? on O/U purchase
I am looking for an O/U in 12 gauge for some bird hunting but mostly shooting clays and/or skeet. I would like 30" barrels but the Browning 525 field fits me so well that I will probably get it even though it has 26" or 28". The Beretta 626 and Weatherby Orions are also possiblities because they point naturally and fit almost as well. Any opinions or experiences with these three? What do you feel are the pros and cons of each?
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The wife and I have pounded the heck out of a pair of Browning Cetori's, I have somthing over 50K rounds thru mine (Cetori GTI), she is somewhere over 40K with hers (Cetori Field).
The most unreliable O/U shotgun, and the worst customer service attitude, that I have ever run across was the Weatherby Orian.
No experiance with the Baretta.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
I have tried the 525 and they fit me well also. I have several Brownings, and have never had a problem. I have a friend that has sent his Beretta back to the factory 4 times for defects, and they still haven't gotten it right yet.
I have never shot the Weatherby Orions.
"If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."0 -
browning......bar none.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
Browing will not do you wrong in any way. Beretta, ? I have not shot or owned, but a buddy has one and it seems okay for him from what I know. The Weatherby I would not suggest at all. I shot a couple of these and just didn't like them at all so I never purchased one. My friend got one and he has had a few different problems with it.
May I ask why your not considering a Ruger? They make a nice gun.
NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent0 -
second the ruger. As good as gun for a little less $$$..... 0 -
Chopchop:
Before you buy, strongly consider the Brno ZH 300 series O/U guns. They are the STONE AXES of the double-barrel world.
1. All parts interchange w/o fitting -- including all their sets of barrels, somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen different sets.
2. Mechanism is simpler than any other O/U.
3. Among barrels' sets are double-rifle, combination rifle-shotgun.
4. Has safety in same relative position as M1/M14.
5. Has unique trigger systems. One is two triggers. Front trigger is top barrel only. Rear trigger is non-selective bottom-top. Another trigger system has front trigger as single-set. And they interchange in about three minutes.
6. Integral telescope mounts on any barrels' set having rifle tube.
7. Disassembly is as easy as field stripping a Remington 870.
8. When I bought mine, the guns were made in Communist Czechoslovakia. Parts were all machined from bar stock. I do not know if Czech Republic still makes them this way.
I have owned two of these guns. I am 5 foot 10 inches and 140 pounds. They fit me perfectly. When I owned my standard grade Browning Superposed, I needed about 3/4 inch more length of pull.
The only things about them that might put you off are:
A. Extractors only, no automatic ejectors.
B. Because there are no cocking rods, breaking open is deeper than other double guns.
C. Profile of the gun is unusual. I appreciate it because "form follows function." But it is chunkier that most O/Us -- kind've like a Colt Trooper 4-inch .357 is chunkier than an S&W M66 4-inch.
For me, ZH 300s are the most useful shooting tools I own.0 -
I was ruling out the Ruger because it didn't fit me as well, then I heard many horror stories on various forums. I wish it fit because I would still consider the Red Label. The All-Weather Target concept really appealed to me, sort of a marine 870 durability in an O/U! But I looked at the local store and the quality didn't seem to be up to Beretta or Browning standards. I know I will catch flak for this observation.
I will try to find a Brno O/U to look at, I've not seen one in any of the local gunstores. Any ideas where to get a look at one in southeast Nebraska area? None of the drawbacks you mentioned matter much to me. If it fits it will be in the running.0 -
I have 3 Browning Citori's, one is a 525 Field. A little heavier than the other two, but a real pleasure to shoot. I recently picked up a Traditions by Fausti in 20ga that is a very well made gun. Fit and finish rival the higher priced guns. 0 -
weatherbys are nothing more than skb's imported under a different name. skb's are fine guns. dont overlook an skb. they are tight and well built.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
ChopChop:
I see what you mean about finding the importer. There is a labyrinth of possible importers. Zbrojovka Brno could clear this up in a second. But although I show the web address, I was refused entry to the site. One of the list should be current importer, I believe.
I also have an excellent an English-language isometric with parts list for the 300 series as jpeg.
justask@ammoclip.com
[url="mailto:Brno's web site"]http://www.zbrojovka.com[/url] Although this is valid site, for me connection is refused. Dunno why.
CZ-USA might also be importer.
Bohemia Arms International
17101 Los Modelos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 963-0809 (not certain this is current) OR
619/442-7005
(800/400-2327?? not certain this is valid.)
The NRA will have the correct ID, as will National Shooting Sports Foundation.0 -
Chop I bought my wife a new O&U for christmas as she has also taken up sporting clays. Her choice was the Verona 692 Gold Sporting. I had the stock fitted to her and she is very pleased with the quality of the gun. It has all the features of my Beretta 687EELL at a fraction of the cost. I bought it from a dealer on this auction site in WI. Do a search for Verona and you may find something you like. Might add that it was an excellent transaction with this dealer.
Bob0
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