Suggestions for a decent trap O/U 12 ga.

axp817 · Post by **axp817** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:36 pm

So, I have been shooting trap for about 4 months now, on a very regular basis. I use a Remington 870 with a 26" barrel. It is a great shotgun, hasn't given me any trouble, but I feel that I could do better with an O/U.

I plan on getting an O/U in January 2007 which gives me a lot of time to research various brands/models available, and maybe even try some out.

I am looking for something better than a Stoeger, and not beyond $1500-$1700.

I do understand that it is very important for the gun to feel right/fit well, and the only way to do that is to shoot it or at least hold it to see how it feels. So what I am looking for is a few suggestions - if the choices boil down to 5-6 models, then I could go around gun stores and try (hold) each one out.
I thought this was a good way of deciding on a gun, but feel free to suggest other ways of "finding the right trap gun".

Thanks,
Naren

HSharief · Post by **HSharief** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:37 am

Here's an edited form of the note that I sent to Navdeep.

EDIT : You should first try to feel which one fits you best and points most naturally for YOU.

For $1500, you could get a very good almost new Browning XT/525 or Beretta 682/687. Check out some of the dealer websites like Joel Etchen, IndianaGunclub, Jaquas to get a feel for the prices. I bought my 682 at IndianaGunClub, they have a huge range of guns and very very good prices. Check out www.gunbroker.com, they have good deals there too.

If you're interested in Beretta 682, there are a few for sale on trapshooters.com. I think a couple of them are very good deals.

http://www.trapshooters.com/cfpages/thr ... messages=2
http://www.trapshooters.com/cfpages/thr ... messages=7
http://www.trapshooters.com/cfpages/thr ... messages=3

Check these out too...

http://www.joeletchenguns.com/berettau.htm
I think the Benelli sport II for $1000 is a GREAT price. New one is almost $1500

If you want to go the Semi-Auto route, I'd strongly recommend the Benelli. This is the cleanest, the rest are gas operated and get dirty too soon. This is the reason I sold my first Beretta semi-auto.

My first choice will be a Beretta 682 with 32" barrels and chokes. NO Porting, NO adjustable nothing. Keep it simple, you'll like it, trust me on this one.

Post by **Vikram** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:54 am

This is just the case of responding to your post and I have little practical experience with them. But, time has come for me, too, to buy mine own gun and I have been reading/asking questions extensively. At your price range,

Beretta 68x series, Browning,Citori,Miroku,Rizzinis,Marochis etc, all fine firearms and you should be able to pick very good used guns. I would add Fabarm lineup to this. I am told they offer the best bang for the money and they are virtually indestructible; of course the rest also. These days almost all the decently made guns outlive the shooters.

At less than $1000 or slightly higher, looking at Lauronas and Lanbers, Franchi and Veronas would not hurt. All these guns have dedicated following and their reliability has been a non-issue. Guess, it boils down to personal preferences and I think you would do reasonably well with any of these choices before you would consider investing in higher grade new guns.

In fact, this post is about convincing my self.

I have a bunch of gun reviews by the Clay Shooting magazine in pdf format. You are going to love this one and probably hate me for adding to your indecision.

http://www.clay-shooting.com/features_/index.html

http://www.clayshootingusa.com/readers/archive.asp

Good shooting-
Vikram

HSharief · Post by **HSharief** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:37 am

SO, we have three members wanting to get an O/U soon. Navdeep, Naren and Vikram. Please keep the suggestions coming and it'll be interesting to see what these guys eventually get.

axp817 · Post by **axp817** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:26 am

Thanks for the detailed responses Vikram and Sharief, much appreciated.

It would be really sweet if I could get my hands on a 682 without having to stretch my budget.

Whats a porting btw?

Vikram - those Italian names you mention have got me excited, but I wonder if service/maintenace for them is available in the US.

Thanks for the links too, will post any info. I come across or any guns I look at.

Also, I forgot to mention, our club is an FFL and can get any new gun at dealer's price for members, which is approx. 15-20% less than at most retailers.

Everyone, please keep your suggestions coming.

thanks,
N

Post by **Grumpy** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:01 am

Um.......if you want a dedicated trap gun rather than an `all-rounder` the choice is pretty limited in new guns......good ones anyway - especially in the price range you mention. The Antonio Zoli Kronos has been getting really good reviews but I`d still go for a used Beretta 682 - which is definitely a better and stronger gun than the 686. If you do want an all-purpose gun I`d go for a 682 sporting clays gun if money allows. Trap guns make very poor game or sporting clays guns because they are designed to be pre-mounted and therefore have a very high comb with a full pistol grip with palm swell. They are also considerably heavier than a porting clays or - especially - a game gun. A totally dedicated trap gun will also have a very high, wide rib and the comb height/length of pull are adjustable.
It is a condition of their appointment that the official importers of the major makes have to have trained staff to deal with warranty issues and breakages in older guns.
`Porting` refers to rows of small holes being made near the muzzles of a shotgun. They are designed to reduce recoil and are another form of muzzle brake. Useful in reducing muzzle flip after the first shot as they allow for more rapid acquisition of the second clay.

Post by **Sakobav** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:02 am

Adding to Sharief list is recommendation by Mehul for Remington 1100 and their latest Ti model.

mehulkamdar · Post by **mehulkamdar** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:47 am

Naren,

You can get all the brands listed by Vikram at way below the price you have posted from CDNN Investments http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cdnn/CDNN2006-4.pdf Keep checking their catalogue every week as they have something new all the time.

Just add $ 50 for a $ 25 shipping fee and $ 25 for an FFL transfer fee at your dealer.

Cheers!

Mehul

axp817 · Post by **axp817** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:37 pm

aha, how did I forget CDNN, from the last time you told me. Thank you Mehul, I will definitely check on there too.

Less than 24 hrs. since I started this thread and so many replies, thank you kind Sirs, much appreciated, and I am off to a great start.

-N

HSharief · Post by **HSharief** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:32 pm

I recommend staying away from the "gas" guns, meaning Gas operated Semi-autos. Too many parts, gaskets, ports, what-nots. My fav pet peeve, gets dirty too soon. You'll save money but spend that same in cleaning supplies. I handled the new Rem 106CTi at the Grand. It looks and feels good, bottom feed-bottom eject is nice for lefties. If you're looking into semi-autos, I'd suggest sticking with the Benelli Sport series.

Just get the O/U, far more advantages than semi-auto.

axp817 · Post by **axp817** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:01 pm

Thanks Sharief,
I am not looking at the semi autos at all, not only because of the cleaning/maintenance issues with gas operated semis, but semi auto shotguns have never been of interest to me, whereas O/Us always have.

I am only looking for an O/U

mehulkamdar · Post by **mehulkamdar** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:23 pm

Sharief,

Any idea on the 105 CTi's pricing? I suggested it to Navdeep as well - his requirement is for a general purpose gun, not s focused trap gun requirement like Naren's.

Mehul

HSharief · Post by **HSharief** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:50 pm

Mehul, I don't remember the suggested price I saw at the Grand but online, its about $1k I think, market will be around $600-$800 I'd say. One thing that impressed me is that the rep said they have some new finish (hardening) on it. He demonstrated by banging some dummy shells on the receiver to marr it badly, then just pulled an oil rag from his pocket and cleaned it all up. That was nice I thought.

Post by **Vikram** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:42 am

Naren,

All the makes that I mentioned have good base in US. Lauronas and Lanbers are Spanish and are old names in the game. Grumpy will be able to tell us, they have a big presence here. Beretta 68x makes a lot of sense, but the rest hold their own. Especially, if you don't want to invest large money before you decide what you want and decide to upgrade.

Best-
Vikram

Post by **Sakobav** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:58 am

Thanks for advise every one. I finally paid a visit to Beretta gun room here in Manhattan. I just had one hour left so had to rush through. Its located in upper east, amidst top end fashion stores, Armani, Oscar, et al, kind of out of place. The guys in Beretta store were nice. The salesman listened to me and pulled out a Benelli and Beretta 682. Right away based on my stance head too far back, he recommended range visit or lessons before I made any decision. I enquired about one range which I had heard them discussing just 24 mins away. He clarified thats time a chopper takes, its up in Hamptons on Long Island, 1 hr drive for me by road.. He provided me with details and I will pay a visit to range. Beretta seem to be doing a brisk business, saw three high end guns being sold. Also checked out Sako and Tikka rifles. They also have a gun smith section also for fitting etc. Since Long gun lic has no one month purchase deadline like pistol lic, I will try out guns before making final decision. In the process as advised by Mehul/Sharief and John save some more and buy a gun that fits and keep options opens.
Regards

Indians For Guns

Indians For Guns

Suggestions for a decent trap O/U 12 ga.

Suggestions for a decent trap O/U 12 ga.

Re: Suggestions for a decent trap O/U 12 ga.