Gun Dog Forum

Has anyone used Charles Daly semi-auto shotguns? Can anyone suggest a good beater gun to hunt and trial with for around $300-$500?

I would stay with name-brand so that you can get parts for it when it breaks.

I prefer o/u and semi-auto, but the ultimate "beater" is the Remington 870.

You can pick up a used Remington 1100, 870, Beretta 303, 390, etc. and stay within your budget.

If you break something, you can find parts and you can easily fix it yourself.

I don't know if it's an issue for you, but if you want to gun for someone's hunt test, you have to have a break-action.

Best,

I had read somewhere a time back that they were not great?

I used a 20 G for a long time in the kennel for a training gun. Was a great little gun, I just had problems with the bolt falling off. You know, the thing you use to pull back when loading. Sent it back and they replaced it, then eventually it came off again. Real pain. I think we sent it back for good then.

Thaks for all the info! Where's the best place to get a used gun online?

I don't know if it's the best, but try http://www.gunbroker.com/ . They've been around quite some time.

Best regards,

I think one of Ricks favorites is GunsAmerica.com

Hey Grant, Hank passed on that 20 gauge Franchi lightweight Veloce. It may be out of your budget but it is a super deal.
Janet

Hummmm. Could this be a Valentine in the making?

I got my Beretta Whitewing from GunsAmerica. I was very happy with the transaction. If I can't help Jim sell his gun through this forum, I am going to tell him to advertise it there for $950.00. The gun is in super condition and he should get that price.

I am currently using a Charles Daly 20 gauge. Very light gun(under 5 lbs). Had some problems with it firing but we found that it was just a little dirty and has worked well since then. Also the bead fell off. Paid $290 for it.

I would look at Huglu (the new CZ shotguns) www.cz-usa.com . I think I am going to get the "Redhead" in 20 guage soon.
I would even look at the Baikal, Russian shotguns before the Charles Daly. I haven't been a fan of Charles Daly.......anything. Just my personal preference.

Oh, check out www.shotgunworld.com they have a forum there with a nice classified area. You can learn tons about shotguns there.

Also watch the classified sections on the following forums.

www.glocktalk.com
www.thehighroad.org
www.thefiringline.com

I just took a look at the CZ Redhead and it looks like a very nice gun but I think the weight of 7.9 is excessive. Try carry around a gun of such weight and you will be dragging. I think much has to be considered other then price. JMO

Interesting point about weight. I will have to find out what my current Benelli Nova weighs for comparison.

snips wrote:Hummmm. Could this be a Valentine in the making?

I wish! Maybe you could give lins. a little hint hint...... =) j/k

Thanks for all the sites, I'll give them a look in the morning...

Looks like my Nova weighs in at 8 pounds. I haven't ever thought of that gun being heavy. The Redhead would be the same for me.

How much does a "light weight" gun weigh?

I generally think of light-weight as under 7 pounds.

I've toted an 8 pounder up and down mountains and I've toted a 6 pounder up and down similar mountains....I'll take the 6 pounder.

Best,

grant wrote:Has anyone used Charles Daly semi-auto shotguns? Can anyone suggest a good beater gun to hunt and trial with for around $300-$500?

Grant,

I know it's hard to do but I would try to take price out of the picture. Find the gun that is right for you, your need & then find a way to buy it.

In the long run you will be better off. Settling for less now will only end up costing more when you buy the gun you really want down the road. I wish I would have done this last year when looking for a 16 ga O/U. Ended up talking myself into a 12 ga & now I wish I had the 16 ga. Sure I saved some money on the 12 ga but I also ended up with a heavier gun.

I would have loved to had a lighter gun with me on on Sunday at the track meet between hunter & blue quail.

for hunt test & trials i have a friend that bought a single shot 20 ga from walmart & painted entire gun flourescent orange
so he wouldnt lose it