Changing Guns - your reasons

[Sian]

Right, this is at topic of interest to me – changing of your gun.  I hear so often the advice to newbies that they will no doubt change their gun within a year.  I did not do this and still have my original gun for the three years I have been shooting and have no desire to buy a different one although I will be tweaking by having an adjustable stock when I can bear to part with it for a few weeks.

So my questions are:

How long did you have your first gun?

Was your second gun better or did you regret getting rid of your first gun? 

What was your honest motive for changing your gun?

Was it an instant success or did your scores drop for a while.

Thank you if you take the time to answer.

 

[Scuta]

1) 6/7 years (Miroku MK38 purchased second hand)

2) A new Beretta DT10, so would probably be considered an upgrade. It was better for me, as I went from 30" barrels to 32"

3) wanted to increase barrel length & weight to make myself steadier & also a bit of a treat to myself!

4) pretty much an instant improvement...

 

[Bebo]

Beretta Silver Pigeon for a bit over two years

A rather old Beretta DT10.  I didn't get rid of my first gun, it's still in the cabinet in case, but I've only shot it once since I got the DT10.  I think it's an upgrade, whilst the sight picture is very similar I think the balance is better.

I changed because I wanted a better model than I had and I fancied something different.  I thought about the 692 and DT11 but I'd heard so many things about the new models not being terribly well made and having lots of faults that I thought it was better to go for something tried and tested.

First couple of shoots better, then a few weeks getting used to it where I had a few low score then back to a gradual improvement.

I like the DT10, but I'm not sure if I'll stick with it forever.  

And with regard to parting with your gun while you have the stock altered, why not pick up a cheap second hand stock (if you can find one) and use that while your one is in having the work done on it?  

 

[Mel Jones]

1.  Started out with a Lanber, because I was 17 and it was the best I could persuade my mother to buy me!  Had it for 2 years.

2. My second gun was a brand new Browning 425, which I subsequently sold to a friend (who still has it).  Shot much better with it straight away, and it just felt like a better quality item, which made me enjoy using it all the more.

3. Motive for changing was that I fancied a new gun!  I also thought it would improve my shooting - it did, but I was on a rapid learning curve anyway and some of that would have been psychological.  

4.  Then played around with multiple different things (including Berettas, Marocchis, B25s, Krieghoffs and even a Kemen for a while) before settling on an MX8.  Haven't looked back since.

 

[ips]

excellent topic sian

I kept my first gun a parker hale 803 for 8 yrs then fell in love with the new Beretta gold scores did not really improve and I missed my ph so I bought it back. This is when it all went breast up as I then entered twenty years of continual change but mainly Beretta, this was in the hunt for the holy grail (I can assure you it does not exist) I eventually ended up chopping all guns in for a dt10eell in 2012 a hugely expensive gun bought as my LAST ever gun. This did not work out as I bought a few more but have kept the eell. I haven't worked it out but my gun count over thirty years must be twenty. The only regret I have is getting shut of my second 682gold bought in 96 that was the best gun I ever had.

in this thirty year serial gun buyer time I conclude that if a gun fits within certain limits you will learn to shoot it, balance is more important than anything else, cost does not equate to score, it is nice to own your aspirational gun, poi is something you adapt to, constantly changing guns is futile, having more than one gun per discipline is a road to frustration and ultimately damaging to scores, Beretta are by far the best, kriegof are by far the ugliest, miroku are the best value,

think that covers it.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Bought a new silver pigeon III for game shooting in the UK then moved here and took up trap shooting so bought a new Browning XTR Ultra nice gun and shot it for about a year but was taken by the fact that the Perazzi is probably the most popular trap gun used down here. Intrigued I thought about a new one but there are no dealers near by so thought about a visit to Italy to have one made but one came up for sale nearby which I went to see. I bought it and have never looked back marvellous gun, I still have the other two guns which are unused although I did shoot the Browning the other week while my Perazzi was having some stock work done... I won't be using it again anytime soon. So essentially I have two mint shotguns for sale.. they are however in France  

If only I had known then what I know now I would not have wasted good money on a new Browning!

 

[Ian Lawrence]

Guns are like Women. (A story about a mid-life crisis).

When you are young, whatever you have got can always be improved upon. Change occurs frequently because you really don't know what suits you. There's always a new model to catch your eye and tempt you. The inexperience of youth means that temptation is high so you try to sample all you can. Some mistakes are made during this period but there's no shame in that. 

As you get older you realise that you have let slip what you really wanted and needed, unless you struck lucky and find the perfect model for you. Sometimes you can go back and find what you need, sometimes there's no way back.The smart ones hold on to their perfect match through thick and thin, knowing it will come right if there's any hiccups along the way. Others will take a chance that something better is always out there and forever be seeking that Magic Unicorn that can only exist in stories, but your mind tells you it must be true.

Sometimes you do find perfection, but you make a wrong decision and let it slip through your hands. You now are resigned to a life of thinking "What if?" A sad state of affairs but you only have yourself to blame.

As time moves on, even your ideal match becomes boring and stale in your eyes, it looks a bit tired and all those little faults really start to niggle away at you, so the search starts for something new, something better than you've ever had before. By now your budget allows you to have a wider choice than before so temptation raises it's head again.

Finally you find the most interesting, best equipped one that's sure to impress all your friends and make them jealous. It may be expensive, but why not, you're only young once? The fact that it's not as good for shooting with as you had before doesn't matter as it's all about being making an impression and being stylish at this age. Let's face it, your abilities are waning fast so you're never going to be "Super Shooter" now are you?

Personally, I've had a Beretta 682 for over 30 years and it still works as good today as it always did. I have dabbled recently with a Miroku, but it was an impulse buy when, you guessed it, I was trying to impress somebody. That didn't work! Now I'm back to the old Beretta, and for the record, still happily married after over 50 years. (I think??) :smile:

 

[Will Hewland]

Don't think I'll bother telling my story. See above, it's pretty much there in everybody else's!

 

[Doctor Lecter]

ive had lots of guns , always looking for that majic wand  to propel  me into aa ,.    spent a small fortune over the years ,   now shooting a miroku mk 38 trap for all my shooting which is mostly esp   .      now thinking of having it  regulated half/ half ,  so im still messing ,   yes I am a idiot  and must accept  that I am a very average b class shooter ,  nearly 60 so I don't expect  to challenge the big boys any time soon .    money would have been better spent on lessons in the first place !      feeling depressed now !    ( Smirnoff  required )     

 

[Doug Pinnegar]

As per everyone else here I'm on the journey of chopping and changing. 

Went from a Browning 525 to a 725 and not regretting it. Sight pictures are different but not too drastic. Will undoubtedly change a few times during the coming years but I have made my peace with the good vs bad scores. 

I made the change as I liked the look of the new gun, no other reason. The 525 Sporter is a fantastic bit of kit and I have still shot my best score with it to date. Hopefully I am able to get some bigger scores with the 725 before too long.

 

[Jeremy Baker]

Tried a lot of Berettas to start with but then moved on to a Mirook 6000 with an adjustable stock. 

Kept this for two years unit I got my Caesar Guerini Summit Assent. 

I had the gun fitted by Ed and Malcom Jenkins. The fitting made the biggest difference in my opinion. 

I continue to inprove with the gun, I do have another new one available to me from CG but am not so keen at the moment as progress and feel are great. 

 

[timps]

My first gun was a 28” Browning 325 that I borrowed from my dad although he tends to use the term stole as I never gave it back.
Seeing as I had no input into its purchase and it was ‘borrowed’ I was always going to change if the bug bit me for clay shooting.

I then bought an adjustable 30” Browning Ultra XS, scores went up, a few years later I rather foolishly had a few goes with a friends Beretta 682 gold E and got it into my head the Browning was too nose heavy compared to the Beretta’s.

I then traded my dad’s 325 in for a very competitively priced 2nd hand  adjustable DT 10 32” hence why dad uses the word stole.

I kept hold of Ultra XS so when the inevitable slump lets blame the “it’s not as good as my old gun” period appeared I brought out the old XS to find I was even worse with that so it went.

The DT 10 has got me a few wins over the years so I am glad I upgraded from the XS and I doubt I would ever change it...

..Until a few years later I rather foolishly had a several goes with a friends CG Summit Assent  and got it into my head that I rather liked the semi high rib and the fact I don’t tend to lift my head with it.

A friend had been asking for some time to buy the 682 Gold E I had bought for my son, I never shot more than 300 targets with it and he had lost interest so it went along with a semi auto and I bought CG Summit Assent.

I shot my first registered sporting comp with the CG and ended up with 88 ex 100, the next 4  registered ended up all with 80+ scores and I finished 2nd overall at sportrap. So the DT 10 was then consigned to the cabinet until the inevitable slump and  “it’s not as good as my old gun” period comes along.

If you are in a position to keep your old gun you will not regret a new gun purchase as pulling the old one back out of the cabinet will confirm or allay you fears.   

If you get it into your head, as in my case, that something else might be better it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy as you lose confidence in your gun being the best tool for the job even though it’s not the guns fault. 

I only tend to suffer from this when I actually shoot another gun rather than any fancy advertising or hero worship. I quite fancied a Perazzi and then a Krieghoff in the past but after shooting them it scratched the itch and restored my faith back in my gun at the time The DT 10.

I am also pretty sure that if I hadn’t kept my Ultra XS I would have regretted selling it in my slump period, the fact I shot even worse with it restored my faith back in the DT 10.

 

[Hamster]

Laurona OU 28" with double triggers (pull either twice and it would fire one after the other ) kept this for pigeon and clays for around 3/4 years.

Then a 30" clay specific Laurona with single trigger because I'd had no trouble with the first, after a few months and realising it shot low and left (got it bent by gunsmith but went back for a second visit before the cast stayed) sold it on.

Bought 30" Miroku 6000 G3 that handled like a magic wand but shot like wan.... and kicked like buggery   

Bumped into a chap called Danny Daniels who was a pot hunter of the local circuit and used his 30" Beretta 682 with tight chokes which was an absolute revelation, went from high 30's x 50 to 40/44 overnight. 

Bought my own 682 which I kept for 10 years at least.

Moved onto the 682E 32" at least 15 years ago (I have two) and they're my staple gun. 

In between I've bought Zoli 32", several Miroku 3800 and MK38 32", Browning XT 32" (regret selling that one), Remington 30" Trap semi, Beretta 390 32", Beretta Teknys 30", odds and sods like 28 gauge and toy 410 Mossbergs etc. These were bought as experiments as I always shoot better with Beretta's.

Only real regret is not buying a DT10 because I can't find a Trap 32" with selective triggers. Would have loved to have had the money to throw at DT11/K80/Perazzi etc, but private school fees of a grand a month and other luxury habits got in the way plus in my heart I knew if the 682e could help me crack 90 plus, spending silly money is an exercise in futility. 

Is the 682e perfect for me ? Not by a long way, plenty of things I'd change like the grip, trigger quality, rib spec etc, but I'm just not that insanely into clays.

I would like to spend £4 or £5k on a CG Invictus with Trap stock, 32" low rib barrels and import a proper recoil device from the US and get the grip etc, absolutely right but again things like new bathrooms always seem to crop up ! 

 

[Wonko the Sane]

I don't even want to remember.  It's a disease.  New Gun Syndrome.  I thought I was cured but had a recent relapse.  Irrational, unjustifiable, and impulsive.

But I'm quite sure I'll not do it again

 

[bisondan]

First ever gun was a 687 Silver Pigeon which developed a crack in the stock after only a few months.  GMK were terrible, at first they refused to do anything then they swapped it for the worse bit of wood they could have put on there so I sold it not long after    vowing never to have a Beretta ever again.

I then bought one of the original silver action Blaser F3 30-inch guns which served me really well for a number of years.  

About 18 months a go I started to get a bit more serious about my shooting so I chopped it in for a 32-inch F3 Pro which was a lovely gun, handled really well and I shot some good scores with it, still at club level but my shooting was improving.

At the Shootclay Cup I made the mistake of having a go with the F3 Supersport and I was tempted to get one but I had only just got the F3 Pro so I didn't but end of February this year I buckled and ordered one from Mulliners.

I loved it from the very first shot I fired from it, handles like a dream and I'm shooting really well with it.  In June I made another mistake by picking up Wayne Martins gun which has an Ergosign stock on which was so comfortable I ordered one which I had fitted at the end of last week.

Unless I happen to run in to a serious amount of money I won't be changing for a very long time

 

[Rupert]

Beretta 682 gold e which I still have,bought 2009

Since then 3 different k 80's and a CG Summit and back to a 682 gold e, a 32 this time.Non of them made me shoot any better or worse, I just bought them because I wanted/liked them and will continue to chop and change as stuff takes my eye.

 

[Rosso]

I got fed up paying off my children's credit cards, deposits for houses, car loans which I never got back, weddings in Mexico, receptions in England, it goes on, generally they were taking all my hard earned money..

So I brought my self a very expensive K80 Supersport with two sets of barrels whilst I still had some money left and they are getting no more.

So everyone out there with children growing up to leaving home age its great when they go but it costs a fortune to get rid of them.

 

[Santa2512]

Hi Sian,  x

Still have my first gun, albeit set up a little better than last time .,

I know there is a bit of fine tuning ob both the gun & me  still to happen, so its a keeper.

i look at semi's from time to time and think  i want, but in reality will it change things?

Yes i might get a quick psycological boost, with some minor score improvements, but thats about all.

Ive shot with it for the 6 months  since i had my last  fit & coaching session,

The next step is a  more detailed fitting session and then on to some dedicated coaching

As the saying goes, "if it aint broke, why fix it?", and its a lovely bit of kit too

:santa: x

 

[Damo]

Miroku MK70 x2 (1 for me and 1 for beloved). Got on with my gun really well. Kept mine for just over 12 months and as beloved had just announced she was expecting our first, I got into Panic thinking I would never be able to upgrade again due to the never ending cost of growing offspring.  So I went got a SV10 Prevail with kick off ( new on the market at the time).  Never got on with it. At best I am average club shooter but whenever I took it out I just could not gel with it even after having an adjustable comb fitted.

So to cut a long story short that went in for a Miroku  mk38 and with the profit from the trade in I got the stock shortened and an ajustable comb fitted.  Only shot a few hundred clays so far ( Due to a broken collar bone with a plate, 8 screws and bit of my pelvis in for good measure) but it just felt good.  And the icing on the cake was beloveds immortal words of "I told you not to get rid of the first one". Should have listened .

regards

Damon

ps. Beloved still has hers and still shoots better than me (bxxxxxr)