Shopping for O/U 20 Ga. Shotgun

I just got a new job and a nice salary bump and wanted to celebrate with buying a 20 gauge o/u. My budget is anything below $1,500. I’m looking for something with a wood stock and am willing to buy something used in good condition. A couple of guns I’ve consider are a Browning Superposed or Winchester 101. Do any of you have suggestions on where to look or any other kinds of nice looking models? Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide!

With your budget you will have a lot of choices.

I'm a big fan of the 101 - have both a 12 and a 20. For the last couple of years, Cabelas/BPS has had them on sale during their late summer "Hunting Special" at about $1000.

Take a look at the Franchi Instinct L and Instinct SL. I picked up a 12ga L last year and it's been a nice little gun.

What fits you best? I'm a Browning Citori fan.

you should be able to find a Citori Lightning in 20ga used for under $1500. Maybe a White Lightning. heck with the rebate from Browning right now you can almost buy the 725 for that.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/browning-citori-20-ga-/2805995.uts?Ntk=GunLibrary&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch_within.cmd%3Fform_state%3Ddefault_state%26searchWithin%3Dtrue%26N%3D0%26Ntk%3DGunLibrary%26Ntt%3DBrowning%26search%3DBrowning%26nttWithin%3D20%26x%3D14%26y%3D7&Ntt=Browning

I have a Browning 725 Sporting 20ga and love it, The gun fits perfect. In your budget, I would look for a used Browning, Weatherby, SKB, Beretta,

you don't show where you live but go and handle as many as possible RE; Cabelas/bass pro. see which fits you the best as FIT is #1 when buying an O/U.

I had a Franchi Instinct L 28ga, SWEEEET gun but it didn't fit me, the comb was too high, I saw too much rib when looking down the barrel, this would make me shoot high. I didn't want to pay to have it "bent".

Congrats on your new job!!! Keep us posted and send pics when you decide.


what is your main use for the gun going to be?

You can go to Elm Fork, I "think" they rent O/U Beretta but maybe just the autoloaders.

I really like the 101 silver pigeon. I don’t know how that translates across the line of 101s but that’s one slick gun built to last a lifetime.

I’m in the DFW area.

It seems that a lot of these recommedations for the new guns come in over my range. Any other suggestions for places to purchase used guns in good condition? I think I’d prefer one that had silver colored engraved trim.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions so far!

A 101 is within your budget. A Superposed in really good condition isn’t within your budget, at least from what I’ve seen in a long time.

The 101 if I remember correctly is made in Japan. They also have an identical shotgun they market under a different name that cost a little less. Around 80% of the 101 price.

See, bad memory, the website says made in Belgium.

The originals were made in Japan. Miroku

I thought they were made by Kodensha. Or Kadensha.

I agree with the Franchi O/U . Franchi SGs' are very nice and competitive pricing . I have a Affinity 12-ga wood stock and I love it !

https://www.franchiusa.com/

Maybe, I was going from memory and now trying to research the BS I was regurgitating.

Beretta

don't over look the SKB older models, excellent work man ship.

Might be different eras for different manufacturers...I dunno. I just looked at mine, and the bottom of the receiver is stamped "Olin Kodensha Co Ltd."

From what I've found quickly, the 101 was introduced in 1963 and was made in Japan from the beginning, so I do not believe there was ever a US-made 101. I understand there is or WAS a 101 Select which was made in Belgium.

I must have fallen in love with the 101 as soon as it was introduced. In the middle 60s I would not read a gun mag (too danged tedious for a ten year-old), but I'd sure look at all the pictures and read the captions and ads. I decided then that I would have a 101 one day. I finally swapped into one about eight years ago. One of my favorite long guns!

I shot the silver pigeon 101 and fell in love. Then I priced them at $3000 ish and started researching and found they could be had much cheaper just not the silver. I’ve yet to buy one but think about it every time I shoot skeet or see one for sale.

Ya, it is pretty interesting how different the pricing can be on them, but I just like the silver so much better. At this point, I don’t really care where it’s made a ton. Just want a name brand that’ll hold value, so I may try upgrade down the road. Thus, does anyone know of websites or stores to find quality used guns?

At $1,500 you are $ 100-$300 under a Browning Citori or Beretta 686, 687. Either one is a very solid shotgun. You would have no problem finding a cherry used one of either within your budget. Either that or up your budget a couple hundred bucks and buy new. Both will hold their value about as well as the other. Both offer models with the silver receiver you like, so pick the one that fits the best.

That is correct. They also made Nikko shotguns, not a lot of 20 gauge Nikkos around. You can find good deals on 12 gauge Nikkos.

Miroku makes the Citori as well as other shotguns and rifles for Browning. You can find Mirokus sold under their own name as well as Charles Daley.