lewis11 Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I have decided to get a Beretta Silver Pigeon as my first 12g (If it fits as well as the one I have tried previously). My question is which one/model? It needs to be steel proofed and 3" chambered as it will be used for ducks, geese and game shooting (as well as vermin control). New or Second hand, the budget is about £1400 Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squash wavy Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I have one. Make sure it does fit you. I bought one new as my first gun and I ended up spending another £200 to fit an adjustable comb on it. I went for the Silver Pigeon 1 Field/Game. I like the auto-safety, but regret not getting the Sport as the wider rib would have probably been a plus. It is a little lighter mind, which is kind of good when in the field, bad when banging through clays. Consider the 1 as it has basic wood, all you're paying with the more expensive ones is better wood. Depends on your taste really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1979 Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Im looking for one myself, wasnt sure weather to go for a 20g, but looking at the cart prices think 12g is best, im told the browning 525 is as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splashy Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 I was recently looking at a Silver Pigeon 1 or the Browning B725. In the end I held both and went for the B725. I am very pleased that I did and am really pleased with the browning. My previous guns have included a B325 and Beretta 687EELL so i have tried both stables. The Browning has a really great feel to it as well as wood that would not be out of place on a much higher grade gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchy143211 Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 I have decided to get a Beretta Silver Pigeon as my first 12g (If it fits as well as the one I have tried previously). My question is which one/model? It needs to be steel proofed and 3" chambered as it will be used for ducks, geese and game shooting (as well as vermin control). New or Second hand, the budget is about £1400 Thanks in advance Hi lewis I recently got a brand new baretta silver pigeon grade 1 as my first proper 12g as I am a leftie and struggled wirh my grandads old side by side. I absolutely love it and wouldnt change it for the world as for a first gun I dont think it can be beaten. Mine is the game version as I do mainly game shooting and the gun is slightly lighter than the sporter but I tried both and there wasnt a lot in it between them. Mine is a 12g with 30 inch barrels, 3" chambers and steel proof along with auto-safety. Best of all it was only £1400 brand new which I thoight was excellent value for such a well made gun. The only thing is to make sure that it fits you as the lenght of pull is quite long so is more suited for taller people (which is handy for me as it fits well as I am only 16 and already 6' 1") in order for you to get your eye down the rib properly. I hope that this is in some way useful to you and best of look finding a gun. Kind regards Hutchy143211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wj939 Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Go for second hand. The re sale value in 5 Years will be more or less what you paid for it now. The Other up side is that you might get a 687 for the same money as a new grade 1 686 so you'd have a nicer bit of wood, other good thing is that if you ding the stock on a second hand one it doesn't make you want to cry like a new gun does. There's a few that come up here from time to time both game and sport. I prefer sporters for the weight when pigeon shooting for a long day in the hide weight is a benefit. down side is on a peg is a bit heavier. Edited October 30, 2013 by wj939 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 From speaking to many owners quality is suffering on new Berettas (they are currently prioritising repairs to 692's !) so perhaps it would be wiser to go second hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I have a Silver Pigeon III, to be honest I'm lost on them these days, how many versions are currently available? Good gun, my lad loves it, so he has it on loan as I tend to use my 391 for most field work these days, and I've always got my trusty 686 if I need a O/U! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) I was recently looking at a Silver Pigeon 1 or the Browning B725. In the end I held both and went for the B725. I am very pleased that I did and am really pleased with the browning. My previous guns have included a B325 and Beretta 687EELL so i have tried both stables. The Browning has a really great feel to it as well as wood that would not be out of place on a much higher grade gun. Why would you step down from a eell to a browning725. Edited October 30, 2013 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I would go for a sp3 as long as you are happy with the feel and fit.you should be able to find a second hand one for your budget.and they will do all you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk dumpling Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Got a SP "S" in 20g - nice wood fitted well by RFD can hit most of what I aim for without wasting too many shells so v v happy with gun. Didn't *********** say if he was stranded on an island and could only choose one gun to take with him it would be a SP 20g? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 From speaking to many owners quality is suffering on new Berettas (they are currently prioritising repairs to 692's !) so perhaps it would be wiser to go second hand. Your bang on there my 692 is 8ish weeks old and is being packed tomorrow heading to gmk with a list of problems for warranty , once I receive my outlander back from them I had a sp1 before that and just better quality in some areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMMER BURT Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 glad i didnt buy a 692 after all then, seems as sh8t as the SV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I love the gun /balance /wood and I shoot well with it, just a shame its been thrown together to meet sale demands lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) From speaking to many owners quality is suffering on new Berettas (they are currently prioritising repairs to 692's !) so perhaps it would be wiser to go second hand. I have six beretta's some I bought new and some second hand and must say I have never had a problem with any of them,also I have sold probably a dozen other beretta's along the way also all been faultless.i have also owne some brownings citori 425 and 525 and while they never gave any problems I could not shoot as well with them.i doubt the quality of beretta has lapsed i would say its down to production figures going up as with all engineered things the more you make the more failures you are liable to have i would say that all makers have the same percentage of returns on their output.the benefit of buying a used gun is not only someone else has taken the hit financially but if there were any teething problems with that model they should have been sorted,beretta will not continue to make guns with a common fault they have not stayed in business for the last few hundred years because they produced inferior goods. Edited October 31, 2013 by bostonmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 I have six beretta's some I bought new and some second hand and must say I have never had a problem with any of them,also I have sold probably a dozen other beretta's along the way also all been faultless.i have also owne some brownings citori 425 and 525 and while they never gave any problems I could not shoot as well with them.i doubt the quality of beretta has lapsed i would say its down to production figures going up as with all engineered things the more you make the more failures you are liable to have i would say that all makers have the same percentage of returns on their output.the benefit of buying a used gun is not only someone else has taken the hit financially but if there were any teething problems with that model they should have been sorted,beretta will not continue to make guns with a common fault they have not stayed in business for the last few hundred years because they produced inferior goods. I've never claimed Beretta make 'inferior goods'; their guns are top class (although not many of their models appeal to me) though it cannot be denied that quality control has been lax of late especially with the 692, possibly to meet demand. I know of two people who waited months for the new 692 and returned them due to problems such as unfinished woodwork, locating holes drilled off-centre, solder dropping out etc. GMK returned the guns to the two buyers I know (in the case of the off-centre holes the entire gun was replaced,but with the original woodwork refinished) and are very happy with their guns. Rushing to meet demand signifies a popular make, but can also create problems of its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiesta14 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hi Mate The following package is currently being offered by Francis Lovell at The Oxfordshire shooting ground. I have no connection to the place but thought that this was a pretty good offer and not too far from you, http://www.theoxfordshireshootingschool.co.uk/ New Beretta Silver Pigeon Package DealIncludes12 or 20 Bore Beretta Silver Pigeon Grade IOxfordshire Shooting School Annual MembershipSkeet vest Cleaning kitCartridge bagGun slipEar defendersSafety glasses3 x Shooting lessons including¸50 Clays per lessonOnly £1695.00RRP £2240.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemini52 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 I bought a sp 1 sporter in feb this year,up to now not a problem with it,a guy i know has just bought a deluxe 30 inch field model,cost him 1800 new,its a nice gun the only down side its flat as a fluke,you would think they came out of the factory all the same but this is not the case,as has been said make sure it fits you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Love my sp1 great gun not had any issues yet, got a nice bit of wood on it to for a basic model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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