Trap gun help

G

GYK37

Inactive
I'm looking to get into trap shooting - there's a few good places in the immediate area for trap and I've got a few friends who would like to go. Problem is, I've got no gun

I've done some research on trap guns and from what I've read, a 32" O/U or a 34" single barrel is recommended. The 32" O/U that I've been able to find start near $3000 new and the 34" single barrels appear to start at over $1500.

Since I'm new to trap shooting and my budget is limited, I'm not sure either the 32" O/U or 34" is going to be feasible.

As a beginner, what type of barrel length and type should I be looking for? Anyone have any specific suggestions on trap guns in the $600-$1000 range?

Thanks in advance for any help
 
If cash is tight Look at an remington 870 Classic trap you have get a used on of 500 to 700. Or any field gun will get the job do if you already have one.
 
Look for a good clean used Browning BT99 if you want a single barrel break open gun. Limits you to shooting singles and handicap but not doubles. Should be able to find one in the $1000 range.

The Remington 1100 classic trap is a decent gun for a beginner. Light recoil, nice shooting gun and new one is definitley available in your price range.
 
A Beretta AL391 or a Remington 1100 Auto would be my first choice? Wait a minute!!! An AL391 was my first choice, crushed alot of clays with it. Either of the above mentioned guns will work GREAT. Let us know which gun you settle on. Remember, the gun that fits you BEST will give you the BEST results.
John :D
 
Hi GYK. Welcome!

I just went thru this same process. This forum is chalk full of info and with guys like Zippy13, BigJimP... you're in really good hands.

I set my mark at $1500. I wasn't sure what clay sport I was going to gravitate to, so I wanted to choose a gun that would allow me to play all of them competently. I know you said you've got friends that are inviting you out, so you already know what direction you're heading in. But maybe consider keeping your options open too. Who knows... you might find yourself loving double trap, or sporting clays or skeet, drawing your friends into it too... all of these sports require two shot capability.

After a LOT of research, a TON of Q&A with folks like zippy and BigJim, and some just straight up good time spent at the club, I narrowed my choices down to two:
1) a new/used Beretta AL391 Teknys (semiauto)
2) a used Browing Citori something or Beretta something (O/U)

The first option in my short list makes good sense for beginners like us. The 391 is arguably the best semiauto on the market. It will last you a lifetime and enable you to enjoy yourself in any of the clay sports. It might not be the best choice for the double sports (since you're stuck with the choke you've got in your one barrel), but at our level that's not nearly as important as our shooting form, and our general enjoyment. Both of which can be practiced and had to their fullest with a semiauto like the Beretta.

And, I figured if I found myself really loving this sport but with little use for a semiauto anymore, I could sell the 391 for a significant chunk of change; those things hold their resale value like crazy.

The second option on my short list was really the best for me. I wanted an O/U from the get go; I wanted to be able to shoot doubles and play with chokes right away. I didn't want to discover that the single barrel I chose prevented me from really enjoying, say, skeet or sporting because I didn't have the option of a different choke.

I also love the idea of reloading my own shells one day, and bending over to pick up all my discarded shells didn't sound like any fun. With an O/U you just crack 'er open and they're right there in your hand. No bending over.

Also they're not going to jam. With an auto, you need to choose your shell carefully, making sure its powerful enough to drive the reloading system (inertia or gas). With an O/U you can choose the softer shot, and save a little extra wear and tear on your shoulder in the process.

For example, just today I discovered doubles trap... and was very glad I had two barrels to enable proper choke selection. Again I would have been just fine with a single barreled semiauto, but it was 'fun' to be able to select the right choke for the longer second shot.

Funny thing for me; the sales guy at my club actually is the one that dropped the used O/U in my lap. He gave up the sale, in order to put me into an O/U that I could really learn the craft with.

I think if I am you, I try my friends guns for a while. Let them tell me what they love and hate, what they would change and what they wouldn't give up. I'd also see about renting a gun or three from the club, and I'd spend some time with the gun salesman there too (if your club has one, in my case the sales guy turns out to be one of the club owners). And keep your eye on the bulletin board... good deals seem to pop up on the board at my club often.

I looked at buying used online too, and its a good option. But for me, buying locally started making sense the more I time I spent at my club. There's relationship building going on during this process. And it turns out I've really benefited from those relationships already.

Hope all that helps. Please ask any and all questions you may have. I know almost nothing, but what I do know I'm happy to share.
 
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Thanks for all the info guys - it really helps. Unfortunately, I'm not a member of a club yet so I'll have to look elsewhere for my deals.

The Remington 1100 and the AL391 are great guns and fit perfectly in my price range. From what Jason said and some additional research I did, I'd really like to get a O/U. I have a feeling I'm going to have a difficult time finding an O/U that's long enough and fits into my price range.

I figured that a 30" O/U would work well for both trap and skeet but the prices seem to be a bit high. Most of the places in my area (both public and private) offer trap shooting and a very select few offer skeet. Most likely, I'll be doing more trap than skeet. That being said, am I better off waiting and upping my budget so I can get at least a 30" O/U or would it be reasonable as a beginning to do trap with a 28" O/U (which, from a quick search, seem to be more readily available and more affordable)?

I'll be sure to fill you guys in on what I decide on.

Thanks again for all the help
 
GY, I wasn't a member of my local club until yesterday. I'm not sure if your club is public or private, but either way I think you'll find a welcoming environment if you show up and just sorta say "Hey I'm new to all this, but I'd really like to learn." Worked for me wonderfully.

I limited my searches to a minimum of 30" so I can't really comment on the 28" options, except to say that they seem to be the same price at retail. Given that, I'd expect them to be around the same price used as well? But you might be right in that availability is limited for the 30+"ers.

For what its worth, I'm REALLY glad to have a 30". If you get into this, you're going to want the length (for reasons that far exceed my ability to explain sufficiently; I'll leave that to the experts). Heck I'm finding myself wishing for a longer barrel lately, but I'll save that for my next gun :wink:

To more specifically answer your question, I'd keep looking for a 30" or longer barreled O/U. For all the reasons I've mentioned already, an O/U suits me best, and a 30" barrel is as short as I'd like to go. But having said that, if I was firm on my budget, if I wanted to get out there ASAP, and I was pretty certain I was going to stick to ATA trap, I'd probably jump all over a nice used 391 if I found one.

Ya know, after quickly poking around at http://www.gunsamerica.com/ I see there are several options for a well loved O/U 30" in your price range. If you haven't already, maybe take a gander over there?

Keep us posted!
 
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Maybe you have a good selection of used guns near you, that's an option. I managed to snag a real beaut of a Rem 1100 at a good price used, half of normal. Supposedly they are good for clay sports, I wouldn't know yet, I'll have to go out and learn it first.
 
Since you're just getting into this - I would look for a used Beretta or Browning O/U - and 28" or 30" barrels are fine.

But the most important point is not the mfg, or type of action - its fit - and at this point, its fair to say you don't really know what gun will fit you / so it will hit where you look.

Spend some more time at your local club - and try to focus on a gun that has some adjustability to it - adj comb, etc - and you'll probably be fine.

A gun like the Browning XS Skeet - is a good all around gun / for Skeet, Sporting Clays, some bird hunting - and even some Trap. I would stay away from dedicated single barrel Trap guns / they're too specialized unless you really want to get into Trap shooting ...
 
If you get an 1100 or 391, be sure to get a shell catcher for it! Trap shooters really frown on shells being thrown at them!
 
Used Remington 3200 o/u is about 1000.00 or so. 32" barrels, lower barrel in improved modified for singles, upper barrel in full for handicap and you got the doubles covered also. The gun is a little on the heavy side but a great gun. A 870 or 1100 with a 30" barrel in full choke will also suit your needs. With either the 870 or 1100 you also can purchase additional barrels for other types of shooting (skeet etc.) at affordable prices.

Good luck and happy shooting.
 
My trap gun is an old 870TB that I have been using for over ten years. Shoot what every you have and then buy what you want. I would recommended you get the O/U that best fits you. Semis are nice, but get a shell catcher for singles, as a courtesy.
 
Here is an absolutely gorgeous classic Remington 1100 Trap gun with 30" barrel that looks amazing, and would be quite an excellent bargain:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133506326


Here is another one in very good shape for $500:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133181425


Otherwise, if you want to spend some serious money, for around $1,100 you can find a Beretta 391 Urika 2 Sporting with a 30 inch barrel. This is a fantastic shooting trap gun, and comes with a full set of Beretta's latest extended target choke tubes. Here is a photo of it:

pix2406917359.jpg



And a link to an auction:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133587526


The Beretta semiauto shotguns are fantastic guns that are so easy on your shoulder. You can shoot them all day with ease.

-
 
I prefer 1100's to Beretta. The Beretta guns are a little light in front, and some added weight (magazine cap with or without reducer) is necessary to feel right for me.

About 10 to 16 ounces will make the Beretta very friendly.

HM
 
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