First ever gun and bits needed.

[borich]

Following the visit from the firearms officer today and that he was happy with everything my certificate should be through in the next 3 weeks and then its time to start hitting the clay's . So time to make a shopping list of what I need so far I have the following:-

at

1) Gun - Budget is 400 as I'm getting married next year and that's the most i'm aloud to spend!. Been looking at John Forsey Guns (Welling) and they have a few guns around the 400 mark. eg.

 

Browning 12 gauge Medalist Over and Under second hand Shotgun (R/H), £395 @ US$613

Licence: Shotgun, Barrel: 30", Stock: 141/2", Chokes: Multi & Multi, Weight: 7lb.8oz.

Chamber: 2"3/4"

Trigger: 1, Ejection: YES,

 

2) Gun slip

3) Boots - Already have good walking boots which will stop me slipping.

4) Fleece Shooting Vest (is this needed at this stage? I presume so for keeping shells in)

5) goggles - already have

6) Ammo

7) ammo safe

8) some lessons on Clay shooting.

9) some decent winter clothing for when this lovely weather ends.

10 Ear defenders

 

 

Many thanks

Edited July 24, 2012 by borich

[EdSolomons]

Dont bother with an ammo safe, use the cash to buy more shells! If you are planning on shooting mainly clays then get a skeet vest as oposed to a fleece vest, which is a bit more gamey.

 

Best of luck!

[borich]

Dont bother with an ammo safe, use the cash to buy more shells! If you are planning on shooting mainly clays then get a skeet vest as oposed to a fleece vest, which is a bit more gamey.

 

Best of luck!

 

I can't wait... I'm 29 but feel like a 9 year old counting down for Father Christmas!

[WelshLamb]

1) Gun - Budget is 400 as I'm getting married next year and that's the most i'm aloud to spend!.

2) Gun slip

3) Boots - Already have good walking boots which will stop me slipping.

4) Fleece Shooting Vest (is this needed at this stage? I presume so for keeping shells in)

5) goggles - already have

6) Ammo

7) ammo safe

8) some lessons on Clay shooting.

9) some decent winter clothing for when this lovely weather ends.

10 Ear defenders

 

Just my 2p worth!!

 

1 - Plenty of guns about for that money . Medallist is the cheaper end of the Browning market, try a few if you can and see which you get on with best. I only paid £325 for my bettinsoli sporter which is also my fox-basher

2 - Vital to have a good gun slip. My 1st one was a cheap one which was waaaay too thin and I dropped the gun by accident one day and it dented the end of the barrel through the slip

3 -

4 - Personally, I dont 'do' shooting vests, but its personal preference. Tomorrow I will be shooting clays in a strappy vest top :yp:

5 - Essential for clay shooting, I use the yellow ones as I find it helps cut glare

6 - Plastic wad shells are generally cheaper. I pay £38 for a slab of 24g 7.5's (dont get too hung up on shell sizes, as long as they go bang theyre all the same IMO!)

7 - Not needed

8 - Definitely needed

9 - I refuse to even THINK about winter at the mo

10 - I just use the cheapo foam earplugs

 

11 - MOST IMPORTANT BIT.... Enjoy yourself!!

[bunnybasha]

Good advice above!!! Only thing is if your planning on shooting regular it might pay u to invest in decent ear defenders, I have the ones moulded to your ears from green leopard, only cost £65 and must be the best money I've spent on shooting! Good luck and have fun.

[Clayduster]

:blink: Quote: 1) Gun - Budget is 400 as I'm getting married next year and that's the most i'm aloud to spend!.

 

Practice subtracting 33.3% off the price of all purchases when confronted.

 

e.g

 

How much was that? (£600) Four Hundred love an absolute bargain

How much was that? (£1200) Eight Hundred love an absolute bargain

 

or

 

I am looking after it while my mate gets the lock on his gun cabinet repaired.

 

or

 

My mate at work gave up shooting and let me have it for that old motorbike of mine plus One hundred and fifty quid do you fancy going to our favorite indian for dinner on Saturday.

 

If using the last one make sure that you don't run out of motorbikes

[Robkat]

I must keep practising the advice in the last post. Or, I could keep the gun at the shooting club that way she will never know.

[walshie]

Following the visit from the firearms officer today and that he was happy with everything my certificate should be through in the next 3 weeks and then its time to start hitting the clay's . So time to make a shopping list of what I need so far I have the following:-

at

1) Gun - Budget is 400 as I'm getting married next year and that's the most i'm aloud to spend!. Been looking at John Forsey Guns (Welling) and they have a few guns around the 400 mark. eg.

 

Browning 12 gauge Medalist Over and Under second hand Shotgun (R/H), £395 @ US$613

Licence: Shotgun, Barrel: 30", Stock: 141/2", Chokes: Multi & Multi, Weight: 7lb.8oz.

Chamber: 2"3/4"

Trigger: 1, Ejection: YES,

 

2) Gun slip

3) Boots - Already have good walking boots which will stop me slipping.

4) Fleece Shooting Vest (is this needed at this stage? I presume so for keeping shells in)

5) goggles - already have

6) Ammo

7) ammo safe

8) some lessons on Clay shooting.

9) some decent winter clothing for when this lovely weather ends.

10 Ear defenders

 

 

Many thanks

 

Yet another opinion for what it's worth.

 

1: Go for a gun that is a good fit. Too long or short in the stock and you won't shoot to your best ability.

2: Get a good gun slip or you'll be buying another in a few months.

3: Yes, wear boots.

4: Personally I don't like shooting vests. If I haven't got a jacket with pockets I use a cartridge belt.

5: Shooting glasses are very important when shooting clays.

6: Plastic wads ARE cheaper, but some clay grounds only allow fibre wads.

7: No need for an ammo safe IMO, and if you do get one it will have to be huge as shotgun shells are very bulky.

8: Spend the money saved above on lessons.

9: Yes, wear clothes.

10: Depends on you, but I can't stand those in-ear ones. I prefer over the ear ones.

 

11: ENJOY!

Edited July 24, 2012 by walshie

[MITCHF]

Good luck mate, welcome to the addiction.

I've had three Browning medalist's over the years and they are a great gun, reliable and hold the value. imo.

 

If your getting married you need to buy a good quality fleece lined sun slip, the kind that looks like it's got a gun in even when it hasn't. That way you can leave the house with an empty slip (gun still in cabinet) she just thinks your off shooting.

Then you come back with another new gun in the slip, she's oblivious and you can quietly fill your cabinet

Warning, this method doesn't work with joint bank accounts

[fenboy]

Some good advice , but one thing thats very important but has not been mentioned GET INSURED, hopefully you will never need it but god forbid if you do and dont have any.

[Alpha Mule]

My 2p:

Ear defenders - decent ones! Once your ears are damaged they will not repair themselves and tinnitus is a biatch!

 

As for the rest, pah, spend as much as you can get away with and enjoy yourself.

[s.wray]

what ever you do don't by the Sarasketa he has as it was my old gun and had nothing but trouble with it give us a shout when your ready as john is an old family friend and should be able to get you a good deal. were will you be going shooting

 

stuart

Edited July 24, 2012 by s.wray

[borich]

I phoned Andy at Hawley clay pigeon shoot and 50 shot lesson with instructor gun comes to 45 pounds.

[miroku_fan]

Do not forget to purchase a decent cleaning kit to keep your gun in tip top condition and protect your investment.

[BerettaSV10]

Following the visit from the firearms officer today and that he was happy with everything my certificate should be through in the next 3 weeks and then its time to start hitting the clay's . So time to make a shopping list of what I need so far I have the following:-

at

1) Gun - Budget is 400 as I'm getting married next year and that's the most i'm aloud to spend!. Been looking at John Forsey Guns (Welling) and they have a few guns around the 400 mark. eg.

2) Gun slip

3) Boots - Already have good walking boots which will stop me slipping.

4) Fleece Shooting Vest (is this needed at this stage? I presume so for keeping shells in)

5) goggles - already have

6) Ammo

7) ammo safe

8) some lessons on Clay shooting.

9) some decent winter clothing for when this lovely weather ends.

10 Ear defenders

 

 

Many thanks

 

For me

 

1. what ever you get, check its fits.

2. def get one thats decent and has a protection pad on the end for the barrels

3. n/a as you already have them.

4. skeet jackets are handy as they multiple deep pockets, winter fleece picked mine up for under £30, though a decent coat will cost a lot.

5. n/a as you already have.

6. cartridges check any ground restrictions on plastic / fibre, try several brands to see what you like. Then buy by the 1000 as cheaper.

7. not required for shot gun cartridges, just have them out of the way, locked cupboard is a bonus.

8. Lessons are helpful,to sort out any problems in particular targets.

9. Stsrt saving this can cost a arm and leg, or look out for genuine sale bargins (not the fake rubbish) or try ex army supply stores.

10. A must depending on your preferance, but would say custom in ear moulded ones, I use the electronic ear defenders, though with these you can get defender knock (where you catch the defender with the stock of the gun.

 

11. a cleaning kit and gun / stock oils, a gmk cleaning matt at around £20 saves getting oil and dirt everyware.

[dunnoh]

I've just started and bought a Medallist off a chap on here. I cant fault it really. In fact I love it a little bit!. I bought some cheap glasses from Arco (£2.99! - they fit great) a Musto skeet vest for £50 (worth every penny, really nice quality), Howard Leigh Ear defenders and a block of 6 lessons from Worsley. Its great.

[BerettaSV10]

Also a hat of some kind can be usefull to protect your head from flying bits of broken clays.

[bighit1985]

Following the visit from the firearms officer today and that he was happy with everything my certificate should be through in the next 3 weeks and then its time to start hitting the clay's . So time to make a shopping list of what I need so far I have the following:- As for the 3 weeks, you will be lucky, as I still believe they are behind and my license took 5 months to come through, applied in October/November last year got it end of Feb/March this year.

at

1)

Im my opinion get the best gun you can afford is important, but also go with your gut, when you pick a gun up and you just know whether its for you or not.

2) Gun slip, yes very important, one with a good fleece lining helps keep the mositure off the gun before you get home to clean it.

3) Covered

4) Fleece Shooting Vest, I have a Napier fleece jacket which has removable sleeves for when it get hots, but good in a sudden shower.

5) goggles - already have

6) Ammo, good place to get them from is Countryways out at West Malling, good deals on 1000s

7) ammo safe, definately not needed, dont need it for the law, unless you have kids or animals to worry about I wouldnt bother.

8) some lessons on Clay shooting., Andy has some good guys at Hawley to get you on the right track!

9) some decent winter clothing for when this lovely weather ends, Good jacket and trousers you can pick up from Sportsman Gun centre mail order or go Ebay

10 Ear defenders, I use the Sonic ear defenders, but everyone is different, some people cant get on with the electronic/large ear defenders.

Any help you need give me a shout Im not an expect but I'll be happy to give you a hand.

 

 

Many thanks

 

 

I phoned Andy at Hawley clay pigeon shoot and 50 shot lesson with instructor gun comes to 45 pounds.

He also does 25 clays for £25, but once they are happy your safe they will allow you to go out and practise on your own, I found getting the basics and then going out and just by trial and error find my own way of identifing the clays and how to shoot them.

Im going there this Sunday 29th If you fancy meeting up.

Edited July 25, 2012 by bighit1985

[Robl]

I’m new to the sport myself, me and the wife are starting together.

But, I think I have a little to offer.

 

For ear defenders I bought us both a pair of electronic ear defenders.

They cost about £30 each and they make shooting so much nicer.

I can hear what the instructor is saying, what the wife is saying and there’s no hassle with lifting them up all the time.

I even leave them on while walking between stands and it means I don’t get deafened as I walk close to people shooting.

 

I’m sure a vest is sensible on the long run.

But, for now I just use an old shoulder bag to keep my shells in.

As I walk between stands I transfer a handful to the pocket of my fleece or shorts.

So long as there’s at least 6 in my pocket I can shoot the stand, then move on.

At this stage I’d rather throw the extra cash at a gun or ear defenders.

 

Consider getting the wife a shotgun cert.

Then she will be able to legally have access to your gun.

Useful if you ever need her to collect it/drop it off for you – and if she wants to join you shooting one day.

 

Footwear is probably defined by where you shoot and the condition of the paths and stands. Last night I saw ladies waling round the stands in open toe sandals, they still scored more than me.

[borich]

Thanks for all the replies. Its going to be a long three weeks until my certificate comes!

[b16jus]

Its worth the wait though lol i remember going to buy my first gun i was like a kid in a sweet shop ha

[ChrisAsh]

I've just started and bought a Medallist off a chap on here. I cant fault it really. In fact I love it a little bit!. I bought some cheap glasses from Arco (£2.99! - they fit great) a Musto skeet vest for £50 (worth every penny, really nice quality), Howard Leigh Ear defenders and a block of 6 lessons from Worsley. Its great.

Could I suggest you spread the 6 lessons out a bit so you can practice on your own between lessons, I think you will gain a lot more from the lessons that way, bit like learing maths at school, learn something new, then practice on your own untill ready for the next step

[klonkadik]

I was in the same position as you a few months ago, I joined my local club and borrowed their guns for a few months to start with to get a feel for what suited me and ended up buying an Armsan Sporting as my first gun, it's only slightly over your budget for a brand new one but so much more fun to use than an O/U and I find I hit far more with it than any other gun I've used.

This is the gun I bought; http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/armsan_a612s/

Edited August 4, 2012 by klonkadik