finreid Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Thinking about getting a semi auto this summer, hopefully pick up at bargain at one of the fairs! was just wondering what you guys reckon on the capacity side of things. To me, the pros of a 5 shot are obviously having more shots at the ready, which is very handy when shooting, but im concerned, as i do more missing than hitting, that i will just get through shells faster with a 5shot! what do you guys reckon? just want to hear if people think 3 shot is sufficent. I'm more swayed towards a 3 shot, but am keen to find out what people think of having 5 shots I know a 5 shot has to go on my FAC before anyone says that, but i have to put in for a .17hmr anyway cheers guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Can't see the need or point of a 5 shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant hit rabbits 123 Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 (edited) If you are able to have an FAC rated shotgun, why not have an 8 shot, or more? It seems a little more worth while than just two more shots That aside, what would you put down as your good reason out of interest? If you only want it for pest control but have no evidence, ie, a note from a farmer saying you do indeed need it then you probably wont get it. In which case a three shot is the only option. Edited June 4, 2012 by cant hit rabbits 123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 If your shooting vermin most of them will be out of range once you have done 2, let alone 5 shots. You will get chances to use all 3 but much less frequently than 1s and 2s. If you get a 5 you will most likely end up blasting shells at retreating, out of range pigeons wasting shells and pricking birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 you will not be welcome on the marsh with a 5 shot. also if you cant kill more than three in the air at one time there is no point. 3 shot semi autos are realy easy to keep filled you just keep stuffing ones and twos into the mag beween bursts of action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Before 5 shot autos were banned all autos were 5 shot. I don't remember anyone in those days complaining and wishing their gun only held 3 shots. Just remember though that there are restrictions on what quarry species you can shoot with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finreid Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 it will only be for pigeon and crow decoying. I'm probably going to go for a 3 shot, just wondered if i was making the right decision, which by the sounds of things i am! cheers chaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 (edited) A friend of mine has a winchester 9 shot semi...complete waste of time in my opinion...id imagine 5 to be more than enough.... :good: Edited June 5, 2012 by smig4373 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I've got a 9 shot. I bought the gun originally just because I wanted an unmolested version of my shotgun, it came with the tube extension already attached, so I took it off. I then discovered that it weighs about 100 grams as it's only made out of hard plastic so I put it back on. I've never filled it to the brim and used all the shots in succession, but it does give me the nice advantage of never having to even think about when to reload when in the pigeon hide, I just chuck some cartridges up the spout when I have the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smig4373 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I've got a 9 shot. I bought the gun originally just because I wanted an unmolested version of my shotgun, it came with the tube extension already attached, so I took it off. I then discovered that it weighs about 100 grams as it's only made out of hard plastic so I put it back on. I've never filled it to the brim and used all the shots in succession, but it does give me the nice advantage of never having to even think about when to reload when in the pigeon hide, I just chuck some cartridges up the spout when I have the opportunity. There is that advantage i suppose...Not for me tho...Im a bit of Side by side fan...Not a big fan of semi's anyway.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 My Remington SP 11-87 was an 8 shot plus one up the spout.It was a gorgeous gun and the bees knees in a hide,but the weight was very soon noticeable if carrying it around,so eventually got rid.Never once emptied a full mag',but often do with my SGC autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 My reasoning was that I can always put three shells in an 8 shot but not the other way around. So I put in for a FAC one. It's good fun having the option of more shots. Nice doing 4 pairs of clays without refilling the gun. I just put in for one when doing another variation and it went through no bother. I can use mine for shooting vermin and clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 (edited) For pigeons I wouldn't bother with anything more than a three shot. I love using the semi and rarely use the third shot to be honest, the advantage of the semi in the hide is the ease of reloading for me. And being it just holds three shots, every time I shoot even a single I reload, and it's easy to remember how many rounds you still have even on a busy day. Edited June 5, 2012 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 My reasoning was that I can always put three shells in an 8 shot but not the other way around. So I put in for a FAC one. It's good fun having the option of more shots. Nice doing 4 pairs of clays without refilling the gun. I just put in for one when doing another variation and it went through no bother. I can use mine for shooting vermin and clays. What clay ground lets you load up 8 shells? I thought 2 was the max allowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter.123 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 It is!! I don't no any clay grounds that allow that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 (edited) What clay ground lets you load up 8 shells? I thought 2 was the max allowed. Again, making a 8 shot into a 5 shot (or even going as far as installing a plug making it a 1+2) is easy, requires no tools and takes less than 5 minutes, I've taken my 8+1 clay shooting, but making it look like a regular shotgun by just taking the tube off. (Which is not strictly legal, I think think, I'll have to check my FAC conditions on it) Edited June 5, 2012 by Bleeh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Before 5 shot autos were banned all autos were 5 shot. I don't remember anyone in those days complaining and wishing their gun only held 3 shots. Just remember though that there are restrictions on what quarry species you can shoot with it. good advice, remember, no game birds or waterfoul with a sec 1 shotty. I've had 2 in the past and i've had plenty of opportunities to use the whole mag on bolting rabbits in the hay meadows, crows and rooks going mad and turning the sky black when lifting off a field, get one if you want one, don't be swayed by other peoples opinions, check out the facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 It is!! I don't no any clay grounds that allow that!!! doesn't have to be a clay ground, what about haybalers? used mine all the time at my local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 One thing to consider is safty and it's easier to unload quickly and to remember how many you have in a 3 shot. But its no biggie I guess I've never found more than three is worth shooting at pigeons or crows as they are out of range by then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Handy this time of year with cubs about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 If a shotgun is on your FAC it's going to be a darn sight harder to buy and sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finreid Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 3 shot it is then! now just need to find one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Uhhh, Don't really see your problem... If you can get a 5shot you can use is as a 3shot, 2shot, single shot....LOL I use a 3shot, but wouldn't mind having the 2 extra carts though... Not legal over here, so not really an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sja90 Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 I have exactly the same dilemma at the moment, so interesting to read this post. My only concern about getting a 5 shot will be that I am restricted on where I use it, as I imagine that unless you have an open FAC, you will not have the freedom that you have with a 3 shot to use it wherever you wish, without the land necessarily being signed off? If this is the case I am not sure it is really worth the trouble of going for the 5 shot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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