robbobsam Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 Hiya Guys, I have just received my coterminous shotgun/FAC license and I think I have deceided on the rabbiting gun I am going to get and now I need to make a decision about the pigeon decoying gun. If I was just going to use it for decoying I would certainly opt for an auto, however I expect i will also be going to Kibworth and do a bit of clay shooting as well so I am being pulled towards an over and under instead. Eitehr way my choice will be a synthetic model as I dont want to have to worry about scratching the gun, it will be a tool and not an ornament, so can you give me your opinions please on the best gun for me. The guns I have been looking at as below. Browning Synthetic Over and Under Hatsan Escort Over and Under Hatsan Escort Auto Baretta Urika Please post your opinions, I am a noobie and will welcome all advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 Beretta without a shadow of a doubt Synthetic O/Us just don't look right to me, apart from the browning maybe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 ^ Also I'd go second hand for a pigeon gun, even the synthetic will get scratched. I've got a hatsan escort for this reason but I'd rather a second hand Beretta I'f I had the choice again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbobsam Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 ^ Also I'd go second hand for a pigeon gun, even the synthetic will get scratched. I've got a hatsan escort for this reason but I'd rather a second hand Beretta I'f I had the choice again Do the synthetics scratch then, how did you manage that, barbed wire? I thought the whole idea of synthetic was to make them a little more rugged and robust and scratch resistant than wood. Have you used the baretta? what majkes them so good. If the synthetics scratch easily would I just be better off having a cheap wooden gun instead? Also, do you think I should go auto or o/u if I intend to do a bit of clay shooting as well as decoying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbickerd Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 You'd have to go some to scratch a synthetic stock in my experience. Whereas, I nicked the stock on my Miroku O/U just getting it out of the cabinet. VERY ANNOYING!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 You would do well to buy your self a good over and under multi choke gun .This will allow you to shoot both field and clays . You will only need one gun to be able to shoot just about anything and not a gun dedicated to shoot rabbits and another one to shoot pigeons . God , that picture of the hatson over and under looks like a gun you would find in a lucky bag . Proberbly the uglyiest gun I have ever seen . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbobsam Posted April 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 You would do well to buy your self a good over and under multi choke gun .This will allow you to shoot both field and clays . You will only need one gun to be able to shoot just about anything and not a gun dedicated to shoot rabbits and another one to shoot pigeons . God , that picture of the hatson over and under looks like a gun you would find in a lucky bag . Proberbly the uglyiest gun I have ever seen . Harnser . Can you recommend a make and model, I would prefer a synthetic one as it will be out in all weathers and its gonna be a tool and not an ornament. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobyb525 Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 A synthetic is a lot harder to scratch and with the advantage that 5 mins with a bit of wet and dry paper and the scratch is gone. With my browning 525 (wood stock) its got tiny little marks here and there and that's just from getting it in and out of the slip. But a synthetic will scratch, it just takes a bit more doing such as barbed wire etc. The chances are it will still look new a few years down the line. Beretta are known for their great build quality while hatsan....are not. But to be honest after about 300 cartridges through mine and a good strip and clean it never seems to jam now IMO Hatsan escort is a tool rather than a thing of beauty, but they get the job done at a good price If your shooting clays as well I'd still go for the Beretta or a nice (wooden stock) O/U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slug Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 (edited) Where's the Benelli's on your wish list ?.. The M2 in particular is an awesome gun Bad Points..Not many apart from the cost, and perhaps the look isn't to every ones taste, sometimes they won't cycle very light loads Good Points..Light, no gas parts, all inertia so no jams and little cleaning, Comfortec ones no noticeable recoil problems on the shoulder, easy to put a longer mag tube on if you wish, plenty of after-market bling.. Edited April 5, 2010 by Slug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 If you have an FAC why not an FAC semi 12B for pigeon and O/U for clays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 Can you recommend a make and model, I would prefer a synthetic one as it will be out in all weathers and its gonna be a tool and not an ornament. Robbosam, Its all about money when choosing a gun . A good starter gun would be a Lanber over and under , a betinsoli over and under . Both of these guns you would be able to buy for about 500 Jim second hand . I f you have more money to spend ,say a 1000 quid to 1500 quid then go for a second hand beretta or a browning . Just look at the guns for sale on this forum ,it will give you a good idea . Harnser , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stretch Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 I'm too inexperienced to answer your question but my god that browning looks stunning. Never seen one before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC45 Posted April 5, 2010 Report Share Posted April 5, 2010 DT10.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackinbox99 Posted April 6, 2010 Report Share Posted April 6, 2010 Vote for the Beretta 391 from me. I use mine for clays as well as in the field and love it. Only had 2 cartridges not cycle properly in about 6 or 7 years of use and thousands of cartridges through it. Ive never had any funny looks or comments from using it on the clay ground, only disadvantage over a non-ejecting gun is that you have to pick the cartridges up. But, whilst having a sbs, a pump and a o/u in my cabinet, i still find myself reaching for the beretta 391 each time. And, looking at the 2nd hand prices, my Beretta is still worth nearly what I paid for it all those years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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