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Over Under shotguns are considered to be out of style nowadays. These old-fashioned scatterguns are often viewed as traditional and many believe they simply can’t compare to modern semi-auto or pump-action models.
Unfortunately, this is a gross misconception that needs to be rectified. There are plenty of renowned gunmakers manufacturing top-of-the-line over under shotguns that can easily keep up with their semi-auto brothers. These powerful shooters are excellent for all kinds of shooting, including trap and hunting.
Additionally, many of these brands are acknowledging that these are niche guns and have therefore been incorporating gorgeous designs and engravings. Although there are plenty of excellent options to choose from, I decided to stick with shotguns as close to $2,000 or less. Anything above this figure really belongs in a league of its own.
That being said, let’s get down to business and see what over under shotguns American Gunivores are loving this year.
| Image | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Browning Citori
| 9.6 | Guns.com (See Price)Palmetto (See Price) |
 | Beretta Silver Pigeon
| 9.5 | Guns.com (See Price)Palmetto (See Price) |
 | Benelli 828U
| 9.4 | Guns.com (See Price) |
 | Mossberg Silver Reserve
| 9.2 | Guns.com (See Price) |
 | Stoeger Condor
| 9 | Guns.com (See Price) |
Browning Citori
The Browning Arms Company is an iconic American classic. John Browning began his famous brand nearly 150 years ago and they have been the epitome of excellence ever since. In fact, Browning is arguably the most influential inventor in the firearms community to ever live. While he was a pivotal figure for firearms in general, he was an especially prominent shotgun designer.
The Browning Citori has been widely acclaimed as one of the top overall sporting shotguns on the market. Even while producing some of the best semi-auto and pump scatterguns, the immortal company has never forsaken their role in over under shotgun development. The Citori 725 is particularly impressive for hunters but can also be seen around the world in shooting competitions.
• Model: Browning Citori 725
• Caliber: .410 Bore, 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge
• Capacity: 2
• Finish: High Polish Blue, Silver Nitride Receiver
• Barrel Length: 26″, 28″, 30″, 32″
• Overall Length: 45.75”
• Weight: 6.3 – 7.5 lbs.
• Sights: Ivory Front – Mid-Bead
• MSRP: $2,149.99-$2,249.99
Beretta Silver Pigeon
Beretta is one of the finest gun makers in the world and has been at it for several centuries. Yes, you read that correctly. Beretta has been family owned and operated since the early 16th century. The Italian manufacturer is famous for their handguns but has begun making a stand in the shotgun market too. Oddly enough, their shotguns have won more international shooting competitions than any other brand in the industry.
Their diverse collection of scatterguns includes many affordable favorites, but I can’t help but love their over under Silver Pigeon. This thing of beauty features a world-class game scene on the receiver embellished with a beautiful scroll and remarkably crisp and effective checkering on its stock. Likewise, it’s hard not to notice how well-balanced these guns are. The Silver Pigeon is just heavy enough to be a great option for skeet shooting yet light enough to be an excellent choice for select hunting.
• Model: Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I
• Caliber: .410 Bore, 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge
• Capacity: 2
• Finish: High Polish Blue, Walnut Stock
• Barrel Length: 26″, 28″, 30″
• Overall Length: 44″, 46″, 48″
• Weight: 6.3 – 7 lbs.
• Sights: Front Bead
• MSRP: $2,350, $2,400, $3,675
Benelli 828U
Benelli is responsible for some of the best-selling shotguns on the market thanks to their innovative designs. By using physics to their advantage, Benelli shotguns offer less perceived recoil, faster reloading, and enhanced reliability. Similarly, they understand that sometimes less is more and often include a mere eight components in their shotguns.
While Benelli currently manufactures only one over under shotgun, it’s a thing of beauty. For starters, you’ll notice its stunning nickel-plated aluminum receiver which blends beautifully with the checkered grip. Additionally, it’s hard not to love the Progressive Comfort System and Steel Locking System which provide shooters with a consistent, comfortable, and dependable shooting experience. Benelli also included their QuadraFit Module shim system to enable shooters to easily adjust the cast and drop of the stock to over three dozen positions.
• Model: Benelli 828U
• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 2
• Finish: Satin Blued / Nickel Plated
• Barrel Length: 26″, 28″, 30″
• Overall Length: 42.5”, 43.25”, 45.25”, 47.25”
• Weight: 6.5 – 6.7 lbs.
• Sights: Fiber-Optic Front
• MSRP: $2,699.99
Mossberg Silver Reserve
Mossberg is one of the most famous names in modern shotgun manufacturing and they’re not going anywhere any time soon. The family-owned company has been pumping out highly-rated long guns for years, most notably their Model 500. Mossberg has become a staple among tactical shotgun owners and has even made its way into global law enforcement and militaries.
The Mossberg over under shotgun is a handsome blend of modern and traditional aesthetics with top-shelf performance. Like any good over under, the Silver Reserve features an enchanting engraved silver receiver and exquisite black walnut stock. I should note that the Silver Reserve is noticeably cheaper than these other models but is still something to behold. For example, it still provides users with incredible reliability thanks to its wonderful extractors.
• Model: Mossberg Silver Reserve II
• Caliber: 12, 20 Gauge
• Capacity: 2
• Finish: Matte Blued
• Barrel Length: 26″, 28”
• Overall Length: 43”, 45”
• Weight: 7, 7.5 lbs.
• Sights: Front Bead
• MSRP: As Low As $720
Stoeger Condor
I decided to include the Stoeger Condor on this list because it’s my choice for offering the best bang for your buck. Although the Stoeger is marketed for significantly less than these other shotguns, it still features some of the same high-end qualities and components. In fact, Stoeger is under the Beretta Holding Group along with big names like Benelli and Franchi. Stoeger has slowly become some of the most popular hunting shotguns on the market and for good reason. While they manufacture plenty of excellent pump-action and semi-auto scatterguns, their over under shotguns are something else. In truth, these shotguns are the epitome of tradition reimagined with modern adaptations.
The Stoeger Condor lineup is filled with impressive firearms, but I happen to love the field model. This over under is a great choice for anyone looking to boost their fowl hunting without breaking the bank. Although they may not feature the same quality engravings as some of these other guns, they are still remarkably attractive and elegant.
• Model: Stoeger Condor Field
• Caliber: .410 Bore, 12 Gauge, 20 Gauge, 28 Gauge
• Capacity: 2
• Finish: Blued
• Barrel Length: 26″, 28”
• Overall Length: 42”
• Weight: 6 lbs.
• Sights: Front Bead
• MSRP: $499
Thanks for joining us here at Gunivore!
You may also enjoy our Best Shotgun Accessories & Top Affordable Shotguns.
Is the Browning the most popular
The Browning the Citori has been the best selling for a while now if that’s what you mean
I was with you pretty well until you mentioned Mossberg then I started drifting. At the mention of Stoeger you lost all credibility with me. I own three Stoeger shotguns and of course can only share my experiences. I have done quite a bit of Stoeger searching on line and in my searches it has been rare to find a favorable review. I purchased my first Stoeger used. It was their least expensive O/U in 12 ga. with a 28″ barrel. While it has no selective trigger it is the only Stoeger that has not failed me. I’ve been shooting in a weekly trap league for about 7 years and wanted a dedicated trap gun. A few others on the team shoot Browning BT99s. I like the BT99 but couldn’t justify spending that kind of money. I then found “The Grand” from Stoeger. I looked at is as a BT99 knockoff. I shot it weekly up to around 2000 rounds. Then the firing pin broke. It happens right? So I sent it in and Stoeger fixed under their warranty. Not a huge issue but was still quite disappointing considering no more rounds that had been shot through it. Another guy on our team shoots a Maverick pump and has to have at least 8000 rounds through it with no issues. My “The Grand” being shown up by a Maverick was a little embarrassing. Some of the guys on the team like to shoot sporting clays now and then. I was looking for something more fitting for that than my Stoeger field O/U so I purchased a Stoeger Competition. The first night I went to shoot it I get click but no bang. I thought maybe I selected the wrong trigger so I double checked that and tried firing it again once more got click. I switched to the other barrel with the exact same result. There was a very light dimple on the primer. I was shooting Estate target shells and have Winchester AA in my vest as my extras. Both the Estate and the AA’s had issues. I made it through the first 25 eventually but the majority of my shots required two tries to get the shell to fire and it did not matter which barrel I tried to use. I borrowed another gun for the handicap round. I brought the Stoeger Competition home and thoroughly cleaned and oiled it. I took it back to the trap range and it performed only slightly better. I would say to shoot that first 100 rounds I had to pull the trigger 160 to 170 times. Unacceptable in my opinion. If I could get Stoeger to give me 2/3 of my money back I would do it today. Look at any reviews on line and see if you can find anything positive. If so I’d be interested in hearing about it. I appreciate you taking the time to do your review but I have to strongly disagree with you on Stoeger. I have no faith in a gun that won’t shoot and have not attempted to shoot it since getting it back from Stoeger. I assume it will fire and will find out soon when I’m away from where it will embarrass me.
Thanks for the info. I’ve been looking at the Stoegers because they are inexpensive, but what I’ve been reading online matches what you wrote: Lots of quality control problems. When you get a good one, they are okay. But I read a lot of people having problems. That’s the last thing I want with an over-under. I want reliability above all else, otherwise I’ll just get a cheap Stoeger semi-auto. Ironically, they function pretty well.
How do these 5 compare to the Ruger Red Label? Does Ruger still make their O/U?
Hi Roger, thanks for reaching out. While the famous Red Label was once a class-leading shotgun, I think it’s telling that Ruger no longer makes them. Keep in mind that the whole point of them was to give shooters a luxury shotgun for an affordable price, but that vision quickly diminished. I remember seeing these guys at one point with an MSRP of close to $2,000. Ruger basically admitted defeat once it became financially unsustainable to continue making Red Labels.
Roger,
Sam is spot on. The Red Label’s price put it in direct competition with seemingly better choices from Browning & Beretta. I do love my Red Label 28 gauge. Nicely scaled to that gauge, & light to carry all day long…
What is the best barrel length for hunting in 28 gauge shotgun
Hi Gary, thanks for reaching out. Which shotgun are you referring to?
I’d take a CZ-USA Drake over the stoeger and i was honestly a little suprised it wasnt on the list.
Ditto. I did. Love the Drake. Excellent shotgun for the money.
I read that it only has living extractors, not ejectors. Has this slowed you down at all when shooting trap/skeet? I have to admit that I kinda like two empty smokin’ shell casings flying back out of the gun when I crack it open. Hehehe.
Indeed. The Stoeger’s seem to have a lot of problems, and I’ve heard nothing bad about the CZ-USA Drake.
Wait, where are the pics of hot Instagram chicks holding these O/U’s?