O/U for a lanky dude...

[mofro14]

I am in the early stages of looking for a over/under for hunting and was just looking for some general direction for starting up. My main question is that I am a tall guy and have long arms even for my height, built like a monkey basically, just wondering if any taller guys out there have found guns that fit good out of the box or if there are any easy mods to help with this? Any other general pointers on a decent O/U's under $1750.00 would be appreciated also.

[vzkennels]

I believe the Berettas have the longer LOP then most over the counter guns.

[Mountaineer]

I shoot a 16" LOP on O/Us for targets, 15" is fine in the woods....any stock can be lengthened.
Make is irrelevent.

[mcbosco]

There are lots of good o/u's at that price point new and used. The market is flooded right now. Lenght of pull is longer on a Berretta. I would look for a Silver Pigeon or White Onyx used.

The SKB GC7 probably has a lenght of pull like a Citori, which is about 3/8th inch shorter than a Berretta. The SKB goes for about $1,200 - $1,400 new. Nice sturdy gun if you like a gloss finish.

[vzkennels]

Those gloss finishes on the wood can be toned down with some #0000 steel wool & a little rubbing compound if that is the only problem.
Yes all stocks can be lengthened or shortened if need be but he said out of the box.
I own a Beretta 686 onyx but have short arms & had to have it shortened so it didn't stick in my arm pit everytime I raised it.
I also have an SKB o/u & is the some LOP I had the Beretta shotened to.Without any modification the Berettas will probably fit you best.Just go & try a few different brands to see & make your decision from there.

[Greg Jennings]

What do you want to use it for?

[mofro14]

I would be using the gun mostly for hunting, pheasant and grouse, but would also use it for some NAVHDA tests since it would be my only break action gun. I don't mind modifying the gun if that is what it takes but would like to be able to know the gun is going to fit good before i bring it home, do they let you try a mod on a gun that you haven't purchased yet in the store?

[Mountaineer]

You can buy a slip-on pad of various types to lengthen the stock while in a store.
But a gun can feel fine in a store and less so when shot.

LOP is the least important fit factor, to me.
Most folks can adjust.
Also, utilizing a LOP of greater than standard length often requires a perfect and repeatable mount which takes practice.

Comb design, pitch, grip dimensions, etc. can affect how a gun fits, feels and inspires confidence.
Whether it slaps one in the cheek takes shooting.

Personally, I would buy the O/U that fits your price point, has a reasonable reputation and simply seems right.
Adjust as necessary for individual need after that.
Used Berettas are a bargain and can be made new fairly easily by someone like Cole.
They are also far easier to clean than a Browning, for example.
Have fun in the search.

[Greg Jennings]

If you're going to hunt with it and do NAVHDA tests, I'd avoid going to the Silver Pigeon or upper end. I don't know about you, but it would make me sick to knock the crap out of my $1,750 O/U.

Check out a used SKB, Ruger Red Label or similar. Just verify that you get a 3 day inspection period, which is the norm.

As some of the folks on here have said, it's really pretty easy to change LOP on some shotguns. My new Rizzini, for example, has a very thin recoil pad. I could add a ton of length if I replaced it with a thick pad.

I'm 6'2". I can shoot a 14" LOP with no problems. My issue is that the new Rizzini is slightly long and has absolutely drop dead gorgeous wood. I'm very loathe to cut it off.

Greg J.

[mcbosco]

and Greg is not kidding about the wood.......also look at this link below, the SKB 505 is a bare bones field gun great buy with a matte finish:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/931658928/Gu ... D_12GA.htm

[Greg Jennings]

I posted a link to a Ruger Red Label in new condition in this forum. The guy wanted $1,100 for it. You might be able to talk him off that too.

Greg J.

[mofro14]

Thanks for all the responses! Has anyone had luck finding a place to check out Yildiz (sp?) in the midwest? I have heard good things about these as far as what you get for the price.

[mcbosco]

yildiz are only available at academy sports and they wont ship

[mofro14]

yildiz are only available at academy sports and they wont ship

ok thats what I thought...just wanted to double check

I posted a link to a Ruger Red Label in new condition in this forum. The guy wanted $1,100 for it. You might be able to talk him off that too.
Greg J.

That looks pretty nice, and the price isn't bad compared to some prices I see on the Cabelas used gun page.

I am gonna stop at Cabelas, I am lucky to live 5 miles away from one, and handle some of these and see what I think although it doesn't look like the have any used Rugers at the one by me so hopefully a new one is around.

Anyone have any opinion on Weatherby or C/Z O/U's?
Speaking of opinions, I keep waiting for ezzy to come and disagree with whatever mcbosco says, he seems to like doing that.

Thanks again for all the input.

[mcbosco]

I have a CZ Redhead, 20 gauge. I paid $800 for it. I haven't had any problems with it but if you stood a CZ next to an SKB, Red Label, Browning or Berretta, you would see that CZ is not nearly, not even close the same quality.

If you can buy an SKB, Red Label or Citori for $900 - $1,000 get one of those. There is a version of the Citori Lightening that was done for SHOT that didn't sell well for some reason, probably because it is pretty bare bones that you should look at. I have seen it around for less than $1,000.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/998961474/Gu ... _color.htm

I would grab one of the new SKB 505's before they are gone.

[Kyle Wintersteen]

mofro,

Nothing wrong with the last few guns you mentioned, but I'm lanky too and like others in the thread I like Beretta o/u's best out of the box.

One other note: If you end up getting the stock tweaked, I would not, as someone suggested, go to Cole's. I had a really bad experience with them. I have, on the other hand, had very good experiences with Joel Etchen's in PA and also Umberger's in Ohio.

[Mountaineer]

Interesting Cole comment...I have had 2 guns restocked and another repaired with no issues but positive ones on all fronts.
I would suggest that should anyone be interested in stockwork they consult some shooting/gun BBs to get a wide cross-section of views upon reputations, cost and satisfaction before selecting a busines....any company-customer connection can have bumps derived from both sides.

I shot Registered Trap with Brent Umberger and was in the Algonquins with him....he is quite the character, to say the least.
Did not realize he was still with us doing stockwork....good to hear.
Last I heard he had health concerns.
He has a lot of experience cuttin' wood.

[mcbosco]

Cole can be very cranky. There is a guy in princeton nj that worked at Krieghoff for 9 year that is supposedly top notch if anyone is near there.

sal

[Ruffshooter]

Are you guys talking about Coles in Brunswick, ME?
I brought two Ruger RL to be shortened and cast (bent?) I am drawing a blank on the proper term.The Ruger comes straight as an arrow.
They did well by me, were timely and helpful.

[Garfed]

I took two Ruger RL will be shortened, and cast (bending?) I draw the correct term.The Ruger Straight as an arrow from the blank. They did well to me, is timely and useful....

[Ryman Gun Dog]

Mrofro14,
I have a lanky friend who has a long neck and he has loved the 20 Guage Ruger Red Label all his life, that is until I spoiled him with a Churchill 20 O/U,
course you don't buy a Churchill for no $1,800.
RGD/Dave

[JWP58]

I'm 6'1.25" tall and my wingspan is 6'3"...dont know if that qualifies as lanky, but i love the way my CZ bobwhite feels. Although it is a SxS i believe its the same LOP as their O/U's.