Mallyshag Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'm sure this has been done to death previously, so my apologies for starting yet another... Having not opened my gun cabinet for at least 4 years after falling out of love with shooting, I have got the itch again... When I paced up, I stupidly sold both my John McNab O/U's in 20 Bore - I went down to 20B as I found them quicker than my SxS Grosable Sidelock which I still have (along with a couple of other SxS's which are pretty much scrap) I am looking for 20B O/U again, but I'm fairly sure I know what I want with this, so not a problem. I am looking for a Semi Auto or maybe even a Pump (maybe both!) for general use - it must cover as many aspects as possible: Clays / Pigeon / Wildfowl / Duck Flighting - And the missus wants to try clays as well, so we could end up with needing a bigger cabinet. Discuss.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Franchi Affinty light enough for a female shooter to use, 7 year warranty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 What`s your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Baikal MP153. Cheap as chips and rock solid bomb proof. Handles light clay loads and monster 3.5 inch steel wildfowling loads. But it is only a good buy if you can shoot with it! My advice would be to find an RFD with a shooting range and try a few makes and models before you buy. Don't feel guilty about trying and not buying as they are making money from the clays and cartridges you use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallyshag Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 What`s your budget? Sorry, should have said: About £700 - £800 I was looking at Hatsans but have read various reports that seem to suggest they maybe a bad idea. Ditto Mossberg - they do seem reasonable for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Armsan 620 semi lovley little gun use mine all the time on crows/pigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Sorry, should have said: About £700 - £800 I was looking at Hatsans but have read various reports that seem to suggest they maybe a bad idea. Ditto Mossberg - they do seem reasonable for the money I have a Hatsan semi and I think it`s a decent gun for the price. It hasn`t given me any problems in the time I`ve owned it. I know some of the earlier models were less than perfect but the newer models are much better. I mostly use mine for pigeon shooting. At around £300 new if it gets dropped in mud or takes a bit of a knock it`s not going to bother me a great deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I use a short barelled Hatsan Escort as my hide gun, keep them clean and feed them on good shells and they work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) New Franchi Affinity or Used Benelli M2 or Rafiello. Used Browning Maxus synthetic. Edited March 30, 2016 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallyshag Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Many options then... I like the sound of a short barrel semi - I'm not a fan of long barrels in general Maybe a selection.... Edited March 30, 2016 by Mallyshag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Plenty of shorter barrel semis about. My SX3 was 26" and it shot great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Baikel MP153 for you and a Franchi 720 for your OH. Sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallyshag Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Baikel MP153 for you and a Franchi 720 for your OH. Sorted. I thought the after-service for Baikel was less than ideal? Sure I read that on here somewhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 I thought the after-service for Baikel was less than ideal? Sure I read that on here somewhere... if you need parts for a baikal you are unlucky as they hardy go wrong but they are a bit of a challange to get parts for them but no impossible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 if you need parts for a baikal you are unlucky as they hardy go wrong but they are a bit of a challange to get parts for them but no impossible I've had to order spares twice in 20-odd years - both times the stuff turned up within a week. First was a snapped ejector spring in my o/u, second was a replacement magazine tube and gas seals when I bought my MP153 - it didn't appear to have been cleaned ever, and the tube was pitted under the gas ports. Changing the seals at the same time was merely a precaution - the gun still worked perfectly in that state, but it offended me too much to ignore it! They will take an awful lot of abuse and still work - they are designed as working tools, not display pieces. Hard to beat as general purpose guns, especially given the prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesP Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 My next door neighbour has an Armsan 620, he's had nothing but trouble with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallyshag Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Ok, so we have a selection to look at. What we don't have over here is a gun trader who has the ability to let you try before you buy. Based on the fact I'm on a small rock floating in the Solent, where on the big norf isle can this be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Best to find someone who owns a gun your interested in and ask to try it. Try as many as you can when you find the ones you like look for the best deal. I'm sure old Farrier is stuck on a rock in that stretch of water pm him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallyshag Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Cheers Figgy, I will try and find him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) He has plenty of posts on the forum he has built punts with youngsters on the island. His name is Nigel and the man is a true gent. Check out the north v south shoot for last couple of years he wears a full tweed suit and has slightly wayward hair,you might know him as your isle ain't big. Edited March 31, 2016 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 I have a Hatsan semi and I think it`s a decent gun for the price. It hasn`t given me any problems in the time I`ve owned it. I know some of the earlier models were less than perfect but the newer models are much better. I mostly use mine for pigeon shooting. At around £300 new if it gets dropped in mud or takes a bit of a knock it`s not going to bother me a great deal. Maybe some should bash themselves rather than the brand kept clean and with the right length cartridges mine has never jammed Not saying this is always the case but probably more than people will admit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian North Wales Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Hey all a mate of mine had a new Hatsan and it failed 3 time out. I've ordered a new franchi affinity but because I want a 26" barrel I have to wait 8-9 weeks! Still I've not Seen a bad word about the franchi and believe me I've looked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted April 1, 2016 Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 Ian with a 7 year warranty they're a good bet. Benelli only come with five and they own Franchi, go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Go Versamax the sportsman model will be in your budget, if i were in the market for a all round semi from todays crop it is what i would chose, As for the OHs gun get a hatsan escort 20, we have had one years with not a single issue so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 As above the junior model hatsan usually suit women very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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