken parts for that price?
Like I said, it is suppose to be in mint condition.

-Mathewsconquest2

Ohhh the ethical considerations here....I don't think they make a gun presently that is under $1200. If it's in good shape...it amy be worth a good bit more than $400....

If you could find out the model that would help in figuring out how much it is worth now.
There's a delicate ballance in getting a good deal and taking someone to the cleaners...like the little old ladies that come in and say I have this shotgun, it was my husbands and he's dead. I was wondering if you would give me $200 for it...it's some sort of funny name...
craigoff or something like that...it has a nice picture of ducks on the side but the gold dogs and hunter are sort of ugly...maybe I'll take only $100 because of thse gold ugly dogs....

Check it out, follow your heart.

Parts are hard to find here. I had a 12 ga semi auto XL900 that I could not find parts for when it broke. Gave it away. Very pretty gun and good shooter....till it broke.[&:]

I have a 585 O/U that I realy love for upland hunting . If it is a O/U and a 85 series it is backbored ,Birley makes choke tubes .If it is a 500 600 O/U it is not back bored and Briley makes choke tubes . Not the same tubes.

I will have a model by next week when I go and take a look at the collection of guns. The guns are being brought over to a close friend of the deceased. That close friend is in our deer hunting group and has been for 15+ years. He is the one who called me and gave me the decriptions and the condition of the guns.
I already have a Beretta Silver Pigeon for trap and field, but was looking to use the SKB as a field only gun. There is also a Franchi Alcione 20 gauge but $1000 is out of reach right know as I'm spending almost all of my extra hunting cash on training my new lab pup.

I continue the thread next week when I get the model. Anything I should be looking at on the gun specifically?

Thanks,
Mathewsconquest2

SKB over/unders are top notch quality shotguns on a "par" with the Citori....(also made in Japan)

Any of them that still looks good for $400 is a steal!!! Buy it quickly.

If you could test fire it, that would be great...concerns include ejector reliability and firing pin spring.