Okay, so I'm really looking for a good USED gun.
I have a lead on a Beretta 686 essential for $700. It's in ok shape, small dings and scratches, slight discolored smudges on the receiver etc. and one inch long crack on the fore end. My dad just bought the same gun three weeks ago in similar shape for $450. Is $700 a bit much or did my dad get a really good deal and I'm just not as lucky?
Also does anyone have a reasonable figure for a Beretta Blackwing in fair/good condition?
Opinions and figures on the Franchi Diamon Elite and Franchi Instinct L?
Are you looking to get something ASAP or do you have time to wait, figure out EXACTLY what you are looking for, and potentially wait for the perfect deal and/or save up more money?
I was in the a similar situation a year or two ago and had about 8 months before quail season.
I had actually won a 28 gauge CZ Drake O/U at a DU event and if it weren’t a 28 or if I was a really good shot, I would stick with it and be happy with it. However, I wanted a 20 gauge and so the search began.
In my limited experience it can be difficult to handle guns because very few places near me have double barrel shotguns on the rack.
Ultimately, I decided on a Browning Cynergy mostly because I liked the looks, weight and the fact that there isn’t any cant in the stock (I’m a left handed shooter). Additionally, I knew that Brownings are reputable and if I had any issues, their customer service would handle it. However, if I didn’t find a good deal on one, I was completely fine, going through the hunting season with my 12 gauge auto loader.
I’d like to say I handled or shot a Cynergy and it fit me like a glove, but that’s not the case. I waited until I found a good deal on a used gun online, took a bit of a gamble and bought it. My thinking was that if a bought a used gun in good condition at a good enough price and didn’t like it, I could resell it and either make a little bit of money or lose a little bit, but not a lot.
Now that I have it, I love it. It swings nice, the action opens very smoothly compared to the CZ I won, and I dont notice any recoil with supple Browning recoil pad.
I’m typically the guy who sees rifles and shotguns as tools and not something to stare at or cry over if they get scratched. I paid a little more than your budget, which was a lot for me (I shoot a Mossberg 930 auto loader and Ruger American rifle to give you an example of the types of guns I hunt with). However, for a double barrel upland shotgun, I was ok spending more than a budget gun.
I don’t have any feedback on the Berretta or the price as I’m not familiar with these. I’m by no means trying to encourage to you purchase the gun I did, I’m just sharing my experience and thought process in case it helps. Take it with a grain of salt.
