So my father's birthday is coming up in January and I want to get him a nice bird gun, nothing in a pump. My dad has more pump shotguns than you can imagine. So I was thinking something in a semi auto or o/u. He is an avid bird hunter and occasional rabbit hunter. Nothing in a 12 gauge, I am leaning more into a 20 or 28 gauge. My dad will be turning the big 6-0. I started saving up since last month and I am hoping to have about $1,200 saved up by then but the gun doesn't have to cost that much. It can cost $500 and look great. Most important he is left handed and I really want to to get him something left handed but it doesn't have to be a left handed gun. It can be a regular right handed gun. Again, NO PUMP SHOTGUNS. So my question to yall; What are some great bird gun recommendations? Thank you in advance. I know you guys won't let me down because you haven't in the past. The occasional smack talking and joke will be tolerated in this thread.....lol

Thank you guys again for your time and responses. When I say "bird gun" he will more and likely use it for dove and quail. He is a firm believer that duck should only be hunted with 12ga. but that's a whole different topic.

3:1

Cool present but tough find at that price. The first semi-auto that popped in my mind for a left handed person is Benelli. You're a couple hundred shy of a Benelli M2 in 20 gauge.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/benelli-...h-p-137077.html

Another shotgun to consider is an Over and Under.

Check out this 20 Gauge by CZ USA.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-canvasback-gold-20-26-5-choke-tubes/

Oh, I've sort of looked at the 26" barrel because you said it would be for more for dove and quail type hunting.

Both gun are beauties, the m2 really caught my eye. I'll see what I can do to save up more money because asking my brother and sisters to pitch in is worse than pulling teeth from a croc. I might have to give it to him as a late b day present if anything.

If he's an avid bird hunter, get the CZ, just an opinion from a bird huter

CZ SXS in 28 or 20. Good balanced light weight guns that are a pleasure to bird hunt with. Besides there just seems something to bird hunting with a SXS.

Since he is turning 60 I would focus on recoil. Find something he can shoot for the next 20 years.

I'm a new hunter (1st year) so take what I say with a grain of salt. But I have the CZ Canvasback O/U and love it. They get rave reviews and are priced very well. My only complaint is the recoil pad could be a little better.

Kevin

What gauge are you shooting?

I'm shooting a 12 gauge

My daughter also as a 20 gauge Weatherby SA-08 in and its been really good.


Kevin

look at the 20 gauge Ruger Red Labels on Gunbroker, there are many nice ones in your price range. I don't have a 20, but I have them in 28 and 12, and they are fine shooting guns. There is a 28 on broker for $950 buy it now with extended tubes. I like the 28 because the receiver is smaller than a 20 gauge receiver. Very light weight, easy recoil, and easy to carry all day. I hear a lot of manufacturers put 28 gauge barrels on the 20 gauge receivers, and this is kind of unique to the Red Labels.

I shoot Benelli M2 left-hand (12g) 26" for many years. Love it. My only regret is that I didn't choose a camo version. Make sure to get the comfortech stock, you won't feel much recoil on a 20g shotgun. Even my 12g on dove load, I can shoot 4-5 boxes without any concerns.

I am just a little surprise on how much it costs today. I bought mine from Cabelas 8 years ago. It was only $899. Now, it is about $1400.

I was thinking Ruger Red Label too....unless he shoots like me and needs 3 shots!

I understand the plight of LH shooters....I gave up on getting a LH shotgun though, because I'm right handed but left eyed, I get to reload with my strong hand and I find that preferable when the birds are really flying.

Something else you might consider is a Remington 1100...they're heavy, gas operated, and for me at least, don't seem to have a really significant recoil with dove /target loads.

Here's an example of one....there are some really nice looking ones out there in your price range:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=434345881

I think the 20 O/U won't have as much kick. I got my kiddo a 20 Gauge pump, and with a light load she does fine.

I think you picked out some good shotguns. Hope your first dove season is fun for both you and her.

the M2 is an awesome gun. My sister has one and I'm always trying to borrow it haha. You might also look at the stoeger M3020. Its pretty similar to the M2 (inertia action) and about half the price.

Think about what barrel length would be best. I bought a Citori Lighting 20 in 26" barrel because at the time there were these little birds called quail in Texas. That is about all a 26" barrel works well for IMO. I would rather have a 28" or better 30" for dove or skeet. Now that the quail are gone that gun mostly collects dust.
I received a Browning 425 O/U sporting as a gift from my employer once (28" barrel). I went back to the store thinking I might want a longer barrel for sporting clays. All gun sales are final, no exchanges, so just fit the barrel to the most common use as best you can guess someone else's preferences. I shoot clays as much as birds so I would not buy less than 28" in S/A or 30" in O/U. I have hit so many more clays and birds since getting a Beretta 391 S/A in 28". (The Beretta is a 12, but the longer sighting plane is the key for me). I gave my 425 to my stepdad because I never used it. Unless your dad reloads, 28g shells get expensive.

These are all great suggestions guys. My dad lives up in Illinois and for the past 3 years he has been making it a point to come to texas for the opening. He says hes never seen soo many dove.
I did look into the 28 gauge sheels and it will get pricey for him so im going to keep it at a 20 gauge. The best part about his job, he has his own landscaping company in Illinois, is he completely shuts down for the late fall and winter.......a.k.a. hunting season. So this is how he is able to bird hunt a lot. Soo many choices you guys are putting up. When he comes for the opening of dove season imma take him out and let him size up some of these shotguns. Is there anywhere local that sells CZ shotguns?

THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING.

I shoot a Beretta 390, i bought a right handed gun but you can reverse safety and convert it to left handed. Its gas operated and really low recoil, especially with dove loads. My other gun is an O/U Stevens. I would recommend a better O/U but if it has a safety on top, it works for either hand.

Here ya go: http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/escort-s...3179+4294953634

Has real walnut stock, and good reviews

Gander Mountain, but you may want to see if a local shop has them first.

http://www.gandermountain.com/Firearms/N...tched_cat=510E2

There is a CZ 28 ga. O/U NIB and 3 cases of shells for sale in the THF classifieds. Think it was $800.

Rem 1100 20ga

Quick update, I took my dad to what seemed every gun retailer in the DFW to try out different types of guns. Low and behold he told me he didn't want a "woman's gauge" shotgun or a semi auto shotgun....his words. He said he rather me buy him his plane ticket to Mexico for his vacation. The old man gets what the old man wants. But on the flip side he really like my Beretta 390 and even limited out on Monday and tuesday.