Recommended gun shops in the southeast

[patl]

HI,

OK, the cabinet's in and the SGCs for me and mrs patl are on their way to the met so now we get to window shop for a while. We're based in SE London/NW Kent so apart from the obvious 2 nearest (John Forsey and Chris Potter) Where should we be looking to see a decent selection of S/H guns (12 and 20 bore) and who do people consider trustworthy with respect to selling 2 very inexperienced shooters (5 lessons so far) the right gun (or not) versus pushing us towards something that doesn't fit very well but has a good markup?

I'm kind of assuming anywhere in the southeast is worth a trip.

Thanks,

Pat.

 

[SIMON-B]

I have used Barretts of Caterham for a few years, good service and Bob Barrett is a very experienced shot himself.IMHO..good luck shopping around.

 

[Skeet UK]

You will get the best service from Potters. Steve, the South African guy in there, is very good in particular, but they are all great. If it is a secondhand gun, there is always room in the price.

With regards to fit...if it is the right gun, then make it fit. For most it will be a simple length adjustment to begin with.

For the ladies, she may need a slightly shorter gun and a comb adjustment...but none of this is difficult...but it is important.

There is another gun shop in Sandy Lane, off of the A20 at West Malling, called Country Way. It is THE best place to buy cartridges in the area (unless you want Fiocchi from Forseys). They will also have very good prices.

If you venture down to Sturry Canterbury, Greenfields are a shooting ground that is open most of the week and they have a proper gun shop, so you may well be able to try before you buy, get advice on fitting etc. They all seem like decent folk too.

Do you have an idea what you want and want to spend?

Where have you been having lessons?

 

[patl]

OK, Potter's is definitely on the list then we'll have to nip over to Greenfield's next time we're down that way too.
So far lessons have been a way of trying out localish grounds to see what we like although before long we'll have to settle on one coach and stick with it. Had lessons at west Kent, southdown, JJs and dartford and we're up at Dartford again next weekend (can you guess we're hooked?;-)
Price wise we're looking at around a grand each so we should be in the territory of the big 3 I'd guess.

Pat.

 

[Skeet UK]

JJ's is a nice ground, quite often go there.  They put on plenty of nice targets that are easy enough to hit, plus  a few harder ones.  Also teaches you the mental game, staying focused for 6 pairs!

One thing I would say, don't "pigeon hole" your good lady to a 20b too quickly.  Generally speaking, there is seldom a good reason why a lady cant shoot a 12b.  The key is getting one that is of appropriate length (stock and barrels) and appropriate weight.   A 12b will offer less recoil, better swing and cheaper cartridges.  If you combine a suitably sized 12 bore with 24 or even 21 gram cartridges, it will offer virtually no recoil, compared to a lighter 20b.

Consider looking at a gun with adjustable comb, particularly for your good lady, as this makes fitting an almost DIY affair (coupled with good advice).

Don't be fooled into thinking a 12 is too heavy, compared to a 20.  All guns are heavy to new shooters, as they have not built the muscles that you use to hold the gun up, the stance is usually a bit off and they tend to hold the gun up for longer, which makes it feel heavier.

Are you shooting Skeet at Dartford or on their sporting layout, or Trap?  

I see you are in the Bromley area. You may want to go to Main Rd at Biggin Hill and look at The Saddlery and Gunroom.

 

[Sian]

JJ's is a nice ground, quite often go there.  They put on plenty of nice targets that are easy enough to hit, plus  a few harder ones.  Also teaches you the mental game, staying focused for 6 pairs!
 
One thing I would say, don't "pigeon hole" your good lady to a 20b too quickly.  Generally speaking, there is seldom a good reason why a lady cant shoot a 12b.  The key is getting one that is of appropriate length (stock and barrels) and appropriate weight.   A 12b will offer less recoil, better swing and cheaper cartridges.  If you combine a suitably sized 12 bore with 24 or even 21 gram cartridges, it will offer virtually no recoil, compared to a lighter 20b.
 
Consider looking at a gun with adjustable comb, particularly for your good lady, as this makes fitting an almost DIY affair (coupled with good advice).
 
Don't be fooled into thinking a 12 is too heavy, compared to a 20.  All guns are heavy to new shooters, as they have not built the muscles that you use to hold the gun up, the stance is usually a bit off and they tend to hold the gun up for longer, which makes it feel heavier.
 
Are you shooting Skeet at Dartford or on their sporting layout, or Trap?  
 
I see you are in the Bromley area. You may want to go to Main Rd at Biggin Hill and look at The Saddlery and Gunroom.

I am repeating myself probably but definitely consider 12 for your lady - I am little 5ft and not heavy built and I shoot 12b using 21 or 24s and do not find it heavy or get recoil.

 

[patl]

Oh, don't worry, she wouldn't let me pigeon hole her even if I wanted to. The 20b is her choice, so far she doesn't seem to have had any issue with recoil.

Good call on the adjustable stock, I'll keep an eye out for that.

We've so far shot on the trap stand at dartford, but it was set up with 'lesson' traps though, we'll see where he takes us next time.

Thanks,

Pat.

 

[Kentskeet]

Definitely can recommend Chris Potters,all very knowledgeable and customer service is excellent.

 

[Bebo]

Definitely get her to have a go with a 12bore.  Lessons at West Kent they always seem to give female shooters the 20 bore to use.  I'm about 5ft3 and I have no problem at all with a 12 bore and 28g cartridges.  In the long run she'll save a fortune in cartridge costs.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Definitely get her to have a go with a 12bore.  Lessons at West Kent they always seem to give female shooters the 20 bore to use.  I'm about 5ft3 and I have no problem at all with a 12 bore and 28g cartridges.  In the long run she'll save a fortune in cartridge costs.

+1

 

[Redders]

I'm just quite happy reading this thread. Lots of enthusiasm and happy days ahead for a couple who will be able to share a great hobby together.

Good luck to you both!

 

[anna]

Hi All, mrsPatL here! Thanks for all the recommendations. I'll certainly consider the 12b when we're shopping. MrP and I traded guns at a lesson a few weeks back because I wanted to see if i could feel the difference in recoil between the 12b and 20b, and to be honest, I didn't feel any difference.  I'm just looking forward to getting a gun that fits me whether 12b or 20b. What are some of the other benefits of a 12b over a 20b? Thanks again for all the suggestions. Anna

 

[Fuzrat]

Biggest advantage 12 over 20 is cost of shells, example, Hull Compx 21 gram 12g shells (Mrs Fuz's cartridge of choice) £155 per thousand. Hull pro-twenty 21gram 20g shells £205 per thousand.

If you decide to start on 21 gram and move up to 28 gram you will tend to get less felt recoil from a 28 gram 12g load than a 20g.

Mrs Fuz started on a 20 bore and was on a 12 bore within 6 months, buy wise and buy once

 

[Jaykaysea]

Have moved to a 12 myself...wish I'd done it sooner. Just had to learn everything again, cost is a big issue too, you will be able to just buy one cleaning kit too...BTW cleaning guns is men's work definitely!!!! :girlcrazy:

Main advantage is that when she beats you you won't be able to blame the gun....

Enjoy....never realised there was going yo be so much shopping involved in shooting!!!

 

[Skeet UK]

Hi All, mrsPatL here! Thanks for all the recommendations. I'll certainly consider the 12b when we're shopping. MrP and I traded guns at a lesson a few weeks back because I wanted to see if i could feel the difference in recoil between the 12b and 20b, and to be honest, I didn't feel any difference.  I'm just looking forward to getting a gun that fits me whether 12b or 20b. What are some of the other benefits of a 12b over a 20b? Thanks again for all the suggestions. Anna

Hey!

Good luck with the shopping.  As I said to Mr P, concern yourself with buying the right gun for the money you have and then make that one fit you.

Idea being, if there is some £400 bit of tat, that happens to fit you quite nice, or a £1000 Beretta, that might need some tweaking...buy the Beretta.  The difference between one fitting and one not, might be changing the recoil pad on the end...simples!

Guns are like cars; you get the one you want, then you adjust the seat and mirrors.

 

[Evolve82]

Country way -west malling and saddlery and gunroom -biggin hill. In that order mate.

Forseys is fine unless you go at the weekend! Service is nowhere near as good as in the week.