i was thinking of getting a new shotgun fairly soon. I saw the prices of a few models and was quite interested. Two o/u's that i was looking at were the mossberg silver reserve, and the stoeger condor. I also liked the Stoeger uplander and 2000 autoloader. Anyone know anything about these? The primary uses would be for dove and pheasants with occasional trap shooting as well. Thanks for any help!

I would be getting it in 12 gauge by the way.

I have a Stoeger Condor that I bought with both the 12 ga and 20 ga barrels for about half what a "nicer" shotgun would cost.

It is true that you get what you pay for. The fit is not quite as nice, and the action was pretty stiff when I got it. If possible ask the sales person to see several of the same shotguns and compare the smoothness, check to see if the wood color matches, etc.

That being said, I have shot plenty of clay pidgeons and taken the Stoeger Grouse, Duck and Goose hunting. I haven't gotten any Grouse with it, but I have taken Duck and Geese.

It may not be as nice as the more expensive guns, but I was looking for a cheap way to get into a O/U and this will serve it's function.

The Mossbergs are nice looking guns and make for a good entry level O/U and are a small step up from the Stoeger. Moving up just a bit in pricing, the Huglu shotguns being sold by CZ USA are fantastic values for the quality. They can be bought for $650.00 to $675.00 http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=56

if you can find a used Verona O/U in the sx5xx series they are very well made shotguns, made by I Rizzini (F.A.I.R.) and where imported by B.C. Outdoors under the Verona name. it is basicly the same shotgun as the savage Milano that goes for (also made by F.A.I.R.) 1,200.00 but you can get the verona 5XX series for under 600.00 if you can find one. sx502 was sold by dicks, sx503 was sold by Gander mountain sx 504 was cabelas i think, and one more by gaylons (sp?) now bought out by dicks. there are a 6xx series too but the prices go up. a well made italian gun at a affordable price.

If you decide to go with the Stoeger, here is a website that has instructions on "slicking it up". Making it break open easier, polishing the chambers so that empties fall right out, etc.


http://marauder.homestead.com/Shotgun.html

Don't discount some of the older Stevens & Savage doubles. True, most will have fixed chokes, but sometimes the barrel thickness will allow a thinwall removeable choke system to be put in. I had one put in a 22" Win 97.

I had a Stoeger, sold it to a friend who has been using it for years now, and will never part with it. I should have not let it go.

As of late I have been using a Charles Daly 20 O/U when I don't want my Franchi out in the weather or briar scratched.
It is a model 106, a 26" 20 gauge that truly is a workhorse. it has a really nice feel, a prince of wales stock, and honestly, shoots as nice/if not better than the 1000 dollar franchi.

i got it last fall for about $450. great gun

http://www.charlesdaly.com/html/products/firearms/shotguns/ou/106/106.asp

I bought a Stoeger Condor in 12ga. I paid $200 for it in nearly new condition. I cleaned it up, lots of hard grease(maybe cosmoline?) in the action. Relubed sparingly and couldn't shoot it because I broke a shoulder blade. Well I got it out and promptly popped the first dove that flushed. I love the feel of the gun. It pops right up on target. For 2 bills I can't see how you can beat it. I know it's not finished nicely but at the same time I can take it with me anywhere without fear of getting it dirty. It will be with me in the duck blind this weekend for the WI opener. I'll let you know what happens.

If you have a chance, take a look at the Mossberg 930, it is getting great reviews, very reliable, and will shoot any load you put into them from 3" magnums to 7/8oz 2-3/4" target loads.

I haven't heard good thing about the reliability of the Mossberg Silver Reserve, but that is mostly from "high volume" shooters that don't like anything that is imported from Turkey...

Smitty

I went on the Daly site. Nice looking gun and for 450 seems like a great deal. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Synergy or a Citori but I'd die if I scratched it or got it wet.I had a Stoeger, sold it to a friend who has been using it for years now, and will never part with it. I should have not let it go.

As of late I have been using a Charles Daly 20 O/U when I don't want my Franchi out in the weather or briar scratched.
It is a model 106, a 26" 20 gauge that truly is a workhorse. it has a really nice feel, a prince of wales stock, and honestly, shoots as nice/if not better than the 1000 dollar franchi.

i got it last fall for about $450. great gun

http://www.charlesdaly.com/html/products/firearms/shotguns/ou/106/106.asp

thanks for the info guys. i looked at that link to the charles daly website and liked the look of that 306 side by side. anyone know about those?

I went on the Daly site. Nice looking gun and for 450 seems like a great deal. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Synergy or a Citori but I'd die if I scratched it or got it wet.

exactly the reason I bought this one....if she gets bumped in the woods, it won't make me cry.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682422/9010514/276023048.jpg

Just got back from the Northern Wisc. duck opener. Almost all woodies were flying. We limited out on Woodies Sat., and got one hen mallard to go with the woodies. This morning was cold 33f when we got to the river. Saw a few woodies way high. Got a shot at 1 high flying mallard hen. No luck today, just way to clear and warm. Had a double yesterday with the Condor. Light and fast handling, I like it.

I recently purchased a Mossberg Silver Reserve in 20ga 26” bbls. The price was good and I couldn’t get hold of the shotgun I wanted so I grabbed the Mossberg. It has interchangeable chokes, 5 in all (2 IC, 1 IM 1 M and 1 F). I have used it on the skeet range and it performs quite well except I have trouble keeping it open enough to load the bottom barrel. It takes a little manoeuvring on my part, is slightly inconvenient but not greatly. It doesn’t have ejectors, extractors only, which I prefer. The wood is fairly figured for such an inexpensive gun. It has a pleasing appearance and no one noticed I’m shooting a very inexpensive shotgun.

I have run about 300 rounds through the gun on skeet with no malfunctions and my shooting is improving as I go so the gun capable of fairly high performance.

I will be taking this gun into some very rough country in about a week after Chukar partridge and I have some high expectations for this gun. I’m actually impressed with it. It doesn’t have the same feel as a Berretta or Browning but then it is ¼ the price. I might just keep it when my belated gun arrives.

By the way, Mossberg also markets a Silver Reserve Bantam with a 13” LOP for smaller shooters. Too bad it is still too big for my wife.

The Mossberg SR shotguns are made in Turkey by Kahn.