I won a Daniel Defense Upper of my choosing recently, which is exciting in and of itself. However, I've been wanting to treat myself on what I would consider a "higher end" truck gun, or a "lower end" pass-me-down 20ga O/U for grouse, pheasant, etc.
In a perfect world, I'd go buy the O/U and slap the new upper on my lower and have a good time at the range from time to time. But it's not a perfect world. I've got a Noveske AR already that does everything I want, so I just see more money leaving my account by keeping the new upper (new optic, probably another suppressor, a tax stamp since I went with a shorty...) and frankly I clean too many star chambers for my liking each year anyway.
So here I am- a golden ticket to make due on the couple years of scheming about that 20ga O/U with minimal impact to the budget.
For quick reference- I looked hard at the 28ga route. But shell availability and price are factors, and I've got the nostalgia of growing up shooting a 20ga Belgium A5, and a decent number of 20ga bird loads to keep me entertained out the gate.
My daily driver for shotguns these days in a Mossberg 500 I won at a DU banquet at the ripe age of 5 (I cried because I wanted the chipmunk .22, but I didn't win that and my dad had me put a ticket in the 12ga tumbler instead), and it's the real truck gun in this scenario.
This new gun needs to be on the trim side- sub 7lbs preferably.
3" chambers, cause "merica. Bigger is better.
I like the feel of a Schnabel fore end.
Auto Ejectors over extractors aren't a must, but sound nice for most of my scenarios (frantic reloads after wildly missing a rooster under foot).
Interchangeable chokes. The more included, the happier my wallet will feel.
Steel shot compatible barrels (If you're suggesting an older shotty).
A traditional look- not the green action and barrels of the CZ Ultralight Upland.
That's about it.
For pricing- cap it at ~$2000.
Brands I'm considering in no order: SKB, Franchi, IFG/FAIR, used Beretta's, used Rugers, used Winchesters, used Remingtons, Browning Citori's (My dad has a couple- the son in me wants to rebel and not get a Citori, and most don't have a schnabel foreend), CZ, Rizzini.
I've looked at Stevens, Mossbergs, and Weatherbys. They're okay, but I have a deep hatred of the "Read owners manual before use" warning on any of them, and for that reason, I'm out.
I'm not interested in ATI, Tristar, EAA, or Iver Johnson etc.
I appreciate any input, opinions, experiences. Thanks.
In a perfect world, I'd go buy the O/U and slap the new upper on my lower and have a good time at the range from time to time. But it's not a perfect world. I've got a Noveske AR already that does everything I want, so I just see more money leaving my account by keeping the new upper (new optic, probably another suppressor, a tax stamp since I went with a shorty...) and frankly I clean too many star chambers for my liking each year anyway.
So here I am- a golden ticket to make due on the couple years of scheming about that 20ga O/U with minimal impact to the budget.
For quick reference- I looked hard at the 28ga route. But shell availability and price are factors, and I've got the nostalgia of growing up shooting a 20ga Belgium A5, and a decent number of 20ga bird loads to keep me entertained out the gate.
My daily driver for shotguns these days in a Mossberg 500 I won at a DU banquet at the ripe age of 5 (I cried because I wanted the chipmunk .22, but I didn't win that and my dad had me put a ticket in the 12ga tumbler instead), and it's the real truck gun in this scenario.
This new gun needs to be on the trim side- sub 7lbs preferably.
3" chambers, cause "merica. Bigger is better.
I like the feel of a Schnabel fore end.
Auto Ejectors over extractors aren't a must, but sound nice for most of my scenarios (frantic reloads after wildly missing a rooster under foot).
Interchangeable chokes. The more included, the happier my wallet will feel.
Steel shot compatible barrels (If you're suggesting an older shotty).
A traditional look- not the green action and barrels of the CZ Ultralight Upland.
That's about it.
For pricing- cap it at ~$2000.
Brands I'm considering in no order: SKB, Franchi, IFG/FAIR, used Beretta's, used Rugers, used Winchesters, used Remingtons, Browning Citori's (My dad has a couple- the son in me wants to rebel and not get a Citori, and most don't have a schnabel foreend), CZ, Rizzini.
I've looked at Stevens, Mossbergs, and Weatherbys. They're okay, but I have a deep hatred of the "Read owners manual before use" warning on any of them, and for that reason, I'm out.
I'm not interested in ATI, Tristar, EAA, or Iver Johnson etc.
I appreciate any input, opinions, experiences. Thanks.
