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Newbie Advice!


Sean85
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Hello everyone. I'm relatively new to the world of shooting although it's been in the family a long time. I have decided to buy myself my own gun which I will be using for clays. I don't want to spend a mint on my first gun but at the same time I don't want to purchase the Lada of the shotgun world! After much Internet trawling I think I fancy either a Rizzini or a Franchi 12 bore over and under. More specifically a Franchi Harrier. A good choice? Any advice on first gun purchasing appreciated!!

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From experience if you can go get a gunfit. Once you have a set of measurements buy a gun as close to them as possible. Saves learning to shoot with a gun that doesn't fit and then starting all over again when you have built a library of sight pictures. I made the mistake of buying a first gun and shooting now got to forget it all and start all over again. Good luck 🍀

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A gunfit makes a substantial difference in performance by the sound of it then? I shall look into that and try and refrain from just buying a gun through excitement then! Is it something most dealers will do?

unless you're either a midget or a giant then gun fit is generally down to being either left or right handed. most guns are straight which means they're ambidextrous, what you really need to do is find something that's comfortable, then practice mounting the gun consistently.

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Not sure what measurements are taken or are key in gunfitting but I'm of average build other than having long arms (comes with the height). My trouble is becoming too impatient and just wanting to buy buy buy! There's a Winchester Supergrade for sale on here in my area which doesn't read too bad in the advert. Again...don't know much about Winchesters

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"Find one that fits " is the usual advice given to newbies , mostly by people who have never had a gun fitted in their lives :)

 

Fact is perhaps 99% of guns out there fit 99% of people perfectly adequately , lets face it Beretta would not sell many guns if they only fitted someone 5' 10" and 14 stone etc .

 

Buy the gun you like , enjoy shooting it and if you find you are struggling or can improve no more look to having it fitted after visiting a good coach , I have owned around 20 or so shotguns in the years i have been shooting and out of that there was one I could not shoot well with .

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It is impossible to fit a gun correctly until you have mastered the art of consistant gun mounting. To do that you need a gun. Nothing wrong with Winchester guns, but be prepared to be told "Oh, you can't get the parts for them ". A decent Gunsmith can either make the part or modify parts from a Miroku to fit. Obviously this will cost more, but apart from firing pins and ejector kickers, there is not a lot more to go wrong on a Winchester. You really need to handle a few different guns and preferably shoot them. From there you should be able to make a 'short list', you can then search to get the best deal on your choice of gun. Having got your gun, preferably with some help from a more experienced shooter, book yourself a couple of lessons with a decent Instructor. This should sort out any eye problems, stance and gun mount. Then go away and practice (or take up golf !). After you have decided to KEEP the gun and have mastered the rudiments of gun mounting, you could consider gunfit, you shoukd, by now, be more aware of your requirements. Good Luck and keep at it.

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It is impossible to fit a gun correctly until you have mastered the art of consistant gun mounting. To do that you need a gun. Nothing wrong with Winchester guns, but be prepared to be told "Oh, you can't get the parts for them ". A decent Gunsmith can either make the part or modify parts from a Miroku to fit. Obviously this will cost more, but apart from firing pins and ejector kickers, there is not a lot more to go wrong on a Winchester. You really need to handle a few different guns and preferably shoot them. From there you should be able to make a 'short list', you can then search to get the best deal on your choice of gun. Having got your gun, preferably with some help from a more experienced shooter, book yourself a couple of lessons with a decent Instructor. This should sort out any eye problems, stance and gun mount. Then go away and practice (or take up golf !). After you have decided to KEEP the gun and have mastered the rudiments of gun mounting, you could consider gunfit, you shoukd, by now, be more aware of your requirements. Good Luck and keep at it.

Thanks for all the replies. I already play golf so I've got that covered :-) Are most dealers happy for "try before you buy" if they have the facilities then? I intend to get some lessons so i start doing the right thing from the beginning instead of winging it and having to correct everything later on down the line!

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Yes, my dad has one. I enjoyed shooting with it. Didn't feel like too much hard work in terms of weight and manoeuvrability either

Yes, my dad has one. I enjoyed shooting with it. Didn't feel like too much hard work in terms of weight and manoeuvrability either

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Not sure what measurements are taken or are key in gunfitting but I'm of average build other than having long arms (comes with the height). My trouble is becoming too impatient and just wanting to buy buy buy! There's a Winchester Supergrade for sale on here in my area which doesn't read too bad in the advert. Again...don't know much about Winchesters

 

Sean , if that Winchester is close to you , go buy it , you will not get a better gun for the money they are one of the best handling guns ever made .

Yes they are getting on a bit but there is nothing to break that a competent gunsmith could not fix .

They are also creeping up in price for good examples , a Rizzini or franchi will not be doing that !

Edited by fenboy
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Just having a good look will tell you most things .

It should be in nice clean condition , its important there is no movement or gaps between the breech face and the barrels.

 

Ask if the gun has had any repairs , look down the barrels and make sure there are no marks or pitting , most guns are chrome lined nowdays so pitting is not as much of a problem as it once was, check the outside of the barrels for rust or pitting

 

Check the fore end for cracks , especially around the ejector kickers , check the stock for cracks normally to be found where the top tang of the action sits in the wood or through the grip , there should be no movement in the stock between it and the action , though if there is it may just need the bolt tightening.

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Some of the clay grounds that have a shop will let you try the secondhand guns before you buy. Doveridge at Uttoxeter is one. They will also help with gunfit too, so its a win win.

I had my gun new from there, but tried a demonstrator gun of the same sort first out on the grounds there. They also helped with adjustments to my gun to fit properly. Consistent mount and recoil can be affected if your gun doesn't fit properly, so its worth having a gun that fits you for starters. OH's gun fitted him straight off the peg, but a good gun shop should be able to advise you on this.

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