Time for a change but which one?

[Good shot?]

I would appreciate some advice, I have only ever shot a side by side shotgun (and still do) and having, started up again, two years ago after a very long absence from the sport, mainly pigeon,corvids and rabbit.

 

I fancy a change from looking down two barrels.

I am having great difficulty making my mind up, the choice of guns these days is bewildering. As a lad the one you got was the one a mate was selling, these days wi Tinternet its giving me a headache.

 

I am now alternating between o/u and semi automatic, I am leaning more towards s/a now, but what are the benefits of recoil operated and gas in the choice of semi automatic.

Like I said earlier, Tinternet gives me too much information sometimes and a low budget is restricting given I can't make my mind up which way to go.

 

For reasons other than 'getting another gun' what in your opinions are the pros and cons of s/s,o/u or s/a.

I like a shorter barrel and don't fancy 29" -30" if that makes any difference.

Semi automatic would certainly allow me to miss more, of that I am sure.

 

Thanks, in advance.

Good shot?

[vmaxphil]

if your in a hide pigeon shooting 28" gas s/a, clay shooting o/u, rough or driven shooting s/s in my opinion.

[TIGHTCHOKE]

I would suggest you go to a decent local clay ground and speak to other shooters who have the guns you are considering, most people will happily answer your questions and let you have a go.

 

Good luck with your choice.

 

T.C.

[figgy]

A hatsan escort gas operated semi auto is cheap and plenty of people love them.

 

For inertia system bennelli are the main ones.

 

OU would be my choice. I have a SX3 semi auto for wild fowling and pigeons.

 

For rabbits I'd use the 28bore OU I have.

 

You will find lots of differing opinions as we all like different guns for differing purposes.

 

Have a go with as many as you can, then decide what's best for you.

 

Don't get hung up on gas or inertia semi auto as both will still need cleaning just gas operated more often. Gas is softer recoiling.

 

Figgy

[pontbeck]

I have a semi auto after swearing I would never own one. Other than driven game I would recommend an auto for any other type of shot gun shooting . Only snobbery after all

 

Bill

[fenboy]

I would say if you want to buy cheap go for a O/U not an auto.

 

Benefits of a gas auto is less felt recoil compared to other guns , recoil operated guns are perhaps easier to clean , but I would go gas every time personally.

 

Autos are much easier to reload quickly in a hide and are very "pointable" it can be a pain finding ejected shells in long grass etc though .

 

O/U would be more accepted on game shoots and some clay grounds

[countryman]

Benelli M2, with a 26 inch barrel with half choke, thats all you will need.

Chris

[retromlc]

having owned all types I eventually settled back on O/U's easier to carry when walked up,less picking up at a clay ground and I rarely used the 3 available with an auto in the hide.Get a nice Game O/U light ,fast to handle and "acceptable" where ever you shoot

[Guest cookoff013]

there is no such thing as a short automatic.

with the added length of action. they are huge,

 

my 28" pump just fits in the cabinet, its massive. why change the sxs?

[Good shot?]

there is no such thing as a short automatic.

with the added length of action. they are huge,

 

my 28" pump just fits in the cabinet, its massive. why change the sxs?

I have never owned any shotgun other than a side by side and having retired I want to try something different 'just for a change'.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I now think I have have decided on a used 12g o/u with maximum 28" barrels and fixed chokes.

Will start looking around for model/make options and look to get in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks again to all for helping me decide.