Mossberg's Silver Reserve II is a 12-gauge over/under with 28-inch vent-rib barrels, a fiber optic front bead, and 3-inch chambers that take field and target loads alike. Five screw-in choke tubes come in the box, so the pattern can be opened up for close birds or tightened for clays at distance. The stock is black synthetic, the metal is matte blue and black, the safety is manual and ambidextrous, and the length of pull is 14.5 inches. At 45 inches overall it weighs 7.75 pounds and holds two shells, one per barrel.

North Carolina shooters will most often carry this gun for upland birds and clay targets, where the long barrels and swing of an over/under pay off. It also counts as a shotgun for the state's deer gun season, which starts October 17 in the Northeastern and Southeastern zones and in November elsewhere, though hunter orange is required and most owners will keep it for wingshooting. Check your county listing before you plan a hunt.

Key features

• 12 gauge over/under, 28-inch vent rib barrels
• 3-inch chambers, five choke tubes included
• Fiber optic front sight
• Black synthetic stock, matte blue and black metal
• Ambidextrous manual safety, 7.75 pounds

This shotgun transfers through a North Carolina FFL dealer; pick one at checkout and the 4473 and background check happen at the counter.