alidavez Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi guys, Im experiencing a bit of indecision about what to purchase as my first gun. Ive been shooting for quite a few years now but due to moving about the country it hasnt been sinsible for me to own a gun. Now that im a little bit more settled ive applied and received my SGC and am looking to buy a gun. Ive spoken to a few folk who have largely recommended a second-hand Beretta or Browning as a good starting point with my budget (approx £800). I popped into my local shooting shop to see what was there and the chap was showing me a basically brand new Betinsoli diamond line m/c 12g which I have to say looked very nice priced at £550. I was hoping that you would be able to give your opinion of whether I should go for the cheaper Betinsoli (and possibly upgrade after a few years) or stick with finding a Beretta or Browning? In terms of resale value, will the Betinsoli hold what ive paid for it over the next few years? Thank you in advance Ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 If you're considering resale value then avoid the Bettinsoli.Either Browning or Beretta are much more desirable guns. Have you considered a Lanber Sporting deluxe?Very good guns for the money,and if you can't afford a more expensive Browning or beretta,the Lanber is still a better choice than the Bettinsoli in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Myself if you can find a clean s/h Browning or Beretta for £800 that would be the shotgun to go for (BUT MAKE SURE IT FITS YOU) you will shoot a £500 Lanber better than a £10,000 Browning if it fits you. Edited November 9, 2011 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAL S Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 i agree totaly fit first and formost price and looks second. but what as been said i agree with the browning or berretta will have better resale value Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I would go for a good second hand browning sporter multi choke ,you will then have a gun for all seasons . Gun fit is not that important initially as any gun can be made to fit you for not to much money . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alidavez Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Im average build and average height so initial fit shouldn't be too much of an issue providing the gun hasn't been altered at all. Have to say am leaning toward the Beretta/Browning option considering the gun holding it's value. Will keep my ear to the ground and hope something comes up soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P~MX Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 get yourself a good Browning, Beretta semi auto for around £500 - £800 and you'll never look for another gun, there are always a few for sale here on PW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Fit first fit second then price and looks I would not buy a betensoli I have used 2 both suffered double discharge problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 For £800 you will get a well used Browning or Beretta with fixed choke's, they have devalued quite a lot from their new price and you could well be looking at repairs Get a new Betinsolli or lamber range and you spend about £800 and get a new gun with three year guarantee, multi choke, chrome barrels and be worth say £5-600 in three years time if you feel the need to change Betinsolli are Italian given great write ups by shooting mags and also make parts for Beretta Bit like cars is say a Kia or other Korean car better than a Ford, go back ten years and a big difference with Ford the easy leader, nowadays both built by CNC and robots to same specs so marketing budget dictates perceived value not actual goods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning 425 clay hunter Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hi there alidavez, I have just bought my first shotgun and had same budget as you. Everyone I spoke to said once you get to the £700/£800 price range your in a different class to say £500/700 area. Firstly alot better gun like a beretta or browning second hand. Like everyone says gun fit first and I disagree with the comment on here about a fixed choke. Get a multi choke that way your adaptable to every situation not stuck with one setup. There's an amazing choice out there but beware there are browning fans who only recomend brownings and beretta fans who only recommend berettas. I found a lovely browning 425 that felt tight as a drum and I went looking at a beretta originally. You will know when your holding THE ONE for u. Plus the shop said if I trade it in there they will give me what I paid for it where as I wouldn't get that with a cheaper one. I was looking at a browning medalist at first (not a browning I know) so glad I spent that extra bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) For £800 you will get a well used Browning or Beretta with fixed choke's, they have devalued quite a lot from their new price and you could well be looking at repairs Get a new Betinsolli or lamber range and you spend about £800 and get a new gun with three year guarantee, multi choke, chrome barrels and be worth say £5-600 in three years time if you feel the need to change Betinsolli are Italian given great write ups by shooting mags and also make parts for Beretta Bettinsoli look lovely but have read of many issue from owners the car analogy is a poor one Beretta/Browning/Miroku are well made will outlast most owners and if need repairs parts easily obtained and fitted For the record a friend of mine got a Beretta multichoke 686 28" adjustable comb in good condition for £825 from an RFD so they are out there! My cased mint 525 LH sporter was under £1k a couple of years old and have seen GTi's for similar money http://www.guntrader.co.uk/mobile/gunDetail.php?NewGunID=110217201241010&skipNo=30&perPage=60&Filter%5BNewType%5D%5B%5D=Shotgun&Filter%5BNewMechanism%5D%5B%5D=Over+and+Under&Filter%5BCalibre%5D%5B%5D=12+gauge&Filter%5BMake%5D%5B%5D=Browning&sortField=poa&sortOrder=asc Edited November 9, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 An imteresting side note- when was the last te you read a bad gun review? You won't, because the mags don't want to lose the advertising money. Complete waste of time and print! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agjm Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I would expect that in the modern age of cnc milling quality would be similar across the board, however, the only bettinsoli I have come across had double discharge problems (4-5 every 100 shots). A second hand beretta, browning or miroku will be a better gun and a better investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Been there done it got the t shirt owned Rizzeni Parker hale Lamber all fell to bits in the end not one lasted over 5 years purchased 2 Berettas one has had 140,000 shots no problem the other is only on 76000 still no problems Deershooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackinbox99 Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Whilst buying your first shotgun is very exciting make sure you dont rush into it! Take your time, checkout a few guns, read as much up on them as you can. Read magazine reviews, read owners opinions so when you finally buy one you know its a decent gun. Definately buy second hand. New guns loose value, but a decent 2nd hand one will hold its value well, so if you want to change it in 6 or 12 months you wont loose much. Bigger names like the beretta, browning etc... hold their value very well, but will cost you more to buy. They are popular for a reason, they are very reliable good solid guns. Thats not to say some of the cheaper ones also arnt good. My first shotgun was a 100quid o/u baikel and I had loads of use out of it before saving up enough to make the jump to a beretta al391. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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