A little background, I've been shooting trap for a good bit now, getting consistent 22/23s. I'm paying rental fees to rent their local 870, but started looking into my own.
I'm also getting consistent enough with the trap, that I might start looking into trap doubles and/or skeet, where a pump (I would assume) would be detrimental when compared against a semi-auto.
With that being said... I'm still a little unsure between pump vs. semi-auto.
I have roughly ~$300-500 for a pump budget, and about $500-700 for a semi-auto budget.
Finally got a chance to check out some local gun shops and check out what they had to offer & also chat with a couple of them. Really gotta say, I was pretty intimidated but once I started spitting out my thoughts, there was some pretty good advice being spread into my head.
Surprisingly, one LGS had a couple Wingmasters (Trap 30" for $495 and a Skeet 28" for $350). The Trap felt a little long, though I know it's meant for trap.. The swing felt a little slower, so the 28" would be what I'd pick up.)
The Weatherby PA-08 was a nice contender, but when compared against the Wingmaster 870 and the CZ612, the synthetic just didn't do it for me. They had a standard 870 for sub $300, which was interesting. Had the CZ612's (which felt amazing) for sub-$400...
If I were to go pump, it'd definitely be between the Wingmaster 870 and the CZ612. Both felt natural and smooth.. Both were absolutely beautiful and stunning.
However, it was the semi-auto's that have started to impress me. I still have yet to use a semi-auto for trap/skeet, but now I'm heavily considering one.
Bullseye had a Browning Gold Unlimited for $600.00 that felt pretty good. One of their guys swears by the CZ's, and would probably prefer the CZ712/CZ912. Now I haven't heard much about the CZ712/912, though I'd entertain it if I heard some feedback on them.
Regardless, it's a cheaper option, but most likely going to be a backup. What I'm really liking.. is the Remington 11-87 and the Beretta A300 Outlander.
Both feel great, I prefer the wood furniture on the 11-87, but the price point is right outside my budget, with tax taking it heavy into the 830s. (If I'm right, it's 8% tax + dealer fees?).
So, tl;dr: -Wingmaster 870 for a pump, ~$400? (Not sure if I want a pump, since I could always rent/if I ever go trap doubles/skeet). -Beretta A300 Outlander, ~800 -Remington 11-87 (with wood!), ~$850 Don't want to do gunbroker online order/used because I'd like to inspect it prior to purchase- plus ensure it feels right in my hands.
Thoughts? I really wish I could shoot either, but don't think my local ranges stock the 11-87 or A300 Outlander.
I'm also getting consistent enough with the trap, that I might start looking into trap doubles and/or skeet, where a pump (I would assume) would be detrimental when compared against a semi-auto.
With that being said... I'm still a little unsure between pump vs. semi-auto.
I have roughly ~$300-500 for a pump budget, and about $500-700 for a semi-auto budget.
Finally got a chance to check out some local gun shops and check out what they had to offer & also chat with a couple of them. Really gotta say, I was pretty intimidated but once I started spitting out my thoughts, there was some pretty good advice being spread into my head.
Surprisingly, one LGS had a couple Wingmasters (Trap 30" for $495 and a Skeet 28" for $350). The Trap felt a little long, though I know it's meant for trap.. The swing felt a little slower, so the 28" would be what I'd pick up.)
The Weatherby PA-08 was a nice contender, but when compared against the Wingmaster 870 and the CZ612, the synthetic just didn't do it for me. They had a standard 870 for sub $300, which was interesting. Had the CZ612's (which felt amazing) for sub-$400...
If I were to go pump, it'd definitely be between the Wingmaster 870 and the CZ612. Both felt natural and smooth.. Both were absolutely beautiful and stunning.
However, it was the semi-auto's that have started to impress me. I still have yet to use a semi-auto for trap/skeet, but now I'm heavily considering one.
Bullseye had a Browning Gold Unlimited for $600.00 that felt pretty good. One of their guys swears by the CZ's, and would probably prefer the CZ712/CZ912. Now I haven't heard much about the CZ712/912, though I'd entertain it if I heard some feedback on them.
Regardless, it's a cheaper option, but most likely going to be a backup. What I'm really liking.. is the Remington 11-87 and the Beretta A300 Outlander.
Both feel great, I prefer the wood furniture on the 11-87, but the price point is right outside my budget, with tax taking it heavy into the 830s. (If I'm right, it's 8% tax + dealer fees?).
So, tl;dr: -Wingmaster 870 for a pump, ~$400? (Not sure if I want a pump, since I could always rent/if I ever go trap doubles/skeet). -Beretta A300 Outlander, ~800 -Remington 11-87 (with wood!), ~$850 Don't want to do gunbroker online order/used because I'd like to inspect it prior to purchase- plus ensure it feels right in my hands.
Thoughts? I really wish I could shoot either, but don't think my local ranges stock the 11-87 or A300 Outlander.