Forgive me for my ignorance.

What's the difference between say one of those Mossberg over/under and a Browning, Beretta?

Are you paying for the name? Fit & finish? Or are there real gains to be had? This gun wouldn't be used for clays but rather just for hunting and am curious if it's "worth" it to spend the extra bucks?

fit and finish are a big part of it.

fit is important with any gun.

I bought a cheap $400 stoeger SXS with two triggers this past year, not a fancy gun by any means but I can shoot it like no tommorow.

like the gun but all it is gonna do is make me buy an expensive SXS here in a few years.

if you wanna shotgun for life, go with the beretta or browning.

Mainly fit and finish but some of the higher end ones come with portedbarrels and a few other nice features. Plus if you ever want to get rid of it the others will hold their value better.

Are the Red Labels a good gun? And if so, are they the top of the cheaper guns? Or the bottom of were quality starts?

At around $1000 I don't think I would classify the Red Label as a "high end cheap" shotgun. I have one and personally I do not think the Citori holds a candle to it. Superposed yeah. It is definately not a $400 gun.

ruger red labels are a very nice shotgun, as quality as everything else ruger makes

In addition to the fit and finish of the gun; personal fit, feel and balance are generally agreed critical factors..... it is here where the Browning and Berettas and Rugers truly begin to seperate themselves from the cheapo guns. Different than a rifle, a well made shotgun should be good for more than 100,000 rounds down the pipes and should last your lifetime and the life of your children. Of course, the Rugers, Brownings and Berettas are considered economy or value guns by the shotgunning community.

For longevity and value, I believe it is worth it to spend the extra bucks. A shotgun that fits you will make a difference. Just my 2 cents.

Four or so years ago, I bought a Yildiz 12 ga. at Academy for $350 more or less and shot a ton of birds. Then it slowly started to get loose and the fore end would rattle and so on. Still killed a ton of birds. Occasionally I still shoot it. Very effective shotgun and it has served its intended purpose.

Last year, I bought a Beretta 20/28 ga combo for some real bones. It is lighter by far, has great fit and finish and should last a good long time. I think it is a spectacular shotgun, and I love shooting it much better than the Yildiz. The feel is so much better.

What could one expect to pick up a used Red Label for?

I bought a Yildiz MX Clays/ .12 ga - O/U Love it. Fits me well. Shoots beautifully.

Gunbroker can be your friend for checking prices on used firearms.

For hunting duty you won't wear out a cheaper o/u but for heavy shooting and a lot of rounds they just won't last. I think it is the different metals they use or the way the action locks up. I don't really know for sure but I know they get sloppy in the hinge area.

If you are going to run a lot of rounds through it any of the Browning 4/5/6 series or a Cynergy (good prices can be found on these) or a Beretta 686 would be the three choices I would recommend.

I have never heard a positive thing about the RRL from anyone who shoots clays. Not sure why it just seems you never see one and they give the impression they won't last the test of time. So I always viewed it the top of the cheaper guns.

Most o/u's up to a certain point you get what you pay for and volume of shells will determine if a cheaper one will work.

Winchester 101's are good you can find the old style made in Japan with the Browning's the new ones are made in Belgium and are fairly expensive.

I don't plan on shooting alot of clays. But, I am not opposed to getting a 'quality' shotgun. I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and not have worries or issues but was curious at what does that begin?

Probably the best deal on a quality hunting O/U would be the SKB line, or used Miroku, Browning,or Beretta. I wouldnt waste your time or money with anything less.

my yildiz has been good to me the last 4 years, clays birds, this year its also pulling waterfowl duty