whybrow Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hi everyone, I have recently had my inspection and been approved, I am just awaiting shotgun certificate. I have a budget of £350 - £400 (and obviously want as much for my money as possible) a 12g O/U, but when looking online etc, I see many many different brands etc and I am sure that there are some gems around that I may pass by through lack of experience and knowledge of brands etc. I think I will be able to purchase in 4 weeks as Kent firearms team told me to call in 3 weeks if I have not received as they have a backlog of renewals. What would you suggest as a 1st allrounder on that budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooterluke Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Bettinsoli lincoln Sorry bettinsoli /lincoln Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooterluke Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Multi choke sporter its all about the fit of the gun mate you could have a 1000 pound ,2000 pound gun if its ill fit you will not shoot good with it if i was you i would see if there is any try before you buy dealers near you see how it feels try it out regards luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 A used lanber sporter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Fit is key, at that money should get a tidy lanber, franchi, possibly something a bit better like a Winchester 101, FIAS/browning medalist, but on condition and quality not age/name if you can. Try before you buy and get plenty of practise/lessons in beforehand. What will you be looking to shoot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Don't forget the old fixed choke types. I've got a Parker hale ( Remington ) 1/4&1/2 fixed choke. It do kill pigeons ( when I do my part ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lambchop Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Another vote for lanber sporting, solid and reliable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 I agree with HDAV on the guns also a few older but very Miroku fixed choke guns around at that price. But buy on fit not name or recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dashman1 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Lanber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andra Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) Also awaiting licence looking for a first gun in left hand mode....... Think it will be a lanber field delux 30" barrels or similar seen some from 400 (used) to 850 (new) prob go for a used one with a view to upgrading after a year or so. Shot at weekend with a beretta silver pigeon on loan (right handed gun) and it was nice. The thing for me is I have other expensive hobbies, kayaks, guitars, fishing, etc competing for funds lol so not sure about spending 1200 to 1400 quid on a gun at the moment. Plenty of stuff around 400 mark on gunstar and guntrader so you should get something ok. Notice the other folks giving advice on fit........ Would anyone take a chance on an off the shelf/non modified gun if it were too far away to try? Keen to see what you go for and what you think of it after trying out. Edited February 6, 2014 by Andra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) Also awaiting licence looking for a first gun in left hand mode....... Think it will be a lanber field delux 30" barrels or similar seen some from 400 (used) to 850 (new) prob go for a used one with a view to upgrading after a year or so. Shot at weekend with a beretta silver pigeon on loan (right handed gun) and it was nice. The thing for me is I have other expensive hobbies, kayaks, guitars, fishing, etc competing for funds lol so not sure about spending 1200 to 1400 quid on a gun at the moment. Plenty of stuff around 400 mark on gunstar and guntrader so you should get something ok. Notice the other folks giving advice on fit........ Would anyone take a chance on an off the shelf/non modified gun if it were too far away to try? Keen to see what you go for and what you think of it after trying out. As a left handed shooter htere is far less choice than RH, you pay more to buy generally and get less when you trade in! If you can stretch to a used beretta browning etc your investment will be safer, if you buy the right gun now you wont need to "upgrade" in a year or 2........ you may want to but its unlikely you will shoot much better with it. LH used 525/686 are around £900-£1100 mark depending on age spec condition Depending on what your shooting at this looks a bargain http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Beretta_Shotgun_682-Gold_For-Sale_131231101824001 very tempted myself but its a clay gun not a feild gun..... if you want field gun then this may suit better http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Beretta_Shotgun_Silver-Pigeon-1_For-Sale_140130151148815 as for buying "unseen" i wouldn't recommend it unless you had the option to return for refund and could take it and try it with an experienced eye overseeing you. Edited February 6, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andra Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Thanks for that mate........ Always the same with LH I play guitar in LH too pain in the *** when looking for an new one! Looking for a gun that can do some clays and also double up as a game gun so the SP looks good I'll keep an eye on it while I wait for the licence. I reckon that would sell quite quickly though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 The ones priced right do.... Well worth going and shooting a few, but if you can buy one like that you shouldn't have much trouble selling it if you need to. Fortunately for me I only shoot LH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colruddock Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 I'm a lefty also, but I actually found most off the peg Beretta 686/687's fit me perfectly well, in fact just as a well as a proper left handed model I think. Same goes for Miroku, Browning (apart from a Browning Medalist I shot, the comb ruined my cheek after a round of clays, shame, as I shot well with it!), Lanber and Laurona. Couldn't hit a barn door with a right hand Bettinsoli I tried, but it was comfy at least! My point being, for a first gun, don't rule out a second hand right hander at the right price. If it were a rifle sure, case ejection, bolt operation; all better off being correctly handed, But on a shotgun, my own experience seems to be that a good proportion of manufacturers guns would fit me well enough off the peg no matter what the handedness. I'd only ever shot R/H guns for about a year after starting with clays. I tried my first lefty gun and I expected some sort of supreme comfort, picking up a few extra birds I'd have ordinarily missed and just getting that 'at home' feeling with the gun. But it never happened! Some people I'm sure will be different, but for me as a lefty, R/H shotguns seem fine and are easier to move on if you want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flynn Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) Speaking as someone in your exact same position this time last year, I can only say this. 1. Try before you buy. If you can't shoot it before parting with your money, walk away. 2. See 1. Honestly, a gun which doesn't fit is nothing but a lump of wood and a few steel pipes. It's worth nothing to you. I walked away from a really nice Miroku going for 900 and bought a 320 quid Rizzini. I know - the wood is bland, the machining isn't the best and frankly I've scratched it to ******* and back in a altercation with a barbed wire fence, a startled fox and a ditch but it doesn't matter. It fits me like a glove, it knocks over everything I fire it at and I'm delighted with it. Maybe in a few years I'll want something a bit fancier looking, but I have a load of pigeon and pheasant in the freezer, which wouldn't have been there if I'd bought the Miroku (which scored exactly 3 out of 25 clays, versus the 16 I hit with the Rizz) Try before you buy. Don't buy without trying. Edited February 7, 2014 by Flynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted February 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Thanks for the advice, I am going to do as much research as I can and try what I can at martin gorse wood this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted February 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Thanks for all your advice, I can see the importance of gun fit, I think I will look at a few this weekend when I get on the practice stand and see what others are using (see if I can "have a go", no harm in asking and gaining opinions etc) I will let you know how I get on. I found this, was going to call and arrange a try shoot but its a leftie!! May be of use for the L/H's: http://www.gunstar.co.uk/lanber-field-12-bore-gauge-shotgun-for-sale-in-kent/Shotguns/631687 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Wabbitbosher on here is an RFD and may be able to help you. Just PM him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDRsniper Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Baikal are a great starter gun too....made to last forever and cheap!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybrow Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I have been looking at Baikal, I have been told mixed opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Fit is key, baikal are odd dims they may fit you. Built like tanks but quite agricultural Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Baikals tend to be a bit to low in the comb for most and some models short on LOP. Robust guns though that can take abuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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