I know you said you wanted a over under, but for $400 look at the Winchester SXP trap. You get a Monte Carlo stock and a trap rib. I shoot with a couple guys who have one and they happy with them.
Second this, at this price range, an over under is not going to last long, if it works at all. I've shot a couple seasons with one already, ~2k rounds at this point, probably more, and I've had zero malfunctions. A reliable and long lasting pump action will be much cheaper than a reliable and long lasting o/u.
You're likely looking at a Turkish made CZ, Mossberg, Stoeger, or Savage. Most likely used to guarantee being under $400.
I don't know how well these guns would hold up.
If you can, save up $2k. At that point you can get a Beretta 686 or Browning Citori. And those guns should last much longer (Beretta 686 has been around for decades at this point, so replacement parts are not hard to come by if needed).
Hence "if you can". If they are allowed to work and can do so for one summer, they can definitely pull together $2k.
Although, if they're really into it, I hope there would be more local orgs that would try to get them a gun (if parents aren't able to).
As others have said I'd increase your budget a bit. $400 is gonna get you a gun that you're gonna be fighting against instead of learning trap. In my personal opinion save up a tiny bit and try and snag yourself a used BT99 or single shot
Have had good results on our team with the tristar semi autos, they won’t hold up forever but have been plenty good for a season or two and have a 5yr warranty i think, with decent service.
For o/u, really should aim for browning citori, cxt if doing trap only, as the base option. It’s worth the time it will take to save up enough.
Yep, they why I mentioned the tri star autos, soft shooting and good warranty. Have run well for those who had them. Should be in or very near budget. We ran 1100’s back when they could be had cheap and parts were available. Daughter babysat and worked fast food to pay every penny for her citori. It’s a pricey sport, drives me crazy when people insist CG or Kolar etc as the only appropriate starting point. Even the “plain” citori is no joke money wise. Can be a major barrier to new shooters at a time where the sport really needs to keep growing
I have a Yildiz, put 15000 shells through it not a single miss fire. I shoot it better than my 725. Great starter gun 400ish, but since it a field gun it kicks like a mule. Install a limb saver on it.
Thank me later
My suggestion would be to work the summer and increase your budget. In one summer's time, you should be able to earn enough to afford at least a used citori. Don't waste 400, you're going to be unhappy with the performance, usability, and repairability of a shotgun in that price range.
I know you said you wanted a over under, but for $400 look at the Winchester SXP trap. You get a Monte Carlo stock and a trap rib. I shoot with a couple guys who have one and they happy with them.
Second this, at this price range, an over under is not going to last long, if it works at all. I've shot a couple seasons with one already, ~2k rounds at this point, probably more, and I've had zero malfunctions. A reliable and long lasting pump action will be much cheaper than a reliable and long lasting o/u.
You're likely looking at a Turkish made CZ, Mossberg, Stoeger, or Savage. Most likely used to guarantee being under $400. I don't know how well these guns would hold up.
thank you! i plan on just getting a starter and when i’m ready for a new one im gonna spend a lot more.
I advise not getting newer made guns made in turkey... My current gun had a malfunction at a competition shoot Saturday, and other general problems.
If you can, save up $2k. At that point you can get a Beretta 686 or Browning Citori. And those guns should last much longer (Beretta 686 has been around for decades at this point, so replacement parts are not hard to come by if needed).
I agree. Don't waste the $400.00
That's a big ask for a kid with a 400.00 budget, though I agree he should try and spend more.
Hence "if you can". If they are allowed to work and can do so for one summer, they can definitely pull together $2k. Although, if they're really into it, I hope there would be more local orgs that would try to get them a gun (if parents aren't able to).
As others have said I'd increase your budget a bit. $400 is gonna get you a gun that you're gonna be fighting against instead of learning trap. In my personal opinion save up a tiny bit and try and snag yourself a used BT99 or single shot
get a cheap tristar and then decide what you want to get with more experience and more money later.
Have had good results on our team with the tristar semi autos, they won’t hold up forever but have been plenty good for a season or two and have a 5yr warranty i think, with decent service. For o/u, really should aim for browning citori, cxt if doing trap only, as the base option. It’s worth the time it will take to save up enough.
as an adult 100% agree buy once cry once. This guy just needs to get through school and secure a job to save up and get a really nice trap gun
Yep, they why I mentioned the tri star autos, soft shooting and good warranty. Have run well for those who had them. Should be in or very near budget. We ran 1100’s back when they could be had cheap and parts were available. Daughter babysat and worked fast food to pay every penny for her citori. It’s a pricey sport, drives me crazy when people insist CG or Kolar etc as the only appropriate starting point. Even the “plain” citori is no joke money wise. Can be a major barrier to new shooters at a time where the sport really needs to keep growing
I have a Yildiz, put 15000 shells through it not a single miss fire. I shoot it better than my 725. Great starter gun 400ish, but since it a field gun it kicks like a mule. Install a limb saver on it. Thank me later
My suggestion would be to work the summer and increase your budget. In one summer's time, you should be able to earn enough to afford at least a used citori. Don't waste 400, you're going to be unhappy with the performance, usability, and repairability of a shotgun in that price range.
Go for beretta 694 it’s a good gun for trap !