First Gun: Buy at the shooting show, or at local gunshop?

[AndyH]

I'm mulling over the best way to get a decent first gun for around £600-800. My experience with shows of other sorts (guitar shows for example) is that you can get a good deal on equipment at the show, as discounts are offered that you don't get on the high street. Is this what I can expect from the British Shooting show? There have been some accounts of prices being hiked and then being discounted, and other folks saying there are deals to be had.

However, I have read a lot on this forum about the importance of gun fit. As such, is it better to forego the discount I might get at the show, in order I can  'try before I buy' at Ian Coley's, say, and get a better fitting gun?

My assumption is that I can't try out guns at the show.

Andy

 

[ips]

Ideally buy from a gunshop that is situated on a ground such as southern counties or mid wales therefore you will have the benefit of somewere to try it first. With the greates of respect you may not know what fits and suits you but presumably (one would hope) the dealer/coach/fitter will.

 

[PhilS]

Hi Andy,

I would go to your local gun shop. A lot of them have arrangements with local shooting grounds for you to try a gun.

That way it helps keep your local shop in business.

Hope that helps.

Sent from my Desire HD using tapatalk 2

 

[Skeet UK]

If you are thinking of a new gun, then unless it is heavily discounted to about 50% of retail, then you will not get a "decent" first gun for £6-800.

That isn't being snobbish or anything either...you just won't.

That sort of money may well get you a used Beretta, Browning or Miroku, which will be much better for you than the potential Lanber or Webley 900 that you could possibly buy new. 

 

[Westward]

I've never been to a gun show but I'm familiar with the dealers in Gloucestershire (except the very peculiar one in Gloucester).  Ian Coley has the try out facilities but, although the biggest dealer, may not have much to choose from in your price range. Having said that they won't take advantage of your inexperience. The people at Cirencester will treat you well too but obviously there's no opportunity to shoot.

The best advice I can give is to go with someone who has sufficient experience to offer impartial support and help and to try and visit as many dealers as possible.

 

[AndyH]

If you are thinking of a new gun, then unless it is heavily discounted to about 50% of retail, then you will not get a "decent" first gun for £6-800.

That isn't being snobbish or anything either...you just won't.

That sort of money may well get you a used Beretta, Browning or Miroku, which will be much better for you than the potential Lanber or Webley 900 that you could possibly buy new. 

Yeah I wish I could buy a new gun, but not got the buying power at the moment... second hand browning/Miroku was going to be my first port of call.

Cheers

 

[Madmillie]

I would increase my budget to c £900 - £1000 and have a look at some nice second hand Mirokus or Berettas. The extra £200 might seem a bit of a squeeze now, but down the line you will recover most of this money if you ever have to sell it on. Furthermore the cost of the gun will start to look of little consequence when you realise what you will spend on travel, clays and cartridges in the years ahead. Personally I would not go to a show to buy a gun, I would rather save the cost of food, petrol and entry in order to bump up my budget to buy a nicer gun from a locally based dealer, most of whom are usually happy to have a bit of a haggle anyway. Enjoy the search and I hope that you get the right gun for you.

MM

 

[Skeet UK]

Yeah I wish I could buy a new gun, but not got the buying power at the moment... second hand browning/Miroku was going to be my first port of call.

Cheers

Good idea.

I'm not sure if you have considered an Auto, but these can usually be had in good condition, with a good name, in your price range.  Look at used Benelli, Beretta Ulrika etc.

 

[AndyH]

Everyone is on the same page here - looks like it's better to buy at a shop. I would prefer to support my local shop anyway, thinking about it. 

Regarding budget, I have looked on guntrader and it does seem that the nice second hand Mirokus start at around 1000, which I could stretch to. I'm hoping to keep this gun for a while, so it would make sense to spend a little extra and have something that I can use for some time.

I may have to revise what I tell the wife

Cheers all

 

[Les53]

Yeah I wish I could buy a new gun, but not got the buying power at the moment... second hand browning/Miroku was going to be my first port of call.

Cheers

Second hand Miroku/Browning or Beretta is the way to go without any doubt! Go to a good gunshop as has been mentioned before, preferably one that is attached to a shooting ground, or at least can arrange for you to try a gun or two before you buy! Whatever you do, don't rush into it and don't buy some cheapo new gun, because sure as god made little green apples, you will end up changing it pretty quickly!

 

[Les53]

Everyone is on the same page here - looks like it's better to buy at a shop. I would prefer to support my local shop anyway, thinking about it. 

Regarding budget, I have looked on guntrader and it does seem that the nice second hand Mirokus start at around 1000, which I could stretch to. I'm hoping to keep this gun for a while, so it would make sense to spend a little extra and have something that I can use for some time.

I may have to revise what I tell the wife

Cheers all

Do what most of us do mate! ALL guns cost £150!!!! Simples!!! :crazy:

 

[ips]

1k will buy a very good gun such as a beretta 682 gold (best gun beretta ever made IMO) but 600-800 will buy a very good late model 682 (model before the gold) dont worry about woodwork even the most knackered stock can be brought back to new for £30 worth of sandpaper and stock oil. The most important part is of course the action lookm at the top lever it should be slightly over to the right if its central then its done a fair bit of work but again no probs a good gunsmith will tighten this up for about £50. even barrels can be re-blacked for £150. My point is this, £800 for the gun and another £200 ish will get it back to as new. 

 

[glb868]

Just my 2p's worth. Well, it's probably not even worth that but my plan is to spend around £500 on the gun and spend my money on clays rather than skint myself with a lovely gun but then not being able to afford to shoot.

Just my personal opinion and it's most likely wrong, haha

 

[ExSCA]

Its fairly close to the 'lighthearted guide to getting started' that we put together:

1. Get £2000

2. Buy a £650 Mirook/Browning/Beretta/Hatstand (delete as appropriate)

3. Spend £350 on lessons with (insert list of local shooting instructors who aren't weirdos here)

4. Spend £1000 on Hull/Eley/GameBore/Clever/Fiocchi/Cheddite/Other red lead based cartridges (delete as appropriate)

5. Don't touch your chokes or your cartridges until you score 80 or above

6. Do/Don't join an association (you decide)

7. Do/Don't shoot registered (you decide)

8. Come back here every so often and get some light hearted abuse

9. Please buy a polo shirt from this shop

10. Have I missed anything?

 

[glb868]

Remove two zeros off those costings when the Mrs asks

 

[ips]

Just my 2p's worth. Well, it's probably not even worth that but my plan is to spend around £500 on the gun and spend my money on clays rather than skint myself with a lovely gun but then not being able to afford to shoot.

Just my personal opinion and it's most likely wrong, haha

Not wrong at all pal. Expensive guns are nice to own but they wont make you shoot any better, trust me I know.

 

[Chard]

Its fairly close to the 'lighthearted guide to getting started' that we put together:

1. Get £2000

2. Buy a £650 Mirook/Browning/Beretta/Hatstand (delete as appropriate)

3. Spend £350 on lessons with (insert list of local shooting instructors who aren't weirdos here)

4. Spend £1000 on Hull/Eley/GameBore/Clever/Fiocchi/Cheddite/Other red lead based cartridges (delete as appropriate)

5. Don't touch your chokes or your cartridges until you score 80 or above

6. Do/Don't join an association (you decide)

7. Do/Don't shoot registered (you decide)

8. Come back here every so often and get some light hearted abuse

9. Please buy a polo shirt from this shop

10. Have I missed anything?

Light-hearted it may be, but it's better advice than a lot of what's going around :codemafia:

 

[Lock Stock & Barrel]

"First Gun: Buy at the shooting show, or at local gun shop?"

I suspect as a new shooter, it's very understandable that you might have your head turned by what looks like a 'cracking, buy now, deal' at the show, but I think we all have a vested interest in plying as much money as we can though our local and local-ish gun shops. The more that go under, the further we all have to travel for the stuff we want, and then that travel cost is just another expense tagged on to the sport we love.

 

[Skeet UK]

Just my 2p's worth. Well, it's probably not even worth that but my plan is to spend around £500 on the gun and spend my money on clays rather than skint myself with a lovely gun but then not being able to afford to shoot.

Just my personal opinion and it's most likely wrong, haha

Good idea, but...don't penny pinch.  £500 in the right place will get you a nice used gun, but in the wrong place, it will just buy you trouble, more expense and less shooting.