I need help (and a favor)

[weemer]

I grew up with my dads flawless 870 with a smooth barrel. Even won some trap comps. I've always wanted an auto, so I bought a benelli. I really like this gun, light weight, how it points, but I have dropped from 80-100% to less than 50%. I can't seem to get used to the ribbed barrel. I also have a newer ribbed barrel 870 that I have the same terrible percentages. I took a friend to Colorado Clays yesterday. It was his first time with a shotgun EVER, and he beat me TWICE!

So, I am looking at the berrettas now because they have the ribbed barrel, but it is not raised. Is there anyone with a beretta that is willing to meet us at a clay range so I can try one out before trading the benelli in? I'll let you shoot mine, and buy you a beer.

On a side note, I aquired the newer 870 mag a while back. I've been using it for 3-gun with the shorter barrel. I didn't have any problems with it other than the forend seems to be a little loose and noisy. I put the longer wing barrel on for clays yesterday, and several times the action was stuck forward and would not eject without playing with it. We were shooting 2 3/4 target shot. I've made one modification to it. I ground down the nubs inside the magazine for the Wilson mag extension to work. Other than that the forend wiggles like it's loose. Is there something I need to look at, or is there someone that could look at it for me?

I live in Castle Rock. Colorado Clays is a nice facility (my first time there). We didn't get a chance to try the sporting clays, but it is just way to far from me to be convenient.

Tanks for any help.
Eric

[HunterCO]

Beretta 391 is very popular in sporting clays especially the ones tricked out by Briley. Any time you change guns it is going to take some time to get used to. My very first time at sporting clays I used my 870 that I hunt with and shot a 64 people could not believe it. I then bought a Rem 1100 tricked out by Ballistic Specialties and shot a 46 the next time out.

The problem is any time you change guns it is going to take some time to get used to. The other problem is does the gun fit you right? I have shot my Snap on dealers tricked out 391 and cant hit a damn thing with it but he is much bigger than me and the gun don't fit me.

I personally do not like the high ribbed guns it gets my eye sight to far above the barrel. My 1100 is just like a Beretta I would be more than willing to let you try it out. I am going to bring it to the next south shoot if you want to try it. I would also be willing to meet you at a clay range for you to try it out.

[JohnTRourke]

It's all about gun fit.
Have you patterned the shotgun?

1. take the shotgun and pattern it (most shotgun ranges have this) and figure out where it's really shooting for you. My guess is it's high or low.

2. Then, take it to a gunfitter. I've used Jim Jamison (he hangs out at Colorado clays usually, but others are avaialble)

Be some of the best money you spend.
I basically include the fitting in all new shotgun purchases (well, ok, not 870's, those I just shoot)

[JohnTRourke]

I thought of something else.
Beretta's and Benellis tend to be cast (on or off, I forget), but basically they are bent slightly for right handers.
you don't shoot lefty do you?

[weemer]

Thanks for the replys guys. I am righty. Thanks hunter. We are probably going again this weekend. Do you have a favorite place? I will pattern it this weekend as well.