I Want an Over/Under

[Gunning Bird]

It's good to see that you are at least somewhat open to something other than a Beretta at that price point. Nothing at all wrong with a DT11 or even a 682 but for that kind of money, you would be well served to get several different brands/models in your hands before "pulling the trigger" on a purchase.

Suggest Kolar (you can shoot mine if you would like), Krieghoff, Perazzi, Zoli, Ceasar Guerini and possibly a few others. SW338 has a couple of DT models he would likely let you shoot as well.

[scdiver]

Piece of junk. A buddy of mine accepted one as part of a sponsorship. He fought with that thing for 6 months and finally gave it back. He shoots a DT11 now, which is what he started with. Another friend bought one and it spent more time in the shop than he shot. He sold it. Cool idea but just not very durable.

That's sad to hear. Have shot one the last few years on driven birds and thoroughly enjoyed it, and shot it well.

It's an older gun that my friend had built for him. We are similar in stature so his gun fits me well and I kill stuff with it.

I wonder if higher production has led to a decrease in quality. It's lethal on screamers and have killed a few woodcock with it on some drives in the wood.

[bigtimeduckhunter]

Go get fitted first, find out your measurements and let that be a driving factor in the purchase. It would suck to spend that much money, to only realize that the gun doesn’t fit properly

[Palmetto Bug]

If you ride down to Mt. Pleasant, Haddrell's Point Fin to Feather has some nice guns you can put your hands on, Berettas, Blasers, maybe some Guerinis. I have a Guerini that I like better than any Beretta I've ever held and it was well within your budget.

[PBiz]

Stoeger Condor..

Same as Beretta, just made in America..

[Gander]

That's sad to hear. Have shot one the last few years on driven birds and thoroughly enjoyed it, and shot it well.

It's an older gun that my friend had built for him. We are similar in stature so his gun fits me well and I kill stuff with it.

I wonder if higher production has led to a decrease in quality. It's lethal on screamers and have killed a few woodcock with it on some drives in the wood.

It's probably fine for a hunting gun but they don't hold up to the rigors of clay target shooting. Same goes for Beretta SO's. You need to travel with 2 of those and getting one repaired takes a while.

[bearclaw]

I looked used and found a 682 gold E. I think I’ve shot one round of clays with it. Great gun. The only flaw with it is the 30’s on it. Found a DT10 shortly after it with 32”s. That’s what I was really looking for at the time. I got both for under your budget. Deals are out there if you’re willing to look around and wait. Just need to have the cash ready to make your move when found.

[Coastal Woodie]

I'm too poor for this thread but I would listen to whatever Gander suggests.

[Carolina Counsel]

I would get two 686s- one sporting and one field. I have one of each and they are very different for each application.

[scdiver]

I would get two 686s- one sporting and one field. I have one of each and they are very different for each application.

Probably the best idea posted. Don't try to get one to do both.

[jcoker]

Need to go handle some different makes and models.

This is the best advice. Find the brand that fits you and go from there.

[AnythingFeathers]

I own 4 686’s, 3 -12 ga, 1- 28 ga
2 citoris, 1 -12ga 425 w/ ported 32” barrels and a GraCoil ( my go to clays gun), 1 20 ga CXS ( entry level gun)
Can’t shoot the Berrettas worth a damn. Lights out with both citoris.

The Berretas are more pleasing to the eye( IMO) but I can’t shoot them well. I prefer the Schnabel forearm on all. I do not like the 725 or 825 citoris. Do not balance well for me.

Unless you are a serious and seriously good shooter you don’t need a $7500.00 gun. Unless you’re just showing off? I’m with some of the others. I would figure out which one fits me best and throw another $1000-1500 in there and buy - not 2- but three. 12,20,28. Or a 12 and 20/28 two barrel set gun. I go to 20 or 28 when walking a lot to reduce weight. And sometimes for swing speed on quick birds. So sub guage tubes don’t make sense to me. You can step your ammo down on a 12 to just about equal to a 28 mid range load. Why put in a high dollar tube to shoot more expensive shells in the same heavy gun.

[FULLCHOKE]

If you’re of larger stature and frame as alluded to earlier…a non negotiable would be to go with 32s for a sporting gun. 32s in the field or a blind will be annoying though. Especially if you’re doing a lot of walking or shooting flushing birds. But you may like it, all personal preference. With a budget that big just get two guns. If you want one that does both, go handle a few before you make a decision.

[Black Bart]

I would get two 686s- one sporting and one field. I have one of each and they are very different for each application.

I don't hate this idea. Will take a hard look at the 686. Please describe the differences in the sporting and upland models.

And I wouldn't take it in the duck blind; I was thinking more dove, quail and pheasant.

[Black Bart]

Also, I'm not intending to spend $7,500 on a gun. I set the budget that high to get a wider range of options and opinions, and to get feedback on whether the guns above the Silver Pigeon/Citori tier are worth the additional scratch. Hope that makes sense.

[Saltydog235]

I don't hate this idea. Will take a hard look at the 686. Please describe the differences in the sporting and upland models.

And I wouldn't take it in the duck blind; I was thinking more dove, quail and pheasant.

Essentially the same guns but different barrel lengths. A 26-28" for field or 30-32" for range in a 12ga or 20ga with 28" barrels and a 30-32" in 12ga. Backwoods usually has both, use to be 10% over cost for members.

[murraywader]

I own 4 686’s, 3 -12 ga, 1- 28 ga
2 citoris, 1 -12ga 425 w/ ported 32” barrels and a GraCoil ( my go to clays gun), 1 20 ga CXS ( entry level gun)
Can’t shoot the Berrettas worth a damn. Lights out with both citoris.

The Berretas are more pleasing to the eye( IMO) but I can’t shoot them well. I prefer the Schnabel forearm on all. I do not like the 725 or 825 citoris. Do not balance well for me.

Unless you are a serious and seriously good shooter you don’t need a $7500.00 gun. Unless you’re just showing off? I’m with some of the others. I would figure out which one fits me best and throw another $1000-1500 in there and buy - not 2- but three. 12,20,28. Or a 12 and 20/28 two barrel set gun. I go to 20 or 28 when walking a lot to reduce weight. And sometimes for swing speed on quick birds. So sub guage tubes don’t make sense to me. You can step your ammo down on a 12 to just about equal to a 28 mid range load. Why put in a high dollar tube to shoot more expensive shells in the same heavy gun.

The man has a Freeman…

[Buckin Bronco]

I don't hate this idea. Will take a hard look at the 686. Please describe the differences in the sporting and upland models.

And I wouldn't take it in the duck blind; I was thinking more dove, quail and pheasant.

If I were getting a dove and quail gun I’d get 20 since you already have a 12 auto.

I don’t know anything to pheasants for an opinion there.

[Calibogue]

Bart, I'm not positive where you are but I think you're up around Georgetown. You ought to ride out to Backwoods this weekend, they are having the Junior US Open and there are multiple gun vendors here and lots of over and unders that you could put your hands on right now.

[smitch320]

Bart, I'm not positive where you are but I think you're up around Georgetown. You ought to ride out to Backwoods this weekend, they are having the Junior US Open and there are multiple gun vendors here and lots of over and unders that you could put your hands on right now.

Great point, they had a wide array of guns last weekend. Lots of Berettas.