Hello,
My father and I have been looking at over and under shotguns for the past summer and are seriously thinking about investing in one. I say investing, because that is what you are doing. The average price of a new o/u is roughly between 1500-2000. I have even found some that exceed 3000. Used ones run for a little less that 1000. I have been looking at some websites online (stoeger,weatherby,winchester ect) I am wondering if anyone might know of some other sites I might be able to look at while i am doing some more research. Or might know of some decent guns stores in the Chicago land area.

Thanks for reading.
Eric

Take a look at Jaqua's Fine Guns website. $1200-2000 isn't all that muck when you look at the prices of the better autoloaders ,but you are right looking at them as a investment. It is money well spent , unless one is a serious target shooter these guns will be handed down for generations to come.
Looking at previously owned guns is also a good idea as you can find some in like new condition and save yourself $100's.

There are a lot of sites with good info, and there is plenty of bad info out there too (well, maybe bad is too harsh, I should say it's misguided). If you have questions about a specific gun, there are quite a few that have a great deal of experience with shotguns on this site (I even have a little myself). There are a couple of forums that focus on shotguns and if you like I can e-mail the sites to you. I'm kind of biased and recommend sticking with one of the B&B guns (Browning and Beretta), but that comes from a target shooting background, if you are hunting there are many others that would give you years of trouble free service.

The most important question is "what are you going to be doing with the gun, shooting clays, or hunting...if both then what takes priority?", after answering this question I'm sure a lot of people will be more than happy to help you narrow down your decision. Good luck.

Gordon

...with the priveledge of hunting comes the responsibilty to respect the outdoors...

I have to almost agree with Gordon, if you can tell us what you plan to use the shotgun for we can give you better advise. I say almost agree as I am partial to Ruger, Remington and Weatherby not B&B, but I hunt more than I shoot targets. You are likely to get a lot of opinions on what people prefer, but if you plan to shoot a lot then proper fit is important. Length of pull,cast, comb rise etc, the gunsmith where you eventually purchase from should be able to explain these terms and measure you. Not to say that every firearm needs to be modified, just that as individuals some firearms will point more naturally than others. Comfort is important and makes hitting the targets easier. I recommend that you try as many as you can before purchasing. Then come back to the board with your choices and see if any of us have had good or bad experiences with the models you choose. Good luck

I'm like Gordo, I've owned quit a few of the Beretta and Browning over and overs through the years and remain a big fan of both companies.
Whatever you do, I'd stick with a quality over and under. Avoid the budget over and overs like the plague. I've watched to many either double (fire both barrels at the same time) or just quit working. Another big problem with cheap over and unders is the fact that many of them don't shoot both barrels to the same point of aim.

Edited by - diyj98 on 09/12/2002 15:50:35

Hello All,

I have just been reading some of your comments, and I greatly appreciate them. My father and I would be using the o/u mostly for upland game, grouse, pheasant, quial ect. We would also be using it for summer target practice on a sporting clays/trap range. From what I have ready, it seems that it would be best to go with a quailty over and under verse a bargin. If anyone else has recommondations, I am listening.

[email protected]

I was in the same boat last year. $1200-$2000 is alot for a gun that will sit in the safe alot more than it will be used. I ending up buying a Russian made (I can't remember the name) o/u for $450. I love to shoot it, even more so than the browning automatic and several other pump shotguns that I have. The only bad thing about it is that it is very tight. When I bought it the gun salesman told me that I would have to put 400-500 shells through it before it would loosen up. I have shot about 300 through it now and it seems to be loosening up some. It looks alot like the Berreta and Brownings, without all the fancy engravings and fine wood work. I does have a nickel reciever and a walnut stock though.

Dicks sporting goods has o/u for 300. They are Stoeger, my buddy just bought one and I was thinking abount getting a 20 for lrabbits,etc.