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What do you think of SKB Guns?

5K views 44 replies 33 participants last post by  trinketshooter 
#1 ·
I have been shooting Trap for several years with a Winchester Model 101 Trap Grade. I have decided that I would like to upgrade. Since I have four kids who would eventually like to go to college, my wife has suggested that I not buy a Perazzi or similarly priced gun. I told her I wanted to buy a Perazzi that cost $11,000 and I mistkenly thought that she was OK with it when she said "You can do whatever the hell you want to do." After a few nights on the couch, I have reconsidered my spending priorities. I want to get an excellent trap gun that has interchangable chokes, and an adjustable comb and butt plate. The SKB seems to foot the bill, but I really don't know anything about the company or the reputaion of the gun. Please share your opinions on this and let me know any information which you think might be useful. Thanks!
 
#5 ·
2 friends of mine owned newer SKB's. Both have been sent back to the dealer for repairs shortly after purchasing them because they broke things like firing pins, ejectors, etc.

One of the friends got so pissed (because his broke twice) he sold the gun. The other friend has his SKB parked in his safe and haven't seen it in 3 years. He currently shoots Brownings.
 
#7 ·
JM KC, I have two of them, while I don't think they are the best gun out there, they sure are a lot of gun for the money. SKB quit building guns over a year ago after a 100 plus yrs. That being said, the resale will be lower because you can get such a good deal on them. Guns Unlimited in Omaha has a 30 year supply of parts for them and Rob is a good guy to work with if you ever have a problem. SKB has, in the past, built many good shotguns for Weatherby, & Ithaca. I have put well over 30K rounds through an 85tss and haven't had but one minor problem. They are just like many other makes out there, some swear by them, some swear at them. Mike
 
#8 ·
JM KC Are you in the Kansas City area ? If you are I have a really nice 682 Gold E Beretta top single 34"I would like to sell.Had the Beretta people at the grand replace the top firing pin,all internal springs , and new locking block.Wood is in excellent shape.Gold is mostly worn off of trigger.Very little blueing wear.Comes with Beretta case,3 Briley 1" extended black chokes (lt full-IM-Mod).I`m asking $2,500.00 in a face to face deal...John Wiegand..KS-OKIE.
 
#9 ·
JM, Yes there a nice step up from the Win. l0l. There are a good target gun and have better customer service than Browning ever will. Both were made in Japan and made about the same. They do not hold there value very well, but if you buy a used one at the right price (lower than blue book) you'll do well. Good luck and Break-em all. Jeff
 
#11 ·
I bought mine for $1300 and have had really good luck with it. Scores steadily improve and it handles real nice. The Pres. of my club borrowed it one evening and shot a 25 with it, something he does only once in a while. He really liked it, said it had been "well trained".

I'd buy another one...

cap
 
#12 ·
I own three and they all work great. Since they fit me so well and feel so much better in my hands(not like a big blocky feeling gun that feels like your holding a two-by-four) compared to the other Japanese-made brand mentioned, and the service has been great from the folks at SKB of Omaha, I would not hesitate to recomend buying an SKB shotgun to anyone. And like other posters have said, some great deals can be found now. Neil Swenson
 
#13 ·
For the dollar you can't go wrong with an SKB. Also as stated before, see who responds to a broke issue quicker...Rob with SKB or Browning or Beretta. I have a 85TRR, 5 years old with about 30 thousand rounds thru it and not one issue not even a spring replacement.

blade819
 
#15 ·
To User 1, I don't remember what trap my Son was at when that picture was taken, but he's so good he can anticipate the wind travel of a rock and he's waiting for it to come into his range. Seriously it looks like he's at trap 3 and the rock to the right is coming out of trap 6.

Craig
 
#18 ·
I've got a 85ttr that's two years old. Probably gone through about 25k rounds. Had a broken firing spring. Sent the gun to Omaha and got it back in one week. I'm shooting 97's on average from 16yds with it. Though it is a combo, I only use the single barrel. Just my opinion, but you might like a browning o/u better. Especially if it is going to be your only gun to shoot with. Keep in mind the turn around time on repairs will be considerably longer. Jim
 
#19 ·
I Have a SKB 85TSS combo,I love it ,I dont think you can get more gun for
your money anywhere else,SKB has lots of parts and GREAT customer
service.Ask any browning owner who has sent their gun in for service
how long it took to get back,DON at SKB normal turn around is 1 week !
Buy the SKB and spend the $$ you save on ammo.
Shoot Well
JIM
 
#20 ·
Go for the SKB, you won't regret it. The 85TSS is the one to buy. I own one in a 20ga with adjustable comb that I bought from Guns Unlimited in Omaha for $1K. It was barely shot and looked like new.

Since SKB Japan has closed it's factory after being in busines for 100 years, the prices of the SKB's have gone down, making them an even better buy than before. IMO, the best gunfor the money. Furthermore, The owner of Guns Unlimited, is also SKB USA, and as was said above has parts for many many years to come. When I bought my gun from them, I wanted to stock up on parts, and was told by them not to worry as they will have parts forever. Rob bought every single part in stock from SKB Japan, along with all the drawings, and is now looking for a factory to continue manufacturing SKB's.

Sorry if my post was very long, but I love my SKB, and wuld not hesitate to buy another one in a heart beat.

Samer
 
#21 ·
Love my SKBs.

And yes, I have sent one back about 3 years ago for a spring replacement...but I shoot a lot and that is to be expected.

But what was not expected was the incredible customer service SKB USA provides. You talk to a real person right away...they know their stuff...and they get working on your problem from the get-go.

These are great guns in my opinion. Shoot one. And if it fits and you like the feel don't hesitate to buy one.

As for resale value..don't know about that: can't think of a reason I would ever want to sell any in my bunch.

Good Luck
 
#22 ·
Close friend bought a SKB combo a few months back. I was very UN-impressed with it just handling it and he wasn't impressed shooting it. Sold it to buy a Cynergy combo and has not looked back. I would strongly recommend staying with Beretta or Browning. I have one of each and while the Browning fits me better, I think the Beretta is better quality.
 
#26 ·
Obviously opinions vary.

I think the best advice is to find one, shoot it and then make up your mind.

My 14 year old shot my 16 year old's SKB and it just didn't feel right. He shot a friend's BT-99 and really liked the feel.

I went for the BT-99 for him and he's happy with it but as for my 16 year, the SKB is the gun.

Good luck on your decision.

Craig
 
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