Should I Buy It?

Rusted Angel · 10-15-2009, 11:51 PM

I suck at shooting skeet but I try using my Benelli Nova and a 20 G Winchester 1300, both pump guns, I've always wanted a O/U but money is always a problem for me.

A guy in the club is selling a Browning Citori 12 ga for $700, the stock is kinda beat up but a friend told me that with $25 I can re-do the stock, is one of those adjustable rear stocks, I have the money but if I use it to get the shotgun, I'm afraid the heating bills could stock up this winter, the problem is that the gun hast fixed skeet chokes and I can't use it other than for skeet shooting and I do dove hunting.

Should I buy the Citori or just wait for the next great offer?

Pyro01 · 10-16-2009, 12:20 AM

I'd say wait for the next great offer, I have a Winchester 1300 in 12 gauge and it shoots skeet and clay pigeons just fine. Mine has screw in chokes, and there are other chokes that are compatible with Winchester chokes, such as mossberg chokes. I don't know much about over under shotguns and how much they are worth, but if you haven't seen anything else in that price range, I'd say go for it. If you have seen over unders for that price, I'd say wait for the next deal.

Dallas · 10-16-2009, 12:25 AM

Get yourself through the winter first. Save up what money you can and find yourself an O/U you can use for skeet AND hunting come spring or summer.

.22hustler · 10-16-2009, 08:18 AM

I say buy it. Browning Citories are nice guns, the heck with the heating bills. just put on extra clothes. You don't run into deals like that very often.

texnmidwest · 10-16-2009, 08:25 AM

Take a good look at the shotgun. That seems like a good price but I would make sure the action and pivot pin are still nice and tight. A clay pigeon gun used regularly sometimes has had a LOT of rounds run through it. Could be no big deal especially with light target loads but I would check it real well. Check the action well. Look for signs of wear. Maybe even see if you can have a gunsmith check it out real well. A skeet gun with a beat up stock is the only red flag. BUT could be a great deal! and yes, refinishing the stock is easy and a lot of fun!

oldjarhead · 10-16-2009, 08:28 AM

Stick with necessities first. Save up and get you what you want in the spring. There's not much trap/skeet shooting during the winter in most places so you don't NEED the shotgun but you do NEED the heat.
Also, it will give you time to shop around and check out other guns that may be more to your liking. Just don't jump on the first "good deal" that may present itself.

jerry · 10-16-2009, 08:29 AM

As much as i like the Citori & as good as a deal as it is, the majority common sense approach makes most sense to me. There are a lot of good guns out there taht will do what you want for half of the 700 bones. Pride of ownership may not be on the high end of the scale. The fixed chokes would bother me the most I guess. I'm not sure if ther is enough meat on a Citori OU to install aftermarket scre in chokes?

Rusted Angel · 10-17-2009, 01:34 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions, I have decided not to buy it, I had to spend some of the money in getting my car ready for winter and to replace some bad pipes in my house, bottom line, I don't have enough money to get it, like some of you said, I bet I will find (some day) a good deal on another shotgun.

Thanks!

nathangdad · 10-17-2009, 04:33 PM

I am always leery of these specialty shotguns showing a lot of wear.
Of course, it could be a little used gun with a lot of neglect.
But, more realistically, a specialty shotgun with a lot of wear often means a phenominal amount of shooting has been done with it. You just might be buying someone else's problem.

I know it can be hard to step back from some offers but it is best to take an objective stance, weigh the situation versus other needs, and walk past some deals.

As a big fan of negotiation, if you really want this shotgun, I would open with an offer of $250.00 and see what happens. Mention the wear and tear. If they walk away you have lost nothing. Close your offer at $300.00.

jashoffa · 10-17-2009, 07:55 PM

A new gun seldom, if ever fixes a problem with performance. Spending some money to get in some more practice would be a better bang for you buck.

DaTeacha · 10-17-2009, 08:31 PM

A gun stocked for skeet is not nearly so specialized as one stocked for trap. Bunnies don't know what kind of choke the pellets came out of.

But, you have taken the responsible path by deciding to wait. Maybe the guy will take a deposit (non-refundable if you default to make it seem more palatable) for a sale at a predetermined later date if you really like the gun. That way, you can pay yourself a little each week into the "gun jar" or a special savings account, learn a good habit by saving for something you want, and get your deal on the gun in time to put it to use busting clays when the weather breaks in the spring.

neophyte · 10-18-2009, 07:13 AM

Rusted Angel: Sir; ''heat'';

a roof over your head; is better than any shotgun sitting around 5-6 days per week in a corner of the closet

Another ?deal? will come along

jesse813 · 10-20-2009, 12:47 PM

save up for the O/U

bigrebnc1861 · 10-20-2009, 06:32 PM

Always pay for your basic needs first. Since you already have a shotgun I would wait.

Markopolo50 · 10-20-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusted Angel

Thank you all for your suggestions, I have decided not to buy it, I had to spend some of the money in getting my car ready for winter and to replace some bad pipes in my house, bottom line, I don't have enough money to get it, like some of you said, I bet I will find (some day) a good deal on another shotgun.

Thanks!

Rusted Angel, you are on the right path. Take care of your basic needs first. I agree with others on the fixed chokes. I have an O/U in imp/mod that I shoot skeet with. It does handicap me some but I figure with lots of practice I will get better. I did get a real good deal on the gun and can buy lots of ammo for the difference.

samuel · 10-20-2009, 11:42 PM

You're a good man and use your head well. ,,,sam.

ArkansasHunter · 10-20-2009, 11:48 PM

It's very possible with the value of the dollar declineing were all going to be paying (again) higher energy prices.
Everyone needs to hang on to what little money they have and haveing your bank change your money over to a higher currentcy like the Yen would'nt hurt...Yep they can do that...A.H

Clyde · 10-21-2009, 09:26 PM

I would wait you could pick up a Ruger Under/over Red label in great shape for a $800-$1000 and has removable chokes. I would practice with what you have and spend $100 on shells instead of under/over.

jesse813 · 10-22-2009, 12:37 PM

the ruger clyde mentioned sounds nice. not a bad price either

Rusted Angel · 10-24-2009, 01:28 AM

One of my friends has a Ruger Red Label and I know he might let me make payments on it, I think I'll call him to get a quote.

10-15-2009, 11:51 PM	#1
Rusted Angel Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 66	Should I Buy It? I suck at shooting skeet but I try using my Benelli Nova and a 20 G Winchester 1300, both pump guns, I've always wanted a O/U but money is always a problem for me. A guy in the club is selling a Browning Citori 12 ga for $700, the stock is kinda beat up but a friend told me that with $25 I can re-do the stock, is one of those adjustable rear stocks, I have the money but if I use it to get the shotgun, I'm afraid the heating bills could stock up this winter, the problem is that the gun hast fixed skeet chokes and I can't use it other than for skeet shooting and I do dove hunting. Should I buy the Citori or just wait for the next great offer?

10-16-2009, 12:20 AM	#2
Pyro01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Midwestern WI Posts: 205 Images: 3	I'd say wait for the next great offer, I have a Winchester 1300 in 12 gauge and it shoots skeet and clay pigeons just fine. Mine has screw in chokes, and there are other chokes that are compatible with Winchester chokes, such as mossberg chokes. I don't know much about over under shotguns and how much they are worth, but if you haven't seen anything else in that price range, I'd say go for it. If you have seen over unders for that price, I'd say wait for the next deal. __________________ Hahaha, suck railgun wabbit!

10-16-2009, 12:25 AM	#3
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,692	Get yourself through the winter first. Save up what money you can and find yourself an O/U you can use for skeet AND hunting come spring or summer. __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

10-16-2009, 08:25 AM	#5
texnmidwest Some People's kids.... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 6,978	Take a good look at the shotgun. That seems like a good price but I would make sure the action and pivot pin are still nice and tight. A clay pigeon gun used regularly sometimes has had a LOT of rounds run through it. Could be no big deal especially with light target loads but I would check it real well. Check the action well. Look for signs of wear. Maybe even see if you can have a gunsmith check it out real well. A skeet gun with a beat up stock is the only red flag. BUT could be a great deal! and yes, refinishing the stock is easy and a lot of fun! __________________ never pass up a bathroom, never waste a ** , and never trust a fart.

10-16-2009, 08:28 AM	#6
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MO Posts: 1,914	Stick with necessities first. Save up and get you what you want in the spring. There's not much trap/skeet shooting during the winter in most places so you don't NEED the shotgun but you do NEED the heat. Also, it will give you time to shop around and check out other guns that may be more to your liking. Just don't jump on the first "good deal" that may present itself. __________________ No war has ever been won by a politician!

10-16-2009, 08:18 AM	#4
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,469	I say buy it. Browning Citories are nice guns, the heck with the heating bills. just put on extra clothes. You don't run into deals like that very often.

10-16-2009, 08:29 AM	#7
jerry Short Time Shirt Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 13,229 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	As much as i like the Citori & as good as a deal as it is, the majority common sense approach makes most sense to me. There are a lot of good guns out there taht will do what you want for half of the 700 bones. Pride of ownership may not be on the high end of the scale. The fixed chokes would bother me the most I guess. I'm not sure if ther is enough meat on a Citori OU to install aftermarket scre in chokes?

10-17-2009, 01:34 PM	#8
Rusted Angel Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 66	Thank you all for your suggestions, I have decided not to buy it, I had to spend some of the money in getting my car ready for winter and to replace some bad pipes in my house, bottom line, I don't have enough money to get it, like some of you said, I bet I will find (some day) a good deal on another shotgun. Thanks!

10-17-2009, 04:33 PM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,178	I would hold out for a good deal later down the line I am always leery of these specialty shotguns showing a lot of wear. Of course, it could be a little used gun with a lot of neglect. But, more realistically, a specialty shotgun with a lot of wear often means a phenominal amount of shooting has been done with it. You just might be buying someone else's problem. I know it can be hard to step back from some offers but it is best to take an objective stance, weigh the situation versus other needs, and walk past some deals. As a big fan of negotiation, if you really want this shotgun, I would open with an offer of $250.00 and see what happens. Mention the wear and tear. If they walk away you have lost nothing. Close your offer at $300.00.

10-17-2009, 07:55 PM	#10
jashoffa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 701	A new gun seldom, if ever fixes a problem with performance. Spending some money to get in some more practice would be a better bang for you buck. __________________ "I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!" Member NRA

10-17-2009, 08:31 PM	#11
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 2,915	A gun stocked for skeet is not nearly so specialized as one stocked for trap. Bunnies don't know what kind of choke the pellets came out of. But, you have taken the responsible path by deciding to wait. Maybe the guy will take a deposit (non-refundable if you default to make it seem more palatable) for a sale at a predetermined later date if you really like the gun. That way, you can pay yourself a little each week into the "gun jar" or a special savings account, learn a good habit by saving for something you want, and get your deal on the gun in time to put it to use busting clays when the weather breaks in the spring. __________________ Teach NRA -- If you're reading this, you should be a member. United, We Stand.

10-18-2009, 07:13 AM	#12
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 8,827 Blog Entries: 2	Heat First; Shotgun later Rusted Angel: Sir; ''heat''; a roof over your head; is better than any shotgun sitting around 5-6 days per week in a corner of the closet Another ?deal? will come along __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

10-20-2009, 12:47 PM	#13
jesse813 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21	save up for the O/U

10-20-2009, 06:32 PM	#14
bigrebnc1861 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kannapolis North Carolina Posts: 121	Always pay for your basic needs first. Since you already have a shotgun I would wait. __________________ "An armed man is a citizen. A disarmed man is a subject."

10-20-2009, 11:42 PM	#16
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10,919	You're a good man and use your head well. ,,,sam.

10-20-2009, 11:48 PM	#17
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,218	It's very possible with the value of the dollar declineing were all going to be paying (again) higher energy prices. Everyone needs to hang on to what little money they have and haveing your bank change your money over to a higher currentcy like the Yen would'nt hurt...Yep they can do that...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

10-21-2009, 09:26 PM	#18
Clyde Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6	I would wait you could pick up a Ruger Under/over Red label in great shape for a $800-$1000 and has removable chokes. I would practice with what you have and spend $100 on shells instead of under/over.

10-22-2009, 12:37 PM	#19
jesse813 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21	the ruger clyde mentioned sounds nice. not a bad price either

10-24-2009, 01:28 AM	#20
Rusted Angel Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 66	One of my friends has a Ruger Red Label and I know he might let me make payments on it, I think I'll call him to get a quote.