Trying hard to choose the right gun

[IanS]

Hi all,

just joined and thought I'd get started with the age old question, which gun?

It's only over the last few weeks that I have had reason to pay attention to "gun fit". My only shooting previously, was occasional corporate days and a few times out with my son and his pal. The first gun I had in my hands was an old hammer gun at the age of 14.

I've established that the Beretta I tried doesn't suit, ended up with a nice bruised cheek. My son's Miroku 3800, seems a better fit, no bruised cheek. I would prefer to buy new, I feel that I would be more inclined to make a good job of looking after it and of course there is the warranty. I want a reasonably priced starter gun, ideally under £1000 including some "extras". I've been tempted by the Betinsolli Diamond in view of price and warranty, and might be by their new models, but from what I've heard, the are not as reliable as some of the mainstream guns. Lanber has been mentioned several times as a good solid starter gun. Any (proper) suggestions would be gratefully received.

Ian.

 

[Oddjob]

If you are new getting a bruised cheek may just be down to your mount rather than the gun per se, but not solely. For starting out, get a gun that initially feels 'right' on the whole and then you can tweak as you know more about mount etc with some lessons and advice.

Lanber are a good starter, solid and reliable, give you plenty of change to spend on clays and carts. I've got one for sale at £545 if you're interested.

 

[Will Hewland]

I will tell you what most experienced folk will tell you: Buy a good used Browning Miroku or Beretta.. From somebody who can help ensure it fits you, when you are holding it properly.

A first gun is usually sold after a year or two because you will then have more idea about what you want and you will probably think that higher scores will come from changing. They probably won't..

When you trade in a good browning or beretta you will lose very little money. Lesser makes will cost you dear in this respect.

Cheers

CSC3

 

[Salopian]

Spend a good deal less on a Miroku Grade 1, shoot it until you feel that it is holding your progress back then embark on a journey of spending thousands of pounds on Perazzi , Krieghoff, Beretta, Blaser, etc., until finally realising that you are shooting no better than with the Miroku.

But what ever you do don't tell your Wife that you didn't need to go on that journey.

 

[Will Hewland]

Swot I said..

 

[JonSkeet2]

I agree with Clever.

When I started out I bought a Browning 525 Sporter 30" multi choked, shot it for 18 months and got £10 less than I paid for it when I part exed it. The main brand guns are always easy to shift and if you look after it hold their value really well and can actually appreciate in value.

With the Lanber and Bettinsoli you will lose quite a bit more money.

Just get something that works for you and shoot it for a year or two; by which point you will have a lot more knowledge about what you want out of a gun

Cheers,

Jon.

 

[IanS]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the feed back. You are probably right to some extent on the point of the bruised cheek being down to me, although this didn't happen with the Miroku. I might have been getting a little better at mounting the gun! I've been shown the basics and I suppose it's now down to me to improve. Easier done when you have a gun at home to practice with, it's a bit like catch 22. The Miroku did feel better as it had a longer LOP than the Beretta. My son's coming round today and we will be discussing guns. I obviously need to do a bit more research before commiting to a particular gun. What comments if any, do you have on the Betinsolli?

Ian.

 

[IanS]

Hi Oddjob,

I'll keep your offer in mind if I decide on a used gun.

thanks,

Ian.

 

[Will Hewland]

A 50,000 Purdey that doesn't fit will kick you. A £200 old nail that fits won't .. All makes come in different shapes, but beware that if you don't mount it correctly, any gun will bruise you, especially with cheap ammo..

 

[Oddjob]

Hi Oddjob,

I'll keep your offer in mind if I decide on a used gun.

thanks,

Ian.

No problems my number is in the advert on this trading part of the forum.

 

[IanS]

Has anyone any experience with a Bettinsoli? Mainly reliability.

Ian.

 

[Jeremy Baker]

Hi Ian

My first gun was a Bettinsoli.

Had it for about Six months.

Was second hand when I bought it.

No problems with it, but I changed it soon after.

 

[Fuzrat]

first gun back from a long layoff (from 18-30ish) was a bettinsoli, nice bit of kit. Possibly a bit light for clays and same as Jem, kept it about 6 months then did the dance around the guns and settled on a MK38.

Salopian is quite right, MK38 for the win Just keep shooting it and no matter how good you get it will be better

 

[ROBERT6500]

Miroku or 80s Beretta 686.

 

[IanS]

Hi Jeremy,

thanks for coming back, was it that you just wanted to move "up-market" or were you just not happy with it?

I've got to do a bit of practice mounting a gun and then hopefully, make the right choice.

I'm borrowing my son's Miroku this week just to have a practice at mounting it and then using it next Sunday.

I've also been promised a training session by an instructor at our clay club.

I've got my SGC, just need a gun!

Ian.

 

[IanS]

Hi Robert,

I don't suppose you need to add much to your comment, I suspect you've been down this road a long time ago.

I could end up taking the Miroku off my son's hands, but I'll have to pay him!

 

[jasper]

Ians

you seem to have your heart set on the bettinsoli. so here goes. never had one myself. was on a game shoot a couple of years ago a a guy bought one . nice looking wiv sideplates and a bit of faux gold. a couple of the other guys bought them too. then a few weeks down the line they would all only fire their first barrel. all returned to dealers .came back "fixed" several weeks later . worked ok for another week then ... bang...click . no second barrels again. four guys i think had them and all the same probs. could have been a bad batch i suppose but it does not instill confidence . i wouldn't buy one with your money.

as the other guys say. miroku or beretta.

 

[Fuzrat]

Will guarantee a miroku will outshoot most folks, traded my bettinsoli for a cynergy just for something different (stupid boy, pike) then waltzed around a few others. Had a betty 20g in the cabinet for a while for phezzies but the miroke started to come out more often than not.

 

[IanS]

Hi Guys,

I was keen on a Bettinsoli, mainly because it was in the price range for a new beginners' gun and had a long warranty. It also got a good write up. I've heard other comments on the Bettinsoli not firing. Trouble is, you can't tell if the new models are OK until they get used for a while.

You're right, I have or did have my heart set on a Bettinsoli, but I don't ignore good advice and you guys have been a great help. I will blame you of course, if the new models turn out to be brilliant and the price rockets!