First O/U shotgun. Advise?

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but how the gun fits you is important so pick some up and see how well they shoulder.
Personally I am a Browning fan, I have 2 Citori super lights, one in 20 and one in 12, both have performed very well on wild pheasant and quail. The 12 weighs about 7 3/4 pounds and the 20 is around 7 1/4. If I feel I need more lead for the day then the 12 is the one. I have a 3rd Browning skeet gun too but too heavy to carry for a day or 3. Never had to have any of them repaired, they have been flawless!
Have fun finding the "one":thumbsup:
 
Thanks for all the replies!

I will mostly be carrying the gun for 3-4 hours at a time, for now. I'm a full time architecture student and have no idea what state I'll be in next, so who knows. I'm 25, so a little extra weight now, doesn't scare me too much, but that opinion may change 15 years from now.

I just found someone locally selling a LNIB Citori Upland 12ga 24" with english stocks for $1400. It seems that most recommend a 20ga with 28", but they seem to be hard to come by. Is it worth waiting, or should I grab the Citori? Thanks!
 
Gunrush128 said:
I just found someone locally selling a LNIB Citori Upland 12ga 24" with english stocks for $1400. It seems that most recommend a 20ga with 28", but they seem to be hard to come by. Is it worth waiting, or should I grab the Citori? Thanks!
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As I indicated earlier, I like 26" barrels on my O/U's. But 24" is really quite short. Do you like the English stock? Not everyone does. But it's really all about what you like and what fits you best. Don't rush out and buy something you might regret later. I also don't think the price is anything great. Certainly not a bargin.
 
I kind of thought I should be patient, but I'm hoping to have something soon. I realy would like to find a good bargain also. I am going on a quail(preserve) hunt later this month, and was hoping to have time to practice. We'll see what come up!
 
Gunrush128 said:
Thanks for all the replies!

I will mostly be carrying the gun for 3-4 hours at a time, for now. I'm a full time architecture student and have no idea what state I'll be in next, so who knows. I'm 25, so a little extra weight now, doesn't scare me too much, but that opinion may change 15 years from now.

I just found someone locally selling a LNIB Citori Upland 12ga 24" with english stocks for $1400. It seems that most recommend a 20ga with 28", but they seem to be hard to come by. Is it worth waiting, or should I grab the Citori? Thanks!
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nothing wrong with a Citori English Stock 24" barrels
think $1,400.00 is high though
afterBlizzard12202011050.jpg
 
Shadow, beautiful dogs you have there.

I now have a couple more leads on what seem to be better deals, but I'm unsure of which I should pursue.

First, I found a Browning Citori White Lightning 26" 20ga LNIB. He wants $1300 firm

Second, is a Browning Citori Feather Lightning 28" 12ga in VG condition, but does have some small marks on the stock. Asking $1375 but I'm pretty sure I could get it for $1300

A few questions:
1) What differentiates a "Lightning" model from other Citori's?

2)How is the longevity of the lightweight frame of the "feather"?

3)Which of these guns are lighter? I know that Browning's website is inaccurate for "actual" weight...

Both are for sale out-of-state, so handling them is out of the question.

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I'm starting to think I'm gonna like it here ;)
 
My preference would be a 20 ga with 26" barrels found on a Beretta White Onyx. I just like the feel of Italian shotguns compared to Brownings. I dont like 28" barrels at all.

You really need to hold a beretta and browning. To me there is a world of difference in feel.
 
If you do not avail yourself to a tip to Jaquas, if you are in Ohio, or another establishment where hands-on is possible then you would be making a mistake and, perhaps, rushing to purchase.

Barrel length is also pretty unimportant....26" or 28".
Many find the 24" ok...it does depend upon how you shoot, the balance of the gun and how frustrated you become if you begin stopping the gun or slashing with it.

I have two straight-gripped O/Us, Berettas with DTs, they work fine but some will find they do not carry as easily, they will not have as much control when shot especially with any heavier loads and some will also find the cross-sectional area of the grip a bit too small....it just depends, hence the advice to try your new gun on for size.
You will also dsicover thta many own a scattergun that, because lucre was laid out, they have learned to justify the purchase and much like Andy said to Barney about Aunt Bee's pickles....they have simply learned to love 'em.

Don't get in a rush...enjoy the search and the learning found within the search.
 
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I shoot a 26" Red Label in 28, 20 & rarely 12. They quit making them, but mine fit me fine, so I've never pined for anything else. Some folks have had problems with them, but I never have. Find one you like . . . you'll know it when you find it. Best of luck on your quest.
 
Gunrush128 said:
Shadow, beautiful dogs you have there.

I now have a couple more leads on what seem to be better deals, but I'm unsure of which I should pursue.

First, I found a Browning Citori White Lightning 26" 20ga LNIB. He wants $1300 firm

Second, is a Browning Citori Feather Lightning 28" 12ga in VG condition, but does have some small marks on the stock. Asking $1375 but I'm pretty sure I could get it for $1300

A few questions:
1) What differentiates a "Lightning" model from other Citori's?

2)How is the longevity of the lightweight frame of the "feather"?

3)Which of these guns are lighter? I know that Browning's website is inaccurate for "actual" weight...

Both are for sale out-of-state, so handling them is out of the question.

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I'm starting to think I'm gonna like it here ;)
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Those shotguns should be similar in weight. I have owned both, and my preference is the 20 gauge in 26" barrel. That is a good all around gun.
 
Gunrush128 said:
I was kind of leaning towards Browning. Thanks for the advise. I noticed that they are a bit heavy, especially in 12 gauge. I own 2 other 12 gauge's, so ammo compatibility would be nice, but the weight loss of a 20 gauge on long hunts is also appealing.
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thanks for the compliment on my Britt's

you really do need to handle a gun you are thinking about buying- not necessarily the gun you buy- but one like it

better picture of mine- it weighs 5lb 8 oz
some would not like it- it is fast-
I had the shop cut the stock and install the recoil pad- heavy loads hurt- not any more- I like 1 oz loads- shoots slugs pretty good also
new in 1987 from the Gun Shop- $1,102.00
IMG_0001-12.jpg
 
I have a English stocked 20ga Citori O/U with 26" barrel's. I love the gun but the grip makes it impossible for me to get the safety off well the gun is mounted. LOVE, LOVE. LOVE the small grip area for carrying the gun. I'll post some pics when I get time
 
I have a weatherby orion and i love it!!! it is a 12 ga with a 28in. barrel with screw in chokes! I paid $1000 has pheasants grouse partridge on the gun with lots of checkering and a glossy walut stock and a 14 ca. gold trigger
 
reddog said:
You can never go wrong with a 20 ga. Beretta 686 White Onyx. Should fall within your price range also..
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+100 Love mine and never had one issue in 15 years +/- 28" barrels.

If your going to be doing more quail than pheasant, and I know that you will a 20 is a much better choice IMO.
 
my first over under was a stevens gold wing 20g paid about 600 for it few years back wow what a piece of junk im quail hunting and my dog is on point i go and kick them up and the freakin safety wont come off of coarse i didnt know about cheap ass guns especially over unders i cuss that gun still today i dont know how many times birds get up and cant get the safety off the white onyx is lighter than the white lightening the lightening felt like a 10 guage swinging it terrible i almost bougth a white onyx but went with a new beretta sv10perennia3 i put 1k down on it when i get it i will send pics point is dont make a mistaake that i did and buy those junk cheap guns like i did you will regret it
 
Gunrush128:

A) Citori Lightnings have thinner stocks and forearms than standard Citori's.
B) Lightning Feathers last a long time. The light weight (recoil) will keep you from using heavy loads that could wear them out.
C) Lightning Feather 12-28" will run 7 lbs, 20-28 will run around 6 lbs.

Now that Browning has brought back the Citori Lightning Feather, I'd be tempted to buy one. However, even though the 12 GA has a pad, nothing heavier than the 1 1/4 oz. 1330 fps load would ever be used. The nice light carrying weight would be great if only offset by a few heavy loads fired in a day.
 
Would recommend a 28 in. gun because you need enough length for good follow thru.and some weight in the barrels. A 7 and one half pound gun is about right for pheasants. Anything else may be too light/heavy. A bird gun must fit properly and practice makes perfect. Recommend you read Shooter Rudy Echen's comments regarding guns and fitting on the Joel Etchen Guns website. He was a master shooter. I did have the chance to meet some great shots (world-class trap shooters) who used everything from 870's to Marlin model 90's for their birdshooting. These guys could have any gun they wanted, but chose what fit the best and guns they had shot many times. So no matter the gun, if you can shoot clays, and enough of them, it comes as second nature when the birds go up.Hope this helps. Good luck. Gus.
 
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