double10 Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 hello all, My father and I will be giving in our forms for shotgun certificates so hopefully in a couple months time we'll be getting our first gun! I need something that can be used for both clays and hunting (rabbit and pigeon really) so am thinking of some sort of semi automatic? Also, the budget for the gun is a maximum of about £400-£500. I'm not sure whether or not I'd need a choke. But having had a look on t'internet we're thinking possibly an armsan a612 or winchester sx3 universal hunter. Could someone point me in the right direction please? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) Nearly any shot gun fits your bill it doesnt need to be a semi auto. What are you going to do the most of clays/vermin ? As for not sure on needing a choke? where did that idea come from as every shot gun is choked either multi or fixed. Edited June 19, 2013 by Luckyshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Semi's are good all rounders but as a beginner you might want to think about the safety aspect -its difficult to see if the gun is loaded and removing cartridges can be a chore-I think that an O/U multi would give you as much flexibility as you need when starting out with the bonus of simpler operation. If you can find a good Medalist or Win 101 sporter then I would say go for it-both are top end beginner/intermediate guns that you should get your money back on if you look after them. Whatever you decide, take your time and try as many as you can-good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 I always think semi autos should be the last gun you buy as loading them etc and safety aspect is not as great as an O/U, they all do the same thing, I wanted a clay gun for about 800 and settled for a O/U bettinsoli XTRAIL, looks nice, case hardened etc and does the job fine. Then have a nice side by side for rough shooting etc, if there's one thing iv learned about buying guns is everyone has a different opinion lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double10 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 What are you going to do the most of clays/vermin ? As for not sure on needing a choke? probably slightly more clays than vermin, I guess i could have phrased it better, 'would it be better to have a fixed or multi choke?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Personally I would go with a multi choke Lanber o/u, well within your price range and an excellent starter gun. Just make sure it fits you properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Clay clubs are not so keen on semi autos as they throw carts every where and plus you've got to pick them up then. £500 would get a lanber with a full set of Chokes which is what I use and can't complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 As said above an OU would be better for a novice than a semi due to the saftey aspect. Semis are not unsafe but there is perception they are and inparticular when handle by an unproven shot. A fixed or muti choke will be fine if the fix is 1/2 1/4 but people like to play with choke so like mc it an excuse when they miss. £500 a good lanber medalist or even older Miroku/Winchester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabarm gamma boy Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 If you do go down the route of a semi auto then id sugest you buy a browning - beretta! You will pick up a nice browning fusion gold mc for around £500! No offence to any armsan escort owners but iv owned both and had nothing but trouble! 4years on the browning has not even had a jam and beleive me it gets used alot! atb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fib new Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Or winchester... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 As above; Any reasonably priced over and under would be my first suggestion to a newcomer. A multi choke, in my opinion would suit your needs better; In the field, it's normal to use a fairly open choke - often 1/4 and 1/2 or 1/2 and 3/4. I don't know much about clays but I believe for skeet, a very open choke is generally preffered and most other disciplines use tight chokes - a trap gun I bought on a whim has "full" and "extra full" So, the ability to change them would probably be a good thing in your situation - but don't get caught up in changing them for the sake of it; you missed, it happens - it's not the choke (usually). When buying, my advise would be to look harder for one that fits you right (do your own research about gun fit; the guy in the shop wants you to buy a gun and won't necessarily have anything that's right for you) than one you like or a berretta sssxxxltts or whatever, a chrome lined barrel is well worth having as is a gun that's o.k. for steel shot these days (it's starting to become the cheaper option). Last tip; Don't buy a lightweight gun because it'll be easier to carry - the lighter the gun, the more of a beating it'll give you, particularly with a narrow butt plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double10 Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 cheers for all the advice guys, I expect I will go up to Chris Potter's shop in tunbridge and see if he has anything suitable, he'll also give me pointers on what kind of gun will fit me. Also, which brands would I expect to get trouble/bad quality from? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 These days, there's not really any that won't serve you plenty well enough, that said; I've always preferred to go with names I recognise. The only make I've heard anything negative about over the last few years is webley (the modern ones). £500 will get you a very nice gun especially secondhand, but fit is the key - I'm sure someone at your clay place can help you with that better than I can (before you buy rather than after!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 cheers for all the advice guys, I expect I will go up to Chris Potter's shop in tunbridge and see if he has anything suitable, he'll also give me pointers on what kind of gun will fit me. Also, which brands would I expect to get trouble/bad quality from? cheers You wont find any where better than Chris Potters, ask for Dionne. But if you are travelling that far call in at The Country Way in West Malling. Colin will give you sound advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double10 Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 thanks for the replies, what size gun safe should I get? bearing in mind that a rifle or two may be coming in the future too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 thanks for the replies, what size gun safe should I get? bearing in mind that a rifle or two may be coming in the future too Always go bigger than you think sounds like 2 rifles and a shotgun so 6 gun. You'll fill it or just stop your gun knocking together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have a 3 gun and it was the biggest mistake OF MY LIFE (slight exaggeration lol) but it was a mistake I should of bought a bigger one. I would defnatly go for and O/U mate I think all beginners should work there way up to semi autos as there more awkward to load and less safe in the rong hands. For clays I just bought a bettinsoli XTRAIL and that is purely for clays and I use a side by side for rough shooting, I rarely see people with semis or pump actions at clays although you do get the odd bloke. In the end mate its all down to u and when it comes to guns everyone has there own opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 As you haven't applied yet don't worry about what gun to buy, get some lessons and start learning to shoot, more experience the better both for application and purchasing. Remember gun shops exist to sell guns not give the best advice ( even reputable shops will sell you what you will buy, not necessarily what you need!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 good answer from HDAV, that's very good advice, don't rush into anything have a few lessons and see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double10 Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I've spent the last year and a half odd having lessons on clays and practicing in between, and I've done Helice with Chris Potter. Also been on a couple of partridge and pheasant shoots with my friend (using his rigby pair) so I'm confident to say I can at least shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 then just walk in a shop, find one u like the look off , see if it comfortable and in ur price range a buy it mate, only opinion that matters is yours. I think I spent a Saturday going around about. 6-7 shops and found every has to many opinions, one person says a gun is dreadful the next days its like a 2000 gun for half the price. Just my opinion but they all do the same thing within reason. I bought my bettinsoli simply because first I liked the look with the case hardening and wood and the moment I mounted it it felt spot on and from that moment on no ones opinion mattered but my own. It's the same when I take I side by side to clays and my friends all moan and ask why and its simple......I'm there to have guna dn I enjoy shooting it. I know it very daunting though there so many guns out there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 wait until you have your certificate before going to look at guns as it will be a while before they get around to getting it to you,i would look into second hand market with your budget over and under would probably be the best option.i myself would stay away from the real cheap new guns that are around as they all have their problems not that the owners of these will own up to buy the best you can there is plenty of choice from the better makers browning berretta miroku,etc buy once and buy right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dob Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Are you going for a 12bore or a 20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double10 Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 The only advice I would offer is 1 Try as many guns as you can before you buy, 2. Use the time wisely before your certificate arrives to look at as many guns as you can and get an idea on price , this will stop you rushing out and panic buying when it does arrive. 3 Set a budget and keep to it 4 Do not buy a gun on your own, go with someone that knows a bit about guns, if you have paid for lessons ask your Coach to go with you. 5 Do not buy on, the Lovely wood, the great engraving or the designer name, buy the gun that's fits you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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