[Mike Boufford]

I've been shooting O/U shotguns for over 30 years and I believe that I have shot just about every manufacturers offering out there in one form or another. A clunky, unbalanced O/U shotgun is no fun to hunt with because it will swing like a tree branch and kick like a mule.

Either shop around for a good used O/U or save your cash until you can afford a mid-priced O/U from a quality manufacturer. From an overall standpoint you can't beat Browning or Beretta for their quality, customer service and availability. My preference is Browning and I am pretty certain you can easily get an O/U set up for duck hunting (camo clad, synthetic stock, 3 1/2" chambers). FYI, and this is my opinion, just because you have 3 1/2" chambers doesn't mean that you should use 3 1/2" shells unless you handle recoil well.

Ruger is out of the shotgun business now otherwise I would also add them into the new equation. If you can find a good Ruger Red Label on the used market, go for it because they are built like a tank and can take duck hunting abuse.

Shelby, where do you live? I would find a good high volume gun shop and do some hands on shopping instead of the internet route at least until you know exactly what you want. My favorite shotgun shop is Jaquas in Ohio. They have mopre shotguns in stock both new and used than you can possibly imagine. Prices range from inexpensive to outrageous. I took my son there to pick out his first adult shotgun. The first thing he came to was a used 20 gauge SxS Purdey Funeral grade. He says "I want THIS one". I looked at the $18,000 price tag and politely told him that I wouldn't spend that kind of money on me, and oh look the Beretta AL 390's are on half off sale (the 391 had just come out).

By the way diva is spelled Perazzi in Italian and Kreighoff in German.

 

[Mike Boufford]

I really think this winchester gun is the current sleeper among O/U's
Very well made Belgium gun. resonably priced.

I will say though, I picked up a New Browning Citori lightning for just a tad over 1100.00

I am very pleased with it. It will out last me and my son.

MICHEALBAKER

The new Winchester 101 is a nice looking weapon and seems to be priced at the same price points as the comparable Browning which it should be given the manufacturing locations and ownership of each. Maybe it's me but there seems to be a bit more drop on the Winchester stock than the Browning?

My clays gun is a Browning Sporting Clays Edition 12 gauge and would be a bit too heavy to carry in the field. My upland shotgun is a Browning Lightning Feather 16 gauge that is perfect for all manner of upland game. What a beautiful weapon to carry all day long at roughly 6 pounds.

 

[Mike Boufford]

my brother in Austin bought one of the new Win 101 Elite and it is a fairly straight stock for a field gun, very close to the old Browning Superposed specs...but not like my old diva Kreighoff K80

the new 101's have probably the best price point vs quality gun that is currently on the market, you can pay a whole lot more but it doesnt mean you are getting that much more gun..whole different fit than some of the Italian O/U's, if you prefer the more traditional Browning type fit (as I do) you will like this gun

I had to go check the specs out. The Winchester 101 and Browning Citori Lighning stock specs are extremely similar. Maybe it was the one I was shooting? Who knows.

I agree that these O/U's are the best value for the money. I personally do not like the way the Berettas fit or handle. Just about any Browning fits me right out of the box, but not the Beretta O/U. You are also paying for the name whatever that is worth to someone.

Perazzi and Kreighoff are just fluff. A Remington 3200 by any other name..... ;-)