Recommendations for a U.S. made O/U shotgun for waterfowl and dove hunting?

[pmlong1]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the ar-15 forum. This is my first thread. Hopefully I'm posting in the right place. I recently got back in to hunting after about 20 years. I grew up shooting a Remington 870, but would like to upgrade. I have recently tried a Franchi, Bennelli, and a Browning. My favorite so far was the Franchi, but I would really like to purchase a shotgun manufactured in the U.S. I am not very knowledgeable about what's available on the market, and I would appreciate any recommendations. Also, this is unrelated, but I was recently told at a gun show that Franchi and Bennelli are the same gun. Any info or clarification about that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you

Oh and my price limit is around $3000. Thank you

[JohnTRourke]

You either need to lose the price limit or lose the made in USA limit. You are probably limited to Ruger red labels (which I"m not sure they even make anymore).

Upgrade to do what? hunt upland, waterfowl, turkey? clays? trap? skeet?

need more specifics

[pmlong1]

Thanks for the reply. Sorry, I put some specifics in the subject but not the thread. I love to waterfowl and dove hunt and am looking for a 12 gauge O/U. I'm guessing by saying I need to lose the price limit you mean the US made guns are over, possibly way over, my price range. I wouldn't mind saving longer for a good gun. In my opinion, guns are a good investment and it would be kinda nice to have an heirloom quality item. Any recommendations regardless of price would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[ray1970]

I used to do quite a bit of sporting clays and spent quite a bit of time behind the trigger on many O/U shotguns. In my opinion, the Berettas and Brownings are some of the nicest you'll find in your price range. Of course neither of those are made in the U.S. The Berettas are made in Italy and most of the Brownings were made in Japan.

As far as Franchi being the same as Beretta, that is somewhat true. The same company owns Benelli/Beretta/Franchi/Stoeger and a few others. Does that mean all of these guns are "the same"? No. Not really.

[JohnTRourke]

http://a10american.com/

http://www.csmcspecials.com/URLrewrite.asp?404;http://csmcspecials.com:80/product_p/a10.htm

http://mwreynolds.com/HTML/shotHoenig.html (this is maybe the coolest shotgun you have ever seen)

that's all that really come to mind.

I'd start with a real nice Beretta (hell, I did, I imagine most of us did) for clays and doves and use your 870 for waterfowl.

Shotguns require hand fitting. hand fitting is expensive. labor is expensive in the US.

[pmlong1]

Thanks for the reply. I thought maybe the guy was referring to something like toyota/lexus, but I did some looking and you're right. From what I could gather, Benelli is the parent company for several manufacturers. I definitely agree about the Brownings. I inherited a Browning 30-06 that was made in Belgium. I think it was made in the 50's and it's still the best rifle I have ever shot.

[pmlong1]

Wow! Those are some of the coolest shotguns I've ever seen! Don't know that I'd ever pay $22,000, but I could definitely see myself buying one of the A-10s in the future. Thanks for the advice. I'm glad my buddy sent me to this forum. Unfortunately, I've gotten treated like crap in every firearms store that I have been in here in CO. I don't know much about guns so they treat me like an idiot and act like I'm wasting their time when I ask questions. I grew up hunting in rural Arkansas where it was high class to own a Browning or Mossberg...lol. I'm going to look into the Beretta's. Honestly, I didn't even know Beretta made shotguns. I'm going to look into the Ruger Red Label's also.

[Great-Kazoo]

Don't know if you have been up to ft collins or not. Rocky mtn shooter supply has a vast selection of hunting shotguns. I know nothing about what's what when it comes to "getting your money's worth". But they do have a wide selection to browse through.

[JohnTRourke]

You should go to Colorado GunSport in boulder (14th and arapahoe) since you are in broomfield. He has a BIG selection of used and new shotguns of all price ranges and types. ($125 to $15,000).

[jmg8550]

Thanks for the reply. I thought maybe the guy was referring to something like toyota/lexus, but I did some looking and you're right. From what I could gather, Benelli is the parent company for several manufacturers. I definitely agree about the Brownings. I inherited a Browning 30-06 that was made in Belgium. I think it was made in the 50's and it's still the best rifle I have ever shot.

You mean Beretta is the parent company for several manufacturers?

[pmlong1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check out both of those shops. I visit friends in Windsor on a semi-regular basis, so I'll stop by Rocky Mtn Shooter Supply when I head up there next.

[cmbogner]

I stick with FNH they make the Fn's, Brownings and Winchesters. Mostly in Belgium for a few yrs I think even Turkey, but for the most part a USA O/U not including Ruger will be hand made and run as much as a Perazzi. The biggest thing with the shotties is to have it at your hip and pull to your shoulder and check if the vent rib stays level and the sight beads are aligned and see if the LOP will clear your hunting coat, most O/U have a longer LOP. Good Luck!