Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Hi all, ok so I am looking to purchase my first shotgun & I know that fit is paramount . I've already been to a local shop & been told I need to be looking at 14" & would probably be better with a 28" barrel iam 5'8" I will be shooting mostly clays but would like to maybe do a bit of pegion shooting if I can Now I haven't got pots of money but would rather spend £1500 on the right gun than buy one for £400 or £600 & start wanting to change it in a few months, looked around on here & there's obviously a big differance of opinion when it comes to manufactures. So far I've narrowed it down to an O/U with multi chokes with a wooden stock in a 12 gauge but if I was your best mate & just starting what would you be telling me to look at buying??? Thanks in advance keith, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Shoot it, dont buy on the feel in the shop alone (or the specs on paper), i would go get some lessons at a clay ground and try a few different guns 28" is reasonably short these days and 14" sounds a little on the short side but then i haven't seen you... I like to think I'm 5'10" but probably not quite and shoot 30" and 32" barrels with 14 3/4" stock ish its more about balance than length but longer barrels are "in vogue" at the moment (and have been since the 90's i guess) Where abouts in the UK are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Hi mate Iam in Manchester been to Worsley a few times my mates just bought a new semi but that's not for me! There's no where I know that will let you fire one before you buy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Malmo - they will give you straight advice and a decent deal. No point looking elsewhere, if you want to try the gun first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Malmo - they will give you straight advice and a decent deal. No point looking elsewhere, if you want to try the gun first. +1 decent bunch of people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Hi mate Iam in Manchester been to Worsley a few times my mates just bought a new semi but that's not for me! There's no where I know that will let you fire one before you buy! Doveridge, will let you try any secondhand gun, charge about a tenner, but if you buy no charge. Beware as I did that with a grade 5 trap gun and ended up buying it Wife still not talking to me Reggiegun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 There's no where I know that will let you fire one before you buy! I wont buy one without shooting it first..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks I'll check them both out never heard of them so can't be close! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 There not going to let you shoot a new gun though, it's usually a demonstrator gun or a second hand one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks I'll check them both out never heard of them so can't be close! http://www.doveridgeclaysports.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Yeah that's fine, not looking to buy new think id like to buy a good second hand one ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggiegun Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Yeah that's fine, not looking to buy new think id like to buy a good second hand one ! Berretta, Miroku or Browning mate, stick to them secondhand. Malmo is excellent gun shop, been there today. What gun you want to try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Malmo are just north of Garstang. Easy access from M6. Far better than Doveridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Well I think iam leaning towards a Beretta but only because you can seem to find out a lot about them on the net & plus that's what I've used before , & at least it's a starting point Just checked Malmo out think I'll take a trip up with my mate one weekend :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted March 25, 2014 Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 14" seems a bit short 14"1/2 would be normal Here a rough guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2014 Thanks I'll double check before I buy, but I am quite stocky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 hiya scuba av a look at kelbrooke lodge gunshop an clay ground,me thinks you can try em there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Don't get bogged down by technical jargon, barrel length, length of pull or whatever. Get yourself to Malmo and you can try out Beretta, Browning and Miroku, or any other gun that takes your fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteri Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 As someone who was in your position last year - that's the best advice. Find a gun that's comfortable to shoot - that will encourage you more than anything, look for a brand with good resale (i.e. the brands listed already) and off you go. I picked up a Browning Ultra XTR, very comfortable with a rubber adjustable comb. Must have put 5000+ shells through it and it was perfect, nothing wrong with the gun and it let me appreciate what I was looking for in my next gun. I then managed to sell it for what I paid for it, and moved onto a Blaser F3 - which would absolutely not have suited me last year! (Well rather I would not have appreciated it) Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Too many people worry too much about a first gun. Must get a good fit, if your tall longer barrels than if your short. Forget about all that buy a cheaper gun and have some practise, after a year or so you will be in a much better position to decide what's right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 Thanks lads sounds like some good advice there! I'll take it on board when I visit Malmo cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Well I think iam leaning towards a Beretta but only because you can seem to find out a lot about them on the net & plus that's what I've used before , & at least it's a starting point Just checked Malmo out think I'll take a trip up with my mate one weekend :-) If you're going from Manchester up the M6 to Malmo turn off at Junction 27 (ie, don't go up the M61) and have a look at Bamfords in Eccleston (three miles from the junction in a straight line!). Very good shop, very helpful--and a Beretta dealer. You may even be able to arrange a trial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldred4 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Some places have demonstrators of new guns. I put 25 cartridges through all of the guns I tried before settling on the one that felt comfortable to me and also fitted me the best. I tried quite a few including different models at various clay grounds. The gun I bought in the end was actually taken out of its box on the day to become their demonstrator and I bought that gun. I was cheeky enough to ask for a discount as after shooting it I said it was used. Once they had a good laugh I still got some freebies thrown in. I went for a browning that came with excellent warranty. Being new to shooting at the time I didnt feel confident enough to know what I needed to look for in a second hand gun and didnt always have the luxury of a knowledgable friend to come along shopping with me. With buying new should I ever want to change I'll still have some considerable value in my gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloydi73 Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 (edited) Hi....I started about 5 months ago now.....My friend took me into the shop and laid out 4 guns, 3 new and 1 s/h....he didn't tell me which was which, after I had picked them all up and dry mounted them, I went straight back to option 3...it was the s/h Beretta 682 Golden E 30" barrels...The feel and fit was amasing, I could just tell straight away it was the gun for me....All the reviews I have read say the 682 is outstanding, and the instructor I use also says it's one of the best starter guns....They were about £2,750 new, I picked mine up for £1,500.00 in excellent condition... so in answer to your question, I would: 1) Recommend the Beretta 682 Golden E in answer to your initial question BUT 2) Like everybody above have said, go to the shop first and feel and try before you buy if you can...... My 682 is still in my cabinet, but I have just purchased a new 692 32" barrels and love that equally Edited March 31, 2014 by lloydi73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Posted March 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 Cheers I'll check that one out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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