Thanks Peter and Erich! This is the right amount of feedback I was looking for.
I have my 45th b’day coming up and want to spend my money wisely. I have no
problem paying for functional quality, not sure I care enough about finish (I
mean, I have a lot of Glocks)
On Mar 7, 2019, at 7:47 PM, Peter Dougenik <peterdougenik@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
What sets the $1k gun apart from the $2-3k? some is fit and finish, some is
practical features. For example the 725 line has mechanical triggers so if
the first barrel doesn't fire you can pull the trigger again to fire the
second barrel. Inertia trigger guns won't do that. The higher $$ gun will
probably have more decoration on the receiver and the wood (hehehe) but it's
still going to be machine produced. The engraving on the SP1 is done by
machine but still looks nice while the 725 has a rather boring laser engraved
pattern on it. I would expect a $2-3k gun to stay tight longer but honestly
we're talking about tens of thousands of shells and none of us are going to
get there so it's not as big a factor.
Erich hit the nail on the head; the best gun is the one that fits. The
caveat of course is it can't be an unreliable piece of shit. I shot my first
2-3 seasons with a well used Beretta Silver Pigeon I and got to the point
where I could break in the low 20s consistently. I spent a lot of time
getting ready after stepping onto the pad though, a lot of shifting around to
get things just right. I shouldered up a Browning CX during one of our
Addieville outings and it just popped into the right spot. I put it down at
low ready and mounted it again and again it was in just the right spot.
After shouldering multiple Beretta and Browning guns I can say that Brownings
fit me better. I sold the SP1 to Mike K (one of Erich's son's MIT buddies)
and it fit him perfectly. When he shouldered my Browning it didn't fit worth
crap. I also need a good deal of "cast off" in my stocks to bring the barrel
to the correct point (even on the Browning) so I went with an adjustable
stock that's currently shifted strong 1/4" to the right. Now I step onto the
pad, put shells in, lift the gun and call for the bird. My rhythm is faster
because the gun fits right and I'm breaking low to mid 20s consistently with
the occasional straight.
Stew and Steve shoot SP1, Sean just got the Browning Cynergy CX, I have a 725
Sporting (and the new used gun I picked up last night). Shoot a couple
stations or whole round with each of those platforms to see what feels best.
Most of the other brands will fall into those two camps for fit.
As for one to do it all - the sporting models, 30" barrels might be a good
compromise but I can't say for hunting cause I only hunt orange disks. I've
shot a little under 5000 shells through the 725 over the past 2 years and
it's done great in skeet, sporting clays, 5 stand, and trap.
I don't have experience with the CZ but stay away from the turkish imports if
you are going to do a lot of shooting. the ones that shoot well shoot well
and the ones that don't are horrible....seems to be a real either or and
nothing in between. There's probably a bunch of different stuff out there
but in the world of OU guns Browning and Beretta own the $1-3k range and both
brands will get the job done for tens of thousands of shells. That gun Sean
picked up seems to be the winner at the price point...it's not going to win
any beauty contests but it looks well built and it's destroying clays.
now if you have a little more $$ to spend we can talk about the K guns or the
Guerinis ;-). Probably don't want to be wandering around the woods with
those though
On Thu, Mar 7, 2019 at 7:25 PM Erich Thalheimer <thalheimer@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Brian,
I did quite a lot of research on this subject a couple years ago when I was
buying one for myself. Interesting that you use the CZ as an example. I
nearly bought that one. There are lots and lots of O/U shotguns in the $1k
to $2k range that will serve you for all sporting needs and hunting.
All the shotgun guys will correctly tell you, it all comes down to what gun
fits you best. I ultimately narrowed my search down to the Beretta Silver
Pigeon vs. the Browning Citori White Lightning - both costing around $2k. I
went with the Browning after getting a chance to lift both of them to my
shoulder. The Browning, which has a higher action profile, pointed much
better for me. The Beretta with its lower profile was difficult for my eye
to find. Beretta lovers will tell you they choose theirs for the same
reason - personal fit and preference. I also liked the idea of the all
steel receiver better with the Browning than the aluminum one on the
Berettas.
Will you be at Saturday's indoor match? I'll be there, we can share notes.
Erich Thalheimer
INCE Board Certified Acoustical Engineer
27 Peterson Road, Natick, MA 01760
H: (508) 651-9772
C: (617) 785-8249
Thalheimer@xxxxxxx
www.ErichThalheimer.com
-----Original Message-----
From: hsa-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:hsa-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf ;
Of Brian Laska
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2019 7:13 PM
To: hsa@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [hsa] Looking for advice on a versatile O/U shotgun
I�m not what you would call a shotgun guy (yet), but I�ve shot skeet a
little bit this year (literally starting Jan 1), and I really enjoy it -
been getting better and better every round - with a lot of help from many of
the folks here.
Question One: That said, I am looking for an over/under shotgun that is a
bit versatile, meaning I�d like to use it for skeet/trap/clays as well as
bird hunting. Am I asking too much for one gun?
Question Two: There are too many options out there, so I suppose my question
comes to cost vs quality� As a newbie to the sport & hunting, what sets a
$1k CZ O/U apart from a $2-3k Browning?
All advice is appreciated.
Brian
