I have owned, used, and borrowed several O/U's over the years. And I have developed some strong opinions about the O/U design. For purchasing an O/U let me make a few observations from my experience. Take it for what it is...But I think that you'll enjoy the O/U once you hit the field with one firmly gripped in your hands.
My 1st purchase was a set of Ruger Red Labels (
12 gauge/20 gauge pair). Those are still my "Goto" guns when I head out to field or the trap range. These guns now show a lot of wear from all the years afeild. But they are so reliable and balanced perfectly for smooth swinging shots. I added a 3/8's inch spacer to the stock of the 12 gauge to lengthen the pull. This stretches me out a bit while shooting and it feels like I'm holding a custom gun everytime that I shoulder it. The 20 gauge is well balanced and I like the compact feel of the triiger pull when I shoulder the gun, so I didn't add a spacer to the stock. The 12 gauge is by far my most favorite 12 gauge...I grew up on pumps...but the Ruger 12 O/U will always have a solid place in my gun cabinet.
I then bought a set of Russian made guns called a Baikal; again in a (
12 gauge/20 gauge pair). Remington imported them for a while and called it their Spartan Line of O/U's. This is a definate diamond in the rough. The bead front site is a bit on the small side for my aging eyes, but after a few rounds I don't notice it as much. The action was a little rough out of the box and it took some deft polishing and quite a few rounds at the range to break it in. The gun now is silky smooth in the action and swings nicely with 26" barrels. I have really enjoyed shooting the Baikal; but these days my son uses the 12 gauge Baikal on our annual family Dove Hunts & Pheasant Hunts to Eastern Colorado. He seems to consider it to be "His Gun". So I'll be looking for another of those soon, cause I'm keeping mine.
I owned a Browning Citori for a few years, mostly because it was what all the guys at the range used and I got caught up in the moment. I could never shoot the Citori as consistantly as my Ruger or even the Baikal. The ramp is different and it seemed to throw off my shooting. If I mastered the Citori, then I had trouble with my Ruger or the Baikal. Since I could out-shoot most guys with the Baikal, I sold the Citori and replaced it with a used Winchester Pigeon Grade 101. Problem is the 101 is such a beautiful gun and with such perfect balance and point of aim...I'm afraid to take it out to the field. It sits at home...its a wall hanger...DANG. Don't think poorly of me, I know I have issues
My neighbor has an old Charles Daley O/U; made back in the days before Daley changed their quality control methods and started putting out garbage. That gun sports 28" barrels that swing like they are shorter. The balance and point of aim are solid and I've never had to make any adjustments at all to my shooting style while using it. Just a great gun. I've used it many many times afield and it is a very reliable firearm. But be very careful when buying any Daley products...there's some good stuff anf there's a lot of junk out there...both have the Daley name on them. I've had Daley Pumps simply come apart in my hands while using them in the field...Not good.
Then I discovered a little gun made by a Turkish company called a Gazelle. Beautiful cut checkering on a well figured European Walnut Stock. There is a bit of a bell at the muzle end of the barrel that thickens the muzzle for the screw-in chokes. I don't care for its looks. I had that gun in both Double Barrel Break-Action and O/U (12 gauge in both)...Both guns have a bit of caste-off built into the stock and it realy makes a difference. That 3/8 inche of caste-off changes the whole shooting world for me; especially in the Side-by-Side. Like a fool I sold the O/U, but I'll never sell the Side-by-Side. A better quail gun I have not carried and for fall teal and wood duck, in a back water slew, great gun. The Side-by-Side has double triggers and no ejectors...its my Cowboy Action gun. I shoot it every chance that I get...
The CZ is another gun that I have owned. Mine is a beautiful curly walnut stocked gun called the Woodcock. Simply a wonderfully balanced shooter. I've taken it Pheasant hunting, Dove hunting and harvested my fare share of Geese with it. The cut checkering on the walnut stock is deep and provides a firm grip and even control while wearing heavy gloves. The case-hardened locks are reliable and eye-catching. The gun is just muzzle to butstock quality made.
For the money that you mentioned on spending...the CZ is a very relaible gun with a solid quality reputation. This would be my 1st choice sugestion.
I don't know if you still get the Gazelle, but it is a very well made import if you can find it. If you come across one, I'm sure that you'll be very pleased with your purchase.
Sorry to hear that you don't care for the Baikal, its a real workhorse in my opinion...day in and day out. There are a few definate downsides to the gun. The front site is a bit small and for a first few shots it can feel like a hard strait stick against the shoulder. Also every Baikal that I have ever picked up has needed to be touched up in the action with a honing stone and then needed a run of several hundred rounds through it before the action felt right. But that's only if you appreciate a silky smooth action like I do. Still it is one of the cheapest most reliable O/U's on the market.
Here's a quick note that I've found from shooting O/U's. By shooting the bottom barrel 1st I noticed that the recoil torque is lessoned and allows me to get back on target to use the upper barrel quicker for smooth doubles on Doves & Quail; and even taking quick doubles while shooting heavy loads on Geese. Just an observation....
