anser2 Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Armsan S\A comments please. I have given up with my Browning S\A. 4 times back to gunsmiths and a S\A expert and still after a few rounds are fired it jams so I am looking for a new gun that will handle 3 inch steel in comfort. This winter I have been using my old AYA No 3 3 inch magnum and its been ok for duck with 32 and 34 gr loads of steel , but it cant take the heavy loads of steel for geese ( BB are almost impossible to get in 32 gr loads ) and I have been using my rapidly dwindling stocks of hevi-shot and Tungstun. In an ideal world I would like a S\S , but 3 inch steel proof S\Ss seem to be few and far between and those I have handled seem to have poor balance and feel like lumps of gas pipes rather than a sporting gun. O\Us are a non starter for me so it looks like it has to be a S\A. Having spent a fortune on my Browning a gun that has been a problem since day one I am not inclined to spend a thousand or more on another so thinking about the cheaper end of the market. Escorts did have a lot of bad press though the later guns seem to be a lot better. However I have been looking at the Armsan A612 3 inch. It handles like a dream and though I have not shot it feels like a nice gun. The gunsmith assures me that he has sold quite a few and had no bad feedback, but that could be just sales talk! Has anyone on here experiance with the Armsan A612 , 3 inch ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 From what I have seen they have a decent enough reputation , if that means they will hold up on the foreshore with heavy loads though I am not sure . I do not know what thread the chokes are so would you be able to get your favoured chokes to fit ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IEH Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I think they take Mobil chokes (Beretta/Benelli), if so there should be plenty of aftermarket options available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I've had the use of an Armsan pigeon shooting, it worked perfect all day long, I wouldn't worry about heavy loads on the foreshore you will never shot that many for them to be a problem in any gun. Worth every penny in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted March 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 If it will take Bretta chokes they should be ok on the Armsan. I have a Undertaker , very full (.700) which is deadly on geese with BB. In a good season I may shoot 400- 450 heavy loads through the Browning so the Armsan needs to be pretty robust. Thanks for the comments so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Check out the reviews on these guns, they come out as being very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Also consider the Baikal MP153 , plenty of fowlers use those . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 The franchi might be worth a look it has a 7 year warranty and 3 1/2 chambers ,good reports from the states and around £500 cant be bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 (edited) My armsan went back it was a pile of junk, wouldn't cycle right and far to flat shooting for me, I'd check out the franchi affinity one, £540 7 year warranty far better build quality and feel than the Armsan. The franchi is basically a benelli with a different badge! I'd avoid a baikal like the plague, they are solid guns but if anything goes wrong the after sales support is virtually zero! Edited March 6, 2016 by johnnytheboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Armsan S\A comments please. I have given up with my Browning S\A. 4 times back to gunsmiths and a S\A expert and still after a few rounds are fired it jams so I am looking for a new gun that will handle 3 inch steel in comfort. This winter I have been using my old AYA No 3 3 inch magnum and its been ok for duck with 32 and 34 gr loads of steel , but it cant take the heavy loads of steel for geese ( BB are almost impossible to get in 32 gr loads ) and I have been using my rapidly dwindling stocks of hevi-shot and Tungstun. In an ideal world I would like a S\S , but 3 inch steel proof S\Ss seem to be few and far between and those I have handled seem to have poor balance and feel like lumps of gas pipes rather than a sporting gun. O\Us are a non starter for me so it looks like it has to be a S\A. Having spent a fortune on my Browning a gun that has been a problem since day one I am not inclined to spend a thousand or more on another so thinking about the cheaper end of the market. Escorts did have a lot of bad press though the later guns seem to be a lot better. However I have been looking at the Armsan A612 3 inch. It handles like a dream and though I have not shot it feels like a nice gun. The gunsmith assures me that he has sold quite a few and had no bad feedback, but that could be just sales talk! Has anyone on here experiance with the Armsan A612 , 3 inch ? Fix the Browning what is it whats it doing wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 (edited) I wished that I had bought one of these http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/baikal_mp153_semi-auto I think the last paragraph in the report sums it up Edited March 6, 2016 by harrycatcat1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footu Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 I have one,3 seasons so far plus use in clays and absolutely spot on. Not one jam.heavyvloads fine. Only downside is it kicks a bit so follow up shots are slightly slower than my berretta , but that's not getting muddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
widgeon man Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Robert, the browning gold 3.5" was notorious for problems with 3.5" loads, personally I would go for a baikal or beretta, tried and tested to work..... The others will have people that support or hate. I had a Benelli that was super consistent and reliable for 7 years until recoil spring and bolt spring weakened. Others had nothing but bad luck! The baikal is built like a tank, but not especially light? Otherwise how about a 3" beretta 303 or 390/391?? Should be able to pick one up reasonable? The best in my opinion is the Xtrema2 can get for the right money now and best designed waterfowl auto in my opinion, and I have the a400 xtreme and still think that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawntredder Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Defo franchi over armsan though they are good guns and will hold up on Marsh just like hatsans that fowlers I know and have had for four or five seasons with know probs!....trying find a benelli m2 3"... as for me I will be getting my hands on a new browning gold hunter in 10g for next season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted March 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 (edited) Wigeon man. I used to have a MP153 and it was a good goose gun , but too heavy for me when trying to shoot duck in the half light. Im not sure about it being made like a tank , I suspect it was made from a tank! Tony R . I have tried to fix the Browning Gold many times with several gunshops and a S\A expert , but within a dozen shots its back giving its old trouble of jamming or not cocking. The franchi is a gun I am seriously looking at , a friend has an affinity and its a very good gun , but I was less pleased with the two I handled in a gunshop. Probaly just in need of stock adjustment but when I handled the Armsan the other day it felt so good , a good fit , balance and light. But I have been wary because of the flak other Turkish guns have had on the forum. This year I am on a very tight budget , apart from a new gun I am also looking for a new gundog £600 + , add well over £500 for shooting rent, had to replace my PC and possibly will need a new car means I am going to have watch the pennies. Thats the one reason for looking at the cheap end of the market plus my experiance with Browning quality end has not been good. Jamming and non cocking are just a few of several issues i have had with it. Its always been looked after and went back for a service twice a year , but still lets me down. The worst thing is none of the Gunsmiths can really find where the fault is. They strip it down, clean it through out, make a few adjustments, but still after a few shots the old problems return. I think I have spent so much on repairs and service I could have bought a pair of Armsan's. I recon 15 to 20 geese owe their lives to it playing up in the past couple of seasons. . Thanks for all your comments so far guys. Edited March 6, 2016 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo-1 Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 This is my first season/year back to shooting. I got myself an Armsan a612 in camo for the foreshaw and pigeons. I have had no problems at all with it apart from learning that you need to match the cartridge to the gun. The first 100 or so cartridges through it gave the occasional non eject, but that was with 28g loads on clays. Now after nearly a year with mostly clay loads it cycles just about anything and goes anywhere. I am not prissy with it as it is a working gun and for £450 imho you cannot go wrong. If you want to give mine a go on clays you are welcome, just PM me and we can arrange it. I have not used a pattern plate with it and have not used any after-market chokes. Misses in my case are down to the operator! Other people have used it on the clay ground and have had very good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Anser, may I ask where you took your gun to be 'repaired'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Wigeon man. I used to have a MP153 and it was a good goose gun , but too heavy for me when trying to shoot duck in the half light. Im not sure about it being made like a tank , I suspect it was made from a tank! Tony R . I have tried to fix the Browning Gold many times with several gunshops and a S\A expert , but within a dozen shots its back giving its old trouble of jamming or not cocking. The franchi is a gun I am seriously looking at , a friend has an affinity and its a very good gun , but I was less pleased with the two I handled in a gunshop. Probaly just in need of stock adjustment but when I handled the Armsan the other day it felt so good , a good fit , balance and light. But I have been wary because of the flak other Turkish guns have had on the forum. This year I am on a very tight budget , apart from a new gun I am also looking for a new gundog £600 + , add well over £500 for shooting rent, had to replace my PC and possibly will need a new car means I am going to have watch the pennies. Thats the one reason for looking at the cheap end of the market plus my experiance with Browning quality end has not been good. Jamming and non cocking are just a few of several issues i have had with it. Its always been looked after and went back for a service twice a year , but still lets me down. The worst thing is none of the Gunsmiths can really find where the fault is. They strip it down, clean it through out, make a few adjustments, but still after a few shots the old problems return. I think I have spent so much on repairs and service I could have bought a pair of Armsan's. I recon 15 to 20 geese owe their lives to it playing up in the past couple of seasons. . Thanks for all your comments so far guys. The golds and its similar BW stablemates are awesome guns, they need a few things kept clean/ lubed to run reliably. But its simply not complicated and to give up on one when its had a good few people look at it stateing its ok is im my opinion not a fiscaly prudent move, esspecialy as you say your are looking at a pup etc. Lets take it on the fact those that have acctualy seen this gun, and are shall we say compitent and in the know. They say everything is ok, so lets take it its nothing visably wrong. Golds dont like over lubed ar dirty back bolt spring tubes, it could have been clumsey lubricated in there, it could be rusty in there, the springs do need changing has that lost some of its vigor, is it dry on the bolt rails they dont like that either, and the gas piston assembley, these can be problamatic can be the spring in the piston weakening. My favourate on this is the bolt spring tube area / spring / dirt rust / too much lube gunked up some how. Easy to do it yourself, it realy is and then it will just work for you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted March 6, 2016 Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 The franchi might be worth a look it has a 7 year warranty and 3 1/2 chambers ,good reports from the states and around £500 cant be bad Where have you managed to find a 3 1/2" model? I was interested in one of these but after researching it I could only find 3". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncher Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Where have you managed to find a 3 1/2" model? I was interested in one of these but after researching it I could only find 3". Think i may have jumped the gun on that ,i was sure i handled one but not sure, but i think they are avaiable over the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 (edited) Think i may have jumped the gun on that ,i was sure i handled one but not sure, but i think they are avaiable over the pond. You could have handled a 3.5 inch , i know of one in st hellens merseyside its just GMK only list the afinity 3 inch at the moment , its the intensity the 3.5 inch, could be GMK previously brought in the intensity. or a grey import perhaps, heard the sportsman brought all sorts in at times could have come from there maybe. Edited March 7, 2016 by TONY R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett1985 Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 got a nice SX3 here for sale... 28 inch barrel, 3.5inch chambers, and less than a new armsan. seriously though, the armsan's seem to be pretty good. the turks have upped their game over the last couple of years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted March 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Motty , as I am a regular with the gunshops that have dealt with it and will we in the future as I do not want to travel out of the county to get my cartridges I am not going to name shops on here , only to say they are local to me.Looks like I am going to get the Armsan and thanks for the offer Brett1985 but I would want to test drive the SX£ and you live a hell of a way from me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett1985 Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Motty , as I am a regular with the gunshops that have dealt with it and will we in the future as I do not want to travel out of the county to get my cartridges I am not going to name shops on here , only to say they are local to me.Looks like I am going to get the Armsan and thanks for the offer Brett1985 but I would want to test drive the SX£ and you live a hell of a way from me! your not wrong there matey! have fun with the armsan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 personally i would avoid the armsan.. i have heard good things about them, but i have looked and used one. that franchi looks good. i bought the benelli montefeltro, not far from its cousin the M2. have you considered a pump? they can be bought cheap, and used effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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