Semi auto or O/U ?

[needag30]

I would echo those who responded with the advice to rent both O/U and auto shotguns at various ranges.

Shooting clays is a fantastic and addictive sport.

Best of luck in your search!

Edit: I own both dedicated clays guns (both O/U and auto). Look into the Beretta A400 12 gauge with kick off.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

After 30 years of only having single-barrel, single shot AND PUMP shotguns,
a few years ago I decided to get EITHER a semi-auto or an over-under,
only for sporting purposes, and not even big game hunting either (no use of slugs or buckshot).

My budget was $400 to $500.

I decided to get a used Winchester semi-auto, gas-operated shotgun.
I saved money by getting an older one that didn't come threaded for choke tubes, and that really
limits the gun's versatility. It's an improved cylinder only. But that's OK for me, because my only uses for it will be skeet, and maybe quail every few years down in South Georgia.

If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd still prefer the semi over the O/U,
but it would have to be a gun that uses screw-in chokes of a popular and common thread pattern
for which there are many aftermarket chokes on the market.

I've rented and borrowed over-unders on a few occasions, and I like them. I just don't like them quite as much as semi-autos.