Starter Gun

[spanky]

Hi All,

New to the site and to the sport. Loving both!  I have been looking for my first clay gun for a couple of months now and I have found one but was hoping for some advice. It's a browning 325 from 1986 stock a bit worn but definitely usable, price 795. Gun fits a treat problem is I am a bit of tart and I don't normally buy second hand. So my question is two  fold is the price good and is this a better option than a new browning or a new ATA arms both of which would come with case warranty etc?

 

[MJJ]

I would check out Gunstar and Gun Trader to get a rough price of its worth. No-one can give you advice without really seeing it. 

 

[Will Hewland]

Sounds sounds slightly pricey to me, but an old gun is perfect to start with.

 

[Finners]

A brand new Browning 525 would be around £1200 - 1300 for cash. Depends on how much you value £400-500 or so really.

Some will say the 325 is better built, but at nearly 30 years old, some of that advantage will have worn off by now surely? 

 

[Iggy]

I'm not a Browning expert (or any for that matter) but I do seem to recall that the 325 had 'chopper lump' barrels that are supposed to be the best that Browning offered and still do but (apparently) only on their current top of the range guns. 

Great thing about shotguns is the tech doesn't really change that much, sure fashions come and go, but a gun made many years ago can serve you very well and for many years as long as it fits you and is in good shape. 

Also bear in mind as a new shooter, if you get into this game, chances are you won't have your first gun for very long....so getting into the sport on a budget might not be a bad thing. 

 

[Salopian]

Borrow a gun for as long as possible, try many different guns for as long as possible, until one day you have the eureka moment and shoot well and are very comfortable with the gun you are using, then try to buy it at a sensible price off the owner, if that is not possible ask if you can take the stock measurements off it and buy a second hand gun to similar dimensions .  If you have a particular make and model in mind try buying off someone who has just shot dreadfully, some bargains can be had.

If you speak to my Wife she may sell you one of mine for less than £100, as I have  told her that is the price of many that I bought.

 

[spanky]

Thank you all for your help I'm off to the gun shop tomurrow so I will try it and a few others and let you know what happens. 

 

[Will Hewland]

One way of getting a deal for a first timer is to try and get a gunslip and cleaning kit thrown in..

 

[Wonko the Sane]

Buy a mid-line auto and spend at least a year shooting different games and decided what it is you want a special gun for.  Target guns are not all the same and are to some extent game-specific.  Meet and sort out the knowledgeable folks that can help you select a pre-owned gun but never buy anything from them.  NEVER buy a gun with the intention of "fixing it up" so that it will be acceptable  for the game you want to use it in.

When it quits being fun find something else to do.

BTW   you have just stepped into a steamer of a pastime.  Be prepared ...................

 

[Iggy]

One way of getting a deal for a first timer is to try and get a gunslip and cleaning kit thrown in..

I shot my first gun slip better than I shot my first gun.

 

[cockney21]

I would stick with the Browning/Miroku rather ATA. When you resell you will always be able to sell/trade the Browning and anyone can fix it if it does go wrong, sure the ATA is all very nice but come resale time I bet you will struggle a bit..As said if you stick with shooting this won't be your last gun!

Would have no probs buying second hand if looked after, I've got two 50+ years and one 115 year old SxS and they still shoot just fine. 

 

[Jonah_116]

If you do decide to buy new a 525 would last a lifetime, shooting ground I've had lessons at has them as club guns and the coach there reckons they've had half a Million carts through them. 

You take into account cartridges, entry fees, clothing, equipment even fuel over the years travelling about, a new 525 at £1300 is good value.

 

[Doctor Lecter]

don't rush in to buy , as said try as many as you can , browning / miroku  you wont go far wrong  to shoot and for resale !    trouble is all guns feel good in the shop , best to shoot a round  of skeet or sportrap   to get a true feel of the gun / fit etc .    no problem with second hand guns  , you save on vat too !     :wink:

 

[spanky]

Thanks all for the advice. I decided after borrowing a silver pigeon for about 300 clays and browning for 400 that the browning was the one for me to get started.

So I found a 2014 modle525 for 1050 pounds and I've it fits a dream and feels a good weight.

Now to get my scores above 50 percent! 

 

[Finners]

You won't go far wrong with the 525 :good: