Shotguns - what do you reach for and why

[mango.xero]

I have a few shotguns in rotation but I often find I reach for a Cynergy wicked wing even though it's one of the more unattractive shotguns I own. I can and have shot 3.5 loads with my back against a tree haven't felt much of anything. I've also dredged through some nasty ass marsh in waste high water about ~150yds with that gun in the water the whole time, and on again off again rain while totally throwing it in the mud. I've beat the shit out of that shotgun and it still performs time after time - still ugly as shit though. For general wing shooting I prefer a Citori, I've picked up the 825 Field when it came out to replace a classic Citori and while it's a nice shotgun it's not my first choice. I have a few SxS that I'll use on waterfowl or general field work as well. I'm partial to double barrels, don't own or want any autos but nothing wrong with them just not to my taste.

What do y'all reach for when you grab a shotgun, and why?

 

[adamkirchhof]

I shoot a kreighoff k80 at clays but I love my 870 wingmasters, model 12’s, and model 42’s. Always had a thing for the old field guns with nice wood.

 

[jcupdrew]

I’ve usually stuck with a single semi-auto in 12 gauge with 26 inch barrel for everything. They are just so versatile and a workhorse. I had a Beretta Pintail which was a fantastic shotgun. It’s essentially first gen HK SBE1. Sold it to my brother, might have to buy it back. Switched to a Benelli Montefeltro, which was also a fantastic shotgun. I’ve recently switched to a Retay Gordion, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s like a clone of the Montefeltro, but I think it’s even better. The wood on it is definitely prettier. I have a somewhat customized SXP, with short barrel, and AR pistol stock I use for Turkeys. It patterns great but a bit heavy. Recently I’ve acquired an Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge and I just love it. Not quite as versatile with 2 3/4 inch chamber, 28 inch barrel and fixed modified choke. Light and handles like a dream. Take it out for upland.

 

[jcupdrew]

I shoot a kreighoff k80 at clays but I love my 870 wingmasters, model 12’s, and model 42’s. Always had a thing for the old field guns with nice wood.

Willing to part with any 42s?

 

[mango.xero]

I’ve usually stuck with a single semi-auto in 12 gauge with 26 inch barrel for everything. They are just so versatile and a workhorse. I had a Beretta Pintail which was a fantastic shotgun. It’s essentially first gen HK SBE1. Sold it to my brother, might have to buy it back. Switched to a Benelli Montefeltro, which was also a fantastic shotgun. I’ve recently switched to a Retay Gordion, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s like a clone of the Montefeltro, but I think it’s even better. The wood on it is definitely prettier. I have a somewhat customized SXP, with short barrel, and AR pistol stock I use for Turkeys. It patterns great but a bit heavy. Recently I’ve acquired an Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge and I just love it. Not quite as versatile with 2 3/4 inch chamber, 28 inch barrel and fixed modified choke. Light and handles like a dream. Take it out for upland.

Im fond of the early Ithicas, Parkers, and Fox etc. Congrats on the 37!

 

[jcupdrew]

Im fond of the early Ithicas, Parkers, and Fox etc. Congrats on the 37!

It’s what my Dad has always carried. I have 8 brothers and only one (youngest) was bold enough to ask to inherit it. I’ve been on the hunt for one for a while, but not easy to find one in decent condition at a fair price. I found one online marked as a Winchester 37. To my knowledge Winchester 37 is a single shot, and the photos had the unmistakable game scene engraving and lack of side ejection ports. Took a gamble and paid off. $350 before taxes and transfer fees. Metal was great. Sanded and did a hand rubbed tung oil finish. Turned out beautifully. Serial number puts it right around same year as my Dads. I like the 16 gauge even more than the 12. Now looking for a 20 or 28. Especially a newer one with multi choke barrel.

 

[bgrolmus]

About a year after we got married, my father in law gave my wife his mid-80s Citori with the explicit instruction that I’m free to use it as much as I’d like for as long as her and I stay married.

He used it for a couple decades of pheasant hunting and trap shooting leagues. It’s had thousands, if not tens of thousands, of rounds run through it and it’s the first thing out of the safe when I’m going pheasant hunting. I’ve also got an A5 which is a close second, but it’s hard to beat the light weight of the Citori for all day hunts.

My old Mossberg 835 turkey gun has also seen some shit in its day. My dad bought it for me when I passed hunters safety at 12, about a week before spring season opened. I’m about to turn 40 and it’s still kicking (quite literally) like the day I got it. The butt stock cracked a few years ago after a particularly rough season, so it got replaced by a collapsible AR-style stock and also upgraded the fiber optic sights to a red dot. Should last me the rest of my lifetime and then some.

 

[Ron Dan]

I’m a big fan of Benelli. I have a Vinci that’s been my go-to for about a dozen seasons and it’s been a great tool for many different types of hunts. If I can find a decent deal on one, I’d love an original SBE too.

 

[spencer]

Benelli M4 for fun and a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon 3 for skeet/trap/birds. The Beretta swings so nicely, great looking gun too.

 

[jcupdrew]

I’m a big fan of Benelli. I have a Vinci that’s been my go-to for about a dozen seasons and it’s been a great tool for many different types of hunts. If I can find a decent deal on one, I’d love an original SBE too.

Check out Beretta Pintail/ES100. Had one. Great gun and essentially Gen 1 SBE. Can find reasonably cheap.

 

[deadeyejunior]

I gravitate towards this between the wars London best gun built on a 7 pin Holland & Holland sidelock action, it feels like a magic wand in my hands. If I'm in a duck blind it's my Beretta ES100 that accompanies me.

 

[avalonbikes]

I have a Mossberg 930 Duck Commander 12 gauge; it's not the nicest shotgun I have owned. I don't think it was well reviewed or sold for very long. It is, however, the shotgun I've been able to shoot the best. I'll take more birds or a higher percentage of broken clays over a prettier gun.


I shoot it so well I can land birds on the hood of my truck. Once anyway.

I had a beautiful Sauer-built Caesar Guerini over/under for a while. It was pretty, but I couldn't manage to hit much of anything with it.

 

[spencer]

I gravitate towards this between the wars London best gun built on a 7 pin Holland & Holland sidelock action, it feels like a magic wand in my hands. If I'm in a duck blind it's my Beretta ES100 that accompanies me.
View attachment 901
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Love these pics, great job!

 

[badgererickson]

IIRC the SuperPosed is a '67 "saltgun", spectacular Browning O/U which I bought fr a neighbor who also sold me a BPS 10. Unfortunately, the 12s I have nearest, the most, is one of the truck guns; 887 NitroMag 22" Turkey tactical that I adopted the extended 'zine tube fr the 11Tacticals. Had a Montelfreto I got in an STI 9 trade, never should have sold it, those are like artwork of balance in your hands.

 

[jcupdrew]

IIRC the SuperPosed is a '67 "saltgun", spectacular Browning O/U which I bought fr a neighbor who also sold me a BPS 10. Unfortunately, the 12s I have nearest, the most, is one of the truck guns; 887 NitroMag 22" Turkey tactical that I adopted the extended 'zine tube fr the 11Tacticals. Had a Montelfreto I got in an STI 9 trade, never should have sold it, those are like artwork of balance in your hands.

If you like the Montefeltro, try a Retay Gordion. I’ve had both. Nearly identical, but I actually like the Gordion more. Only think I like more on the Montefeltro is the safety.

 

[rjthompson8]

I’ve always had a love for my Model 12’s. A 28 gauge will complete my collection. My wife bought me a Model 42 right before we got married. Killed a Spring turkey with it a couple years ago. Love my Benellis as well. If I’m duck hunting, I usually grab the Performance Center Waterfowler 20 gauge. If I’m hitting the pheasant or dove field, the Ethos 28 is my favorite by far.

 

[wburns]

My Smith & Wesson 20ga. Carried it all over the US and South Africa. I have several English and Scottish guns such as Holland and Holland and Dickson but I honestly shoot this one the best along with a Parker Reproduction in 12ga that I have, so when its killing time they are my go to guns.

 

[simpson.will]

I'm a clay shooter and shoot a K80 Parcours.

But right now, I think the best all-around shotgun for the money is the Beretta A300 Ultimate. I have a 20-gauge and a 12-gauge Outlander (predecessor of the Ultima). Reliable and built like a tank. Under $1000. Drop, length of pull, and cast are all adjustable. You can shoot clays with it or break ice in a duck blind. It is what I grab when I am not clay shooting.

20-gauge Ultima is far left, Outlander second from left.