doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com double shotguns for three new hunters

A friend of mine was kind enough to give three neighbor kids a Beretta over and under shotgun. He told them to sell the gun and take the proceeds and purchase three guns, one for each. We have sold the gun about $3000 to buy the three guns. The kids would like doubles in 20 gauge. Any suggestions on new shotguns available that might serve them well and will be within the price range?

I would call Cabella's and ask what them might have that would meet the requirements

Welcome Swampman! Giving a nice Beretta to 3 kids is a nice gesture, but converting 3 grand into 3 new 20ga sxs's may be a tough job. No good new guns at the price point come to mind.

Your best bet will be to check the internet gun auctions on GunBroker or one of the others and buy 3 good 'used' guns, maybe Lefever nitro specials, or Fox Sterlingworths, LC Smith field grades, or even Stevens 311s (and pocket the change for shell money). Good luck with your search...Geo

I know CZ's aren't well thought of here but three new Bobwhites in 20ga would leave them quite a bit of money for shells.

I bought a 20ga Bobwhite for shooting steel shot out here on the saltwater and dove hunting where I have to use steel shot, it has filled the bill to a T. It shoots where I look, the black chrome barrels have held up well to the salt, it has choke tubes so it can go from the skeet field to the trap range and it doesn't look all that bad. It has been very reliable.

They are readily available at right around $700 ea.

Any "first new double" will be like a "Best" gun to those boys. People, try to look at it from their viewpoint. A gift of a new double barreled gun and shells to go with it. It does not need to be a custom made, high grade gun to be special to them. My father gave me a Winchester 28 ga Model 12 with a case of shells for my 12 or 13-th Christmas. No better gun was every given to or bought by me and I still have that gun. To these boys these doubles may be just as special.

Swampman is looking for suggestions for reliable guns in his price range. CZ or other Turkish made guns are the only new gun option. And the CZ has been one gun that has held up well for many. If it last five years and five thousand shells it will have started those boys on a lifetime of shooting. Then they can upgrade as their fortunes improve and their needs change.

Well put, Jon.


Best,
Ted

Totally agree with Ky John. For the money, and a new gun, I would go with a CZ double. I had a Ringneck and there was nothing wrong with the quality for the price. If used mainly for hunting they will last a long time and leave ,hopefully, a very good impression with the boys so that they will want to continue shooting. Plus with money that's left they could buy ammo, gun cases,maybe shooting glasses or vests depending on what's left.

The CZ Bobwhite in 20 is 6.5 lbs. In 28 gauge, 5 lbs., 3 oz.
Triggers are generally very stiff, but can be lightened. Double triggers....I've had the 28 for several years and it's not bad for the $$$. The 20 costs less than the 28 and appears on the used market often. Certainly not traditional, but the barrels are black chrome. Easy to maintain.

Dick's Sporting Good's sells Stoeger o/u's at around $600 a pop. Or at least they used to.

I'd go with bobwhites as well. If you are buying 3 you may be able to get them around $600-$650 leaving plenty for shells or to have the one flaw they all seem to have fixed. The triggers are rough and heavy (at least on the 3 I've shot). I'd drop them off with a competent smith for touching up and those kids would have a dang good start with dang good guns!!