Changing Guns - your reasons
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Will Hewland
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Finners
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Love reading these stories :smile:
My very first gun was a brand new Beretta 686 Onyx 28" Sporter. It had matte blacked barrels and wood that wouldn't have looked out of place on a tea tray. I can't remember how long I had it, about 2 years I'd say. Swapped that in against a lovely (late 1980's) 687S Sporter M/C with 30" barrels - this is the gun I wish I'd kept. The main reason for the swap is that I should have really bought the 686S as I preferred the look of the engraved action as well as the semi matte barrels, but when it came to it the 687S was even nicer, also I wanted the 30" option. But to be honest it was mostly about the "looks" of the "better" gun.
I don't recall any magical transformation in terms of scores, but I really did like that gun and enjoyed cleaning/refinishing it...... damn I wished I'd kept it. I had that one for around 9 years.
I have dabbled with a SXS SLE Single trigger for the pigeons and a brace of Brownings - an Ultra XS Sporter (lovely wood) A great competition gun but a bit on the chuncky side for me. Also a Grade 5, very pretty 525 Sporter both the Brownings were right handers (I'm left handed) So, in the end I decide to go back to a left handed gun, tried a 32" Ceasar Guerini Challenger and loved it right out of the box, scores improved (still rubbish mind) and I love the CG, easliy the best gun I have ever owned. I also have a little Tempio, 30" Game gun which is not used that much and could well be sold on at some point. I'd swap the two of them in against a nice CG Apex maybe?
My very first gun was a brand new Beretta 686 Onyx 28" Sporter. It had matte blacked barrels and wood that wouldn't have looked out of place on a tea tray. I can't remember how long I had it, about 2 years I'd say. Swapped that in against a lovely (late 1980's) 687S Sporter M/C with 30" barrels - this is the gun I wish I'd kept. The main reason for the swap is that I should have really bought the 686S as I preferred the look of the engraved action as well as the semi matte barrels, but when it came to it the 687S was even nicer, also I wanted the 30" option. But to be honest it was mostly about the "looks" of the "better" gun.
I don't recall any magical transformation in terms of scores, but I really did like that gun and enjoyed cleaning/refinishing it...... damn I wished I'd kept it. I had that one for around 9 years.
I have dabbled with a SXS SLE Single trigger for the pigeons and a brace of Brownings - an Ultra XS Sporter (lovely wood) A great competition gun but a bit on the chuncky side for me. Also a Grade 5, very pretty 525 Sporter both the Brownings were right handers (I'm left handed) So, in the end I decide to go back to a left handed gun, tried a 32" Ceasar Guerini Challenger and loved it right out of the box, scores improved (still rubbish mind) and I love the CG, easliy the best gun I have ever owned. I also have a little Tempio, 30" Game gun which is not used that much and could well be sold on at some point. I'd swap the two of them in against a nice CG Apex maybe?
Confessions of a gun changer. I've use 682's extensively. I've also owned four or five Browning 325/425/ultra,etc. a couple of B.Rizzinis, DT10 (worst gun I've ever owned from a problems stand point, as it was early DT10, with triggers that doubled and top lever/lug wear at low target count) I bought a K80 and shot my way OUT of Master Class, great gun, too heavy for me, numerous Beretta autos, and a Zoli Z gun.
I use to watch the "guns for sale" sites waiting to see what would come up next.
I have friends with multiple K80s,Perazzis, A10's CSM, even an H&H. And I've shot most every popular sporting guns. I always go to the DEMO (gun makers have demo guns at major US shoots to try).
That is what put me in trouble! I really liked my Zoli, and thought I had found "MY GUN." Swings like a P gun, and no loose ribs to worry about.
THEN I DEMO'd a Kolar. It really felt right. I had tries several Perazzi's and a K80 Parcour and thought one or the other of those two guns would be ideal.
I ended up demo'ing a Kolar at several other major shoots, and shot around 150 to 200 rounds out of those demo guns over time. I told myself, the Zoli was OK, and it was a really nice gun. But every time I tried a Kolar, I knew I wouldn't be happy until I had a Max.Lite Kolar. So I bit the bullet (as we say here) and bought one. I no longer even look at other guns for sale. I don't need to demo any more guns. I used to think like many, it's not the gun, but I will now say "for me" there is a magic gun..And after more than a year of shooting the KOLAR, it seems effortless to shoot well, has great triggers, low recoil (felt, just as good or better than my K80), and well made. My stock has been "fitted" and this gun is truly magic..I'm done forever of changing guns (partly because I'm getting OLD! And mostly I can't imagine another gun could feel as good as the one I now have.)
I use to watch the "guns for sale" sites waiting to see what would come up next.
I have friends with multiple K80s,Perazzis, A10's CSM, even an H&H. And I've shot most every popular sporting guns. I always go to the DEMO (gun makers have demo guns at major US shoots to try).
That is what put me in trouble! I really liked my Zoli, and thought I had found "MY GUN." Swings like a P gun, and no loose ribs to worry about.
THEN I DEMO'd a Kolar. It really felt right. I had tries several Perazzi's and a K80 Parcour and thought one or the other of those two guns would be ideal.
I ended up demo'ing a Kolar at several other major shoots, and shot around 150 to 200 rounds out of those demo guns over time. I told myself, the Zoli was OK, and it was a really nice gun. But every time I tried a Kolar, I knew I wouldn't be happy until I had a Max.Lite Kolar. So I bit the bullet (as we say here) and bought one. I no longer even look at other guns for sale. I don't need to demo any more guns. I used to think like many, it's not the gun, but I will now say "for me" there is a magic gun..And after more than a year of shooting the KOLAR, it seems effortless to shoot well, has great triggers, low recoil (felt, just as good or better than my K80), and well made. My stock has been "fitted" and this gun is truly magic..I'm done forever of changing guns (partly because I'm getting OLD! And mostly I can't imagine another gun could feel as good as the one I now have.)
Wonko the Sane
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Ian Lawrence
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I tried a Kolar once, but I couldn't tell the difference from Pepsi! :???:
Nice thing to own, a Kolar,........................does in not cost a fortune for all the eucalyptus leaves though ?
Will Hewland
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Doctor Lecter
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to be honest never ever heard of kolar ?
P1Fanatic
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How long did you have your first gun? 4 years owned but 1yr or less actually shooting it
Was your second gun better or did you regret getting rid of your first gun? Yes and despite all the bad press of the newer Beretta guns the only issue I have had in 2yrs & 12k shots fired is a torx screw inside fore-end coming lose after firing which I easily rectified.
What was your honest motive for changing your gun? wanted a proper left hand gun and wanted a new gun with a warranty
Was it an instant success or did your scores drop for a while? scores went up - can I say by how much - not really as started shooting more including registered but everyone I shot with said I looked a lot more comfortable swinging it.
I started out with an original 682 that had been sporterised (trap action but multichoke barrels fitted so no barrel selector). Great first gun as bullet proof and only cost me £600. I had shot one as a kid and just loved the plain look of the action. Got my SGC and honestly I just went out and bought the first one I saw. Luckily it fitted ok despite be a right hander and me shooting left handed. Had it for about 4yrs but only really shot it for 1 year. Got a bit more serious and decided to splash out on a new L/H 692 with adjustable stock after picking up a few up at various shops. I got £800 p/ex on the 682! Took over 6 months to arrive but my scores have definetly improved - can I pin it solely on the 692 - probably not as just shooting more, shooting registered comps etc.
I do fancy a DT11 or possible a Blazer F3in the next 1-2 years. Do I think it will make me shoot any better - not really, although I am contemplating moving to 32" barrels. But shooting is my main hobby and its nice to splash out. I don't have kids and don't want them so have to have something to spend my heard earned on and shooting is still cheaper than horses that the wife likes
Was your second gun better or did you regret getting rid of your first gun? Yes and despite all the bad press of the newer Beretta guns the only issue I have had in 2yrs & 12k shots fired is a torx screw inside fore-end coming lose after firing which I easily rectified.
What was your honest motive for changing your gun? wanted a proper left hand gun and wanted a new gun with a warranty
Was it an instant success or did your scores drop for a while? scores went up - can I say by how much - not really as started shooting more including registered but everyone I shot with said I looked a lot more comfortable swinging it.
I started out with an original 682 that had been sporterised (trap action but multichoke barrels fitted so no barrel selector). Great first gun as bullet proof and only cost me £600. I had shot one as a kid and just loved the plain look of the action. Got my SGC and honestly I just went out and bought the first one I saw. Luckily it fitted ok despite be a right hander and me shooting left handed. Had it for about 4yrs but only really shot it for 1 year. Got a bit more serious and decided to splash out on a new L/H 692 with adjustable stock after picking up a few up at various shops. I got £800 p/ex on the 682! Took over 6 months to arrive but my scores have definetly improved - can I pin it solely on the 692 - probably not as just shooting more, shooting registered comps etc.
I do fancy a DT11 or possible a Blazer F3in the next 1-2 years. Do I think it will make me shoot any better - not really, although I am contemplating moving to 32" barrels. But shooting is my main hobby and its nice to splash out. I don't have kids and don't want them so have to have something to spend my heard earned on and shooting is still cheaper than horses that the wife likes
lmthompson93
Well-known member
How long did you have your first gun? I bought a rizzini E as a first gun, didn't really know anything about gun fit or how important it was so just bought a nice looking gun within my budget, and had it a year or so until i've since had 3 other guns, and am still not settled. Praying one of my accumulators comes in sometime soon so I can get a F3, until the mean time I will have to find something good for around £1500
Was your second gun better or did you regret getting rid of your first gun? Second gun was no better as it was a 20 bore and again didn't fit so was stupid, now have a L/H semi auto which is my favourite gun but do feel like a yobo when shooting it at grounds, and a W&S 912 which will be getting changed sometime in the near future when i get some more wedge!
What was your honest motive for changing your gun? Boredom, I was getting bored with the same gun, so changed and then changed again once I found out about the importance of gun fits and such
Was it an instant success or did your scores drop for a while. Ive only ever shot two competitive scores so, no real comment on this
Was your second gun better or did you regret getting rid of your first gun? Second gun was no better as it was a 20 bore and again didn't fit so was stupid, now have a L/H semi auto which is my favourite gun but do feel like a yobo when shooting it at grounds, and a W&S 912 which will be getting changed sometime in the near future when i get some more wedge!
What was your honest motive for changing your gun? Boredom, I was getting bored with the same gun, so changed and then changed again once I found out about the importance of gun fits and such
Was it an instant success or did your scores drop for a while. Ive only ever shot two competitive scores so, no real comment on this
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Why oh Why would you "feel like a yobo" shooting an auto? There have been many major Championships won using an auto in the past, so you ar just shooting a 'piece of history'.
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Derrick Mien (Won Dubai with a KOLAR. Pat Lieske last years National Champion at both Sporting and FITASC with a Kolar!
Jon Kruger, perhaps you might have heard of him, also shoots a Kolar..
http://www.kolararms.com/
Doctor Lecter
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westley that's not my post !
lmthompson93
Well-known member
schmokinn
Well-known member
simple answer is f*** them! :angry:
none of their business what you shoot as long as you do it safely...try not to worry about other people when you shoot,the people that are bothered are usually the ones that think they know everything but can do nothing !
Ian Lawrence
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Are you about to change your gun Sian? Or are you having a mid-life crisis? :wink:
No I won't change my gun and I definitely will never sell her even if I decide to add guns to my collection which would be the same as me adding to my handbag collection really. I really do love my gun, she's only a Beretta SP1 but she suits me and we are getting there together. I really like hearing why people change their guns especially the ones that do it with such frequency.
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