economical trap/skeet shotgun?

[FlaSport]

Trap and skeet shorgun

For a really nice shotgun...try this one:

http://www.ivorybeads.com/site/default.asp?Page=54&FSL3_SL_37=Yes&FSL3_RUNSEARCH=TRUE&FSID3=2594 It's even on sale! $75,000 instead of $150,000.

Seriously, you asked about "Cheap" shotguns for a specific purpose- trap and skeet. How serious about the sport? How much are you going to shoot? Once a week, once a month? One round each visit of several per visit? Any shotgun can be used to recreationally shoot either sport. A basic Remington or Winchested pump gun may be used and is only about $200-$300 brand new. However, if you shoot alot of clays, you will experience more "recoil" with the pump. A semi-auto will have a little less recoil. The "serious" competition shooters use an over/under for a couple of reasons- reliability (Pull the trigger, it fires, less moving parts compared to a semi), less recoil (Generally because of a heavier gun), and yes, the snob factor.

The answer to your question:

$200-$500- Remington or Winchester or Benelli pump- cheapest brand name shotguns available.

$600-$1000- Beretta 390 or 391 semi-auto shotgun- should be able to find decent condition used or new in this price range. The beretta's have a reputation for reliability and durability on the clays range. The Remington 1100 or 11-87 is OK, but you will have to replace a rubber "O-ring" frequently for greatest reliability. Browning semis are a little less reliable. Benelli's have greater recoil than either because they are not gas operated actions, but rather recoil operated actions.

$1000-$1500- YOu should be able to locate a decent condition USED Beretta or Browning O/U shotgun in this price range. Either should last you a lifetime and will retain its value fairly well. They are about equal in terms of reliability and durability and it is a personal preference as to fit.

$1600-$3000- In this price range, you should be able to buy a NEW O/U shotgun. Stick with the major poppular brans and you can't go wrong.

Recommendation- Ignore the snob factor- get to know the other shooters at the range...most will let you test fire their shotguns at a few targets to see if the gun fits you and if you like how it handles. Buy what fits you and then learn to shoot it well.

EDIT: Re-read your posts- I would recommend trying to find a USED Beretta 390 or 391- Cheaper, would hold its value (You could likely re-sell later and get back most/all of your purchase price), quicker re-sale.) Avoid the cheap O/U's- they will kick, are poorly made, and you will not be able to re-sell easily.

 

[Roaster72]

I Concur with Samuel Hoggson on this one. Personally for value, I'd go to Walmart and get one of the 390/391 Berettas they sell. IIRC they are out the door for around 450. The 870 and 1100 are great guns but for an afternoon of swinging, the lighter Berettas can't be beat.

 

[SSMDIVE]

OK....So I have been interested in this as well.

I am looking for a shotgun to shoot trap/skeet/sporting clays. Not looking to win, just have fun.

I have in my safe right now a Krieghoff Model 32 with a full barrel set and fully adjustable stock. My buddy wants 3k for it. It is not a fancy gun...Has some engraving, but it is just a blued gun. It has some minor wear marks...Could use re bluing.

Is it worth 3k?

Would I be better off just getting something else?

 

[MacAttack]

http://www.gunsinternational.com/results.cfm?cid=587
http://www.higradeshooters.com/krieghoff.htm


Googlefu

 

[SSMDIVE]

Thanks, but that does not tell me if it is a good all around skeet/clays/trap gun...Only prices. I kinda already knew it was a good price...Just thought I would ask anyway...Ya know since I had you all here already

 

[jarhead jim]

Well....you know my opinion by now. I think you'd be nuts. Especially if you aint out to win state. But be your own dog.

Jim

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

Is it worth 3k?

Would I be better off just getting something else?

Its always risky accepting internet advice on gun values inasmuch as we can't look the thing over. But most likely that's a fair to excellent price. We will assume it doesn't have mechanical issues, hasn't been shot 3 million rounds (OK, 5 million rounds cuz its a K-gun), and condition is at least 90-95%.

To the second.........not many guns make excellent all-around trap/skeet/sporting guns. The spread's pretty large. A K-gun can do it, though.

You're starting with a 4 barrel skeet set. You should know that nowadays barrel sets are passe. Tube sets are in. That said, I would use a K32 barrel set for skeet and not worry about it unless/until you start to shoot as well as Todd Bender.

For sporting you're going to want to have (or get installed) choke tubes in the 12 ga barrels, right? Assume the 12 ga barrels are fixed choked skeet......yup, can be done. But sporting guns generally have longer barrels.......how long are the barrels on the set?

Trap? Well, I'd just break down and locate a trap single barrel.

If the stock is fully adjustable and dimensions can be made right for you - there's a way if you've got the will and some money.

Sam

 

[FlaSport]

K-32

I would agree with Samuel above. The Krieghoff K-32 is a relatively OLD shotgun. However, it does have the Krieghoff name and reputation and for that reason will hold its residual value....you already seem to know that though. Barrel sets are not the norm in today's skeet game, but the real question is how does it FIT YOU? Is it mechanically in good condition? If so, then it will likely make a very good skeet shotgun. While longer barrel lengths are more common in sporting and trap, you can still use it for those sports, especially if you are just shooting recreationally. When I first started with the clays game years ago, I bought and used a "skeet" shotgun for ALL the disciplines (Trap and sporting included). Eventually, I bought specialized guns for each game. I can still use just about ANY shotgun and shoot ANY game very well. Main point is the condition of the gun and whether it fits you should determine whetehr you should buy. For $3000 though, you should be able to pick up a more modern "sporting" shotgun with a set of tubes.

 

[SSMDIVE]

Sorry guys, it has the tubes.

I incorrectly called them barrel sets.

 

[SSMDIVE]

Stock

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

Well, it sure looks like a high-mileage gun. Even so, target guns wear from the inside out. So you really can't make too much of bluing wear. How's the lockup (lever and top latch position)? Its difficult to explain this, but find someone who knows K guns and have them look at how the top latch sits when the action is closed - that's how you judge wear on them. Make sure the barrels have no bulges. What's the barrel length?

What is the length of pull (center of front of trigger to middle of buttplate)? Typical ugly K32 red wood - don't worry they all look that way unless they've had an upgrade. K32 receivers weren't surface hardened like the K-80s. You can refinish/engrave/whatever without difficulty.

Try it out and see if you like it, have someone who knows shotguns (not the seller) try to determine if the thing will come close to fitting you.

Sam