Price check on a Silver Elite O/U 12g

[Dr.um]

Hi folks,
I seek advice on a used shotgun purchase I am contemplating. I am brand new to shotguns and, in particular, to the skeet/clays sport. Having moved recently, there is a nice shooting club nearby that has several skeet and sporting clays ranges. I have tried it with a borrowed Beretta O/U and I like it a lot. Like paintball, but for lazy guys.

Anyway, I have a fondness for S&W like a lot of folks here and so I went to check out a used Silver Elite 12ga. It would put the condition at about 95%. It seems to have been little fired, but there are a few small blemishes in the barrel bluing, one or two of which may involve light pitting. There is some Verdi Gris on the mid barrel sighting bead too, but otherwise it is pristine. The interior surfaces gleam and the case hardened receiver is perfectly gorgeous. The wood is likewise perfect without a ding or a blemish. Even the recoil pad is clean.

Importantly, the gun comes with original box, manuals, etc and all five chokes, choke wrench, even the little velvet sleeves are included.
The price is $850

I am curious as to your thoughts as to the price, of course, but also as to the quality and suitability of this gun for shooting skeet and clays. I doubt I will eVer shoot a bird of any kind with this, but, I guess never say never.

I have done a fair amount of research here and elsewhere and there does not seem to be a lot of info about these. Anyone know why S&W quit offering these? How difficult will it be to keep this gun happy without any spare parts available?

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom.

Cheers,
d

 

[6518John]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-long-guns/215934-elite-silver-info.html

 

[arjay]

Considering the original msrp was $2300,I'd buy it and try it.If you don't like it,it shouldn't be very hard to resell.

 

[Dr.um]

Thanks, I have been thinking along the same lines. I have read everything I can find online about these and the overarching opinion seems to be that they are a pretty decent deal at a grand or so. I am not one who is too proud to use a fine, functional gun with a few fingerprints on it. It is a tool, after all.

Ps: for my pal Al who is going to be doing research on this gun in the near future, thanks dude.)

 

[clang444]

I would recommend you shoot the Elite Silver before you buy it. You may decide that Beretta you've been borrowing is a better fit for you.

I've been through plenty of guns and have settled on Berettas, but that's just what works best for me.

 

[Dr.um]

It seems to point and swing pretty well in the store, but shooting is not an option, I'm afraid.

I am such a noob that I am not used to anything, so.... I am hoping here is an okay place to start. I am a large guy, 6'1 w a wide torso and medium length arms. This is supposed to have a 14.5" lop and it felt just fine to me, reach wise.

 

[H Richard]

That's a good price for that shotgun. Most I've seen are pretty far north of $1000. Shotguns are user specific, need to fit your body. Once you find one that fits where you can hit well with it, keep it. At that price if it doesn't fit your body, you could sell it and probably make a little profit.