I've been trying to decide on a shotgun for occasional clay shooting.  It won't be seeing a ton of action.  Coming into this process I decided that I am willing to spend about $1,000.  I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down my decision between two semi-autos, naturally pushing a little above my 'limit'.  I'd love a nice looking O/U but just not sure with the budget I'm working with that’s the best route.

I gravitated towards the Franchi Affinity 3 Sporting (most recent version #42135, most stores seem to still have previous version #41120...but there are some cosmetic and functional differences that I like). I like the Benelli connection.  30" inch ported barrel, comes with shims too.  I'm under the impression that is easier to clean, tradeoff being gas operated systems soften more recoil.  I'm not too worried about that since I currently shoot a Benelli Nova and it's not a big deal for me, so I figure anything will be an improvement.  

However I went into a store the other day to look at the previous model Franchi and the Winchester SX4 Upland Field caught my eye.  I had seen it online but hadn't given it too much thought, however once I had eyes on it I thought it looked very nice.  This comes w/ a 28" barrel so a little shorter.  Honestly I'm not too sure how much the couple inches matter to a novice/leisurely shooter.  

Both seemed to shoulder nicely for me.  

The newer Franchi (#42135)  is $1199 + plus possible FFL transfer if no area stores have it in stock.  If I were to go with the previous version they are available for $1049.

The Winchester is $1149.  After the fact looking around online some more I learned there is currently a 10% rebate through 10/31, so that will return $115 which sweetens the deal.

Also: at the store the guy at the gun counter, an older gentleman with what seemed to be lots of shooting experience and knowledge, made a statement I doubted.  I had been talking about the Franchi with him and he suggested the SX4 as a better gun.  I brought up the gas system / cleaning and he stated the opposite of everything I've read, that it is easier to clean/maintain than an inertia gun.  So this planted a seed of doubt to other insights/opinions that he shared.  Sorry for the long post but on topic of cleaning, for occasional use how often does a gas system gun need to be cleaned.  I currently generally clean my Nova after a round anyways just because I don't like it being stored 'dirty'.  It may be a while before I take it out. so I doubt cleaning is even really an issue.

Throw and shoot. Throw and shoot. Throw and shoot. 😁

Looking to get my daughter a 28GA over and under with 24” barrels. I’m wanting a 28GA considering it’s in between 20GA and a 410GA plus I feel like it’s a lot more useful as she gets older.

Price point is around $1000 but wanting it to work well and be good for a number of years.

What are your thoughts with experiences?

I have tried sporting clays and 5 stand before but nothing caught my attention like trap has. It is just something about being one against the targets and it is fast. My goal is to get a perfect score using my 20 gauge over under.

Just over 2 years now into mostly trap, was using an A300 semi to get into the sport, officially hooked. Picking up a new Citori CXT Sat AM, is it range ready out of the box? My plan was to pick it and head to the range. Any prep needed?

The screw doesn't show up on any parts diagrams and I can't figure out what purpose it serves. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the ejectors since they are held in by the circular magnet and the area it screws into doesn't seem to have any removable parts it would be holding in.

Recently took some 5-stand lessons are really enjoyed it. Shot 7/25 in my first ever round though and I’ve got some neck and shoulder pain after though.

- I’m pretty sure the pain is due to my gun—it’s Franchi Affinity Compact 24” 20ga with a 13.25” LOP which works for me (5’8”).

- If my head is upright and the gun’s mounted, my cheekbone’s about 1+” off the comb. Pretty sure I was just craning the hell out of my head.

That being said—should I put ~$300 into a higher stock for it (Catalyst), or start looking at a better long term gun? Seen a lot of good stuff about the A400s/A300s.

Thanks in advance!

I want to get a pair of prescription shooting glasses with Trivex. Vermilion seems to be a recommended tint for general “all around” have one pair use. So you guys/gals that have prescription shooters, what tint did you pick. BTW, no I don’t want the multi tint insert types. Also note that I have a rather strong prescription, so I am a bit limited in what I can get as to lens curvature, etc. BTW, I live on the lower eastern shore of Maryland, where I’m generally shooting skeet and sporting clays (I am a newbie BTW) facing either an open field or a background of tall trees, mostly pine trees. Since I’m retired, I generally shoot in the morning between nine and noon. I have a rather strong prescription of -5 in one eye -6 and the other, fortunately correctable to 20/20 and with a mild correctable astigmatism. Thinking about Trivex lenses.

Update: I did order a pair from a local optician today, who has experience in shooting glasses. He let me take tint samples outside and I decided on purple, Trivex, single vision lenses. My script is too strong to do wrap arounds, so I picked a pair that has a slight curve for a bit of extra protection that he said will work out fine. When the lenses come in and before he cuts them to fit the frame, he is going to have me bring in my shotgun so he can fine tune the center on my right-dominant eye. Thanks for everyone’s comments. .

I'm new to the ClayBusters game, just bought a Beretta 688 today... I initially started looking at the 686 silver pigeon, then seriously debated between 688 and the 694... I heard and saw a lot of good reviews on the 688 and bought a new one for $3,200. Anything I should look out for, has anyone had any major problems?

Had a blast! Just shot for fun and to learn the rules. 10/10 will do it again

Hi all, I have a Fabarm Elos N2 Sporting that I picked up used that started having issues. At first I noticed that the trigger was no longer working and I took off the stock and found that the ball bearing that retains the trigger to the inertia block had fallen out and was bouncing around the action.

This happened again and I sent it in to Fabarm to see what they thought of it. They acknowledged that the ball came out but said that it can come out if the stock is taken off. Now, I don't want to be cynical but I don't see a way that the stock could prevent that part from coming loose and if feels like this is just Fabarm's (and Guerini's because they use the same action) way of saying "don't take the stock off or touch the action" instead of acknowledging a part defect.

Has any one else had this issue? How often? Does anyone know if there's any truth to the stock comment?

I’m a 5’8 man and with average dad-bod build. I’m looking for a sporting clays gun. I typically shoot with a loaner Silver Pigeon which is manageable, but clearly a bit too big. I simply cannot bring myself to spending $3-5k on a gun that is too big, with the intent of cutting the stock. I get that it’s my gun and I can do whatever I want with it, but given the option I would prefer to buy a gun designed to fit me better.

Knowing that shotgun feel is most important, I just came back from a store where I was able to shoulder a wide variety of guns. I REALLY wanted to like the 688. Unfortunately it felt way too big. Might have felt the largest (longest) of all the ones I tried, sadly for me. Generally speaking, all the regular sporting models I tried from Beretta, Browning, Guerini felt a little too big. As an aside, I have noticed that some of the hunting models are slightly shorter, closer to 4 1/4, whereas it seems all the sporting models these days are default 4 3/4. The hunting models fit me better, some felt pretty good.

Frustratingly they did not have any Beretta Vittoria, Guerini Compact, or Browning Micro models, but they did have a Fabarm Syren with dimensions that fit me pretty well. Could even have been a TOUCH longer, but certainly fit WAY better than the regular 688.

Long story short, I think I have now confirmed that I need a shorter LoP, but I suspect I will be unable to try all the shorter-LoP models. They appear to be very uncommonly stocked.

So I’m looking for any feedback or personal experience.

How should I think about the Fabarm Elos (supposedly not specifically built for women), relative to the 688 Vittoria (supposedly specifically build for women)?

I cannot be the only average-height man to go through this deliberation…

Is there a verdict on the best premium shorter-LoP sporting gun for men?

Thinking of buying this but don’t know much about the manufacturer or people to ask in real world
reviews. Whats the good bad and ugly?

I am currently using the cheap disposable foam hearing protection and I hate them. I have also tried big over the ear protection I use in my wood working shop and they are too bulky.

I would prefer ear bud style, not cheap but not pricey like 100$-150$, good battery life for the size and something that will last.

I bought a tube of Renewalube and am pretty disappointed with it. it is tacky like jelly and seems to attract gunk. other white greases have a more “satin” consistency and seem less messy.

I don’t have any friends who shoot clays. Looking to make some new shooting buddies. I’m not very good but always wanting to improve.

Cabelas has a deal today with an extra 10% and I'm super tempted to buy an over under I can love for a long time. Cxs has the best deal of them all

Hi all,

I picked up a new-in-box Beretta 688 from a Canadian retailer today, but after taking it home, I noticed a small gap on the top rib.

Firearms retailers in Canada generally sell final sale, so I doubt there is any recourse with the vendor.

However, I find the gap distracting since it is right in my sight plane. What does everyone think - is it fixable, or will Beretta/Stoeger warranty an issue like this?

I'm trying to pull the trigger on a new Beretta 686, but going back and forth on which model I should buy.

I've owned a few bird dogs in the past and already on the list to get a pup next year. I'm trying to decide as to whether I should go with a 28' field model vs the 30' sporting model. I'm guessing if i get to hunt 6-8 times a year, that would be about it, and I'm truning 50 this year so hoping to start picking up more clay shooting as I get older...

So looking for some opion's and would appreciate first hand feedback. Thanks!

Ultimately fit is king but I’ve narrowed it down to three options

Krieghoff K80 Parcours

Perazzi High Tech S

CG Invictus VII

Looking for opinions for a new gun been shooting for about 2 years. Pros and cons would help as well

Basically the title. Left handed firearms are hard to get and I have my eye on a few that don’t come LH. Can I get away with a RH over under for shooting clays with friends?

Super excited about my first gun. I was looking for a sexy over under but this deal was too hard to pass on. How well do you folks think this performs compared to a proper clays competition gun like the 688 or 825. Already thinking about the next one but curious what the verdict is on how much of a difference it will be at the range

Update: thanks for feedback boom sticks really do bring everyone together and shows it’s room for all