Granett Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 What's the best cheap (up to £450 say) semi-auto for use on clays? Has anyone used a Armsan 612 and a Hatsan Escort and can say which they prefer? Still waiting on my licence and deliberating over the O&U I'll go for (looking increasingly like a Browning B525) but I'm also thinking about getting something a bit less serious. To'ing and fro'ing between a pump-action and a semi-auto and right now reduced recoil is beating pump-action simplicity and Hollywood appeal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 You can get a good second hand 12g o/u .look on gun watch .guntrader . Or a new revo for £450. Had a semi auto for clay shooting could not get on with it . Also you don't see many semi auto at clay shooting .they are all O/u.which seems the norm Lot easy to clean as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8 shot Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 They are both throw away guns last about 4-5 years then bin them, the spares are expensive springs etc. Used a mates Hatsan they are a bit tinny, but work, the spring went on his took a while to get one and expensive in comparison to the purchase price. Would have the O/U if it's going to be your only gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Can't comment on the Armsan but my Hatsan has served me very well for over a year. I've had no problems with it at all. As a plus Edgar Bros, the suppliers are great to deal with if you do have any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnytheboy Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 I think I'd go for a used beretta ulrika for that money before I'd go for any of the above! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Have a look at what wabbitbosher has he may be able to help? I got my Hatsan from him. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsbob Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 I have had both and in my experiences the Armsan wins. It is smaller, lighter and about 7000 rounds with no issues. The internal build quality of the Armsan is better finished and the parts fit is better with less mechanical noise when firing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granett Posted April 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Thanks for the replies so far. Gonna get an O&U - either a (2nd hand) B525 or start on something cheap for a few months until I've got a better idea of exactly what I want for my main gun. The semi-auto's just for a bit of variety and entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Get a good second hand semi auto shotgun for less than £400 I just picked up a Remington 11-87 for less than that. 3" and proofed for steel shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Old beretta can't beat them 302/303 /390/391 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) I would look for a Beretta 303, probably the best Beretta made, easier to clean than the current models, mine will handle down to 24 grams and fitted with a Briley extended I/C choke will cope with anything on a sporting layout. Several at the local gunshop under £450. Edited April 30, 2017 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka.223 Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 Old beretta can't beat them 302/303 /390/391 I would look for a Beretta 303, probably the best Beretta made, easier to clean than the current models, mine will handle down to 24 grams and fitted with a Briley extended I/C choke will cope with anything on a sporting layout. Several at the local gunshop under £450. What they said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.C Posted April 30, 2017 Report Share Posted April 30, 2017 What they said. +1 more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Buy a used Franchi Affinity they are inertia just like a Benelli will do all you need. If you want a gas operated semi auto for less recoil as others have said a good used Beretta or have a look at a Winchester SX3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 My Hatsan FAC version has served me well for the past seven years. During this time, many 1000's of cartridges have been put through it with no issues. As long as 67mm ones are used, then you should have no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I can't understand why some folk insist on 'cheap' new rather than secondhand 'quality'. You will find many quality secondhand self loaders within that price range. My Winchester 1500XTR cost me much less than the budget you mentioned; it is a fabulous clay/decoy gun, and before I considered either of the guns you mention I'd be looking at early Berettas ( two mates have the 303 variants and they are truly good high quality guns ) Franchi 612 or 712, or Browning 2000 or B80. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I can't understand why some folk insist on 'cheap' new rather than secondhand 'quality'. I take your point but . . . It makes a lot of sense for someone new to guns. They ae reassured by knowing it's new and comes with a guarantee in case anything goes wrong. They don't have to sort through a bewildering array of makes and models, and they don't have to worry about buying a second hand gun that could have serious issues that they aren't experienced enough to spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 You can get a new affinity for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 I had a mk1 hatsan escort for 5 years only went back to shop once for sum warranty work had a fuw jams now and again in all it was OK was my first semi traded it in for a sx3 over a year ago just feels so much better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 (edited) Had my Mk1 Escort (the Hatsan not the Ford!) for over 10 years now, lost count of how many thousand cartridges through it. Also have a new Mk3, apart from a couple of boxes through to try it out it's been sat in the safe for about 5 years waiting for the Mk1 to die!!. I also have the Hatsan Silver Select O/U, cost me about £270 and works very nicely. Have a look at Wabbitboshers stuff in the trade sales section, some really good bargains come up there, usually well under your budget and a great way to get started. Mick Vokes Guns on Gun Watch https://www.gunwatch.co.uk/users/81/items https://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/forum/42-guns-for-sale-trade/ Edited May 1, 2017 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Old beretta can't beat them 302/303 /390/391 i have an old A303...from new...one of the first ones...26".......set of chokes ...have used it for everything....has never seen a gunsmith............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granett Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 (edited) Normally I'd be happy to buy 2nd hand but as DM said, I don't know what I'm looking at most of the time. Quite often I don't even know which decade the guns I'm looking at have come from. When I asked the question it was with a view to knowing which new guns costing £450 from new are decent, so I could possible pick one up 2nd hand for maybe £300. That way I could be sure of avoiding looking at stuff made in the 80s. Cookoff- A new Affinity looks more like £600,which is a bit more than I'd intended to spend. Phaedra and DB - how many jams with the Hatsans are we talking here? Edited May 1, 2017 by Granett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 Phaedra and DB - how many jams with the Hatsans are we talking here? I doubt I've even had double figures with mine when using 28gm cartridges, the majority of feed issues have come from using short (65mm) 21gm cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 When I bought the escort I had it was only a year old off a friend for 230 qwid had it for 5 years traded it in for 150 against a new sx3 so it served it's purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
db135 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 As didn't want to put a load money into sumthing I might not like as it went I much prefer a semi over a O/U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.