Help deciding a gun

D

Dohyde34

Member
Hey everyone, recently sold my house and had some major family shit go on. And long story short, I'd like to slightly treat myself to a new 20 gauge or 28 gauge, but I haven't really looked at any. I currently shoot a Browning Silver Hunter 12 gauge. And I shoot it very well. The problem is, I'm normally hunting chukar, huns, quail, and pheasant, with quail being my favorite species to target.

I really have no need for a 12 gauge. I've got long arms and most guns don't fit me. I hit myself in the cheek hard with a lot of them when pulling up. I really like the way the Browning Silver fits in my hand; that's why I was planning on just getting a 26-in 20 gauge Silver Hunter, but then I went to my local gun store and picked up the new A5 20 gauge.

I'll only own a wood gun; honestly, I kind of like a pretty gun. My current Silver is wood but it's nothing special. That's good because I noticed last week that I got another deep gouge in the wood. But the new A5, the wood is gorgeous on it. And it's so light. So I'm heavily leaning towards that. It's $1,980 through my local gun store, but I can find it online for about $300 to $400 cheaper. The A5 comes with a fitted hard case. Plus Browning is doing a $100 rebate right now through the 31st. The Silver, on the other hand, is $1,100 to $1,200 bucks. And I can get the same rebate.

I know the gas operation of the Silver won't have a problem with any light loads, but I worry about some things I've kind of read about the A5. I do go shoot trap pretty frequently now, as hunting and shooting are my only hobbies. I'd like to be able to run light target loads through whichever gun I purchase.


Summary if you don't want to read my essay: Treating myself to a new 20ga for upland and trap. Torn between the Browning Silver Hunter (which I know fits my long arms and cycles light loads) and the New A5 (which looks amazing and is super light). My main question: Will the inertia-driven A5 reliably cycle light target loads for trap, or should I play it safe with the gas-operated Silver? I would like to purchase it in the next couple days as I'm buying it online and it'll take it while to get her.

Honestly I really really want the A5 but the scotch in me says the silver will do just fine.
 
My son in law bought a silver ducks unlimited 12 a few years ago. I have two grandsons 22 and 19. We shoot clays in the summer months and that's the only time the silver comes out. All three as well as myself shoot it well. My oldest shot trap with it on a team a couple years ago. No jams so far. It's a good gun no doubt.
 
IMO fit is number one thing. If you know the silver fits you I’d go that way. Use the extra money to buy some ammo.

You mentioned a 28 also. The Joel Etchen Beretta 20/28 gauge combo guns are really nice if you really wanted to treat yourself and have the option of two gauges.
 
I have the A5 in 16 ga. Its a great gun. The 20 is nice. Only comes in wood. I have a friend that shoots a Silver in 12 ga and its pretty nice. The silver is nice and is reminiscent of the B2000 style hump. Its only 9 oz to 1 lb heavier than the A5. Others to look at: Beretta A400 upland, Franchi Affinity 3 Elite upland, Benelli Ethos or Montefeltro. So many good options out there with wood.
 
Dohyde34 said:
Hey everyone, recently sold my house and had some major family shit go on. And long story short, I'd like to slightly treat myself to a new 20 gauge or 28 gauge, but I haven't really looked at any. I currently shoot a Browning Silver Hunter 12 gauge. And I shoot it very well. The problem is, I'm normally hunting chukar, huns, quail, and pheasant, with quail being my favorite species to target.

I really have no need for a 12 gauge. I've got long arms and most guns don't fit me. I hit myself in the cheek hard with a lot of them when pulling up. I really like the way the Browning Silver fits in my hand; that's why I was planning on just getting a 26-in 20 gauge Silver Hunter, but then I went to my local gun store and picked up the new A5 20 gauge.

I'll only own a wood gun; honestly, I kind of like a pretty gun. My current Silver is wood but it's nothing special. That's good because I noticed last week that I got another deep gouge in the wood. But the new A5, the wood is gorgeous on it. And it's so light. So I'm heavily leaning towards that. It's $1,980 through my local gun store, but I can find it online for about $300 to $400 cheaper. The A5 comes with a fitted hard case. Plus Browning is doing a $100 rebate right now through the 31st. The Silver, on the other hand, is $1,100 to $1,200 bucks. And I can get the same rebate.

I know the gas operation of the Silver won't have a problem with any light loads, but I worry about some things I've kind of read about the A5. I do go shoot trap pretty frequently now, as hunting and shooting are my only hobbies. I'd like to be able to run light target loads through whichever gun I purchase.


Summary if you don't want to read my essay: Treating myself to a new 20ga for upland and trap. Torn between the Browning Silver Hunter (which I know fits my long arms and cycles light loads) and the New A5 (which looks amazing and is super light). My main question: Will the inertia-driven A5 reliably cycle light target loads for trap, or should I play it safe with the gas-operated Silver? I would like to purchase it in the next couple days as I'm buying it online and it'll take it while to get her.

Honestly I really really want the A5 but the scotch in me says the silver will do just fine.
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You can't go wrong with a Browning. That said, it sounds like you have never had a gun that fit you correctly. As you described your experience, it sounds like you were shooting a gun that was to short for you. Whatever gun you buy, I would have it fit to you exactly. You will be a happier man.
 
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