mct94 Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Hi there, I am still awaiting my SGC but wanted to know if anyone on here can recommend a good shop to buy my first gun from. I was set on buying either a 525 or a Silver Pigeon, but ideally I want somewhere with a big selection where I can hold and mount a few guns and ensure I get something that fits me well instead of just buying something for the name and hoping for the best. I don't want to spend £1400 on a gun to sell it 6 months later, but I understand after a few months of shooting on my own I may want to change it anyway. Its a reasonably big purchase for myself so I want to go somewhere that will let me take my time and not try and sell me a ill-fitting gun! So, who can recommend a decent shop with good staff who know what they're on about and don't mind lots of questions! Im in Derbyshire and have heard good things about Countryman and Melbourne. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brokey Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Premier guns at Doveridge do try before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 doveridge also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I got my Guerini from Premier after taking back a faulty Beretta 692. Plenty of guns and you can have a couple of rounds of skeet to try. Be aware they charge, £20 I think, if you don't buy to stop tyre kickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 J.F. Neville in Alfreton seemed to have a good stock when I went in last week and the staff seemed less "dour" than most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I'm in Derbyshire and I've bought a couple from Melbourne but as yellow bear said Neville's in alfreton are good and very friendly and helpful. I'm in Derbyshire and I've bought a couple from Melbourne but as yellow bear said Neville's in alfreton are good and very friendly and helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marccus Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Agree with all the above. Countryman in Derby Neville's in Alfreton Melbourne guns West Midlands shooting ground Premier Guns in Doveridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 I like Melbourne gun but others hate it. We have Solware in Tamworth and they have a good selection . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 (edited) You might be wise to pop along to your local clay ground-most seem to have a selection of the more common guns that visitors can use and you get more of a feel for a gun if you can use it on something like a Sporting layout - my money , for what it's worth, would be on a 525 multi sporter but that's just me - you mention both the SP and the 525 but try both before committing - some people simply cannot get on with Beretta's whilst many find them ideal. Take your time...it's your money so you are in the driving seat Edited May 12, 2016 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsbob Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I used to use these people when I lived up that way, Garlands shooting ground . http://www.garlandsshootingground.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mct94 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Thanks for the replies guys. I got my Guerini from Premier after taking back a faulty Beretta 692. Plenty of guns and you can have a couple of rounds of skeet to try. Be aware they charge, £20 I think, if you don't buy to stop tyre kickers. Glenlivet- I have been taking lessons and shot with friends at Doveridge so have had a look round Premier. Have heard mixed opinions about them but nonetheless I think it'd be worth paying to use a few guns as you mention. Thankyou. Just out of interest what was wrong with the 692? You might be wise to pop along to your local clay ground-most seem to have a selection of the more common guns that visitors can use and you get more of a feel for a gun if you can use it on something like a Sporting layout - my money , for what it's worth, would be on a 525 multi sporter but that's just me - you mention both the SP and the 525 but try both before committing - some people simply cannot get on with Beretta's whilst many find them ideal. Take your time...it's your money so you are in the driving seat bruno22rf - Good advice there. Doveridge, where I intend to become a member, have a good selection of guns you can borrow. I have been using their 'borrow guns' on my lessons and is how I got interested in Silver Pigeons. I am not planning to spend a particular amount of money, just what gun feels right. I was at Doveridge yesterday using my mates ancient AYA side by side and shot really well with it, but I'm definitely going for a 30" Sporter MC for my first gun as you mention above. Think Countryman, Melbourne, Doveridge and perhaps Solware might be good options. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Doveridge sounds good to me,try several guns someone will prob come out with you and give you a few tips aswell ,and skeet will give you a good idea how the gun handles Good luck with choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mct94 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Doveridge sounds good to me,try several guns someone will prob come out with you and give you a few tips aswell ,and skeet will give you a good idea how the gun handles Good luck with choice Im friendly with some of the instructors there so il ask. Interested in shooting skeet actually, a instructor took me on there at Doveridge and i shot 22/25 on my first ever round! Although was probably beginners luck but I do really enjoy the faster paced / snap shooting style. Thanks mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Thanks for the replies guys. Glenlivet- I have been taking lessons and shot with friends at Doveridge so have had a look round Premier. Have heard mixed opinions about them but nonetheless I think it'd be worth paying to use a few guns as you mention. Thankyou. Just out of interest what was wrong with the 692? The usual ejector problems. They stuck a couple of times on my trial shoot but that could have been the cartridges. However, I shot a few times over the weekend with different shells with no improvement so, given the known ejector problems with early 692s, I took it back and swapped it. I was quite impressed that they did this although I gathered they weren't too happy. The 692 was back up for sale on the website later that day though...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 (edited) Used be a great one in Brierley Hill, cant remember the name though. Will try and dig it out. Edited May 12, 2016 by Wingman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Another vote for countryman at Derby, got a cracking mk7o from them and it was exactly as described on the phone and very helpful staff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako7mm Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Countryman or Nevilles for me. Premier Guns at Doveridge I find expensive and rude. I took a faulty gun back there a week after buying it and was refused a refund. I will never buy from them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Used be a great one in Brierley Hill, cant remember the name though. Will try and dig it out. DAI are useless now (last time I went in virtually no guns) There is another by the waterfront which is higher end "Brierley guns" iirc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted May 12, 2016 Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 Gunshop Rugby & Norman Clark, Rugby Not in that order.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted May 13, 2016 Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 If you have a wad of Cash you will be made very welcome at Countryman ! Any other time you will get mixed reaction from uninterested to unwelcome I stopped going in there one Saturday when Martin had a room full of shotgun shells and told me due to the increase in LEAD prices all the stock he had would be going up 20% on the Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloc Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 Countryman and Nevilles get my vote. Beretta my first gun from Countryman at Derby and PX at Nevilles for my Guerini. Both great to deal with, good stock levels and quite happy for all the noob questions when I went looking to buy. Cheers J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyska Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 For ultimate service, real free coffee and all the time in the world to ponder go and see Simon at Hadfields guns in Loughborough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted May 14, 2016 Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 For ultimate service, real free coffee and all the time in the world to ponder go and see Simon at Hadfields guns in Loughborough. Went in there the other week, very friendly and plenty of time for a chat, even though I'd never been in before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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