JE_GT Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hi everyone, My name is John and I'm 23 from Wiltshire. This is the first shooting forum I have joined and I am looking for some advice/recommendations as to what Shotgun to purchase as my first gun. I currently have to use one of my dads guns when we go shooting as I don't yet have a shotgun certificate but I have finally got round to sending my application off this week. I am 5ft 8", so a shorter barrel length 28" and below would be prefferred as I have tiny arms (haha) and find the longer/heavier guns uncomfortable to hold for an extended period of time. I would like an O/U or Semi-Auto 12bore (recoil doesn't bother me) and not really costing any more than £500 either new/used. I'm just really after some advice on what brands & models to choose, and ones to avoid! Thanks very much John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hello and welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hi John. Welcome to PW. Enjoy your stay. A good O/U shotgun is a Lanber. This is a very good quality make of shotgun,and if looked after, will last you many years. I bought a new one 19 years ago, and it's still going strong,despite the hammering and abuse I throw at it. Second hand ones are available, and should be in your price range. I suggest you visit a few RFD's if they are near to you, or try other people's shotguns, to see if you like the balance etc. Good luck with your application and choice of gun. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 welcome john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly321 Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 welcome bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hi John. Welcome to PW. Enjoy your stay. A good O/U shotgun is a Lanber. This is a very good quality make of shotgun,and if looked after, will last you many years. I bought a new one 19 years ago, and it's still going strong,despite the hammering and abuse I throw at it. Second hand ones are available, and should be in your price range. I suggest you visit a few RFD's if they are near to you, or try other people's shotguns, to see if you like the balance etc. Good luck with your application and choice of gun. Steve. Thanks for the warm welcome everyone, Steve, I've personally never heard of that brand but they do look pretty good from what I have just seen/read about them. Is it better for me to get an O/U shotgun as a first gun or a Semi-Auto? I'm not a terrible shot but the appeal of a 3rd cartridge and not having to load myself is nice... I suppose I'm just being lazy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome everyone, Steve, I've personally never heard of that brand but they do look pretty good from what I have just seen/read about them. Is it better for me to get an O/U shotgun as a first gun or a Semi-Auto? I'm not a terrible shot but the appeal of a 3rd cartridge and not having to load myself is nice... I suppose I'm just being lazy.. I think you'd still need to load it yourself. Seriously though, you should try both and see which you prefer. I'm not especially short but I prefer a short barrel on my guns. My O/U is 27" and my semi is 25". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Welcome to the forum. Good guns to look at are the Lanber sporting series (very good budget gun) beretta's, browning's and miruko's which you will find second hand and in good condition at reasonable prices. Guns from different manufactures will handle differently, its a case of getting around the shops to try them to see which feels / fits you the best. Barrel length is a personal preferance, don't assume that all 28" barrels will suit you the best, (though could well be the most suited from what you said) as some may have a better balance in a different lengths try the same gun in different lengths if possable. As a first gun I would suggest getting a o/u rather than a semi auto, as with a semi there are a few extra safety things to think about, if you are planing to go on game shoots the s/a's are not welcome. Its also worth having a few lessons with a good instructor, who would also be able to help with what is a gun solution for you. If you pm coach on here he is a good instructor in your area. http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/user/19491-coach/ and he will meet you at a gun shop to help choose a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 (edited) Oh, that's excellent! I'll pop him a message when/if I receive my certificate lol, thankyou for the useful information guys! I'll have a look around for a nice looking Lanber, may pop along to a few local gun shops to see what they have in stock. Could always purchase a semi auto in the future to see if I like them after using the O/U as it's not like I can only own one gun for the rest of my life lol. Edited October 16, 2012 by JE_GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Just called Wiltshire Police Firearms Licensing Dept. to enquire about how long the license application usually takes and they said 8 weeks . I'm impatient... suppose it will give me time to save some money for a decent gun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COACH Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hello John. Come on up to Wylye Valley on the A303 at Deptford, Wiltshire and ask for Rob. We're open on Thursdays or Saturdays. Come and have a go and a chat. I'm sure we can help with everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriss Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 wellcome john from one newbie to another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 Hello John. Come on up to Wylye Valley on the A303 at Deptford, Wiltshire and ask for Rob. We're open on Thursdays or Saturdays. Come and have a go and a chat. I'm sure we can help with everything. Hi mate, will do! Didn't know there was a shop there and you're not too far from me either, I live just outside Melksham on Bowerhill I might pop along on the weekend and say hi if you're about Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 What do people think of the Hatsan Arms Escort S/A? It's cheap but seems to have a pretty good review on shootingtimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 What do people think of the Hatsan Arms Escort S/A? It's cheap but seems to have a pretty good review on shootingtimes. You will get a mixed response on here regarding the Escort. I have the 8 shot FAC version and can't fault it. The amount of abuse I give it does'nt affect the functioning of it one bit. I have the older model, but there are newer models available. These are easier to load. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted October 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 They look pretty good to me and seem fairly priced with a 3 year warranty and I think for what I'm going to be using it for (rought shooting with my dad and his friend) a Semi Auto would probably suit me better. Going to pop along to Dauntsey Guns tonight and have a look at one to see what they're like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 (edited) What do people think of the Hatsan Arms Escort S/A? It's cheap but seems to have a pretty good review on shootingtimes. Just bought the latest version with the extended chokes in it and if buying one I would go for this version with 3" chambers and not the 3 1/2" chamber varient. Compairing it with my Bennill Crio (now up for sale), the escort won't cycle very soft recoil cartridges like comp x 21gm but that was to be expected. I am using Hull intercom 28G HV and they cycle with out problems. The escort fits me well and I am hitting a higher % of targets than with other guns . Before taking it out clean and oil it, as it has packing grease on some of the parts. If you compare the quality of it to the likes of beretta's benelli's etc they are not in the same field, the price reflects this. Like most guns with extended choke they work loose so best just to check tightness every now and then. Its a gun than I don't mind getting wet or mucky, as with some I hate to see them get knocked or wet. Found out after buying mine in camo, the barrel on the black version is black chromed instead of the normal blueing on most other guns. This gun is def a marmite gun you either love them or hate them and if you get a rouge one you will hate it. If you watch the you tube vids on cleaning it a few are wrong, as they show the gas seal O ring is put on after the barrel is in position. The seal is put on after the gas plug and befor the barrel is put on. While semis need more cleaning and gas cycling ones are more fusy about being cleaned and oiled, with mine so far, apart from the orinional clean, I have just wiped the muck off the gas plug and cartridge tube and reoiled it. (note to self must get some pipe cleaners to clean the 2 gas ports out one day). There are 2 srews where the fore end sits in are reported to com loose so its worth checking these when cleaning. My own opinion is these guns are good for the money, but I would only buy a new one and would have to be the latest version, if you are in a position to travel around you can find differences in price check though which version it is they are selling. I got the serial numbers of the one I was looking at and phoned edgar brothers gun room who told me when they were imported into the UK. It will be used during the grotty weather, but do or will have another s/a as a main gun as camo guns apparently are not that popular in competicians or certain places. I do get light hearted comments about using a escort on the clay grounds from friends, when they see how well I shoot with it they say it suits me and how well I shoot with it. I don't often shoot skeet and normally build up to scoring 15 or 16 out of 25. Used the escort and first time of shooting it on skeet got 19 out of 25. :D Edited October 17, 2012 by BerettaSV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted October 17, 2012 Report Share Posted October 17, 2012 Hello and welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Got my home visit this Wednesday evening with the FEO, and have placed a conditional order on a gun excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Just had the FEO round, lovely guy, ended up with my Shotgun Certificate granted in 2 weeks and 6 days with Wiltshire Police, must be a record? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridges Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Hi mate, I'm just down the road from you in Somerset and I am in the exact same position! After my first gun and looking around the same budget. Been a very useful thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COACH Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Hello Bridges, where do you live in Somerset ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JE_GT Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Hi mate, I'm just down the road from you in Somerset and I am in the exact same position! After my first gun and looking around the same budget. Been a very useful thread Cool where do you live? I'm in Melksham (obviously as my bloody "From" section says it -.-). I've already ordered a gun and I'm waiting for the shop to get it in, I didn't go for a 2nd hand Lanber in the end, went for a Huglu 103d as they had good reviews and were well priced new. Can't quite believe I got a SGC in less than 3 weeks though after being quoted 8 Edited November 9, 2012 by JE_GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridges Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Eevening Coach/JE_GT, I live in Coleford, about 10/15 mins from Mendip Shooting Ground. How much was your gun mate if you don't mind me asking? That's bloody quick mate bud, Avon and Somerset are quoting 14 weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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