454697819 Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Greetings all I have been lurking for a short while, and you all seem extremely knowledgeable which is great, My name is Alex and I have been recently granted my shotgun Cert, and am now looking for my first gun. I will mostly using it for clays and rabbits, with a little pit of pigeon and Duck shooting when the opportunities arise. I popped to my local shop and after a look around have narrowed it down to three or four and was after some input, I have read many reviews from magazines etc but true first hand would be great. the guns are as follows. 1.) Hatsan Escort - Synthetic £400 2.) Hatsan Escort Luxano £550 3.) Lincoln Premier Gold (£700) 4.) Whinchester X3 Field (£850) All 12g and brand new Im a firm believer int he best you can afford, but id rather stretch now and buy a better gun if It can be reasinalby justified that the X3 for example is worth more than twice the Hatsan? Any advice appreciated, and yes I am aware there are 3 semi's and 1 o/u :-) Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonySmith Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Hello and welcome....my input is..choose the gun thats fits you the best, the RFD should advise you on that. ATB Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 welcome. cant comment if the sx3 is worth double the hatsan i have a sx3 which i am pleased withbut i've never owned or shot a hatsan. the hatsans are a bit marmite gun, there's plenty of comments about them on here. i personally wouldn't pay the extra 150 for the luxano though - just personal preferance. ideally you want to go and tray a few and decide if you want a u/o or semi, i was advised to buy a semi if rough shooting as you get the extra shot. if youre going to shoot more clays then go for an u/o although i mainly use a semi for clays and as long as you pick up empties and use a flag you should find no prejudice at grounds. enjoy whatever you decide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
454697819 Posted March 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Thanks, Should have added, The Lincoln and Hatsan fitted well, Couldn't try the Winchester as it wasn't available, I was also advised semi but I very much like the tradition o/u also. Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 how much have you shot before? the reason i ask is its worth trying some lessons on clays etc where most grounds will give you a Berreta 686 or similar to use (which would be at the top end of your budget second hand) something like 30" multi choke will cover you for most shooting I inherited a gun and have decided to stick with it for now and learn to shoot better before buying (still want to buy one tho) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Consider a Lanber Sporting Deluxe multichoke in 12g, it will do anything and everything you want and be safer than an auto without cycling issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonySmith Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Consider a Lanber Sporting Deluxe multichoke in 12g, it will do anything and everything you want and be safer than an auto without cycling issues :unsure: I concur with this gentleman..... ATB Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 And go for secondhand, you'll get more gun/better quality for your budget and not being new will arguable make no difference in terms of reliability (certainly in the case of an O/U) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 What ever you do dont buy a self loader for a first gun . You would do well to buy a multi choke over and under for general clay shooting and game shooting . You will then have a gun for all seasons . A self loader is more of a specialists gun and will not on the whole be accepted on some shoots as a game gun . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 seconded, get yourself a decent O/U 28" doesn't need to be multi choke. Learning safety and with varied shooting a semi auto isn't the ideal gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Another vote for O/U. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinxy72 Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Consider a Lanber Sporting Deluxe multichoke in 12g, it will do anything and everything you want and be safer than an auto without cycling issues :unsure: nothing unsafe about a semi auto .... its the idiot behind the trigger or carrying it that is the prob but do have to agree about the lanber .... brilliant gun for the money .... out of those listed ( if u can afford it of course ) id say the sx3 or a lanber escorts are great guns ( for the money ) but not in the league as the above .... BUT if u do want to save some money initally then u wont go wrong with an escort semi auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 You could get a second hand Silver pigeon for £850 and it'll keep it's value too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 sorry guys...................i just dont get this auto's are not safe rubbish. :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
454697819 Posted March 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 sorry guys...................i just dont get this auto's are not safe rubbish. :unsure: I can understand that they may not be as safe but I have used many different Guns previously, I suffer from New syndrome which means I like to buy new shiny things, I have looked into the Lanber and it looks like a promising alternative, as the certificate is taking its time to physically come though it may be a enough time to allow me to save a little further, I do like the silver pigeon but second hand stock isnt easy to come by at the moment and Id rather buy something from a local shop that they will back. Cheers for the input, do keep it coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Semi's are great guns for pigeon shooting because of the third shot and clays too as they absorb most of the recoil,but an O/U is a lot easier to clean and is socially acceptable on a formal shoot.If your budget stretches-why not buy one of each perhaps secondhand then you have the best of both worlds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 You could get a second hand Silver pigeon for £850 and it'll keep it's value too. This is what I did after considering Lanber, Lincoln, Bettinsoli etc brand new. The fact they would lose half their value in the first year put me off too! get searching this site and guntrader for a good second hand 686 or 687. There isn't anything better for the money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COACH Posted March 8, 2010 Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 (edited) Auto`s are indeed very safe in the right hands but NOT in the hands of an inexperienced shooter, particularly a first time shooter. I too would go for the fantastic for the price Lanber Sporting Deluxe. Five years warranty very reliable and handles like a £2,000 gun. :unsure: The Beretta 686/7 and such like are even better but you need to know what to look for in a second hand gun or you can get your fingers burnt very badly. Edited March 8, 2010 by COACH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
454697819 Posted March 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2010 Great Stuff thank you coach, A semi wouldn't bother me as I have handled much more serious wepons, but I get the social missfit part, It is very unlikely I will be on a formal shoot ever, Ill probably opt for an Lanber or a Lincoln to start with and progress to an Semi, however that may all change in the shop, I wsnt sure how many shotguns you can have on one certificate. Great advice keep it coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 If you've not already decided I'd like to pitch my tent with the Lanber lovers. I fired 10 carts from one 3 - 4 months ago and immediately decided to get my SGC. A lovely gun to fire - it feels like a gun many times its price tag and will be the first shotty in my cabinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colster Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I wsnt sure how many shotguns you can have on one certificate. Loads! I think after 8 or so, your FEO might want to check your house security (window locks/alarm etc) but I don't think there is any actual law (apart from the one that FEO's are to themselves ) Certainly 3 or 4 is no problem and not at all unusual...shotguns have that effect on people.. one is never enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albertan_J Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I would consider getting a Browning 525 12g multichoke you should pick one up for around £1200 with a Ten year warranty. Just bought one not long great gun for the cash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfa taf Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 For a first gun and for the use intended I would suggest an O/U for all the reasons mentioned by others. New if poss. as second hand may prove tricky unless you know your guns well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
454697819 Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Thanks again all, I think Im set on the O/U I will buy new as I do not know enough about s/h at this time. I now just need to find a local dealer who sell lanber :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam1 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Dont forget to look at Baikal, there's little doubt you'll not get better value for money, a brand new O/U M/C for £500 if you shop around. There may be a few who feel there is a bit of stigma attached to the name, but thats purley snob value as the fact is they should be labbled Tonka, they really are as solid a gun as your money will buy. the newer ones even look that bit prettier than they used too aswell, I would be very suprised if anyone is along to dissagree (although this is the internet ) I personally started out with an Escort and although i have no gripes with it and think they're good value am about to put it up for sale as i just prefer my O/U's. Have a look on the guntrader website to find the best prices around as the prices you quote seem very top end and dont forget to take cash and haggle, most if not all prices have a degree of movement Good luck in whatever you decide Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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