Cosd Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 I live north of North London. Does anyone know if there are any clay grounds within reasonable distance with a gun shop where they will let you try the guns before you buy? I'm after a semi auto. Today I had 120 clay day with Highbird70 where he kindly whipped my **** but more importantly let me use his SX3 which I really liked. Though a little short for me it shouldered well, good on the recoil and quite light. The other three on the short list are an A400, Carbon Maxus and a gun I know zero about, the Fabarm XLR. I love the look of the Remington Competition with the adjustable stock and butt, but it seems they only do a 2.75" chamber; I need min 3" and preferably 3.5". The gun will be used mainly for pigeon but joining a wild fowling club next season so want it for a bit of that also. My shooting buddy doesn't know yet, but I'm going to ask him for a day on his A400, but I would like to try the other two as well. What do you think of my short list? Any comments or even recommendations are appreciated. Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 William Evans and Bisley have an arrangement. Not a million miles away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 The Fennes at Braintree have a shop on site (Essex Gun). You could check their stock online and try out any of the secondhand guns maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Most grounds with second hand guns will let you try some even have demo guns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Many dealers have links with grounds for exactly this purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Yeah Bisley not a million miles away bud. I also have the SX3 and tbh love it-it performs faultlessly ! ATB on whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Of the ones you listed the first three are very good so its person choice as to which fits you best and feel the nicest to shoot. The fabarm xlr I have no knowledge of. The A400 is only 31/2" on the extreme version. All SX3 appart from the red clay one is 31/2" the Maxus are 31/2". Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteri Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Bit further but Sporting Targets in North Beds - once you're on the M1 shouldn't take you more than an hour. Good range in the shop, with demo guns and very helpful Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Cosd, on 25 Jan 2014 - 7:54 PM, said: I need min 3" and preferably 3.5". The gun will be used mainly for pigeon but joining a wild fowling club next season so want it for a bit of that also. Are we getting a bit like America, Is this a case of Magnumitus? I can see the 3" with steel for duck but generally 2-3/4 will do a good job. the pigeon cartridge was 1-1/16 oz Eley grand Prix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xplor Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Of the ones you listed the first three are very good so its person choice as to which fits you best and feel the nicest to shoot. The fabarm xlr I have no knowledge of.The A400 is only 31/2" on the extreme version. All SX3 appart from the red clay one is 31/2" the Maxus are 31/2". Figgy[/quote Tou might want to check that. The A400 xplor unico is also 3 1/2 inch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I find this whole idea of "try before you buy " a little confusing . If you can shoot then after handling a gun you should have the experience to know if the gun fits /suits you and you can discuss any alterations with the seller . If you can not shoot then how will you know if the gun is right or wrong ? You may in fact reject the gun that in couple of months when you have learned to or are well on the way to being able to shoot , may be perfect for you . As to the gun that fits all occasions, this is like trying to get a car that's good around town , will carry 2 tons as well as being good for cruising at 100mph on the Auto-bahn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 As to the gun that fits all occasions, this is like trying to get a car that's good around town , will carry 2 tons as well as being good for cruising at 100mph on the Auto-bahn. Isnt that called a mercedes estate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) I find this whole idea of "try before you buy " a little confusing . If you can shoot then after handling a gun you should have the experience to know if the gun fits /suits you and you can discuss any alterations with the seller . If you can not shoot then how will you know if the gun is right or wrong ? You may in fact reject the gun that in couple of months when you have learned to or are well on the way to being able to shoot , may be perfect for you . As to the gun that fits all occasions, this is like trying to get a car that's good around town , will carry 2 tons as well as being good for cruising at 100mph on the Auto-bahn. What's confusing about wanting to try a gun? What better way than actually shooting a gun is there to find if it suits you? Just because a gun fits perfectly it doesn't tell me how it feels, how it swings and more portantly how I feel using it. And if I can't shoot now what are the chances of becoming an experienced shot within 8 weeks, enough to realise what a mistake I made. Edited January 27, 2014 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I used the "a couple of months" rather loosely . May be I should have put it another way , I see many people who have tried guns and then bought them . It is sad to have to tell them that they have either been miss sold the wrong gun or that the gun is unsuitable for them and no a centre bead will not solve all their problems . OK it is good to go out and shoot a few different guns ,for you that is not necessarily the dealer selling it , although I dispute your saying that without shooting you can not tell how it swings .I am a great believer in the old adage that you buy a gun that you like and provided it feels comfortable , you learn to shoot it . We all have our opinions and these are mine , you are entitled to yours . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad93 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Fennes, Braintree Essex in conjunction with Essex gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) You could try my xlr if you wanted to meet at almshoeberry on sunday Edited January 28, 2014 by super sharp shooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Just been through all this - I found it to be a bit of a minefield, talk about spoilt for choice! Went for the Maxus (which is also available in 3") because the stock is adjustable with supplied spacer for LoP and shims for drop AND cast. Not to mention that IMO with the new type fore-end it actually looks like a shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Hi Cosd. I think Park Street Guns will allow you to try before you buy. I will look out for you at the A1. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Are we getting a bit like America, Is this a case of Magnumitus? I can see the 3" with steel for duck but generally 2-3/4 will do a good job. the pigeon cartridge was 1-1/16 oz Eley grand Prix. the 3.5" was brought about to shoot BIG STEEL shot, something the 2.75" has problems with, the 3" can handle bigger, and the 3.5 " is for dedicated goose shooters.... even homeloading has little advantage, because steel shot and new powders are such low density, they need bigger and bigger shells. we are far from american cartridge standards. believe me, very far, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 a1 gunman i find that if i like the feel of a gun when when i mount and swing with it i know then if its right for me without firing it,i use different guns for various things and shoot them all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super sharp shooter Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Can't see any shop letting you try a new gun unless they have a demo one because the gun becomes second hand if you don't buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Just a thought Cos.The Shooting show is just two weeks away. perhaps there will be an opportunity there.The Guns you are thinking about will almost certainly be there, if you check with the list of exhibitors you may be able to find out what they will have on show Edited January 29, 2014 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sx3 clay breaker Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Dove ridge do it and you won't go far wrong with a carbon maxus loverly gun or an sx3 if you don't want the speed old feature that's really the biggest difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westward Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Depends on how you feel about travelling 100 miles of course but Ian Coley Shooting School near Cheltenham has a large on-site gun shop. No problem trying out used guns and they also carry some demo guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm going to check some of the recommendations out hopefully in time for the shooting show were I hope to buy one. Thanks again Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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