O/U shotgun for Lefty

[Jesse Jaymes]

I've wanted a Browning Cynergy for some time. Just simply a Want. Not a need. As I am ready to retire in a year I will be much more of a bird hunter than a Waterfowler. But right now I am 80% waterfowl.

My main shotgun is a Lefty VersaMax. Once I changed the stock shims, it's been Money. That said I am a pretty terrible wing shot. Ducks when I can prep for them and work them over decoys can be not terribly challenging. But upland....ouch.

I for sure need more training and reps.

But the question....for a rough and tumble O/U gun.....what is out there? I suggest the Cynergy due to ceraKote and possibly an adjustable stock? Or only comb height?

I don't need the 3.5" but would like a 3".

Also wanted to ask what are the major advantages/disadvantages to barrel length? 26 vs 28 vs 30? Is a 26" really noticeable from 28"

Any suggestions? I am cheap. $2300 would be the max. Even that is too much. $1800 more reasonable.

 

[go4thegusto]

The Benelli has adjustable cast and drop shims. Very rare in O/U shotguns. Otherwise you need to find a cast on for a lefty. there are some out there in higher end manufacturers.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

I like the beretta O/U over browning. Both are great guns just personal preference. I’ve switched to 20 gauge and my shooting ability has increased. Much more fun to carry and shoot than 12 gauge. Barrel length in shotgun is simply preference, not performance based.

 

[hunt1up]

I'm a lefty and went back and forth over which O/U I wanted to buy last year. I ended up with a Browning 725. I forget the exact model, a White Lightning I think? I'd have to check. I went with the Browning since they're neutral cast stocks. Before I took the dive into O/Us, I had no idea how much variation there can be in stock casting, and being a lefty makes it tricky.

 

[Wheels]

Lefty also, go somewhere where they can show you several guns and compare the cast on them. Probably the best you will find is a straight cast. Brownings are supposed to be neutral but many will be cast off. As for barrel length, that’s personal preference, I prefer a 28” length, helps me continue my swing with a little extra length.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Cheaper Option: CZ AT. I have the Redhead in 20 gauge. Olive Drab cerakote. I've had no issues with it and like the way it handles. Paid around $1k for it.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I have a CZ Swamp Magnum.....thought I had to have it. It's kind of POS. Not terribly impressed w it. Sometimes the second barrel fires, it's much cheaper assembled than I expected. And 3" are zero fun.

Was hoping for a synthetic stock also, as sometimes waiting for ducks...the buttstock is in the water when I am working birds, etc.

I recall lusting over that Ruger Red Label All Weather years ago. Was kinda hard to find then.

I didn't realize Browning also makes a synthetic Citori that's maybe sub $2K. Very different receivers and shotguns from the quick reading I've done/

 

[camelcluch]

Beretta makes lefties. Check Gun Broker and International Guns for some good used stock. I had one CZ and probably will not have another.

 

[yfarm]

Different model Citoris have different stocks, I prefer the round knob lightnings over the blockier models. My 12 has 3” chambers, have never shot those in it, the Citori Upland in 12ga with the straight stock has numerous reviews detailing the increased sense of recoil.

 

[Seubs070]

I bought a left handed Rizzini from Cole's. I spent a bunch of time researching and looking for a gun that I could have the stock bent for a lefty on. I finally called Coles and asked if they had any left handed Rizzini's and she said "Yeah I have one right here in 28 gauge we would be happy to ship it to your FFL".

 

[Pheasantdude321]

I wanted to go with an O/U but ended up with an A400 Xplor in left...absolutely love it. Went from shooting a box or two in practice to a case with the kick off recoil system. Sorry if not too helpful, but it has been a dream both on clays and upland. It does 3 but not 3.5" shells.

 

[Loper]

As a lefty, I was in your position a few years ago, but was looking at an O/U for upland, not waterfowl. I went with a Cynergy with 28” barrels. I got a good deal on it and if there was one with. 26” barrels, I would have went with it if it was a good deal. I don’t think the barrel length makes a ton of difference for me.

 

[Macintosh]

Cynergy is a good gun. Really any browning, beretta, rizzini, guerini, etc is going to be similar quality, the differences are in the feel of the guns. Depending on what “upland” means to you, it might be hard to get the best of both a duck hunting gun (a bit heavier) and an upland gun, but if youre pheasant hunting in open ag-type terrain it might be easier as the weight wont be as noticeable.
Generally the barrel length affects the weight-distribution of the gun—in most cases you probably wont feel the difference immediately comparing the same gun with barrels that are only 2” different. But, compare the exact same gun with 26” vs 32” barrels and its like night and day. 28” is the “standard” length and would be my recommendation for a hunting gun if you dont know exactly what you want. 26” is shorter than normal now (it was pretty standard 25+ years ago), and wont have as good resale value. 30” puts a bit more weight out front so it will feel a bit more stable—which is very nice if you end up with a very light weight gun. A better-quality double puts more of the weight in the action than a pump or semi-auto, and the action itself is also shorter, so a same-weight double with same-length barrels will usually be about 2-3” shorter and should feel a bit faster and livelier. Inexpensive doubles really dont have that feel due to typically thicker, heavier barrels, but if you get used to a nicer double you’ll start to really notice the difference. An adjustable comb will negate some of this because the adjustment hardware is heavy and its out on one end of the gun rather than in between hour hands, and combined with shorter barrels tends to make the gun butt-heavy—not a good thing. If you go with an adjustable comb get longer barrels (30”+), and realize that due to the weight and handling you really arent talking about an “upland” gun at that point, at least not by most people’s standards.

^^all generalizations. I’ll say the above is typical, but not 100% universal, so if at all possible handle the guns side by side before you buy.