New to Over-Under guns, a general question....

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If you're on a budget, is it generally considered better to buy a USED higher-end gun (say, a Beretta 686) or a NEW mid-level gun (say, a Charles Daly Diamond I)?

When it comes to pistols or revolvers, I know enough about them to answer this question myself. But when it comes to O/U shotguns I am definitely a novice. My main concern is just how fast these guns tend to wear out, or shoot loose, or "age." If they tend to come apart under heavy use, then I'm not certain I'd want something used. But if they tend to hold together very well, then I wouldn't see a problem with it.

What's your experience?
 
If you could get a high end gun in good condition used at a good price, that would be the best way. If you can get hold of a Lanber 2097, that would be good also. I paid around $600 for mine at CDNN. Last time I checked, they had the 2087, which is also a good gun.
 
Well, my SxS doubles have had more thousand rounds through them than I could count.

Having said that, have a smithy look it over to make sure it hasn't been abused by having steel shot put through it. Doubles (SxS and O/U) generally don't hold up well to steel shot. If it costs you a couple of bucks to have an expert check it over, that's money well spent. Best of luck to you. :)
 
Check out the new Mossberg O/U`s.They are very good looking and a few of the folks I shoot trap with that have them really like them too.No problems so far.I`m thinking about one in a 410.Tom
 
If you can find a high end used one then that's the way to go. You will pay the same money for say a used citori or red label that you would a new o/u made in turkey. The problem is finding a used high end o/u. They are hard to find around here because the people that buy them hang on to them.
 
It's safer to buy a better used O/U than a new "inferior" one because O/U's are very reliable and durable.
So, IMHO, I'd buy a used Beretta or Browning over an "unknown" or "untested" O/U anyday. Plus, you know parts and service are available.

There are a lot of good used O/U available, IMO, because many people don't shoot that much or switch guns. Meaning, buying a quality O/U with 10-20,000 rounds or more is not unusal.
 
When you do buy one, don't forget to keep all the contact points greased, Clean and regrease after every use.
 
Thanks, those are all great suggestions. Okay, so what about side-by-side shotguns? Are they as durable as the over-under guns? They seem to be a little more expensive, but I do like their aesthetic qualities.
 
I think in general SxS's are more expensive because they are more difficult to manufacture. From what I've read, regulation of the barrels takes more hands on work. For most shooting, a well made side by side is just as durable as an O/U.

Try looking at a used Browning Cotori or one of the -25 series.
 
SxS's

I read an article years ago that said all side by sides under several thousand dollars would shoot cross-eyed or push. At the time, I had a Stevens 311 (granted, a damn cheap gun). When I checked it on paper from the bench, sure enough it was cross-eyed as hell (left barrel shot about a foot to the right of center at 40 yards... right barrel shot to the left, but not quite as bad). I later checked a Baikal [sic?] and found the same to be true. That's only two guns, but its both guns I checked. YMMV.
 
Okay, so what about side-by-side shotguns? Are they as durable as the over-under guns? They seem to be a little more expensive, but I do like their aesthetic qualities.
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Yes. Both of my Ithaca/SKBs lock as tight today as when I got them 30-some years ago, and they've had thousands of rounds through each. They weren't inxpensive when I got them, and they're much more expensive now.

I, too, just like the look and feel of a quality SxS more than just about anything.
 
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