Fight about it part dos!

[Dawgbite]

I’m looking for a new 20 ga shotgun. Upland bird hunting will be its primary use. I’ve got a Benelli Super Sport that I love but can’t bring myself to tote it through corn rows and briers. Bought a Tri Star O/U and shoot it very well but I don’t like the barrel selector. I really like the O/U but a quality O/U starts at $2000 and I’d like to stay in the $1000-$1500 range. Im leaning toward a Retay Maisa Mara automatic but I’m afraid I’m not going to be happy with the quality I recently missed a used Browning Citori for around $1400 because I hesitated Anyone have experience with any guns that might meet my criteria. I know that for an O/U I’m looking at Turkish guns in that price range but the quality is so varied. Same with automatics. I know that I can get more gun for my money in an automatic but there’s something about toting a stack barrel. Suggestions?

 

[Anon1665155225]

I would get a Citori feather lightning. I’ve got one that’s used only for dove hunting. My advice is bite the bullet and spend the extra money. I’ve got a 12ga feather lightning as well. Damn fine bird guns.

 

[OopsICroomedmypants]

Here are my worthless thoughts. Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun or a gun that is inferior to your preferences. Get yourself a nice gun or use your Benelli and take it hunting. I deer hunt with a presentation grade tiger maple stock Winchester Model 70. I saw it for sale and said that's THE 1 for me. It looks great in pictures with the deer I kill with it and I like looking at it and holding it when I'm hunting. I used it today and clanged it by accident against a metal ladder stand. That's part of it and every blemish is mine. I also have a Weatherby Mark V with a Claro walnut engraved stock that I use. I have a Winchester Model 12 20 gauge modified choke made in 1913. It used to have a guy's social security number scratched into the side of the walnut but stock until use wore it down until it's barely noticeable. The stock is as smooth as a bar of soap on the grip near the trigger and the nickel steel has a beautiful patina. It still locks up and shoots like new and it has more character than any other gun I own. Don't cheat yourself out of what you want. Just go get it and be happy. Sell another gun to help fund it if it makes you feel better.

 

[Anon1665155225]

Here are my worthless thoughts. Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun or a gun that is inferior to your preferences

When it comes to bird hunting, this statement is dead on.

 

[Dawgbite]

I may need a place to sleep if I buy a Benelli 828 Custom Shop. I can’t even think of a good lie to justify that!

 

[Anon1665155225]

I may need a place to sleep if I buy a Benelli 828 Custom Shop. I can’t even think of a good lie to justify that!

Keep looking in the used market. You might can find a good 20ga Citori for $1700-$2000

ETA: If you know a good gunsmith, use that resource. Those guys can find stuff the rest of us can’t.

 

[M R DAWGS]

This summer I bought a used 1974 Browning side/side (BSS) that, in my opinion, is cooler than most o/u’s. It’ll run you about what you’re looking to spend if you look on Gunbroker.

I hunted with it during dove season and enjoyed it. It’s an interesting gun, and not everyone has one. Shoots well. You just have to find one in good condition.

I also have a Browning citori white lightning 20ga that is the best looking gun I own and shoots great. It’s just more expensive than what you described.

 

[40mikemike]

Go buy a Benelli Montefeltro for $1000 and call it good. Lightweight, good looking, reliable shotgun that fits your budget and is better quality than anything Retay is putting out.

 

[M R DAWGS]

Go buy a Benelli Montefeltro for $1000 and call it good. Lightweight, good looking, reliable shotgun that fits your budget and is better quality than anything Retay is putting out.

Great shotgun as well

 

[aTotal360]

1187. Keep it in the toolbox. No case.

 

[Dawgbite]

Go buy a Benelli Montefeltro for $1000 and call it good. Lightweight, good looking, reliable shotgun that fits your budget and is better quality than anything Retay is putting out.

Have‘nt priced a Montefeltro recently so I went to Buds Guns. $1400 for a Montefeltro and $1300 for a M2 Vs $900 for the Retay that I’ve been looking at. $3200 for the 828 that’s tempting me like a store bought pair of boobies!

 

[SteelMule32]

Benelli M2 if looking for an auto bird gun. I turkey hunt with a Retay MM in 20 ga and love it. Retay fixed the Benelli “click” but SBE3 don’t have the “click” problems from previous SBEs. O/U under $1k CZ in the $800 range. Can’t remember the model.

If you are in the market for the $1500 to $2k range get the Perazzi equivalent to the Beretta Silver Pigeon. Both shoot great but the Perazzi is a more balanced gun.

 

[jdbulldog]

Figure what you want to spend then add 500-600 to it and get what you really want. If you cannot do it now then wait till you can.

 

[L4Dawg]

I’ve got a Remington Model 11 (built on Browning patents) with a solid rib barrel. It’s about 90 years old, my Dad gave it to me for my birthday when I was 13-14. To me it’s priceless, and it shoots pretty well too.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Nobody doubts the skill of the man who takes more birds than everyone else with a bolt action shotgun.***

Slight hijack... I killed my first deer at 12 years old with one of these. 3" slug from 25 yards. I hunted Army corps of engineers land exclusively with that sucker until I was 15 and got a rifle.

That .270 felt like a .22 when I first shot it. To this day I have no issue with recoil. I looked it up and a 3" slug totes 54 lbs of felt recoil in and in a bolt action at 7 lbs that cost $50 new in the 70's... You feel every ounce of that and more.

 

[ETK99]

I’m looking for a new 20 ga shotgun. Upland bird hunting will be its primary use. I’ve got a Benelli Super Sport that I love but can’t bring myself to tote it through corn rows and briers. Bought a Tri Star O/U and shoot it very well but I don’t like the barrel selector. I really like the O/U but a quality O/U starts at $2000 and I’d like to stay in the $1000-$1500 range. Im leaning toward a Retay Maisa Mara automatic but I’m afraid I’m not going to be happy with the quality I recently missed a used Browning Citori for around $1400 because I hesitated Anyone have experience with any guns that might meet my criteria. I know that for an O/U I’m looking at Turkish guns in that price range but the quality is so varied. Same with automatics. I know that I can get more gun for my money in an automatic but there’s something about toting a stack barrel. Suggestions?

I'll sell you an O/U lol

 

[40mikemike]

Have‘nt priced a Montefeltro recently so I went to Buds Guns. $1400 for a Montefeltro and $1300 for a M2 Vs $900 for the Retay that I’ve been looking at. $3200 for the 828 that’s tempting me like a store bought pair of boobies!

I paid $999 for my Montefeltro at Gary’s a few years ago. Maybe they’ve gone up since then. I do not like the Retay guns at all. Handled quite a few of them and they just feel cheap.

 

[idog]

I’ve killed a number of pheasants with a Browning A5 and the guy I hunt with has killed hundreds with his 870 but your fancy guns sure are cute.

 

[Dawgbite]

View attachment 731992
View attachment 731984


Nobody doubts the skill of the man who takes more birds than everyone else with a bolt action shotgun.***

Slight hijack... I killed my first deer at 12 years old with one of these. 3" slug from 25 yards. I hunted Army corps of engineers land exclusively with that sucker until I was 15 and got a rifle.

That .270 felt like a .22 when I first shot it. To this day I have no issue with recoil. I looked it up and a 3" slug totes 54 lbs of felt recoil in and in a bolt action at 7 lbs that cost $50 new in the 70's... You feel every ounce of that and more.

I had one of those. I think it had a 32” barrel plus a poly choke on it. Killed more than my share of high flying ducks with it.

 

[Dawgbite]

I’ve killed a number of pheasants with a Browning A5 and the guy I hunt with has killed hundreds with his 870 but your fancy guns sure are cute.

There is no telling how many birds I’ve killed with my fathers hand me down Ithaca, Model 37 16 gauge with a Poly Choke. I absolutely wore it out. I’ve taken it to a couple of gunsmiths and both have said it’s too much wear in it and parts are no longer available. I do have a weakness for nice guns. I justify them by telling my wife they are much cheaper than a 25 year old blonde.

 

[ronpolk]

I’m looking for a new 20 ga shotgun. Upland bird hunting will be its primary use. I’ve got a Benelli Super Sport that I love but can’t bring myself to tote it through corn rows and briers. Bought a Tri Star O/U and shoot it very well but I don’t like the barrel selector. I really like the O/U but a quality O/U starts at $2000 and I’d like to stay in the $1000-$1500 range. Im leaning toward a Retay Maisa Mara automatic but I’m afraid I’m not going to be happy with the quality I recently missed a used Browning Citori for around $1400 because I hesitated Anyone have experience with any guns that might meet my criteria. I know that for an O/U I’m looking at Turkish guns in that price range but the quality is so varied. Same with automatics. I know that I can get more gun for my money in an automatic but there’s something about toting a stack barrel. Suggestions?

If you like your benelli, check out stoeger if you want a cheaper gun that you don’t mind getting a little scratched up. I bought a stoeger last year to use for duck hunting. I wanted a benelli but couldn’t bring myself to pay that much for a gun that I knew I’d probably drop in the water at some point. I’ve been very happy with the stoeger so far. I actually find myself using that for everything but turkey and deer. Although I could definitely use it for turkey.

 

[biodawg]

Figure what you want to spend then add 500-600 to it and get what you really want. If you cannot do it now then wait till you can.

I can be cheap about some things, but guns and shoes/boots aren’t one of them. I’m firmly in the “buy once, cry once” school of thought, save and get what you really want.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

View attachment 731992
View attachment 731984


Nobody doubts the skill of the man who takes more birds than everyone else with a bolt action shotgun.***

Slight hijack... I killed my first deer at 12 years old with one of these. 3" slug from 25 yards. I hunted Army corps of engineers land exclusively with that sucker until I was 15 and got a rifle.

That .270 felt like a .22 when I first shot it. To this day I have no issue with recoil. I looked it up and a 3" slug totes 54 lbs of felt recoil in and in a bolt action at 7 lbs that cost $50 new in the 70's... You feel every ounce of that and more.

View attachment 731992
View attachment 731984


Nobody doubts the skill of the man who takes more birds than everyone else with a bolt action shotgun.***

Slight hijack... I killed my first deer at 12 years old with one of these. 3" slug from 25 yards. I hunted Army corps of engineers land exclusively with that sucker until I was 15 and got a rifle.

That .270 felt like a .22 when I first shot it. To this day I have no issue with recoil. I looked it up and a 3" slug totes 54 lbs of felt recoil in and in a bolt action at 7 lbs that cost $50 new in the 70's... You feel every ounce of that and more.

I've got a 16ga version of this. My first gun. Killed many a dove and squirrel with this thing.
My opinion, on the Pretty Gun(s), I tend to spend more time protecting the gun, than worrying about the game.
Get the shooters, not the pretty models.

 

[MaxwellSmart]

View attachment 731992
View attachment 731984


Nobody doubts the skill of the man who takes more birds than everyone else with a bolt action shotgun.***

Slight hijack... I killed my first deer at 12 years old with one of these. 3" slug from 25 yards. I hunted Army corps of engineers land exclusively with that sucker until I was 15 and got a rifle.

That .270 felt like a .22 when I first shot it. To this day I have no issue with recoil. I looked it up and a 3" slug totes 54 lbs of felt recoil in and in a bolt action at 7 lbs that cost $50 new in the 70's... You feel every ounce of that and more.

I've got an old bolt action 20 ga. I don't use it but it's cool and I just can't bring myself to sell it.