First Gun

[Pirate Salmon]

Hello!

So although I've not been shooting long, my step-father feels that I should buy my own gun to learn with, rather than use his. Now I do agree with this but I was wondering what your thoughts where on this?

Also, what is classed as a good, budget brand? My reason for asking is at my local gun/hunting shop there is a Zoli, Antonio & Co. shotgun for just £150. Now I know that this won't be the best gun out there, but would this be ok to get me started? My budget is only £300 and there is quite a lot out there, it's just seeing what brands I should look at/stay away from.

All comments are appreciated!

Corey.

 

[Hamster]

The Zoli sounds fine for occasional clay use, no point spending too much on your first gun as it will always be a mere stepping stone. The only thing I would mention at this early stage is unless the gun you buy is good and heavy (around at least 8 lbs), then stick with lighter 24g loads.

 

[Pirate Salmon]

Thanks Hamster! I'll keep that in mind, I have been using 24g up to this stage and my intention was to stick with it. Thanks!

 

[ips]

This is simple. You buy the best you can afford and save your money for cartridges etc. All guns hit targets if pointed in right diction, even 12k guns miss if not pointed in right direction.

I agree with your father on law get your own soon as then you can enjoy ownership.

Have fun.

 

[Finners]

This one http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Zoli-Antonio-Co_Shotgun_For-Sale_141205094232001 perchance? 

Looks spot on as a starter. 

 

[Pirate Salmon]

This one http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Zoli-Antonio-Co_Shotgun_For-Sale_141205094232001 perchance?

Looks spot on as a starter.

Aye that's the one looks like it's a go then, thanks all!

 

[HDAV]

What gun have you been using? I disagree about the first gun being a stepping stone there is no reason you can't buy one gun that will see you out, but unlikely for £300.

That Zoli is a common Brescia action ( cross bolt) sold as many different brands ( parker hale midland gun co) etc. double triggers mean its cheap also depending on the choke it may not be suitable for your intended use ( what will you be shooting?)

Wouldn't rush to buy it personally as it will be worth nothing as a trade in.

https://www.guntrader.co.uk/mobile/gunDetail.php?NewGunID=141212144836001&skipNo=60&perPage=60&Filter%5BNewType%5D%5B%5D=Shotgun&Filter%5BNewMechanism%5D%5B%5D=Over+and+Under&Filter%5BCalibre%5D%5B%5D=12+gauge&sortField=poa&sortOrder=asc

Add £50 for some used chokes to get going and knock them down to £250. If if course it fits

 

[Finners]

Aye that's the one looks like it's a go then, thanks all!

My apologies, HDAV is right. I did not notice the double triggers and these will not help you at all. I must admit, I did wonder why it was so cheap! 

You'd be well advised to seek out a single trigger over/under. There's always more than one opinion about starter guns, ie start cheap or get something decent to get you going. So, you may well be better off saving a bit more and getting something a bit better. 

 

[Skeet UK]

Personally, I would hang on and save up a bit more, maybe £500 or so.  This should open things up a touch more, to include Miroku's,some Berettas etc, which are in á different league to the Zoli.  You could even get a used, but newish Lanber Sporting for that money.

 

[Skeet UK]

Or...have you considered a Semi Auto?

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Hatsan-Arms_Shotgun_Escort_For-Sale_140812111300001

The Hatsan Escort is  great little gun, I think you can get it in "wood" as well, but it has a 3 year warranty and they work.  That one in the link wouldn't be very old, and you could likely get back nearly what you pay for it at some point (privately).

Obviously again, you get more if you pay more, to a point.

Or this Fabarm  http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Fabarm_Shotgun_EURO-3_For-Sale_140412131904001 looks great

 

[HDAV]

I wouldn't recommend an auto, there will be a tidy gun out there for your budget, just needs a bit of patience and haggling the bargains go quick !

 

[Pirate Salmon]

Thanks all, I ideally want to stay away from semi-auto. It seems to me that as you get into sporting, over and under shotguns are the way forward, which means I'd have to learn to shoot a different type of gun, if that makes any sense (it does in my head!).

I can hang on, it all depends what comes up on the market, I'm in no real rush. I have been using an older gun owned by my step-father, I'd have to have a look for the brand.

I have read that a Lanber Sporting is one of the top guns to start with, due to the value and the quality of the gun, could anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks!

 

[HDAV]

Lanber are good value, so good value they went out of business......... save yourself £400 and do some haggling and a nice MC sporter will be yours. 

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11025-Lanber-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/10842-Silma-Supreme-12-bore-O-U-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11499-Winchester-5000-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11420-Sabatti-Browning-Medalist-for-sale

Try before you buy and get an instructor to watch you shoot with it for fit and condition.

 

[Finners]

Lanbers are no longer made, but they were always considered as a half decent starter gun. My ex Brother in Law had one and had no trouble with it, at least two of the guys at my local shoot have one too. 

You can tell when you open and close them, they don't "feel" like a Beretta/Miroku/Browning etc. just not the same level of quality. But they are a decent enough guns for the price. You'll find well used ones at your budget, but really good ones would be iro  £500 - £550 (rack price) 

You could also consider the Browning Medalist, not actually a Browning but marketed by them. Similar type of gun to the Lanber. 

 

[darthmk38]

if your not in a rush, get to a few game fairs when they start again

you can try before you buy and pick up a good bargain

plus get all the other bits and pieces you,ll want...skeet vest,hats and glasses

 

[Pirate Salmon]

Lanber are good value, so good value they went out of business......... save yourself £400 and do some haggling and a nice MC sporter will be yours. 

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11025-Lanber-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/10842-Silma-Supreme-12-bore-O-U-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11499-Winchester-5000-for-sale

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/11420-Sabatti-Browning-Medalist-for-sale

Try before you buy and get an instructor to watch you shoot with it for fit and condition.

Thanks for the links, gives me a good idea on what to look for I'll keep an eye out for some good deals.

Lanbers are no longer made, but they were always considered as a half decent starter gun. My ex Brother in Law had one and had no trouble with it, at least two of the guys at my local shoot have one too. 

You can tell when you open and close them, they don't "feel" like a Beretta/Miroku/Browning etc. just not the same level of quality. But they are a decent enough guns for the price. You'll find well used ones at your budget, but really good ones would be iro  £500 - £550 (rack price) 

You could also consider the Browning Medalist, not actually a Browning but marketed by them. Similar type of gun to the Lanber. 

Thanks for the tips, gives me a good idea where to start, hopefully something will come up!

if your not in a rush, get to a few game fairs when they start again

you can try before you buy and pick up a good bargain

plus get all the other bits and pieces you,ll want...skeet vest,hats and glasses

I don't even know that they did game fairs, ill have to look into them and attend a few, thanks!

 

[evoracer]

Thanks for the links, gives me a good idea on what to look for I'll keep an eye out for some good deals.

Thanks for the tips, gives me a good idea where to start, hopefully something will come up!

I don't even know that they did game fairs, ill have to look into them and attend a few, thanks!

you can normally get a bargain here if you look hard enough lots of crap but there's the odd gem!

https://www.shootingshow.co.uk

 

[HDAV]

I found by the time you take off the cost of the ticket and overpriced food, drinks etc walking into a dealer with pound notes works, after all at a gamefair they have paid £££££ extra to be there! you will see more guns in one place though, if there is anything you are interested in the dealer stock before the fair ring them and let them know you are coming to the fair.

 

[Pirate Salmon]

Thanks for the link Evoracer

I found by the time you take off the cost of the ticket and overpriced food, drinks etc walking into a dealer with pound notes works, after all at a gamefair they have paid £££££ extra to be there! you will see more guns in one place though, if there is anything you are interested in the dealer stock before the fair ring them and let them know you are coming to the fair.

This is very true, I'll have to see what's out there before the event, although I may go just for a look to see what there is. You never know, it may want me to look at different areas of the sport


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