Which O/U Single Trigger all-around Shotgun for hunting?

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Para Bellum

New member
I'm getting into shotgun hunting and clayshooting.
All I have is 35 year old TOZ 34EP with a double trigger.

The Problem is that my hands are small and my index-finger is very short. That's great for precision rifle shooting but a true handycap with double-triggers that are exactly 1 inch apart.

So, I want an o/u all-around shotgun (12/70) that fits me better. What would you PROs recommend?

If you want to "classify me" I shoot Glocks, a 7x57 Mauser 98 converted into a hunting rifle in 1961 and a Steyr AUG. I don't care about looks, just the function counts.
 
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6x6pinz

New member
for a hunting shotgun it is hard to beat the value of a Spartan SPR310. Not the cleanest finish but for a hunting gun finish is not as important as one on the wall. I use the SPR310's in 12 and 410 with great success. We have had trouble when duck hunting with the Ruger red label o/u. The ruger did not like the high brass, loved low brass and makes an excellent trap gun, and it tended to rust much more around the water than the SPR's.
 
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BigJimP

New member
Fit is the #1 thing on a shotgun - so it hits where you look. So you have to know what your dimension requirements are for length of pull, drop at comb - if any, drop at heel - and if you don't know, you need to shoot some guns at a pattern board to tell. Shotguns do not come in one size fits all - the dimensions are different.

In general - a universally good fit - can be best obtained by a comb that is parallel to the rib ( not angled like on most pump guns ). To get into a parallel comb gun - look at Browning XS Skeet or the XS Special models - with or without adjustable combs. I'd recommend the adjustable comb models - so the point of impact can be moved up or down / and left or right. New - they are in the $ 2,750 price range / but there are a few used ones around.

The newer Brownings have an adjustable trigger on them so you can move them back a little / or you may have to go to a different recoil pad - to decrease the length of pull a little. With smaller hands - you may or may not like a gun with a "palm swell" on it.

Most of the guns suggested previously - have no adjustment on them / so I wouldn't recommend them, but they are less expensive. Often in shotguns - you will get more adjustability when you spend a little more money - and better steel, more durability, etc. Browning and Beretta in terms of Over Unders give you a lot of gun for your money. These days, under $ 1,500 in terms of Over Unders there isn't much out there on the market worth owning long term.

Any shotgun can be made to fit - cheaply, by adding a stick on pad on the comb to change the angle of the comb for under $ 50. Custom stocks are pretty expensive but you can go that route.

My personal choice for an all around gun - for Skeet, Sporting Clays and hunting - is Browning XS Skeet model ( 12 or 20ga ) with the adjustable comb - and I prefer the 30" barrels. Its a very well balanced gun for quick games like Skeet or Quail hunting / but versatile enough for any type of hunting or clay target games. I'd recommend a 12ga / you can pick a shell at 7/8 oz and make it balistically perform like a 20ga. I've seen a few used around for about $ 2,250 or so in my area.
 
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6x6pinz

New member
BigJimP has brought up at least one of the most important aspects when looking for a new shotgun or any gun for that matter. Fit should be very high on your list. The Browning XS is a nice shotgun but if memory serves me correctly only available in 2 3/4' chambering. This brings up another point to consider and that would be use. 2 3/4 only shotugns would be all but worthless for hunting duck or geese but very acceptable if you only hunt smaller birds, dove, quail, pheasant ... Price range would be another very important consideration.
 
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oneounceload

Moderator
Try to rent some of the better guns - Berettas, Brownings, (both Jap and Belgian), Cesar Guerini, and even SKB....They are all very good, but they "feel" differently.......
 
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Maromero

Moderator
I suggest you try a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon Grade 20g. That's my to go shotgun for hunting. It does not mean she will be to your liking but I find it lovely to dance with her.
 
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olddrum1

New member
I think that you are seeing a lot of different guns being offered up here. Sometimes it helps to give a dollar amount on the investment that you want to make.
 
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zippy13

New member
Perhaps you can be a little more specific: What kind of budget do you have in mind? Do you want a new gun or one that has most of the misses already shot out of it? Will your hunting be humping your gun all day after upland birds, or in the comfort of a duck blind -- will you hunt deer in a state that requires a shotgun? Will the gun be used regularly for recreational clay shooting or just as a tune-up before hunting season? Like rifles and handguns, shotguns are specialized for their intended use -- your wanting an O/U narrows the field.
 
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Para Bellum

New member
Thanks so far, Folks!

Need a dollar amount...
Click to expand...
Doesn't really matter. I can affort all shotguns I know. Still, I don't care about looks and don't want to spend more than the functionality needs. In handguns (that field I understand), that means: Glock.
 
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BigJimP

New member
I was being sarcastic - sorry ...( I'm not a Glock fan ..).

In terms of semi-auto handguns, I would compare most Berettas or Brownings to an upper grade production handgun from Kimber. A Kimber isn't a high level custom made or custom fit gun - like an Ed Brown, or Wilson Combat 1911 - but Kimber makes a decent production gun for the money at around $ 1,500.

Beretta and Browning give you a lot of gun for the money - durable, strong, decent triggers and under $3,000. Higher end production shotguns would be Perazzi or Blazer in my view ( mostly at $ 7500 - $10,000 ). High end custom shotguns are Kolar, Krieghoff at $ $20,000 plus .

A Browning XS Skeet or XS Special are very good guns for the money / with lots of adjustability.
 
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Para Bellum

New member
Sarcasm

:) I understand.
The Glock-Thing is because I carry 24/7. Otherwise I'd own STIs or Kimbers.

So, since I don't intend to carry an o/u shotgun inside the waistband, I think we can agree on a quality standard in this section of the forum. ;)

I was at an expert's shop today and "tested" a lot of shotguns. The one that felt best was a Browning B525 Sporter:
big-B525SPORTER12M.jpg

It came into position naturally, felt very good, handles steel shot, is a magnum and they give 10yrs warranty. I assume, I can't go wrong with that one, could I?

Thanks a lot, Folks!
 
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BigJimP

New member
The 525 is a nice looking gun - the only issue with it is a lack of adjustbiltiy for point of impact. But there is nothing wrong mechanically with the 525 series / or any of the Browning Citori lineup of guns.

The 525 - and the newer 625 series - all have a lot of drop at the comb.

That steep angle on the comb ( at least on me ) caused the meat in my face to push up against my cheek bone / causing a lot of abuse from recoil. Ideally a shotgun should move rearward - and recoil under that cheek bone .... so for me, the 525 had way too much drop. I thought it was perfect in the store / but it was not a good gun for me. I sold the 525 a few years ago and went with the XS Skeet models ( in 12, 20, 28ga and .410 ) as my primary guns. Like I said before - the parallel comb guns - allow adjustability / and for me, they recoil and slide under my cheek bone.

The other issue on the 525 is the oil finish / if you shoot in a lot of rain - the finish doesn't keep the elements out too well - and the finish will get "muddy". It can be refinished - with a more traditional Browning verathate finish - and its a good winter project.

I don't carry 24/7 but my 1911 of choice is Wilson Combat - CQB or Protector in 5" - and you're right, they are a little heavy - but I like the CQB on my hip when I do carry.
 
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Para Bellum

New member
Sorry, it's a 425 Citori

...I got it wrong yesterday. The gun I liked the most in the shot is a 425 Citori. Does your critique of the 525 also apply to the 425?

Thanks!
 
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