My time with shotguns is limited to very few: a couple of Browning Auto 5s, Remington 870s, a Stoeger Coach gun and a Fox SXS. I don’t use a shotgun for much: dove hunt 4-5 times a year, squirrel in early season (rimfire after that), turkey hunting (seldom), and the occasional rabbit hunt but would like a nice one for the above as a kind of “all a rounder”. If a fellow was looking for a nice over and under 20 gauge with 26” barrels that was good quality (doesn’t need to be best but only want to buy once) and would last a lifetime, what would you look at? I’m fairly clueless on these guns and any/all suggestions appreciated.


**ADD: I have limited funds but don’t have a specific budget if that makes since. I’d rather wait and get a $12-1500 shotgun rather than rush out to get a $500 one that doesn’t fit/swing/function nice.**

If you must have a 26 inch 20Ga, I would look for a Browning.

Browning or Beretta, whichever fits you the best.

Another vote for Browning in the 12-1500 price range. Please don’t buy a 26 though.
Go 28 at a minimum. How bout a 16 bore Citori? It’s got the cool factor. But again, 28’s at a min on a O/U

I have had over 15 Browning Superposed 20 gauges.... they fit me perfectly and they are built to last. Just as smooth as glass and they should be, being 85% hand made. I have had 26 and 28 inch barrels... love both but use the shorter one a lot more. Buy one and the value goes up while you shoot it.

I was actually thinking Beretta or citori when I made the post. Didn’t expect many to recommend the 28” barrel though. Why the longer barrels? Swing better? Just curious. Thanks for replies and keep me coming!

28 just move better than the shorter tubes. Novice shooters will think the shorter barrels are better and you will hear all the “I hunt the brush chit” but in the end the guys that REALLY know how to handle a scattergun will all tell you to avoid 26 inch guns. As to resale they are the worst by far.
But your not buying the gun to turn so do it right to start and go 28. I own a 16 gauge citori with 28’s and wish it had 30’s. I have never felt the barrels were too long but always feel they are too short.

Browning or Beretta, they will both out live you and are great guns. See if you can find a place to shoot both and ask the top gun if he recommends 26 inch barrels.

Appreciate the info! Helps a lot! Being more of rifleman, shotguns were used for wing shooting and small game when the rimfire wouldn’t work. I’ve always wanted a nice over and under; gathering info and everything says Browning and Beretta. Is it any specific model better than the other or to avoid?

autos, and pumps have an additional 6 ins in length as far as the sighting plane when they are quoted as having a 28 in barrel. So your used to that extra length not there in O/U

So a 28 in O/U is pretty short. Best choice unless a lot of target then longer

Athena (SKB) if you can find one.

Beretta always good

Citori bigger action not as slim , but good gun.

Do not be tempted by the Turkish guns. It takes more skill to make a double and properly align-regulate the barrels than it takes to make a decent autoloader.

I would stick with Beretta or Browning ,or possible a Japanese made SKB. Don't fall for a Turkish made SKB. It's a different gun altogether trying to ride the name of a bankrupt company.

What do you boys think about a Winchester 101? I shot one years ago and I loved it. Best round of sporting clays ever, for me.

I'm ith Sasha and Abby. The Superposed fits me. My twenty has 26.5 inch barrels and I am happy with it. At about age 65, I traded my twelve in on a Beretta 687 SP IV to drop some weight. The Beretta is a pound or more lighter. I went with 28 inch barrels and am happy with that choice.

You can pick up nice twelve gauge Superposed guns for under $1500. Tweties, not usually. You should be able to find a new Beretta of some grade within budget. My only reason for recommending Them over The bank vault strong Citori is weight. The Citori is a little heavier and walking a ways will make a difference. I rarely buy new guns anymore. There are lots of nice used guns around that are just broken in. You do have to make sure some less than skilled gun plumber has not messed with them. You can usually tell by comparing with a new like model.

Best,

Jack

Not really, The low end stuff by CZ and anything made in Turkey is best left alone but any of the Browning, Beretta, SKB and other guns at that price point will work great for the casual shooter/hunter. If you decide to go shoot sporting clays and want to bang out 20k rounds per year I might recommend some different guns but for what you have said you want a Browning Citori or Beretta 686 or 687 would be great. Just remember fit is everything

Win 101, 28" would be my choice.

The franchi instinct is a very solid gun

An original is excellent. The recreations not so much.

All perfectly stated.. Those Turk guns look nice on the outside, but it's the innards that make the gun - and they ain't got it.. The non-Turk SKBs have excellent internals - equal easily to any Citori and in some ways better..

Look for a Nikko. They are the same as Wincester 101 and can be picked up reasonable. Also easy to repair

First step is to handle as many O/U as you can. You will find a manufacturer that makes a stock that fits you out of the box. It may not be the manufacturer you were planning on but .... For me the Berettas and Brownings were nice, but didn't fit me well. I ended up with a Caesar Guerini that fits like it was made for me. Definitely more dollars than I was planning on spending for a hunting shotgun, but I can't take it with me and it is my retirement gift to myself!

I also have an older SKB 500 that fits me excellent. Don't overlook an older O/U as there are some beauties out there. I would stay away from most Turk O/U or SxS as I have had issues with most and all are down the road.

Appreciate all the info! Great stuff! I’m in the early stages of research and probably won’t get it till late summer or fall. Still saving my pennies!

This process started 15 years ago. I was looking at over/unders and was really thinking about a Red Label. I first picked up a Storger; didn’t fit well at all. Moved to the Red Label, much better. About this time, Mr. Gunsaleaman shows up and asks what I’m looking for. “Over and Under.” He said” Red Label is nice but try this and compare.” He hands me a Beretta 686 (maybe?) and it was all over. Couldn’t afford it then; wife was pregnant with number two. Better situation now but I’ll never forget how great that Beretta felt and swing. No comparison to either of the others. Never held a Citori but will soon before I buy. But it needs to feel a lot better than the Beretta for me to pick it.

These are the two I am mainly focusing on as for as new guns (both 20 gauge and 28” barrels):

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/686-silver-pigeon-i/#

http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/shotguns/citori/current-production/cxs.html

What are the real world prices on these? Any ideas?

And it looks like I’m going to spend a little bit more but “buy once, cry once” is in full effect!

Take your time and shop around.Not that long ago, I've seen the 20 ga 686 silver pigeon with 28" barrels and screw chokes sell anywhere from $1200-$1700 used.

Here are some resources
http://gun.home.cyberverse.com/

http://www.cabelas.com/browse.cmd?categoryId=103792680&endecaKeywordRedirect=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%2F_%2FN-%2FNtt-gun%2Blibrary%3FNtk%3DAllProducts%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26fsch%3Dtrue%26search%3Dgun%2Blibrary%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D16%26y%3D8%26skipRedirectCheck%3Dtrue&WTz_l=Header;Search-All%20Products

Don't know if that second link worked,but check Cabela's Gun Library often and don't be afraid to make an offer. They will also ship to another local Cabelas free for you to see in person.

Also check classifieds at Shotgunworld.

Used Guns at Cole's

Used guns at Joel Etchens.

http://www.orvis.com/s/orvis-gunroom/247

http://www.doubleshotguns.com/used-overunder-shotguns.html

As always know who you are dealing with and take normal precautions.

Good for you... it is a LIFELONG investment that you will REALLY cherish... I also have an OLD SKB 20 ga that is fantastic... just more food for thought.

Great inf. Many thanks




Totally agree. Not in a rush.... definitely gonna look at several and make best possible decision. Thanks for all of your help!

I just bought a 16 gauge Browning White Lightning, 28" barrels, for $1466 delivered from Budsgunshop. They price matched another vendor who only had 26" in stock.

To clarify, that is after 10% Browning rebate.

In the price range you're looking you should be able to find a used Beretta or Browning. I just picked up a Beretta 20 gauge Blackwing that appears to have not been used much, if at all. I paid $1100 for it. You should be able to find a Beretta Blackwing, Essential, Whitewing or Onyx or a Browning Citori in your price range.

There are some good deals available on Beretta BL2s, BL3s, BL4s, BL5s or their European versions, the S55, 56 or 57. They can be found at or for less than your price range. They'll be fixed choke guns but if you went with an IC/M gun you'd have 90% of your gunning covered.

I'd encourage you to shoot a 26, 28 and 30 inch O/U before you buy. You may find the 26 to be a bit short and whippy. Some guys shoot them well but others find the extra 2-4 inches of barrel helps maintain their swing and follow through. I've never found a 30 inch O/U to be cumbersome in the field. They're still shorter than a pump or auto with a 26" barrel.

Beretta is my favorite but there is nothing wrong with a Browning. I wish you enough shooting opportunities to wear one out.

If I had the funds available, and a hankering for an over and under, if would be one of the many combinations available as a savage model 24. Rifle above, And shotgun below. I grew up with a 24 in .22lr over .410ga, but there are lots of possibilities, all the way up to 30-30 over 12ga, (iirc). I like 'em a lot. They break down into 3 pieces without tools for packing (If needed).

If you are buying new, definitely give Joel Etchen a call if you decide on the Beretta, there’s a reason he’s the biggest Beretta Dealer in the East!

If I were looking for a gun like you mentioned, though- I think I would look at used guns. Field guns, in general, don’t get shot much (compared to target guns). You could pick up a used Beretta or Browning for fairly cheap, and it’ll still last you a lifetime.