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I am very new to the game but I recently got my first bird dog and have her trained up pretty good. She has been out on hunts with my dog trainer but I don't even own a gun to take her by myself. What would be a good introductory gun to hunt pheasants, quail and chukkers. Thanks for the help guys.

Derrick

Hey! Welcome and good question. I am very biased and shoot only SxS. In a SxS gun, as in any gun, the next question is how much are you willing to pay? Remember - there is a difference between a $300 gun and a $3000 gun and it ain't just the engraving!

I would be willing to pay about $750 - $800 and would prefer a used gun to a new one. Thanks for the reply.

I recommend a Franchi 48 in 20 gauge. It is light and has been a favorite among upland hunters since 1948. Carry it all day and never notice it. It is well within your budget.

Turk, welcome to SGW, come on over to the "I Love My Huglu Shotguns" forum and have a look around, there is plenty of guys over there that are shooting the kind guns that might meet your needs and loving them. There is also lots of great folks to answer all of your questions. Great bunch of guys and most of us own a large variety of different Gun Makers products so come on over and stay a while, pull up a chair and sit by the fire. Strat

[quote="stratoliner"]Turk, welcome to SGW, come on over to the "I Love My Huglu Shotguns" forum and have a look around, there is plenty of guys over there that are shooting the kind guns that might meet your needs and loving them. There is also lots of great folks to answer all of your questions. Great bunch of guys and most of us own a large variety of different Gun Makers products so come on over and stay a while, pull up a chair and sit by the fire. Strat[/quote]

And they also kill lots of birds feathered and clay) and have fun with it, be it with a $3,000 or $300 dollar gun!
Davide

Derrick, welcome to the forum!

Asking that question in here is like asking a large group of parents which one thinks their child is best. What we really need to know (beyond your budget) is what you like, or think you'll like. Do you want a semi-auto, a pump, a side-by-side, an over and under or a single shot? Will you use it just for upland game birds or will you hunt waterfowl as well? What about deer hunting? All these questions need to be answered first so that the right group can best answer your question as to which shotgun is best for upland gamebird hunting.

Mac

Turk, I would agree totally with Ev's suggestion. I have a Franchi 48 AL and can't say anything but great things about them. They are excellent upland guns and maybe one of the very best choices in autoloaders. Do come over and visit us at the Huglu forum and join the fun, you don't even have to own a Huglu made gun, just a great place to hang out or just visit once in a while.
strat

Thanks for all the replys guys. I have check out the huglu forum and its just alot of info. I have checked about 20 manufacturers websites in the last half hour. To answer some more questions. I have shot a few over unders and really like them. I would probably like a 20 gauge and will probably only use this gun for upland birds. I definitely want to get a great gun but price is more important to me. I don't want to spend alot of money only to find out its not the gun for me. As time goes by I will probably find out what i like and don't like and then can make a gun purchase that i will feel more comfortable about spending over $1000 on.

Since I like auto loaders, that's what I recommend. I would look for a good Franchi al 48 or Benelli Montefelrto both in 12 gauge. They would fit in you budget with ease on used models. They are both light in weight and are geared for upland use.

[quote="evbutler"]I recommend a Franchi 48 in 20 gauge. It is light and has been a favorite among upland hunters since 1948. Carry it all day and never notice it. It is well within your budget.[/quote]
I've shot a few of these over the years, and they are stupendous semi autos!
light, dependable, and feel great when they go up.
What's not to like - except that I prefer doubles!
Davide

Whether you are new to shotguns or not, arguably the most important feature of a shotgun is FIT.

Get a Beretta 391, 20ga, 28"!

It is a nice weapon, relatively light, feels more like an O/U, and can be adjusted for drop and cast to suit.

Good luck,

3drahthaars

Sorry but just starting out I'd stay with a decent pump gun!
When you get some time under your belt then look around at different shotguns. If you stay with the pump then fine, if not then at least the pump will make a great back up or loaner if needed.
My old Wingmaster always goes on trips, target or hunting.......
......saved more the one person from not having a gun.

+1. I prefer the Ithaca Model 37 pump myself, but you won't go wrong with either a good older Wingmaster or Ithaca. If you go with Ithaca, I would suggest trying to find one made prior to 1970. If you find one you could post the serial number on the I love my Ithaca forum and the folks there will tell you what year it was made.

Also, with an addition of a rifled slug barrel, the pump gives you a great deer gun as well, yes especially in 20 gauge.

Assuming you haven't done a lot of shooting, a pump gun or single shots are the best guns for beginners. With a single shot you have to have patience since, well, you only get one shot so you have to make sure its a good one. with a pump gun you do get more shots, but for beginners you will have more accurate follow up shots compared to doubles or semi-autos. the reason for this is the time it takes a beginner to rack the slide forces you to aim a second time and be more accurate with your followup. When i first shot a semi-auto i had a bad problem of not stoppign to aim again for my second and third shots.

once you get more experienced with firearms, then get a semi-auto.

For upland pump guns the two best ones are older Ithaca 37s and older Remington 870 wingmasters. As somebody else said try to find an ithaca made before 1970, or get a brand new one as the new ones are made extremely well. As for wingmasters most people like the 80s and earlier ones the best. also if you find a nice winchester 12, consider it.

The Beretta 390 in a 20 gauge might be worth a look if you can find one.

Hard to beat the Franchi 48 AL autoloader for upland game use.My favourite is the 28 gauge version.

Thanks again for all the help. I have been looking at the Wingmasters and have found alot of them around at good prices. I should also add that I am left handed. I'm not sure that how important that is being that i have only shot right handed guns. If i am looking at a pump or a semi auto I guess I don't want the shells flying out in my sightline. I saw a few wingmasters in left handed so at least i know they are out there.

I also should add that at some point i will do some geese and duck hunting. Living in North Idaho I will have alot more opportunity to hunt waterfowl and most of my wife's family is really into it. Thanks again.

Being a leftie - I recommend the Browning BPS hunter model / 28" barrel - pump gun...

Its a good solid gun in 12 or 20ga / retails for around $ 500 new . Its a gun I've kept long term, even though I've moved on to O/U's that I prefer in the field.