Silver pigeon

[Evolve82]

Hey everyone,

Have now made up my mind to bite the bullet and buy a bretta silver pigeon.

When looking at them there are loads difference in price.

Even after a few hours of research, struggling to determine the differences between them.

Will be mainly used for clays but will be shooting game (in a muddy hide) a few times a month. Would prefer 2nd hand because of price- do not want to go near or over £1000.

So the questions start...

Which barrel length is best, 28 or 30?

Difference between the 686 an 687?

Is a 3" barrel really necessary for what I want? (Think will be using 21-28g carts)

What about the differences between the SP1 2 and 3?

Sorry again for the newbie questions!!

 

[maffs]

What about the differences between the SP1 2 and 3?

Well done for selecting a Beretta and realising a tidy secondhand one will not loose you too much if you need to sell it on. As for the differences...now there's a boggle for you

Have a look here: http://www.laddsguns.com/shotguns/new_guns_beretta2.asp?NSG_ID=126

Best of luck,

Chris

 

[Skeet UK]

30 inch Silver Pigeon 1 Sporter.

This is the NEW Silver Pigeon.

The NEW SP3 just looks nicer.

Look to pay about 1260 for one, or in your case a grand secondhand.

Really speaking, buy what you like in a Beretta at what money you have, but get a sporter and 30 inch barrels.

3 inch magnum chambers are common on most new guns, don't worry about it.

The extra weight of the sporter will help with clays, but the reduced weight of a game gun will not help with clays.

 

[Evolve82]

The extra weight of the sporter will help with clays, but the reduced weight of a game gun will not help with clays.

How does this work?

 

[Westward]

Target guns need to be more stable & smooth plus the extra weight reduces recoil and thus minimises the fatigue from lots of shooting in a fairly short time.

 

[Skeet UK]

How does this work?

Physics mainly, so not my idea!

If you are projecting 28g of lead at a given speed out of a gun, then the energy that creates is a constant, regardless of gun.

The forces created will also want to push your gun back at you.

If your gun is light, the gun will recoil with more perceived force than a heavier gun and so jump about more.

With clays, you shoot a great number of cartridges and a gun jumping about is not what you want when shooting pairs.

The affects of recoil from all of these shots, will take their toll on you (even if you don't perceive it), so a heavier gun will be better in this respect.

Extra weight is also good for maintaining a swing.

With a Game gun, the same rules apply...but...you tend to carry them around whilst walking...all day...so lighter is better, and you don't tend to fire as many cartridges perhaps, so you can probably cope with the extra recoil, while having the benefit of a lighter, more whippy gun to carry around.

Probably ...

 

[Evolve82]

Thanks for that. Makes perfect sense. Carrying the weight should not be a prob as I am used to carrying a heavier air rifle around with me anyway.

How does the length of barrel make a difference?

 

[Skeet UK]

Thanks for that. Makes perfect sense. Carrying the weight should not be a prob as I am used to carrying a heavier air rifle around with me anyway.

How does the length of barrel make a difference?

Well...couple of reasons for barrel choice.

If we are talking about a smaller person, then something like a 28 inch barrel, will be easier for them to move about. They are also good for very fast disciplines like Olympic skeet, where you need a fast moving gun ... but that is not a hard and fast rule.

For most people, with clays in mind, a 30 inch barrel is an ideal allrounder. The length / helps maintain swing and makes it natural to point with (which is essentially what we do). If you are a larger person, or perhaps an experienced shooter, 32 inch barrels (and longer) may be better for you.

They further increase the pointability and it stands to reason that a large person, will find a 30 inch barrel moves faster, than a smaller person...so by adding length and weight, it helps control the swing.

Many top shooters (experienced) have moved up to 32 inch barrels, but that does not mean it is right for you.

 

[Westward]

Well...couple of reasons for barrel choice.

If we are talking about a smaller person, then something like a 28 inch barrel, will be easier for them to move about.

With respect this is something of an urban myth. Plenty of compact and bijou shooters are 100% comfortable with long barrels and some are regulars on here. Within reason your physical size shouldn't be a determining factor for barrel length choice. Some guns are slow and unwieldy even in 28", some (like CGs) are quite nimble in 34".

The things that make a gun easier to move about are mostly the balance but also the weight distribution. In particular the polar moment of inertia which is a bit like the centre of gravity only in 3 dimensions.

I know almost nothing about skeet, although I've heard that longer barrels are becoming more favoured, but for the other disciplines I wouldn't suggest anything less than 30". If there's a lack of physical strength or a disability to consider, I'd suggest going for a 20g.

 

[tonky70]

Are you still looking for a silver pigeon