The PH Gun Cabinet - Shooting Matters

[Life Saab Itch]

I suppose this is a "What do you shoot/What's in your Gun Cabinet?" thread.

I'm applying for my shotgun certificate, with the hope that I can find a gun that will fit me that I can take clay pigeon shooting.

A couple of questions;

Is a double trigger gun that much of a hindrance?

What are the differences (in terms of the way you shoot) between side by side and O/U? As I have only shot O/U before.

[Mastiff]

Can't tell where you are in the country - so cannot recommend a decent gun dealer, but ANY good shop should let you have a play with a number of guns prior to buying one.

Over and Under vs Side by Side is personal, but O/U usually preferred for clay. Single trigger is much easier.

I started with a 2nd hand Winchester, which was a great £600.00 gun to learn on. Moved forward (allegedly) to a Beretta 686 which I really struggled with, and now use a Browning B725 which I absolutely LOVE.



I do have an old S/S for a bit of fun when out rough shooting with the lads - but wouldn't take it to any serious shoot. Wish I'd kept that old Winchester too, now I think about it.

Currently shoot clay at least once a week at Pirbright (sometimes twice) and game Shoot whenever I can afford / get invited!

It's great fun. Do get at least a couple of lessons - it will make things easier later, but as long as you have decent hand to eye, you'll have a great time.

HTH.

Edited by Mastiff on Saturday 29th December 10:47

[z4chris99]

You can't go wrong with a decent o/u for clays, a browning 525 or beretta 686 are what most people recommend.
good gun shops will let you try before you buy, but can be a bit daunting if it's your first gun and your a rubbish shot!

the double trigger on older s/s is annoying, ESP if your switching between guns often.

make sure there is space in your cabinet for a few guns... it gets addictive.

I'm off to bisley tomorrow. exciting

Top: Beretta Silver Pigeon 1, 12g, 28" with M/C - my "good gun"
Middle: Hatsan Escort Magnum, 12g, 30" with M/C - cheap semi auto for birdys
Bottom: AYA Modified Yeoman, 12g, 28", 14" stock, full and 1/2 - cheap garden gun

Edited by z4chris99 on Saturday 29th December 10:49

[Life Saab Itch]

I'm in the midlands, J11 M6ish.

My local gun shop owner runs a.clay range and he is happy for people to try the guns at the range before buying them.

I am quite tall with long arms, so finding a gun with a long enough stock will be an issue.

I did try a Berretta with a 15" 1/2 stock and and it was lovely...slightly out of my price range though...

.

Edited by Life Saab Itch on Saturday 29th December 13:02

[z4chris99]

you can always get the stock extended....

[Life Saab Itch]

z4chris99 said:

you can always get the stock extended....

Yes. It will be weighed up on cost. I may have to sacrifice the (now standard) single trigger and auto ejectors if I have to have it worked on. Maybe an older gun with some Patina may suit me.

[z4chris99]

budget?

[Life Saab Itch]

Probably about £400 depending on The Wife's mood on the day of purchase.

[Life Saab Itch]

Bear in mind I haven't looked on any gun trading websites, my frame of reference for prices was in this fella's shop.

[HerrSchnell]

Life Saab Itch said:

I'm in the midlands, J11 M6ish.

My local gun shop owner runs a.clay range and he is happy for people to try the guns at the range before buying them.

I am quite tall with long arms, so finding a gun with a long enough stock will be an issue.

I did try a Berretta with a 15" 1/2 stock and and it was lovely...slightly out of my price range though...

.

Edited by Life Saab Itch on Saturday 29th December 13:02

I took up shooting last autumn and have just been through the whole buying a first gun experience. I'm in Brum myself but am shooting at a club just outside Tamworth as they were the most welcoming of the places I tried:

http://www.midss.co.uk/#/clay-club/4544307560

My advice would be to try plenty of guns for fit as there really is a wide variety in them, I'd also recommend a few lessons at the same time so you have more of an idea of what feels right to you.

My certificate from WM Police took 3 weeks, I'm told that Staffs are taking a few weeks longer, so you'll have plenty of time to shop around whilst you're waiting.

With a budget of £400 you might want to get in touch with Mick Vokes who posts & trades as wabbitbosher on the Pigeon Watch forums. He's a RFD but seems to do it out of enthusiasm for the sport more than for profit, it isn't his main income as he works for BASC. I was recommended to speak to him when I started a thread on PW asking for trustworthy gun dealers in the West Mids area. He's an hour away in Kettering but comes highly recommended, I came close to buying this from him;

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/...

but went for a Lanber instead because it fit me better.*

I'm full of the joys of shooting at the moment and have been to most of the guns shops around here lately so if you think I can help out with anything drop me a PM.

Cheers, Rich.

• the fancy colours on the heat hardened action & gold engravings may also had something to do with the decision

Edited by HerrSchnell on Sunday 30th December 19:31

[jfbrin]

Once you decide on what shotgun suits you, check this website for a guide on prices. It could e a useful bargaining tool.

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/results.php...

[Life Saab Itch]

Both good links there chaps. Thank you.

That club at Tamworth looks good. I'll contact them in the new year.

the prices on the pigeon watch website seem to be much more sensible/attainable.

[HerrSchnell]

Life Saab Itch said:

Both good links there chaps. Thank you.

That club at Tamworth looks good. I'll contact them in the new year.

the prices on the pigeon watch website seem to be much more sensible/attainable.

I shot my first sporting 100 at the club in Tamworth on Sunday. Chris put me with a great group of guys and even though it's a bit of a trek I'm going to be going there for the forseeable future, the stands are challenging but they helped me out as we went round which made me feel more at ease than elsewhere. If you do come along you're welcome to give my gun a try to see if a Lanber sporter will suit you.

The prices from the traders on PW are cheaper than the shops I visited but the trade off is that you have to do the searching yourself rather than being able to walk into a well stocked showroom and be sold something. I'd advise the approach of searching and doing your own research anyway as not all of the advice I got from the gun shops was in my best interests.

I did consider buying privately and made some enquiries about a Beretta 686. However some digging into the seller's PW post history shed light on why he was selling it, not good, and that he was after more than he had paid for it so I canned that idea until I have more of a clue as to what I'm looking at with guns.

Pretty much like buying a car really.

[Jem0911]

Glad to see another PH shooter.
I shoot Clays and Game.
I would advise trying as many guns as you can.
A gun must fit. IE shoot where you're looking.
A Browing/Beretta/Miruko will be a great start
Have a look a www.shootclay.co.uk for a helpful forum.
I have a few in my cabinet.


Here are a couple
A Beretta 682 Gold E adjustable stock and butt plate
A Miruko 6000 adjustable stock and extended Teague Chokes grade 5 wood.
Enjoy this highly addictive sport.

[simonej]

I'm very fond of my Browning 525 for both clays and rough shooting. Had it a good few years now (was my first shotgun) and haven't felt the need to change, although I do look at the semi-autos whenever I go to the gun shop and fancy trying one of the Benellis.

[theironduke]

Ohhhh just found the thread

I've been shooting for about 12 years (27 now) and own 8 assorted shotguns and a few air rifles. Latest aquisition is a rather lovely old Cogswell and Harrison SLE (with original leather case). I'll get some pics up when I remember!

[Agrispeed]

Just found this too - I've got use of the farms single shot Baikal, but need something for shooting game/corvids/some clays. I was thinking either 12 or 20 gauge O/U or semi-auto (would like a S/S but they seem to be on the costly side) but only have £350 max to spend.

I have a fair bit of experience using 12 gauge shotguns, Does a 20G kick a significant amount less?

[z4chris99]

Agrispeed said:

Just found this too - I've got use of the farms single shot Baikal, but need something for shooting game/corvids/some clays. I was thinking either 12 or 20 gauge O/U or semi-auto (would like a S/S but they seem to be on the costly side) but only have £350 max to spend.

I have a fair bit of experience using 12 gauge shotguns, Does a 20G kick a significant amount less?

as a general rule of thumb yes less 'kick' , but depends on what your putting through it really.

id go for the o/u, clay grounds get a bit pissy with you using a semi auto. that said i have a cheapy escort 3 shot and ive used it at bisley.

[Jem0911]

I have a lovely little 20.
Paid a couple hundred for it.
Knocks down everything.
Using Eley 24g 6's



It's lovely and light pretty much hold it one handed on drives. Where as I have to rest the heavy 12's in comparison.

[Agrispeed]

z4chris99 said:

Agrispeed said:

Just found this too - I've got use of the farms single shot Baikal, but need something for shooting game/corvids/some clays. I was thinking either 12 or 20 gauge O/U or semi-auto (would like a S/S but they seem to be on the costly side) but only have £350 max to spend.

I have a fair bit of experience using 12 gauge shotguns, Does a 20G kick a significant amount less?

as a general rule of thumb yes less 'kick' , but depends on what your putting through it really.

id go for the o/u, clay grounds get a bit pissy with you using a semi auto. that said i have a cheapy escort 3 shot and ive used it at bisley.

At the local gun shop (I've still got another to check out) it's between a hatsan escort or a investarm folding O/U both 20G. the other is a baikal O/U 12.

I find myself being drawn to 12 Gauges though, although the one we have kicks a bit its not bad and it is very muzzle light which doesn't help.

I'm Lamping rabbits most nights, as well as corvid and pidgeon protection at the moment