I'm looking at a field grade 12 guage Over and Under to bust clays with at the club.

The shop in my small town has one made by a company called 'Lanber' and is apparently made in Spain. It has a single trigger with a barrel selector incorporated into the thumb slide safety.

It comes with 5 chokes, wrench and leather choke pouch. The front sight looks like the Tru-Glo type, a small piece of plastic optical light guide that makes for a bright red dot.

They have a 'fancy grade' with the same features but nicer furniture and scroll work on the side of the receiver area. They want $1000 USD for the fancy grade and $499 for the field grade, which is all I need. It's also designed to eject only the hull from the fired barrel if only one shot is made leaving the live round extracted but not ejected. This may be a standard feature but I've never owned an O&U and have very little knowledge of them. I've always shot pumps, autos or singles.

EDIT: Found following description of shotgun:
'Single-Trigger Over-And-Under Box-Lock Ejector Gun'...FWIW

The only thing I didn't like was that the two barrels were only welded at the muzzle end and the weld ran about two inches or so leaving a space down the remaining length of the two barrels. It seemed plenty strong but that gap looks a bit odd.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with the Lanber shotguns? They apparently also make an auto-loader.

If anyone could share there wisdom on this manufacturer (Lanber of Spain) I would appreciate it. I need an inexpensive gun but don't want to be stuck with a junker.

Thanks in advance for any help and I'll refrain from posting this in the 'Gunsmith Forum' as multiple posts seem to be a point of irritation for folks.

I look forward to any advice available...

Cheers,
XWind

[ 05-28-2003, 03:03: Message edited by: XWind ]

I have a friend with a small sporting goods store who has sold several of these Lanber O/U's. They obviously won't have the fit or finish of higher-priced shotguns, but he says he hasn't had any complaints from the buyers (his buyers are mostly "local boys" who would let him know plenty quick if they were dissatisfied.) While the field grade can be expected to hold its value reasonably well, I certainly would NOT spend the money for the "deluxe" model.

Lanber is a populare shot gun over here.

I have seen several. Pretty standard gun, not bad not great. Probably a good buy.

Johan

[ 05-28-2003, 20:26: Message edited by: 308winchester ]

XWind,

Here is something to think long and hard about. What if the gun needs repair? Who will fix it? Can the dealer fix it? If not, will he send it to the importer? Can he fix it? Or, will he send it back to the manufacturer? How long will this take? What assurance do you have that any repairs will be done properly. Talk to your local gunsmith. Will he fix it? Not in a pigs eye. Its an 0ff-Brand gun. There's a reason for that. If you by it, consider it a throw-away.

Steve

My favorite gunshop, The Powder Horn in San Antonio Texas, has sold over 50 of them in the last 2 years and has had no returns for problems. I know 2 years is not much of a test for a shotgun, but zero returns is a pretty good track record. Also if your resident gunsmith won't or can't fix one for you then you need a new gunsmith. Would I buy one?? Probably not, but who knows.

Thanks for the excellent feedback. I definitely understand the 'local boys' situation as I live in a small rural town and pity the fool that burns a local.

The repair situation is definitely valid. I talked to our local gunsmith about the gun/brand and he seemed to think they were ok but did mention some concern over the ability to get parts. He can fix anything but without access to parts, may be an issue. I've been shooting for a bit over 40 years and have not had a single failure/breakage that required a gunsmith to repair. I guess with that kind of luck I 'expect' guns to last darn near forever if properly maintained. Setting my self up for disappointment probably.

Good to hear from 308W that these guns are common place in his part of the world. Thanks for the post.

I'm currently waffling on whether or not to get this gun. $$$ is a big issue and I just need a reliable shooter and could care less about the fancy stuff. I had intended to trade my 9 1/2" Super Redhawk plus some accessories toward the gun and come out very close to an even trade.

I don't shoot the S-Redhawk much anymore but the quality of this pistol can not be denied, hence my dilemma. I doubt I'll find an O&U much cheaper than this Lanber (new). I could wait around until someone was selling a used gun but then the trade thing would be out the window.

In any case you guys are always great about replying to posts and I do appreciate it. I thought I would need a shotgun this weekend but plans have changed so I have a bit longer to think about it and do some homework.

Thanks again and remind folks that are looking forward to this three day weekend in the States why and who we are Memorializing.

Cheers,
XWind

[ 05-28-2003, 03:05: Message edited by: XWind ]

Well I thought it through, considered all the posts and gathered up my S-Redhawk and called the gun shop to tell them I'd be there in 15 minutes to make the trade for the Lanber O&U Field Grade with the 5 chokes NIB.

The guy I talked to on the phone said great and he'd be there for the next couple of hours. This was on Saturday and we had a clay event scheduled at the club for today (Sunday).

I got the stuff loaded in my truck and threw the switch to start it...nothing! I apparently had left the dome light on all night and most of the day so the battery was dead.

Luckily I've got a charger with a 'cranking mode' that once you get a bit of a charge on a dead battery (about 5 minutes or so) you can switch the charger to crank mode and the truck fired right up. All of this took maybe 20-25 minutes.

So I run down to the gun shop that was still an hour or so from closing, brought in my S-Redhawk and accessories, plopped them on the counter and said I'm here for that Lanber.

The guy behind the counter (not the guy I talked to on the phone) got this confused look on his face and said the guy that left right when I walked in had just bought the one and only gun they had. I told him the story and asked him to double check and he went to the back and returned with the guy that I had talked to on the phone.

Needless to say I was more than a bit p*ssed off and asked the guy I had talked to for an explanation of how he could have sold the gun I had told him now 30 minutes ago to hold for me.

He just turned red and apologized. They tried to call their other location to no avail. So I missed the shoot and ended up mowing the yard instead of spending a beautiful day busting clays.

This is the second time in a month that a gun I wanted was sold very shortly before I walked into the store.

No real reason for this post other than to get some of my frustration out of my system. Apparently these Lanbers are selling a lot better than I had originally gave them credit for.

I hope you guys enjoy the Holiday and God Bless all those that have fallen for this country and please remember them during the day that is intended to Memorialize their ultimate sacrifice.

Peace to All,
XWind

[ 05-28-2003, 03:07: Message edited by: XWind ]

XWind
Go to Walmart an look at their Fausti/Traditions O/U! If you look a little you will find that some of these guns have beatiful wood. Another in that $ range is Verona, which is imported also from Italy by the same people who distribute PMC ammo. I like Italian SG's (doesn't everybody ?).

Crash

Couple quick comments on Lanber service/parts.

Bachelder's (616.459.3636) is the US Warranty & Service company for Lanber. They do lots of restoration and repair on fine shotguns, so the repair/parts concern regarding Lanber is probably moot.

Truelock Chokes (800.293.9402) carries aftermarket chokes for Lanber.

For factory chokes, parts, and Lanber shotguns, another source is http://www.cdnninvestments.com They sell the 2087 for $449 (plus shipping, etc). CDNN also reports dozens of sales and zero returns.

Yes, I'm also considering buying a Lanber, and have been doing a little research. My opinion so far, is that Lanber may be the best kept secret in Shotgunning. I've also heard good things about the Verona, basically a good Beretta knockoff, but haven't held one in my hands. They're also a little more than the Lanber.

Thanks again for the info. I've had a bit more time to look into the Lanbers (including how to spell their name) .

Crash, thanks for the lead on Veronas. I called a couple of the local Walmarts and unfortuneately they didn't have any O&Us. BTW, I grew up in Kansas City. Went to Ward High for a couple years then transferred and graduated from Wyandotte. I've got a lot of family in the area and get a chance to go back a couple times a year. I grew up hunting Pheasant, Quail, Dove etc in Western Kansas and have great memories of those trips. Thanks again for the post.

Garey, great info! Since I had some 'cooling off' time I've checked out the link you provided and also found the home link for the Lanbers.
Lanber Home Page

My 'problem' now is that I can't find another local shop that carries these shotguns. The shop, that was supposed to hold one for me, told me today that their wholesaler was out of stock with no way of telling when they would get more in.

Everything I've seen, heard or read so far indicates these are good guns so my pursuit continues...

Thanks,
XWind

Cold Bore, it sure was a shame when Bob Day died in that plane crash. David has kept up the downhome atmosphere of the shop though. The patking lot is still a mess but its worth a few bumps to get in the front door.

I said in my previous post thatI probably wouldn't buy one of these. Well I lied. Just picked up a 12ga. for my daughters highschool graduation present. Real nice wood and good fit on all the metal. $528 out the door

Walker,
Glad you had the chance to buy one for your daughter. Mind a few questions?? Which model did you get? Where did you find one? Was it a chain store like WalMart or a gun shop? Where is the model number marked on the gun? Last question... On the gun you bought, are the barrels welded together just at the muzzle end? If not, how are the barrels bonded?

Thanks and Good Shooting,
XWind

Xwind,I'll have to get the Model # tomorrow. I'm at work til then. I got it at a gunshop in San Antonio. It has walnut furniture with checkering on the forarm. Engraved side plates and the barrels are separated by a ventilated rib piece the full length. It comes with 5 chokes, from full to cylinder. She shot a little skeet with it yesterday and it patterns good and points good. The comb is just a little too high for her and made her cheek sore. The trigger is horrid but I've already talked to a shotgun guru who said he can smooth it up real easy. This is the best picture I have of it right now.

Tell her to open her left eye!

Walker,
Thanks for the reply. I'm glad your daughter is enjoying her present, sore cheek aside. I think it's great that your daughter is excited about getting a shotgun for graduation.

I would be interested in the model number whenever you get a chance. I'm starting to wonder about the gun I was after when I started this thread. Your barrels are bonded like I would expect and have seen on many other brands. The one I looked at was only bonded at the muzzle end which I have never seen before, but there's a lot of things I haven't seen before so I don't know if it is an issue or not. Just something about seeing all that free space down the length of both barrels doesn't seem right.

After the gun I was after got sold right before I walked through the door I asked the guy behind the counter to let me know when he could get another one. He said his wholesaler didn't know but when I asked him for the model number he gave me a four digit number that doesn't show up on Lanber's web site. I went into their shop the next time I was nearby and asked to look at the 'fancy grade' they still had in stock. I couldn't find a model number anywhere (I didn't field strip it) and the way 'Lanber' was etched on the barrel it was difficult to read (small 'font' with a cursive look).

I'm starting to wonder with the oddball model number he gave me by phone and the difficulty in discerning the brand name on the barrel if these are actually Lanbers or a knock-off. Who knows?

It looks like my job may take me away from the range for a while anyway so this whole 'gun hunt' may get put on the back burner.

Congrats again on the graduation of your daughter, I'm sure you're very proud and rightfully so.

Cheers,
XWind

Xwind, it a Model 2087. Like you, I looked all over the gun and could find no Model number, but I found it on the box and compared the features to the list in the manual.

Preview post shows the image above of a Lanber 2087.

Hopefully it works when I hit the 'add reply' button.

What it shows is a profile of the shotgun and you can see that the barrels are only bonded at the muzzle.

If the image doesn't show up (has happened before) you can see it at the Lanber web site given a few posts up.

XWind

Xwind, I've seen a lot of high dollar trap guns that have nothing between the barrels like that. I guess it allows for more heat dissipation.

Walker,
Thanks for letting me know about the barrel thing. Like I mentioned I'm new to the world of O&Us and it just struck me as odd.

I'll quite worrying about it and get on with the search to actually find one.

I hope you and your daughter are enjoying yours and were able to get that trigger to break a bit cleaner.

Enjoy and thanks for all your help.

Cheers,
XWind

I bought a Lanber, and had only one problem...I would reccommend them for the price...

Walker, I bought mine from David at the Powderhorn...I just PCS'd from SA to Altus, OK..

Jim

Michael Moore thinks very highly of them and writes so in his books.

338Lapua, what problem did you have with yours?

The second barrel wouldn't fire, well it would but you had to pull the trigger about ten times after firing the first shot. Now fixed.

BTW, I know the box says 2087, but the shotguns David was selling are sort of a hybrid 2087/2097. If you look at their catalog or web site you'll see what I mean...

Best of luck to your daughter on her graduation...

Jim

X,

David ordered these from some wholesaler as a special offer or deal or whatever you call it...

The diffrence is the barrels are 24" and vented between (2097), not seperated as in the picture in your post, there is not as much drop in the stock (2097), the bead is a glow worm (never seen in the catalog), and the action is a 2087....

I thought David said he bought all the wholesaler had, not sure though.

Hope this helps,

Jim

Here's a short revue. We patterned the gun and it shoots straight where its pointed. We ordered and received a set of skeet choketubes from http://www.cdnninvestments.com/
In our first trip to the skeet range Ashley had 2 instances where the second barrel (top) didn't fire. I broke the gun down, cleaned the hammers, safeties, and sears, and I also fabricated a new pin lever that resets the safety each time you brake open the action. The new one I made is 3/32" shorter than factory and does not reset the safety. Haven't had any more fail to fire's either. After 4 sessions and 8 rounds of skeet I'm still satisfied with the gun. Time will tell.

XWind,

I dont know much about the Landber's but you had mentioned in your oiginal post that the barrels had a gap in them. I was looking to buy a Beretta whitewing but the gap kinda scared me off. I figured that it was cheaply made. So I purchased a 686 Onyx Waterfowler that will shoot the mighty 3.5 inch shells. I paid 600 bucks more for the onyx than the whitewing because of the way the barrels were designed. After I started shooting sporting clays I noticed that the majority of the shooters used the Kregioff's K-80 model. They run about 8000-12,000 dollars for a new model. Guess what? the barrels are only connected at the end with a small metal band. I spent 600 dollars more than I needed to. But I guess the Onyx looks a little better and I have a few bragging rights for the 3.5.

Richard W. Gullotto

Are you still in the hunt for the Lanber #2087? No post here in some time.

Go to CDNN Investments on line catelog to page 25 (I think it is) and you will see the #2087 for $449 out the door.

The gent who quoted Michael Moore--I think he meant Michael McIntosh who wrote "The Gun Review Book" (among many others) and on pages 98-105 he addresses the Lanber line. And says in part "...may be one of the world's best guns for the money."

Unfortunately, HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THEIR SXS ! Also, Lanber no longer make the SXS--only O/U and semi-autos.

They also have a web site you can get some info from. Maybe www.lanber.com ??? Not sure.

Good luck--for the $, I would take a roll.

Does Lanber offer their O/U in small gauges?
Stepchild