evolution380 Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Finally got my Shotgun certificate in the post today, it's only been 8 weeks however felt like a lifetime. My budget is £1.5k and I'm after a sporter over and under. I've had lessons with several silver pigeon models which I shot ok with however after shouldering various brownings and Mirokus at the local RFD they felt a better fit to me personally however I'm yet to shoot with either. The MK38 and the B525 both shouldered lovely especially the 525 It just felt right. My local clay ground actually has a few new models for sale which I stumbled across whilst browsing guntrader and they have demonstrators in both 30 and 32 inch barrels so I've arranged a lesson with one of the demo's to see how I get on. My coach is actually a very honest guy, he suggested I use guntrader and buy second hand originally to get the best value for money rather than try and steer me down the silver pigeon route seeing as they have dozens in stock. For this I trust his word and opinion quite a lot. Now from what I've read, one thing i've learned is to buy second hand however is this an exception? The B525 2015 model is available new for £1400-1500 however the older models second hand are circa £1100 from searching my local area. Is the older model build quality superior in anyway which warrants buying second hand? Or is it worth getting the latest model for the sake of a few hundred quid? My coach is also going to bring me a couple of other guns (not for sale) to try out so I have a wider feel and knowledge for 'gun fit' to ensure I know in my mind what feels right to me. Is it often the case that a gun can shoulder nice but then you can't hit a barn door with it? Just that I did like the MK38 also but what if I could shoot better with that? Seems to be a case where it's easy to shoulder numerous models but harder to actually fire some off with it. Sorry if this echoes many other threads, just very relevant to myself at the moment and I don't want to regret my decision should it fit in my instructors opinion and I shoot well with it. I'll probably have a couple of lessons with a demonstrator to learn if it's for me in either the 30 or 32 inch barrels variants, is that enough? I probably get through 75-100 rounds per lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonmealing001 Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 I have a quick off topic question for your shotgun license did you need a ammunition safe As I have mine going through at the mo a was not sure if I would need one or If it is worth getting one Thanks s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 I bought my 525 through guntrader for £700 with a slip, cartridge bag and some cartridges and I've been very very happy with it. I'm glad I waited and shopped around and waited for what I think was a bargain. In response to Simon, you don't need an ammo safe for sgc in England. Evolution, which is your local clay ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arm3000gt Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Depends on how much a few hundred pounds is to you really. I bought a second hand Browning Citori. It was unmarked and looked virtually brand new and had a nice wood stock (compared to others Citori I have seen). I could have spent more but what would be the point? It's me that lets the side down not the gun. I spent the difference on 1500 cartridges. Not once have I thought I wish I'd bought a brand new gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonmealing001 Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Cool thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolution380 Posted July 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) Hi Simon, as lab staff said.i have no ammo safe in theory it can be just chucked in a cupboard, drawer or wherever you pretty much please. Thanks for the replies! I'm happy to buy second hand, it's always made sense to me, just from looking recently at least in my area the 525's seem to be circa £1k for the older models so wasn't sure if there was any merit in spending a touch more to get a later version of the 525. The Miroku MK38 Sporter Teagued seem few and far between however patience is a virtue! I'll hav e a go with the demo first and see how I get on and in the mean time look for some S/H bargains! Lab Staff my local is Nottingham and District Gun Club, just 2mins down the road from mine. Edited July 31, 2017 by evolution380 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) ... Other edits make my post null and void Edited July 31, 2017 by Newbie to this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Sold my 525 Sporter , 28" multi, still in the makers case with everything inside, mint condition after firing less than 500 rounds for £900 - but took a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I have a quick off topic question for your shotgun license did you need a ammunition safe As I have mine going through at the mo a was not sure if I would need one or If it is worth getting one Thanks s No, mine live in the kitchen broom cupboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 I bought a new 525 28in barrel game gun. It cost me £1300, I could have bought 2nd hand but I wanted a new gun ( maybe just me) . Now I know how many shots my gun has fired, as 2nd hand ones could have plenty shots through them, but then again its up to you. If you do buy a 525 you wont regret it, use it, clean it and it will last you a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 That's a good club, I tend to go there or cocketts farm. You're welcome to try my 525 down there on a round of sporting or skeet to see how you get on with it. It's got 30" barrels with a lop of about 15". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolution380 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Cheers Labstaff, very kind offer. I'm booked in for a lesson Tommorow with a couple of their demonstrators to see how I Fair. I've shouldered an older 525 but not this newest one (probably not a deal of difference) however if I don't get on with the sporter one I may take you up on the offer to see if the prrvious version with that specific LOP is ideal for me. Confident I'll end up buying one however. Drop me a PM if you're ever up that way, I'm only two minutes away from there. May try and get this evening to spectate and eat as they have their BBQ on tonight and the missus is out so someone has to feed me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labstaff Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 No problem at all, if you want to try It, let me know. Next time I'm up there I'll drop you a pm. What days Do you usually go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 I bought my ex-demo 525 game model for £995 and am delighted with it. Mainly used on clays as I prefer the shallower gape of a SBS in the hide. This is the earlier model, I think from 2006. I tried a friend's 525 sporter out at our clay shoot and couldn't miss with it. Just knew I had to get one for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 I have a quick off topic question for your shotgun license did you need a ammunition safe As I have mine going through at the mo a was not sure if I would need one or If it is worth getting one Thanks s you dont need one for a shotgun I bought my ex-demo 525 game model for £995 and am delighted with it. Mainly used on clays as I prefer the shallower gape of a SBS in the hide. This is the earlier model, I think from 2006. I tried a friend's 525 sporter out at our clay shoot and couldn't miss with it. Just knew I had to get one for myself. nice gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Dont know where you are from, but one shop I suggest visiting is Greenfields of Salisbury. They have loads of guns and knowledgeable gunsmiths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rabbit Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 In the case of basic 525's I'd definitely buy new or a nearly new "Sporter One". Prices for the older model are falling because the new model is a much better gun. The Sporter one has back bored barrels,longer invector+ chokes and the gun now balances on the pin rather than being nose heavy. It is also fitted with the 725's rubber recoil pad rather than the horrible plastic plate. We had 6 of the old model and changed them for the Sporter One and they're a vast improvement. A much nicer handling gun. We had trouble with the bite being a bit stiff when new but they soon bedded in. WR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolution380 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 In the case of basic 525's I'd definitely buy new or a nearly new "Sporter One". Prices for the older model are falling because the new model is a much better gun. The Sporter one has back bored barrels,longer invector+ chokes and the gun now balances on the pin rather than being nose heavy. It is also fitted with the 725's rubber recoil pad rather than the horrible plastic plate. We had 6 of the old model and changed them for the Sporter One and they're a vast improvement. A much nicer handling gun. We had trouble with the bite being a bit stiff when new but they soon bedded in. WR. I can't comment on this but thats good to hear, looking at the newest 525 sporter one second hand there only selling for £150-200 below RRP of a brand new one so for the sake of that I'd rather just buy new. I'd heard there were improvements which drew me to it, good to hear someone who has used both, so thanks for the feedback! 'Dont know where you are from, but one shop I suggest visiting is Greenfields of Salisbury. They have loads of guns and knowledgeable gunsmiths ' Over 3 hours each way for me unfortunately. I bought my ex-demo 525 game model for £995 and am delighted with it. Mainly used on clays as I prefer the shallower gape of a SBS in the hide. This is the earlier model, I think from 2006. I tried a friend's 525 sporter out at our clay shoot and couldn't miss with it. Just knew I had to get one for myself. Very nice, yes I love the feel of them.. looking forward to actually shooting one rather than just shouldering. No problem at all, if you want to try It, let me know. Next time I'm up there I'll drop you a pm. What days Do you usually go? I usually go on on Thursdays and the weekend, didn't make it tonight so i'm there trying it out tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolution380 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) Got in for a lesson last night but didn't manage to get a demo with the 525 so I'm off to Orston this weekend to try them out. After speaking to my local RFD who unfortunately don't have shooting facilities they have the 525 sporter ones in stock. HOWEVER They have brand new 525 Sporter Ones in stock with adjustable Comb's from the factory. How does this affect future re-sale? Is it generally a positive or negative if it's from the factory and not an aftermarket modification? My local RFD is the better priced i've found around at the moment: B525 Sporter One - £1425 B525 Sporter One with Adjustable Comb - £1600 I'm just thinking with the adjustable comb I have quite a versatile gun, too versatile for me at my level but gives me a gun that I can definitely grown into and advance with? Edited August 4, 2017 by evolution380 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted August 6, 2017 Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Buy the adjustable comb but try and knock him down on price or get a slab of cardtidges thrown in with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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