I finally got the ok to start the search for a new shotgun. I am looking into some kind of double. My budget for an over and under is around $2000 and maybe $3000 for a side by side. Ejectors only (personal prefrence). Any recomendations would be appreciated. If anyone has a "Don't ever but that gun!" story, please elaborate as to why.

I love my SKB. I have the 505. fit, finish and balance are outstanding!!!!!

Browning Citoris are hard to beat also.

Beretta and Browning O/U's are hard to beat in that price range.

What are you using it for? That would help a lot to get you pointed in the right direction. If I had that price range and was using it for hunting, I'd agree with the Browning/Beretta O/U sentiment. Even for sporting clays that's a good route to go. For a SxS, you could find a nice Browning BSS for a little under your budget, or get a new Beretta 471. Plenty of nice old used SxS in that price range you'll find in shops under various brand names that would be sweet additions to the gun cabinet, as well. Have fun shopping!

PS- I really don't like SKBs, I have a friend that shot one a lot for trapshooting, and the gun is falling apart. Literally. The rib is wrapped so it doesn't fall off, the trigger has broken down numerous times, and he's been through several firing pins. They have some decent deals on their new guns, but I think in shotgunning you get what you pay for. SKB= Should Know Better. No offense to people that like them, they just aren't my cup of tea.

The gun in question would be used mostly for hunting and the warm up trip to the local shooting area. Don't have to worry about the sporting clays deal or skeet or trap since the local tree humpers (I mean huggers) have managed to shut down one range and are trying to block two others from being built that would not only serve the public but the local law enforcement community as well. Enough about that. I have also heard that the Weatherby shotguns are manufactured by SKB as well. Any thoughts. How about Rugers (red or gold label) or the Winchester lines (select or 101). HELP!!!

Well, I'm not a fan of the 3 O/Us you mentioned, just not my cup of tea in the fit and quality department. If you were looking for an O/U in that price range, get what everyone else does, a Browning or Beretta. They're so popular because they're good, reliable guns. It's all about what you want and what fits you best, though, so you have to make the final decision.

hawg wild,
It might help if you were a bit more specific on what you are going to hunt. You can run the gamut from Quail to Canadian geese to turkeys and they will not be served well with the same gun.

I was wondering why your budget is different for a S/S than an O/U.

As far as Rugers, there are distractors who can tell a lot of stories about breakdowns but I have some friends who have been treated very well by Ruger on repairs that was not the fault of the builder but operator error and it was understood by all. I have a friend who shoots skeet with a RL and has put a lot of shells through it and it just keeps working. I do not believe thay have started to build the gold labels again.

Thanks for all of the input guys. As for what I intend to hunt with this gun, the selection here in Hawaii ranges from quail to chukar to phesant and sometimes turkey. Most Turkey hunting here is almost like normal upland bird hunting. I do have an older 11-87 that I use during the spring turkey season (hunting like you see on TV). I am looking for something light that swings and points well. I know that it boils down to personal preferance and how the gun fits me. I'm mostly looking for input as to the quality or lack thereof of different brands that other gun enthusiasts either love or hate. Selection on the island is very limited. There are about three dealers that actually have store fronts and none of them actually stock double shotguns, so actually getting my hands on one before I buy it is very difficult. I plan to travel off island when the time comes to actually making the purchase. As to the price difference, that is about what I'm willing to spend on each respective gun without having any buyers remorse. Thanks for the help and keep 'em comming.

The Beretta BL-4 was a real nice, light O/U and there are usually some on Gunbroker et. al. You get ejectors, SST, and factory cut engraving. There were also less expensive models (BL-1, 2, 3) with less engraving and no ejectors, and a more expensive model with two barrel sets called a BL-5. Maybe others too, I'm not an expert.

I bought a 20 ga. BL-4 several years ago. It weighs six pounds and balances 4.5" in front of the trigger. 26" bbls, M/IC. I liked it so much I bought a 12 ga with 30" bbls F/M. It weighs seven pounds and balances 5.5" in front of the trigger. I have maybe $1500 in this "American pair" including a little stock work I had done, and I am very happy I bought them.

The Berettas have shallower actions than most O/Us, so it is real easy to wrap your hand around it and carry it one handed. That's important for a field gun. The big thing is that they fit me, which Citori doesn't. As I'm sure you know, you need to try a few and see which feel best to you.

I like Ruger handguns and have several, but the shotguns aren't much of a bargain. They have a cheap feel that the B-guns don't. SKB has been around since about 1850 and they don't seem bad for the price. A hunter wants a lighter gun than a target shooter, and needs less durability. I don't know your age, but I'd be very surprised if you live to wear out any of the choices discussed by shooting at birds.