Greg.L Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Hi Guys & Girls, Firstly i apologise if this topic has been covered a hundred times before. I did do a quick search but found very little. Basically im looking for a little advice on choosing my first shot gun. Ive had a few clay lessons now, have just had my licence approved and am currently awaiting it to be delivered. Ive got a budget of around £500ish in mind but may save a bit longer if its recommended. It will be mainly for clay shooting to begin with and then possibly a bit of pigeon etc in future so looking for something that would be ok-ish for those two. Ideal requirements are: 12g O/U Single selective trigger Multi choke Ejectors Ive been looking at secondhand Browning Medalist, i know this isn't a 'real browning' but is it any good? Are there better options for the same kind of money? Any brands i should look out for or steer clear of? The other option is to wait longer and i was then thinking a browning 525 or beretta 686/sliver pigeon. Thanks in advance and sorry again for asking a question your probably all board with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 You will get more for your money by buying second hand! Whereabouts are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Wait and pay just a little more for a Beretta or Browning / Miroku. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Sorry i meant to say i will be looking to buy second hand whatever i go for. Im from norfolk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Wait and pay just a little more for a Beretta or Browning / Miroku. I agree with Gordon the medalist is ok not the same league really as the others. Buy on fit not name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 See if you have a look at a 2nd hand Lanber .These shotguns are excellent quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Another +1 for Gordon. Medalists are built by Sabatti to the standard "Rizzini" action and although they handle quite well there's a weakness in the design of the ejectors which have a high failure rate. Of the budget guns Lanber are a better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldred4 Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Whatever gun you decide on make sure it fits, that's most important. If you up your budget a bit you'll get a nice Browning, Miroku or Berreta. As already mentioned if you have a budget in mind look at a Lanber, excellent value. What have you been using on your lessons? Personally for a first gun I'd look at buying brand new, especially if you are new to shooting and guns. By going to a decent dealer/shop you will get a new gun with a good warranty so that if anything isn't right you have piece of mind of being able to get it sorted. If you don't have the experience and not sure what to look for when buying a second hand gun you might end up spending your hard earned on something that will need some more hard earned money spending on it to get it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 My advice, shoot many, buy few ! Plenty at your budget but £800 gets you into the big 3. Doesn't matter how good a deal it is if it doesn't fit you'll never shoot well. Have a couple more lessons take note if the gun you are using and ask the coach for advice. Don't buy before you have shot the gun and try and find a ground where you can try a gun out, many shops have links to grounds and will let you try before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 First gun I bought was a Lanber and I'm really pleased with it. For 500 you'll get a nearly new minter. As said though, make sure the gun fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks for all your replies guys So the general feeling is, wait and get Browning, Miroku or Beretta or if i decided to get something cheaper then Lanber is the best bet for £500ish. Is there any tips on things i can look for in terms of fit? The thing that worries me about going to a dealer with no knowledge on fit is they may just try and sell me whatever they are trying to get rid of and tell me it fits me ok to get the sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Most dealers don't understand fit and will tell you the gun at the top of your price range or they want rid of fits. Most coaches will offer advice even come to the shop with you. Ideal is a try before you buy, so you can take it to a ground and have a coach look at it with you, the cost of a lesson is worth it IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldred4 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 If you have a friend who is already a holder of an SGC and has their own gun see if they will go along with you. As Welshwarrior has said a lot of coaches will assist and even come to the shop with you for the cost of a couple of lessons. Some shops will offer a gun fitting session with a gunsmith so that might be the way forward for you if you dont have the option of a coach or friend going with you. Talk to your coach when you have your next clay lesson. They will be able to show you what to look for by using the gun you are having a lesson with. Visit as many shops as possible to get an idea and feel for what you are looking for that way you might not be pressurised into buying something your not happy with. One way to check your eye height is correct when you mount the gun is to put a coin on the rib about half way down. If your eye height is correct you should just be able to see the top of the front bead above the coin. Use a pound coin. If the stock is too long for you you might not even be able to look down the rib but might find yourself looking down the side. Bear in mind what you go to the shop wearing. If you get fitted at the shop/dealer wearing a shirt but when you go out shooting especially in winter and you stick another jumper and a coat on this addition will upset the fit that you had set up in the shop. hope this helps a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Got for fit not name.... I made a huge mistake and brought a gun based on the name and the fit was all wrong. At first I thought I was just a **** shot but when I had a lesson the instructor said the gun was two inches too short and although a right handed gun was set-up for a left eye dominant shooter - no wonder it was cheap. The next gun was selected based on fit and and handling and I love it. Still can not shoot straight but that is due to me not the gun :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Have had a Medallist for a few years having had an AYA Yeoman stolen and it was a great gun. Have a 686E now but the still hang onto the Medallist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks for all the advice guys, its really appreciated! Im going to take a trip out to a few dealers with a good selection of guns on saturday just to get an idea on what i want and what feels right etc. I figure its best to do it before my licence arrives so i know i cant be tempted to buy the first gun i pick up! Other than Lanber are there any other quality guns to look out for in the lower end of my price range. My coach mentioned the other day that he had a bettinsoli (i think) coming in that would be around the £450-£500 mark... Im going to pop and see him soon too as he's got a few guns in at around £500 including a lanber i spotted on sat at £395 but i haven't enquired much as im not sure what im talking about yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I think its always better to buy from a gunsmith he will know what will suit you best a straight salesman is only really interested in taking your cash.also if buying second hand a decent smith will stand by his guns for at least three months my one does.it is worth driving the extra few miles as a little extra petrol could save you a lot.good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Yeah thats true, one of the guys i work with has a mate who's a gunsmith actually and im currently just trying to find a time i can get to meet him. And i think as he's a friend of a friend i'll be more likely to buy a gun from him than anywhere but still want to go armed with a bit of knowledge and idea of what i want/need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Other than Lanber are there any other quality guns to look out for in the lower end of my price range. My coach mentioned the other day that he had a bettinsoli (i think) coming in that would be around the £450-£500 mark... Im going to pop and see him soon too as he's got a few guns in at around £500 including a lanber i spotted on sat at £395 but i haven't enquired much as im not sure what im talking about yet. Laurona are worth a look! I got a minter for £300. Beautiful wood, multi choke, single selective trigger, ejector, and had under 500 shots through it! The guy bought it brand new, couldn't hit nothing with it, traded it in against a Beretta! I love it that much I don't use it for anything else but clays! I don't want it getting marked if out pigeon or game shooting I bought ANOTHER O/U for that! Then a Semi auto and a SxS as well as 2 PCP rifles! Then the reloading gear and ancilleries, Then of course you NEED good camo gear and outdoor clothing and boots.etc It's going to cost you a small fortune over the years I have spent about £8000 or more since starting out! You have been warned :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 at your budget I would also look at Lincoln,not a subtle as miroku/browning/beretta but good honest guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Got for fit not name.... I made a huge mistake and brought a gun based on the name and the fit was all wrong. At first I thought I was just a **** shot but when I had a lesson the instructor said the gun was two inches too short and although a right handed gun was set-up for a left eye dominant shooter - no wonder it was cheap. The next gun was selected based on fit and and handling and I love it. Still can not shoot straight but that is due to me not the gun :-) How was it set for a left eye dominant shot? Was it cast on ie left handed? Or a crossover stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
204 rem Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 You will not go wrong with a Lamber sport .For a first time shot gun Should be able to pick a nice one up for £500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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