Porting and shorted barrels are good bargaining chips to help lower the price. It isn't worth as much as a 30" or 32" gun in this market. If the gun is in good condition and the price is right, I wouldn't walk away from considering it. If it was $1500-$2000, I would take a look at it.

 

Since you are just starting out in Sporting Clays, I can suggest to buy a gun with 32" barrels outright, even if it means to spend more. As you progress in the game, you will want one anyway so, I would not waste my money. That is not to say that you cannot shoot Sporting with a 28" barrel gun but 32" is the overwhelming choice these days and for good reasons (better control, smoother swing, etc.). The 32" has better resale value as well, shall you decide that the gun you picked is not working for whatever reason. There are a few good options for a starter Sporting gun out there - check out Top 5 Entry Level Sporting Shotguns. Good luck!

 

NO

 

I shot sporting clays at Elk Creek a few weeks ago on the championship course with a 28Ga Remington 32 with 26" Skeet chokes...did I hit every bird, obviously not, but I did not feel the gun was my problem...it was where I put it.

My wife shoots 28" on her K80, and I have shot them as well...I prefer my 32" as I am a fast swinger and it just feels better, but if the 28's feel good and work for you then they are not going to cost you any targets. You can also buy a set of 28" Krieghoff barrels CHEAP because no one wants them because of this stigma they have now ...if it's not 32" it's not in style, but I still out shot lots of people with my 30" and shorter barrels.

Chris

 

Thanks Chris. Actually what you suggested is what I recently did. Will be taking it to Elk Creek soon.

 

Can you try before you buy? And do you have any experience with trap or skeet for a reference?

Like the other posters said, the longer barreled guns are more popular and bring higher resale values. So it would be easier to get your money out of them if you wanted.

Now for the heresy. I use many different guns for sporting clays and found I do as well with 28” barrels as any. FWIW at skeet I struggle with 30” barrels and do best with 25.5”.

Find what works for you and buy the right gun the first time.

 

FWIW at skeet I struggle with 30” barrels and do best with 25.5”.

Find what works for you and buy the right gun the first time.

On a related not I shot skeet a few times with my 32" barrels and I was amazed at how well they actually swing for skeet...Never would have thought that before trying it.

However, the second part of your post is absolutely the best advice if you can make it work, but most people don't get that lucky.
Chris

 

Good M32's are getting harder to find with any barrel length. If the price is reasonable I'd buy it. If the barrels are too fast swinging you can add a barrel weight. Will you be happy with 28"barrels for ever? probably not but if your patient you will be able to find a longer set of barrels and have a much better gun in my opinion than anything close to its price range. If you can stay around $2000 It's a good gun and with a trip to an authorized dealer or Krieghoff in ottsville for an annual you will have a new gun mechanically.

 

I have about thirty years experience with trap guns so I do have a reasonably good idea of what fits me also I know what to avoid when it comes to wear and changes to the gun that other owners have done.

 

So tell us.....what are your thoughts on the barrel length a trap gun should have?

 

As of right now I've been shooting sporting clays and Trap with a 28 inch gun

 

Right now I am shooting a ljutic with a 34 inch barrel.

 

Shoot it before you buy it, that way you will know if the gun likes you. HMB

 

No, not too short

 

Yes, too short.

OK what is the reasoning behind your statements, seriously I want to make an informed decision about this gun. Like my grade school teacher always said, show me the math.

 

Yes, too short.

 

I use a 28" Beretta for sporting only because that is what I have. It's okay, but if I was buying new I'd buy 32". I turned down a nice 30" Citori last week.

I bought a 32" unsingle for the Beretta for a trap league. Trap league went kaput. I wish I had purchased a 32" O/U that would double for trap and sporting.

 

For the sporting courses around me a 32" is to long, the 28" gets my vote.

 

The best way to make an informed decision is to shoot the gun. HMB

 

Unfortunately the gun is in a auction tomorrow morning so I can't try it out. Plus it has seven gold inlays.

 

Only way to know is to BUY IT!!!!

 

Shot Sporting Clays with a 32" 11-87. When a right priced 28" Over/under came along I bought it with no regrets.
My swing is definitely faster, but not Whippy for me like some people describe. It just fits me well and I ow prefer a shorter barrel.

 

Shot Sporting Clays with a 32" 11-87. When a right priced 28" Over/under came along I bought it with no regrets.
My swing is definitely faster, but not Whippy for me like some people describe. It just fits me well and I ow prefer a shorter barrel.

WOW. That's like a 36-37" OU. I prefer a 28" barreled semi for sporting clays. My opinion and what works for me.

 

Unfortunately the gun is in a auction tomorrow morning so I can't try it out. Plus it has seven gold inlays.

You must be very close to my location...


Chris

 

Buzz, you could answer your question by answering "what is the best car on the market. All you will get is opinions and thoughts. If YOU like the gun, go for it. It will do as good a job as a 34, or in between. Put your mind to it, shoot the damn thing and break targets.

This is the best response on this tread.

 

Unfortunately the gun is in a auction tomorrow morning so I can't try it out. Plus it has seven gold inlays.

Gold inlays don't mean a damn thing if you can't hit targets with it! That's one of the LAST things I would worry about if I was trying to buy a target shotgun for serious shooting.

As you've seen, there is no simple answer to your question, but I will leave you with this thought.

I have been shooting and competing in sporting clays for many years. When shooting 12 gauge guns, you OCCASIONALLY see someone shooting a semi-auto with 28" barrels, but it's not often. When it comes to O/Us for sporting, virtually NO ONE shoots 28" barrels. I can't remember the last time I saw ANY serious s.c. shooter shooting an O/U with 28" barrels.

Personally, I would pass unless you can steal it! The market for 28" barrel O/Us is DEAD AND BURIED!

Good Luck and Good Shooting!

 

In an O/U I wouldn't. 30 inch minimum in sporting or skeet.

Also, 28" is hard to sell.

 

Good advise

 

OK what is the reasoning behind your statements, seriously I want to make an informed decision about this gun. Like my grade school teacher always said, show me the math.

I have 2 K80, 30" & 32" barrels. I shoot the 32" more, Imjust love the feel of it.

 

Your size and physical condition should be factored in the equation. Not everyone can handle a 32" gun.
How serious are you planning to get with shooting clays is also a factor.
Nice thing about a Krieghoff is the availability of dozens of different barrels that can easily be fit to that receiver.
If you can shoot you can hit targets with any length barrel from 18.5" to 34".

 

If you can shoot you can hit targets with any length barrel from 18.5" to 34".

Truer words were never spoken.