Pirate of Love Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Hi people. I am just starting up pigeon shooting (currently shooting clays). I do not want to use my clay gun (trap gun) in the field and am looking at buying a new one. Which type of gun should I be looking for? Should I be looking for a:- Field gun; Sporter; Semi Auto or Pump? I will be hopefully joining a wildfowling club February of next year, which has access to several farms for the pigeon shooting. (Not so interested in the wildfowling.) I would like to do the traditional decoying plus an early walk around the farms to flush out rabbit, pigeons etc. This said, would an auto / pump be a no no for the walking part as I could not break the gun? As soon as I mention wildfowling people suggest a pump. I was thinking a sporter would be more of an all round gun. Before I spend my hard earned cash, what do you experts think? Also, can you suggest a good make of clothing for a shooting coat / jumpers / trousers etc? Is Rivers West or Jake Pyke any good? Any other suggestions in the hat? Thanks guys and sorry if this has gone on a little. Happy shooting. Regards, POL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Prefer a sxs in 1/4 and improved for pigeon. Easier to open in a hide, get a cheap AYA or similar light game gun for a hundred or so. Fit a sling to keep it out of the mud. For clothing, anything true DPM and not shiny like wax cotton. Army surplus is the best made and cheapest. Best face veil I have found is an anti-mosquito head net from a fishing shop. When you are in the surplus shop, buy a large kit bag. Put a caterers size plastic tub in the bottom - this will whape the bag and stop your deeks etc getting crushed; you then turn it upside-down and have a drab finish seat for your hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Personally i'd go for a semi mate, but everyone has their own preference. A semi would be easier to load whilst in a hide, and as an extra you have one extra shot (unless you get a Section 1 semi). A great gun which would suite all of your needs would be the Wincheste SX3 with the 3.5" chamber. It'll cycle anything you put through it and will come in very handy when wildfowling ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate of Love Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Personally i'd go for a semi mate, but everyone has their own preference. A semi would be easier to load whilst in a hide, and as an extra you have one extra shot (unless you get a Section 1 semi). A great gun which would suite all of your needs would be the Wincheste SX3 with the 3.5" chamber. It'll cycle anything you put through it and will come in very handy when wildfowling ;) Thanks Guys. My only problem, (well the one I will admit to) is I am a lefty. There are not many lefty semi autos out there. (Second hand ones are gold dust) If I used a right handed one, will I be hit in the face with flying carts??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Browning Maxus for me do a search on Gun Trader for semi auto's and you'll find plenty of left hand ones - I saw some yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Thanks Guys. My only problem, (well the one I will admit to) is I am a lefty. There are not many lefty semi autos out there. (Second hand ones are gold dust) If I used a right handed one, will I be hit in the face with flying carts??? Well in that case then, get either a Benelli or a Hatsan (good gun for the money) ;) Edited October 29, 2011 by Simon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I can recommend the Browning Maxus. Really nice gun as an all rounder, mine's the composite version and I've used mine for clays, pigeons, ducks, geese in all conditions, can't fault it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spara Dritto Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 I would get a second hand 28" Beretta silver pigeon for rough/walked up/decoying. This fits the bill perfectly! http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/184780-beretta-686-12-gauge/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Benelli SA is my pigeon gun of choice a left handed one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spara Dritto Posted October 29, 2011 Report Share Posted October 29, 2011 Thanks Guys. My only problem, (well the one I will admit to) is I am a lefty. There are not many lefty semi autos out there. (Second hand ones are gold dust) If I used a right handed one, will I be hit in the face with flying carts??? If you have your heart set on a semi auto like I did in the end, and it's to be knocked around etc, get a new Hatsan Escort 28" left hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Browning Maxus for me do a search on Gun Trader for semi auto's and you'll find plenty of left hand ones - I saw some yesterday i second the browning maxus,a semi is as safe as any other gun and a great all round tool.dont worry bout left or right hand,wont make any difference if it fits..good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Well in that case then, get either a Benelli or a Hatsan (good gun for the money) ;) How can you recommend a benelli and a hatstand in the same sentence?! Chalk/cheese comes to mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 How can you recommend a benelli and a hatstand in the same sentence?! Chalk/cheese comes to mind! As both make's make left hand ejecting semis ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 As both make's make left hand ejecting semis ;) True, but one is made in a factory with horrendous quality control. Benellis work 99.9% of the time. Hatstands are about 30% duff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 True, but one is made in a factory with horrendous quality control. Benellis work 99.9% of the time. Hatstands are about 30% duff. You of course can back up that statement with facts? Not facts such as "well my brothers wifes sisters husbands cousin had a Hatsan....." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 You of course can back up that statement with facts? Not facts such as "well my brothers wifes sisters husbands cousin had a Hatsan....." Yes, I have seen the internals of Hatsans where they have gone terminal due to faulty hardening in the receiver and their pins. I have also been out with people trying to use the things as they constantly jam. It is due to actually seeing the things faults that put me off buying one. To be fair, I was interested in getting one in the first place as a couple of friends swore by them, one for pigeon shooting when it behaved faultlessly, one at clays, which also worked fine. The number of six month old 'hardly used' Hatsans advertised at next to nothing gives the game away too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Yes, I have seen the internals of Hatsans where they have gone terminal due to faulty hardening in the receiver and their pins. I have also been out with people trying to use the things as they constantly jam. It is due to actually seeing the things faults that put me off buying one. To be fair, I was interested in getting one in the first place as a couple of friends swore by them, one for pigeon shooting when it behaved faultlessly, one at clays, which also worked fine. The number of six month old 'hardly used' Hatsans advertised at next to nothing gives the game away too. That equates to 30% does it? Seems to be a problem with the Browning Maxus too. Can you put a figure on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 That equates to 30% does it? Seems to be a problem with the Browning Maxus too. Can you put a figure on that? About 30% of the ones I have seen are duff - what do you want me to do, a customer satisfaction survey where each owner-respondant has to hand over sworn testimony backed up by an expert witness? Apologies if my personal experience and opinion don't match your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laird Lugton Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 About 30% of the ones I have seen are duff - what do you want me to do, a customer satisfaction survey where each owner-respondant has to hand over sworn testimony backed up by an expert witness? Apologies if my personal experience and opinion don't match your own. Apology accepted and a customer satisfaction would be allow you to quote percentages. Good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharf Rat Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Apology accepted and a customer satisfaction would be allow you to quote percentages. Good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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