Trying hard to choose the right gun

[Will Hewland]

Don't get fixated on the warranty thing. Guns are not cars or motorbikes. They are pretty reliable.. Check that the stock is not cracked around the trigger area and that the firing pins are not knackered. Otherwise you are likely up for a lot of trouble free shooting with a top brand gun..

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[Jeremy Baker]

Hi Ian

Yes wanted a 'nicer' gun.

Had three or four.

Before Finding 'my' Miruko MK6000 treague extended chokes with adjustable stock.

I have just (after two years) bought a 682 Beretta.

 

[teepee1234]

Ian, my first gun around 6 years ago was a brand new Bettinsoli, for the same reasons as you expressed. I shot ok with it, but after 9 months had the second barrel problems, as have been described...... I took it to a local gun shop to see what could be done, and he looked at me with a pitying look and said, "We call them Bettinsoli Boomerangs......because they keep coming back....!"

A very wise man once told me that if it doesn't fit, no matter what, don't buy it.

There are plenty of good guns out there that will hold their value, and I'd go for a secondhand Browning or Beretta - but make sure it fits.

 

[Darkside]

Ian, I bought a 1 year old Browning 325 17 years ago when I was 17 for £700. Shot a few clays today where I bought it and asked the guy who I bought it from what he thought it was worth......."I'll give you £500 cash for it right now, if your selling it yourself, don't take less than £700". Buy a good second hand Browning, Berreta or Miroku. The only guy I know with a Bettinsoli has to use the barrel selector on the safety to fire the second barrel, pile of dung!!!

 

[IanS]

It's been really helpful getting the feedback from all of you, I reckon another couple of weeks and I'll have made my mind up.

Thanks guys.

 

[TobyM]

I'd like to add to the 2nd-hand Miroku/Browning/Beretta camp. You can't really go wrong. Proven guns, reliable, resale value, any gunsmith should know how to repair one in the unlikely event of it requiring any work.

 

[philpot]

For me it would be a second hand Beretta/ Miroku/ Browning in that order rather than some cheapo new gun. Guns mentioned here will keep going for years and years with very little ever needs doing to them. I bought a Remmington 3200 o/u at least 25 years old, brilliant gun. My friend brought his Miroku ORE trap gun out last weekend bought in 1972 making it 40 years old, still shooting like a new gun, perfect example of a gun being well looked after.

You will almost always buy better when you buy quality s/h rather than low-med quality new !!!

Phil

 

[Westward]

Ian,

Leaving out the super luxury O/Us from "best" gun makers, there are 3 basic levels of gun. From Perazzi & Krieghoff to Blaser & DT10/11 with 1 or 2 in between are thought of as high end guns.

The Bettinsolis, along with a dozen others from Italy, Spain and Turkey are budget guns. They sometimes have nice wood and decoration but the underlying quality isn't there; that's why they cost less for apparently similar spec levels. By all means buy a budget gun for low volume field & game shooting but with the possible exception of Lanber, budget guns aren't really sound enough for clay shooting.

The mid range is obviously dominated by Beretta 68X family guns, Browning & Miroku. Any of these will outlast you - and maintain a decent resale value - if looked after. Caesar Guerini is also present in this sector and has a vocal fan club, particularly in America. I mention CG because they've succeeded where Bettinsoli failed in producing a generic Italian design to a good standard with a range of cosmetic grades & price levels.

I agree with the others that one of the popular mid range guns is the best starting point. After all there are good reasons why they are popular.

Of course there's friendly rivalry between the owners of different brands but what matters is they all do the job, and when you want to change - and you will - you won't take a hit on the value.

 

[IanS]

Well, I can't ask for better feed back and sound advice, greatly appreciated. I will certainly let you know when I have the gun.

Thanks all.

Ian.

 

[AndyH]

This thread has been great for me to understand what I should start out with. Particularly the comments about make/ability and how make doesn't matter so much. It's good to be reminded that it's mostly about you. I can save some money thinking like that

 

[Andy S]

Ian,

If you look on http://www.avalon-guns.com you can see that for another £350-400 you can get nealy new and new MK38, Browning 525 and Beretta Silver Pigeon, so might be worth saving for a bit longer.

Andy

 

[IanS]

AndyH,

I agree, it's been well worthwhile.

Thanks Andy S, I'll look on there now.

Ian.

 

[jasper]

a very very good shot ( who has a £13k gun) once said to me( through clenched teeth) that a person with enough talent could buy an £800 gun and win the world championship. .........mk38 anyone????????

 

[Maxum]

What does Philip Thorrold shoot .........

 

[Salopian]

Phil normally shoots a Beretta 682. Not a 682E an old 682.

Here's his spin on things in a suitable accent " Or reet boyr ? Ar it's just an owd 682 , when it's shot out it's easy enuff t get nother ar "

 

[IanS]

Now that I've been convinced to steer clear of Bettinsoli, its down to the gun shop to start all over again, at least I'll be concentrating on Beretta, Browning and Miroku as suggested. I'll keep you posted.

Ian

 

[Will Hewland]

Can't go wrong chap!

 

[IanS]

Cheers Will

 

[IanS]

It's quite a while since I visited the forum, I did mention that I would get back to you all with info on the gun I finally purchased.

I really had a problem with the fit, I couldn't look down the rib with prety well all the guns I tried unless I cocked my head right over the stock. I visited Premier Guns at Doveridge and the same situation arose. I asked to see a used Gamba that was advertised as I had toyed with the idea of going a bit up market. It turned out that the Gamba had quite a pronounced cast to the stock and I could finally see down the rib. I can't say that it's a perfect fit but I couldn't find anything better.

I have to say that it looks a nice gun and feels good, Im still s**t at hitting clays although on the odd stand I can take 8, 9 or 10, whereas on most others, I'm rubbish. Clearly a case for some coaching now that I have the gun.

Thanks to all of you who kept me away from Bettinsoli and gave me good advice. Sorry I took so long in responding.

Ian.

 

[Claydoos]

Good luck with the Gamba - you are now thoroughly spoilt because IMHO they are the best handling gun i've shot, even with my very limited ability. Can be a tad temperamental though like most Italians :.: