ou shotguns

flipper27896

I can't understand the enthusiasm for Kreighoff or other so called high end guns. I am an owner of a Weatherby OU (Athena IV), and believe the build quality and reliability of this gun and SKBs are the equal and the only thing separating them is the gold inlay. The Japs have been known for years for their quality build and are the best metal forgers in the world. They also dominate the steel and metal market. I have talked to many skeet shooters, more experienced than myself (not necessarily better) and they agree despite the fact they own or want one of those high end models. I can afford any gun I want, but the Weatherby is beautiful. Am I missing something? Please discuss.[This message has been edited by flipper27896 (edited 03-22-2002).]

Rembrandt

The people I know that have Krieghoffs, Perazzi's, and Lutic's (SP?) love them....in talking to them, they feel there is a real quality difference. I couldn't tell you what those differences are. I have a couple of Browning Superpose's and may be somewhat partial to them. I've always felt the European built O/U's were of better quality and fit....but the current Japanese made Brownings and Weatherby's are right up there. With CNC machineing, it's done away some of the poor fit problems and sloppy tolerances.

Tailgunner1954

I've known a (very) few people that had the high priced shotguns. One spent a week at the US distributers having stock dimentions set for him and selecting the wood he wanted Etc In other words there made for the top .01%, you know the same guys that spec. out there Roll Royce instead of just picking it off the dealers floor.

interstatepawnllc

Can anybody tell me how the Russian "Baikals" in O/U perform.

flipper27896

Just as a matter of fact, this is the typical response I get, that the quality is somehow better. Again, the Japanese have always had the most accurate tolerances in the modern age, hence the reason Browning and Weatherby swithced to having their guns made there. Meaning they maintained quality while preventing price from being exorbinant. Now on the other hand they are still not inexpensive, as beside the so called high end guns, they are still more expensive than most manufacturers and hold their value well. Any other comments.

Sage

Flipper I agree with you on the quality and close tolerances that the Japanese are able to hold while mass producing shotguns. People who covet the "high end" pieces do so, in my opinion, because they are "high end". It is the rarity and uniquness of these items that make them valuable and desirable. Hours of hand fitting, polishing, inlays, type of wood, etc, etc, are what separate them from the rest of the pack. Are they better at the intended function, probably not. Are they more valuable, certainly. I too could afford almost any shotgun I wanted, after a long search I 'wanted' a Winchester 101 (Japanese). Bought one from a guy that contacted me here and could not be happier. Just my 2 cents.

Prescott Pete

I shot registered Skeet for years in all four gauges.I shot a 101 in 12 gauge for awhile and it pounded the h--- out of me. I am only 5 feet 8 and 130 lbs. and that was the reason.I finally switched to the Remington 1100's.The people I shot with who owned the high end guns did so first because they could afford to and in the second place because they were fit to them individually.I will say that I admired those guns but they did not outshoot the 101s and the 1100s.I now own and shoot a Miroku Charles Daly 20 gauge and just love it, although the Dalys were looked down on in the late 60s as inferior to the 101s.I also own and shoot a Baikal 20 gauge that is the perfect quail gun. I would recommend them to anyone especially considering their price.

rhmc24

Russian Baikal O/U - I bought a 20 gauge and like it a lot. External fit and finish is good, checkering only fair. Function is perfect, only fired about 100 rounds so far. Inside it is full of stamped sheet metal parts and machining is very rough. Russians have some know-how about making guns that work (AK's) without a lot of fine fitting, etc. All in all, a good value, all the bells and whistles at a low price. I also bought a Turkish made Sarcilmaz 12 ga O/U at about the same price that I like. Better metal workmanship, beautiful wood, plain jane with no ejectors, two triggers, etc. Checkering with runovers. Hope this helps.

modoc

Normally the "HIGH END"guns are made so that the trigger and striker can be changed on the line.When you shoot for high stakes you can not risk leaving the line to make repairs to your equipment.If you are shooting straight for a hundred or so birds,a malfunction can be shot over.That is if you can continue,if not you are eliminated from competition.With the HIGH END guns you merely slip in the set of parts you keep on your belt and continue.For that reason you owe it to yourself to aquire a "HIGH END GUN".Most shooters,including myself will never find themselves faced with those circumstances.But if ever you do, you will instantly understand the reason why the best shooters choose the more expensive guns.They are not snob shooters,they understand the requirements of the High End Games.One word in closing,I have always felt the man who owned Weatherbys did so strickly for the name rather than for quality.If you think for one minute that your jap junk can hold a candle to the really Great guns of this world ,,,,,,,,,,,SORRY about that.I sometimes get carried away.[This message has been edited by modoc (edited 03-23-2002).]

slugbug1

my buddy has shot two Browning Citori's loose on the skeet fields. My Krieghoff takes a lickin and keep...well you know. You wont find any weatherbys,winchester 101's etc shooting SERIOUS registered skeet, usually because they just flat kick to much. You cant run in the Indy 500 with a Yugo for a reason.