Shahin Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Hi, Ive been shooting for many years but only recently got my licence and I dont know which gun to buy. I Know how to shoot very well but I am useless with all the techincal sides of the guns i.e chokes, makes etc. But now I have my own licence and permission I want to buy a semi auto but dont know which one is half decent for the money I can spend. Escort semi auto's are mentioned alot on here, would I be getting my money's worth or could I buy something better for similar price? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 There are two differing designs of semi automatic shotguns: gas powered and inertia driven. Manufacturers such as Beretta make gas powered and Franchi make interia driven guns. Gas powered guns need cleaning regulary or the mechanism may not function properly but they have less recoil than the inertia driven ones and certainly less that your traditional items. Inertia driven mechanisms are thought to be more reliable. Light carts may not eject from some guns though I have never experienced this with my Berretta AL391. Nearly all new guns have interchangable chokes but most people put one in and then forget about it. For the money I'm not sure, whats your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigden Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 I can recomend the Franchi Raptor 712 I bought it from one of our members off pigeonwatch It was as new and since I have had it it has never missed a beat I have put all sorts of cartridges through it. Very pleased with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young gun Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 My friend has recently brought a brand new stoeger semi auto which works on the benelli inertia system it seems very reliable and shoots well and could be used for any purpose, it cost him about £500 came with a years warrenty and 5 chokes and is chambered for 3" cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 There is VERY little difference between an inertia and gas operated shotgun in the recoil dept and to be honest i fail to find ANY difference The only noticable difference is the FEEL of the inertia recoil guns it takes a little getting used to but considering you have less cleaning with the inertia ones i prefer them. Speaking of which i actually have 2 Franchi semi auto shotguns in the sales section and cheap too in good condition. Both are the recoil-inertia operated ones and they shoot VERY well. Gas operated ones are ok also but i find having to clean gas ports and replacing gas rings a royal pain in the *** though the Escort i have is a doddle to clean with a tin of spray oil and an old rag. Gas ports only need a Pipe cleaner rodded through now and then LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Speaking of which i actually have 2 Franchi semi auto shotguns in the sales section and cheap too in good condition. good.gif Good condition? Perfect condition more like it. If I had loads of money I would have had the top one off ya. Alas I dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Your choice will boil down to budget and fit. Many people will claim that a gas operated auto will recoil more softly than a recoil op gun. This is really not the case. The 2 things that matter when it comes to recoil are 1. the weight of the gun and 2. the fit. Everyone perceives recoil differently. But generally speaking if you shoot 2 guns, one gas op and one recoil op both weighing the same, fitting the same and shooting the same cartridge you are unlikely to feel any real difference in recoil. Both operating systems will offer a degree of recoil dampening. The enertia/recoil types are generally much quicker and easier to clean. Both types benefit from a 'running in' period. Look at Benelli Beretta Franchi Stoeger Escort You will find what you want amongst that lot. Stoeger and Escort are very good guns for not a lot of money. I have a Benelli, its wicked ! Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 I have friends who shoot a Benelli and a Winchester X2 - no problems with either. I have had proably ten makes of auto, including Beretta. Best made was a Fabarm. Best handling - Remington 1100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caplock Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 Browning A5 humpty back. The 1st design of semi auto and very little bettered in my opin. All steel construction reliable as anything and a doddle to clean, millions sold since their intro by J M Browning in the '20's. Copied by Franchi and Remmington. They were so good I think the Army still use them on the bomb disposal robots to destroy and open suspect packages. Who would want to go forward and clear a jam from a gas op gun under such circumstances!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 i have had a baikal,franchi 712 syntwood, 712 raptor and a winchester x2 sporting clays,all are brilliant guns with no cycling problems, i think the raptor makes a great pigeon field gun as it is very light and dead easy to clean, i shoot skeet with my x2 never misses a beat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Buy the one that is easiest to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 franchi raptor 712 i bought one in january its had over 3000 cartridges through it and never had any cycle problems,it is also a light ,very fast handling gun the best gun for pigeon /rough shooters i think. i have had berretta al 391 autos and also are a very fine gun but the franchi handles better for me .good luck with your shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Buy the one that is easiest to clean. In that case buy a Benelli ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varget Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Buy the one that is easiest to clean. In that case buy a Benelli ! THIS ONE http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=22311 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stockman Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 Just ordered a Fabarm S A T 8 PRO FORCES section 1 ,7+1 shotgun from Viking Arms. Now, that looks to be the daddy!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean c Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 get a stoeger model 2000 you cant go wrong mine £450 in black synthetic 28" barrel 5 chokes and it uses the inertia power system which i feel makes it light and also its eaiser to clean up after a session as it doesnt throw the empty shells as far as my beretta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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