BlueHeeler
Ultimate Member
I am shopping for a real trap and sporting clays gun. I do not want something super fancy, just a workhorse for busting birds. The more random internet reviews I read, the more confusing it gets. So I rented a couple this weekend and was not overly impressed with either.
Beretta White Onyx – I rate this 6.5/10
The feel, weight and look of the gun were very good. The choke seemed to be too open and I was really struggling with farther shots. It looks like they use a standard removable choke, so I guess it could be somewhat tuned to my shooting. I could live with it, BUT for a $2K gun I should love it out of the box.
Beretta A400 Xplor - 4/10
The autoloading function made the most annoying noise in my ear every time it cycled. Something about the spring noise was nails on a chalkboard. That is not something I could live with. It felt kind of cheap for a $1.3K gun. The loading mechanism was not that great. Shot pretty well though.
Remington 870 Express (what I have now) – 7/10
I like this gun because it is customized with everything I want, unfortunately it is still a pump. I would rather use it for HD.
Ideally here is what I would like:
1. O/U or autoloading for doubles (O/U preferred)
2. 12 gauge
3. Used is preferred
4. Changeable chokes
5. Adjustable comb available so I can dial it up a tad for trap and drop it for sporting clays
6. Price range is $1 to 2K
Questions:
1. Are these criteria realistic?
2. Do all semi autos make a bad spring noise?
3. Is anybody on the forum selling something similar?
4. Suggestions, experience, and wisdom appreciated. There is too much money involved to learn about these by trial and error
Any info on these, the reviews make them seem interesting?
Model 1100 Competition Synthetic - This could work if the cycling is significantly better than the Beretta.
Stoeger Condor Competition - It ticks all of the boxes and looks cool. However the low price make me suspicious. Too good to be true?
Browning O/Us look impressive and available used on Gun Broker in the price range. However I do not want to buy one without handling or shooting a Browning.
Beretta White Onyx – I rate this 6.5/10
The feel, weight and look of the gun were very good. The choke seemed to be too open and I was really struggling with farther shots. It looks like they use a standard removable choke, so I guess it could be somewhat tuned to my shooting. I could live with it, BUT for a $2K gun I should love it out of the box.
Beretta A400 Xplor - 4/10
The autoloading function made the most annoying noise in my ear every time it cycled. Something about the spring noise was nails on a chalkboard. That is not something I could live with. It felt kind of cheap for a $1.3K gun. The loading mechanism was not that great. Shot pretty well though.
Remington 870 Express (what I have now) – 7/10
I like this gun because it is customized with everything I want, unfortunately it is still a pump. I would rather use it for HD.
Ideally here is what I would like:
1. O/U or autoloading for doubles (O/U preferred)
2. 12 gauge
3. Used is preferred
4. Changeable chokes
5. Adjustable comb available so I can dial it up a tad for trap and drop it for sporting clays
6. Price range is $1 to 2K
Questions:
1. Are these criteria realistic?
2. Do all semi autos make a bad spring noise?
3. Is anybody on the forum selling something similar?
4. Suggestions, experience, and wisdom appreciated. There is too much money involved to learn about these by trial and error
Any info on these, the reviews make them seem interesting?
Model 1100 Competition Synthetic - This could work if the cycling is significantly better than the Beretta.
Stoeger Condor Competition - It ticks all of the boxes and looks cool. However the low price make me suspicious. Too good to be true?
Browning O/Us look impressive and available used on Gun Broker in the price range. However I do not want to buy one without handling or shooting a Browning.