Davej Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Having never owned a semi but read a few reviews on semi's is thier any advantage using one for clays, I'm quite happy with the ones I have but theirs always room for more, Hoping to get down clay ground today have rang the shop on site he has a couple of s/h ones I can try Remi and a Escort but he said the escort was more of a game gun not sure why,they don't allow you to try a new gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) Less recoil, than an O/U, can't think of much else. If you think chokes make a difference, you will loose the flexibilty only having one barrel to chosse from . . O yeah you can fire 3 shots at hard clays (and get walked out of most clubs for doing it ) Edited May 5, 2006 by stuartp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Less recoil, than an O/U, can't think of much else.If you think chokes make a difference, you will loose the flexibilty only having one barrel to chosse from . . O yeah you can fire 3 shots at hard clays (and get walked out of most clubs for doing it ) Cheers Stuartp i thought as much but still fancy a go with one our ground only allow you to load up with 2 carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Get a Beretta AL391 synthetic from Essex Gun in Romford. Top gun and top people to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) I do like Beretta to quality guns, Have you got one or used one and Do they have a web ady. Cheers Dave Edited May 5, 2006 by Davej Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Do they have a web ady. Cheers Dave http://www.gmk.co.uk/ Less recoil, than an O/U, can't think of much else. If you think chokes make a difference, you will loose the flexibilty only having one barrel to chosse from . . O yeah you can fire 3 shots at hard clays (and get walked out of most clubs for doing it ) Cheers Stuartp i thought as much but still fancy a go with one our ground only allow you to load up with 2 carts. I know this sounds really daft, but.... Another minor disadvantage using a semi for clays. More and more grounds are insisting you clear up your used cartridges, and with a semi (Hatsans in particular) the spent cartridges fly about 10 feet out to the right somewhere, so you may find yourself on your hands and knees looking for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Do they have a web ady. Cheers Dave http://www.gmk.co.uk/ Less recoil, than an O/U, can't think of much else. If you think chokes make a difference, you will loose the flexibilty only having one barrel to chosse from . . O yeah you can fire 3 shots at hard clays (and get walked out of most clubs for doing it ) Cheers Stuartp i thought as much but still fancy a go with one our ground only allow you to load up with 2 carts. I know this sounds really daft, but.... Another minor disadvantage using a semi for clays. More and more grounds are insisting you clear up your used cartridges, and with a semi (Hatsans in particular) the spent cartridges fly about 10 feet out to the right somewhere, so you may find yourself on your hands and knees looking for them A very good point and thaks for the ady Sore knees But still going to have a go at 2pm today booked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) . Edited September 3, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Unless you have a problem with recoil, I would stick to the o/u for clays. I love my semi for pigeons from the hide, but at a clay ground, you are constantly picking up, and either need an indicator to prove the chamber empty or slip the gun inbetween stands, both are a minor hassle. I have found that most clays at most sporting grounds can be tackled well with 1/4 & 1/2 choke. I usually have 1/4 in the semi. I now keep a telescopic magnetic pick up thingy in my clay vest pocket. I bought it off the market for £1. It will pick up 4 or so spent cartridges, which are removed by briskly tapping the end on the edge of the bin provided. Hence no more bending down. I must get another for pigeon shooting! webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytie Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Our club has just made a magnetic collecor for shells, along the lines of the one on the link below. http://www.shop.edirectory.co.uk/presentfi...1306&afid=88888 Saves your back! Ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 All you need is for Ive to make an adaptor to fit that on the right hand side of your auto and you could catch them in mid air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertie Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Having never owned a semi but read a few reviews on semi's is thier any advantage using one for clays, I'm quite happy with the ones I have but theirs always room for more, Hoping to get down clay ground today have rang the shop on site he has a couple of s/h ones I can try Remi and a Escort but he said the escort was more of a game gun not sure why,they don't allow you to try a new gun. Reason escort is no good most of them wont cycle 24g carts. I know for sure a beretta AL391 will as will a benneli. Unsure about any of others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) The escort will cycle 24G cartridges but as most of the cheaper guns they need more time to bed in. By firing a few hundred 28 - 32g cartridges they will free up. Thye probably mean a game one as it has a synthetic stock. But don't let that put you off, if it works then buy it, if it doesn't then leave it alone. Cheers Martin Edited May 5, 2006 by martincavie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 (edited) for clays there isnt really any gun which is better than any other, the best gun is one you shoot well with (which is normally one which fits well) as it happens i dont like a semi for clays, i find the barrel gets very hot and its easy to forget and get a nasty supprise. I have also found myself shooting alot of 50bird flushes recently as this is being offered at a local clay ground for the same price as 50sporting. A semi auto is seriously hot after this, where as a O/U is just hot. Edited May 5, 2006 by dunganick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 A semi should not be used on clays, they are only for folk like Highlander who miss woodies with the first two tubes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Thanks for all the replies, I Have had ago with the escort this afternoon Indeed it did jam I had to take it to have it cleared so thats out of the window the remi 1100 felt nice but does not shoulder as nice as my silver pigeon, the carts do eject fast but not a prolem as the ground are all in cages, none rebounded onto myself. I think the conclusion though is the auto is not for me, Thanks again for all the replies Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc M Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I also own a Silver Pigeon, infact it was my first shotgun which I have used pretty much for eveything. Oh how I love that gun! Over the last few months however my collection has grown considerably, more to with with "want" than "need" and last week saw me buy myself a Franchi Raptor semi auto. Never mind the dog with two *****, I must have at least five by now! The Franchi is superb and I can't wait to secure some rough shooting at the pigeon as a real test of it's mettle. Now then, I took it to my local clay shoot on Sunday and although I totally blanked the first 4 stands (22 clays!!!) which I can only put down to the "bedding" in period with a new gun, finding out how it shoots, and also me being a **** shot, I proceeded to hit 19 from the remaining 28, which wasn't bad at all for me! I also have a side by side twin trigger gun, as well as a Mossberg 500 pump action, and have used them all at the clay ground from time to time (some were better received than others) and ultimately came to the following conclusion... Booger what anyone else thinks, if you're happy shooting with whatever it is you choose to shoot with, or if it puts a bloody great smile on your face doing it, then balls to it, get on and shoot. I do it cos I love it, the "ear to ear" grin comes naturally with me, and I couldn't give two hoots whether some "more learned" person told me using a semi would hinder my scores/ cause him offence/ go against local clay by laws.... Shoot and enjoy your shooting, worry about the rest later Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Roberts Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 I also own a Silver Pigeon, infact it was my first shotgun which I have used pretty much for eveything. Oh how I love that gun! Over the last few months however my collection has grown considerably, more to with with "want" than "need" and last week saw me buy myself a Franchi Raptor semi auto. Never mind the dog with two *****, I must have at least five by now! The Franchi is superb and I can't wait to secure some rough shooting at the pigeon as a real test of it's mettle. Now then, I took it to my local clay shoot on Sunday and although I totally blanked the first 4 stands (22 clays!!!) which I can only put down to the "bedding" in period with a new gun, finding out how it shoots, and also me being a **** shot, I proceeded to hit 19 from the remaining 28, which wasn't bad at all for me! I also have a side by side twin trigger gun, as well as a Mossberg 500 pump action, and have used them all at the clay ground from time to time (some were better received than others) and ultimately came to the following conclusion... Booger what anyone else thinks, if you're happy shooting with whatever it is you choose to shoot with, or if it puts a bloody great smile on your face doing it, then balls to it, get on and shoot. I do it cos I love it, the "ear to ear" grin comes naturally with me, and I couldn't give two hoots whether some "more learned" person told me using a semi would hinder my scores/ cause him offence/ go against local clay by laws.... Shoot and enjoy your shooting, worry about the rest later Marc Well said that man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 I couldnt agree more with what Marc M said. I shoot an auto for 3 reasons. Firstly, I like to have the third shot on real quarry, second, I have always shot better wth autos for some reason. Third, my AL391 is the nicest gun I have ever owned, and I find it the most FUN to use. I often watch people getting far, far to serious about clay shooting, and not enjoying themselves. I ALWAYS shoot much better when I am relaxed and having a great time. After all, isnt that what it is all about? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moeggesit Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 All you need is for Ive to make an adaptor to fit that on the right hand side of your auto and you could catch them in mid air These are available for some guns but totally unpractical for anything other than a mounted machinegun because of their size. They are also in the way when loading. Personaly I find far more disatvantages shooting a semi over other guns. If not on the range, then you might wonder why you chose the semi when it is time for cleaning. Still use them sometimes though. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davej Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 I also own a Silver Pigeon, infact it was my first shotgun which I have used pretty much for eveything. Oh how I love that gun! Over the last few months however my collection has grown considerably, more to with with "want" than "need" and last week saw me buy myself a Franchi Raptor semi auto. Never mind the dog with two *****, I must have at least five by now! The Franchi is superb and I can't wait to secure some rough shooting at the pigeon as a real test of it's mettle. Now then, I took it to my local clay shoot on Sunday and although I totally blanked the first 4 stands (22 clays!!!) which I can only put down to the "bedding" in period with a new gun, finding out how it shoots, and also me being a **** shot, I proceeded to hit 19 from the remaining 28, which wasn't bad at all for me! I also have a side by side twin trigger gun, as well as a Mossberg 500 pump action, and have used them all at the clay ground from time to time (some were better received than others) and ultimately came to the following conclusion... Booger what anyone else thinks, if you're happy shooting with whatever it is you choose to shoot with, or if it puts a bloody great smile on your face doing it, then balls to it, get on and shoot. I do it cos I love it, the "ear to ear" grin comes naturally with me, and I couldn't give two hoots whether some "more learned" person told me using a semi would hinder my scores/ cause him offence/ go against local clay by laws.... Shoot and enjoy your shooting, worry about the rest later Marc I think this is a great attitude to have I am still not sure of the semi auto but one thing is for sure lots of good advice from you lot cheers to all, I am sure this thread will be useful to other shooters looking at semi autos. If their are any other semi's worth mentioning bring em on lets here about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antuk99 Posted May 13, 2006 Report Share Posted May 13, 2006 I recall Barretta has a auto that also breaks not seen or heard of 1 yet though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poacher Posted May 13, 2006 Report Share Posted May 13, 2006 antuk99 the semi auto beretta that breaks open is the UGB25 Xcel, its certainly different,, i quite like the idea of it although their not available here at the moment check it out http://www.ugb25xcel.com/ looks good me thinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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