O/U Selection
The advice given in the previous replies Re Beretta and Browning O/Us is sound. These guns are well made and will stand up to a lifetime of shooting fun. Another consideration is the availability of repair parts and extra barrel sets should you need them.
There are many makes of O/U guns not as popular as the B & B , but probably just as reliable and well made. SKB makes fine guns and has been around for a long time, they also make many of the O/U guns for Weatherby. Marocchi, an Italian maker, makes an especially nice line of O/U guns, including a model designed for women. They are a bit more expensive but worth the money.
Also look at previously owned guns from makers like Kemen, Renato Gamba (both are Perazzi clones and very well made) Krieghoff and even Perazzi. The guns may be used, but are designed to be rebuilt and made just as good as new.
I would suggest shooting as many guns as possible to find the one that fits and feels best. Most shooters will let you shoot their guns if you demonstrate that you are responsible and safe on the clays course. And most will be more than willing to espouse the virtues of their particular gun (be prepared for loads of BS
)
Most shooters who are into clays rarely stay with their first gun anyway, so starting out with a used gun that you can resell may be the best strategy.
Geoff Ross