Shotgun choice for clays on a budget

[ips]

This seems to apply even if the first gun/guns are of a good make!

Exactly Les, those of us who have been around a long time have witnessed it many many times that is why we usually recommend a new shooter not to spend huge ammounts until he knows exactly what is suitable. There are of course exceptions hence my use in the original post of the word "probably"

 

[bostonmick]

Up your budget by getting the wife a second job.simples.

 

[Skeet UK]

Rubbish, buy the right gun and you wont change it................ Used good quality guns hold value well and dont need alot of maintenance other than a good clean and a bit of lube parts for the Big 3 are cheap and plentiful.

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your input.  We do try and be fairly friendly on here, so if you could try and keep the aggression to a minimum, that would be super lovely.

 

[Les53]

It is interesting that the recurring message is if you only have 1 gun get a used or new Beretta, Browning or Miroku ?

Exactly! You really cannot go wrong with those guns,so long as its in good nick if its a used one.

 

[PhilS]

Rubbish, buy the right gun and you wont change it................ Used good quality guns hold value well and dont need alot of maintenance other than a good clean and a bit of lube parts for the Big 3 are cheap and plentiful.

I've got a tin hat, very little use, going cheap if you want it.

 

[PhilS]

I agree with Ips, Will, Les et al.

Stick with one of the major 3 and you wont go wrong, for all the reasons stated.

 

[timps]

If  you get hooked on the sport then chances are you will change your gun at some point or at the very least decided to buy a 2nd gun.

My first gun was a Browning citori I kind of permanently  borrowed of my dad, I sold that for more than he paid for it. My 2nd Gun was a Browning Ultra XS I sold that for more than I paid for it, I sold  a Beretta SP for the same I paid for it.

My friend wanted a brand new gun, refused point blank to buy 2nd hand and disregarded my advice so his budget limited him to a new Lanber. Nothing wrong with the gun but he decided shooting wasn’t for him and tried selling it on,  he is struggling to sell on even at a big loss. If that had been 2nd hand Beretta or Miroku/ Browning I could have got rid of it for him no problem.

Anybody I know that’s had a Lanber has either given up and struggled to sell it or caught the bug and tried to upgrade  but been shocked at the price offered in PX.

A Miroku might cost you a couple of hundred more but it is worth it IMHO.

 

[AW13]

Bought The Essential Shotgun Guide magazine last weekend.  They say nice things about a lot of guns, even Lincoln and Lanber, but the longer articles are all referencing Beretta, Browning or Miroku.

I do like the look of the Silver Pigeon, B525 or the MK38.  I also like the sound of the Browning Ultra but that is all from researched information and no practical experience.  It will come down to the gun shop expert's advice, budget and what's available - but it will almost certainly be a Beretta, Browning or Miroku hopefully nearly new at less than a new one.  If I can't find that then I would consider a new one as I always prefer to buy quality once rather then indifferent quality twice if you get my drift.

 

[Finners]

Bought The Essential Shotgun Guide magazine last weekend.  They say nice things about a lot of guns, even Lincoln and Lanber, but the longer articles are all referencing Beretta, Browning or Miroku.

I do like the look of the Silver Pigeon, B525 or the MK38.  I also like the sound of the Browning Ultra but that is all from researched information and no practical experience.  It will come down to the gun shop expert's advice, budget and what's available - but it will almost certainly be a Beretta, Browning or Miroku hopefully nearly new at less than a new one.  If I can't find that then I would consider a new one as I always prefer to buy quality once rather then indifferent quality twice if you get my drift.

You'll not go too far wrong with the guns you've mentioned. £ for £ overall the Ultra XS takes some beating as does the MK38. But please do make sure you go and "feel" what these guns are like and how you and the gun suit each other.  

 

[AW13]

Already getting a feel for what I think I like. When I shot the Lincoln I thought it felt stiff in my hands when compared to the Beretta & Browning.  The Lincoln also felt the point of balance was in front of the fore-end.  First time I felt that so I assume I will prefer a more neutral balance around he hinge - I think or maybe a little further back.  The Lincoln felt a tad clumsy when finding the POA.......ha, just re-read what I have typed, probably all a load of tosh!.  

 

[Finners]

Sounds to me  like you're on the right track :good:  

 

[Skeet UK]

I think we scared the OP off, he hasn't posted since he created the topic

 

[DaveRC]

I think we scared the OP off, he hasn't posted since he created the topic

[SIZE=medium]HaHa, Nope, I am still here and reading all the comments with great interest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I think you all have convinced me to stick to Beretta, Browning or Miroku, whether it be new or used and also convinced me to up my budget, which I can.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]My SGC came through the post yesterday, so now it gets a bit more serious as I am now in a position to actually buy. I will be going to the shooting show next week and have tickets for two days and plan to take my time before I buy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I did pop into the local gun shop yesterday, just to see what they had, not a lot in the way of used, but new they did have the SP1 at a good price but he was trying to get me to buy the Browning 525, (because he thought it was a better gun), yes nice gun, but this was without even touching the gun and no mention of fit, so I decided this was not a shop I wanted to buy from, all thanks to the comments on this forum.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]So really a massive thank you to all the comments, all extremely useful and I have taken note of them all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]ATB[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Dave[/SIZE]

 

[bostonmick]

HaHa, Nope, I am still here and reading all the comments with great interest.

I think you all have convinced me to stick to Beretta, Browning or Miroku, whether it be new or used and also convinced me to up my budget, which I can.

My SGC came through the post yesterday, so now it gets a bit more serious as I am now in a position to actually buy. I will be going to the shooting show next week and have tickets for two days and plan to take my time before I buy.

I did pop into the local gun shop yesterday, just to see what they had, not a lot in the way of used, but new they did have the SP1 at a good price but he was trying to get me to buy the Browning 525, (because he thought it was a better gun), yes nice gun, but this was without even touching the gun and no mention of fit, so I decided this was not a shop I wanted to buy from, all thanks to the comments on this forum.

So really a massive thank you to all the comments, all extremely useful and I have taken note of them all.

ATB

Dave

Good to hear that you are on the road to being sorted.my own opinion is that the shooting show is not the place for a newcomer to buy their first gun far to hectic.i always advocate to find a shop that has an in house gunsmith as he will advise you on fit and suitability not how quickly he can get your cash into his till.thats the difference between smithy and salesman.i wish you good luck with your shooting you will enjoy the sport.

 

[ips]

What mick said

 

[Skeet UK]

[SIZE=medium]HaHa, Nope, I am still here and reading all the comments with great interest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I think you all have convinced me to stick to Beretta, Browning or Miroku, whether it be new or used and also convinced me to up my budget, which I can.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]My SGC came through the post yesterday, so now it gets a bit more serious as I am now in a position to actually buy. I will be going to the shooting show next week and have tickets for two days and plan to take my time before I buy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I did pop into the local gun shop yesterday, just to see what they had, not a lot in the way of used, but new they did have the SP1 at a good price but he was trying to get me to buy the Browning 525, (because he thought it was a better gun), yes nice gun, but this was without even touching the gun and no mention of fit, so I decided this was not a shop I wanted to buy from, all thanks to the comments on this forum.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]So really a massive thank you to all the comments, all extremely useful and I have taken note of them all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]ATB[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Dave[/SIZE]

 C W Gun Shop in W M by any chance?

 

[DaveRC]

 C W Gun Shop in W M by any chance?

., That will be the one...!

 

[shredder]

Not been shooting long myself and had the same sort of budget. Decided to up it a bit and purchased a browning gti ultra s and I love it and shoot well with it. Bonus being that if I do fancy upgrading it won't be worth much less than I paid for it. Tried out a browing 725 the other day and didnt like the feel of it as much as my 1996 gun ..

 

[Skeet UK]

., That will be the one...!

Offer stands.  If you wanted to meet up locally, there would be a 30 inch Silver Pigeon 1 (but awesome and custom!) and a 32 inch 682 Gold E, maybe  a DT10 and maybe a 686

 

[Wonko the Sane]

[SIZE=medium]Hi All, [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Just getting into a bit of clay shooting and loving it, certificate applied for and should be through the door any day now (I hope). I have tried some guns, but only what others around me have so it’s a limited selection. The one I had almost decided on was the Beretta Silver pigeon 1, but after a bit of a reality check I think it’s a bit over my budget and a bit more than I want to spend at the moment.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]So I am looking for advice and possible candidates that will fit what I am looking for.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]I am looking for a 12g, over and under, single trigger, multi choke, ejector and at least 28 or 30 inch barrels. My budget around the £500/£600 mark and quite happy with a getting a second hand gun as at this point as I am not sure how much it will get used and if all goes well and gets used a lot then later at some point I will sell and get something better if I need or want to.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]So what is there? What to avoid and what to look for,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Thanks in advance for any help.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Dave[/SIZE]

There is no such thing as clays on a budget.   You are doomed.

RUN!  Run far!  Run fast!  Or prepare for the worst.

Your choice

Besta luck