smokingdragon Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hi Guys Whilst waiting for my SGC to be granted, I'm looking at what's available in my budget of under £400. For the most part I'll shoot clays, although ideally I'd like to rough shoot ,but I'm not counting on that yet. So my choices are (at the moment): Hatsan Escort 3 / 3.5Magnum (new) Franchi 612VS s/h Winchester SuperX2 s/h Lamber OU s/h I used to own a Winchester semi many years ago and loved it so quite keen on the X2. Is there alot of difference between the reliability of the 'famous' brands and that of the Escort? Also if I buy the 3.5 models will it struggle with ordinary clay loads? Ideally i would want one that was steel proofed so that if the opportunity arose I could go goose shooting. Sorry about the many questions!! Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 For that money forget new, you'll get much more gun second hand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie1606 Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Can't go wrong with a Lanber had one for my 1st gun coming back to shooting and couldn't fault it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 If you are going to get the escort try looking at the Webly Scott semi, same price but a lot more sturdy if you know what i mean (althogh my mate has never had a single problem with his escort) and they even come complete with slip!! Dovey valley are using them for all their beginners days and lessons in both 12g and 20 for the ladies, my mate said he may chop in his escort for a Webly. Have you also considered a Bettinsoli, mine is the old one before GMK started to import them and it fits fine, i spent 2 hours having a gun fit trying £3k plus guns but the Bett just seemed to fit. Pop down to the gunhop and see what feels comftable, most will spend a lot of time with you fitting and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazykayaker Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Can't go wrong with a Lanber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokingdragon Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Can't go wrong with a Lanber I suppose in the end it will be fit that will decide the issue Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 i shoot a winchester super x2 its a solid no nonsense semi and it never misses a beat. the franchi is also one to consider as are beretta remington and fabarm.there are a lot of good quality semis out there.personally id go for a better quality gun second hand rather than a escort or the likes new.im not knocking them but they have to be built to a budget whereas the others are built to last but hey thats just my opinion. just make sure it fits you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenlander Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 I'd also advise spending your money on a better quality second hand gun ,rather than a budget price new one. You will get more for your money, "Bye cheap Bye twice", is a saying that I belive to be true when it comes to buying guns. All the best Mick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoCars Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 nothing wrong with the escorts mate, the 3 year warranty is good security, wont get that with a second hand gun, i use mine for clays and pigeon shooting (where the 3 shots come in handy), very good recoil, which is good for a long session on the clays, but like other said a ou prob best if clays are you main thing, more accepted than semis i think at clay grounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDeeds Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I admire you. I started off with a budget for a gun which, by the time I had made the purchase, had doubled. I considered any cheap second hand Lincoln or Lanber or some such. Then I thought for a couple of hundred more I could buy those models new. And then...... For another couple of hundred more (!) I ended up buying a s/h Beretta! It's a choice only you can make, and at the end of the day the gun fit will be an important factor. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootit Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I owned a Winchester SX2 and loved it. I had the 3" version and it chambered the light loads every time, no malfunctions whatsoever. Very light and accurate shotgun. It would be my choice over the Franchi any day. I also owned a Benelli and in some ways the Winchester was superior. Very much more shooter-friendly. Also easy to clean and maintain. Every once in awhile run a small brush or pipe cleaner through the gas port in the barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I think AYA are a great starting gun.I got the o/u Yeoman after reading PW posts second hand.Great in the field and gets a bit of interest at the clay ground from guys who think it is one of the posh AYA,s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEFTY478 Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 Better off with a good quality gun. If cost is an issue then simply make an appointment to see your bank manager and then during the interview, threaten to nail your gonads to his desk, unless his he agrees to finance you a new Beretta. Go on, you know you want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter-peter Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 Can't go wrong with a Lanber :thumbs: I suppose in the end it will be fit that will decide the issue Simon Good advice here. for under £400 you can buy a semi beretta, 301/302/303. easy to clean, indestructable. and you can easily alter them to fit your yourself . the alternative is browning gold semi. FORGET THE REST Ive bought em and got rid of em. if you go for an over and under stick to browning or beretta, BUT. MAKE SURE IT FITS YOU BEFORE YOU SHELL OUT A BEAN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter-peter Posted June 16, 2007 Report Share Posted June 16, 2007 I'd also advise spending your money on a better quality second hand gun ,rather than a budget price new one.You will get more for your money, "Bye cheap Bye twice", is a saying that I belive to be true when it comes to buying guns. All the best Mick. Dam'd good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted June 18, 2007 Report Share Posted June 18, 2007 My choice would be a vintage Winchester Model 50 or 59 semi-auto. A solid gun, no pressed metal here, stone coat or fancy enamel inlays! All metal parts are machined from solid. It is a short-recoil gun with a separate 'floating' chamber which handles sub-sonic shells with ease. I have one of each. The gun can be completely stripped with a twig from a tree and the carrier latch spring. The barrel comes out after one quarter turn. The simple springs (which I have never had break and are over 50 years old) could be fashioned in seconds from music wire! There are no pistons to clean (or eat through the magazine tube). Comments please. Does any member out there own one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted June 18, 2007 Report Share Posted June 18, 2007 My choice would be a vintage Winchester Model 50 or 59 semi-auto. A solid gun, no pressed metal here, stone coat or fancy enamel inlays! All metal parts are machined from solid. It is a short-recoil gun with a separate 'floating' chamber which handles sub-sonic shells with ease. I have one of each. The gun can be completely stripped with a twig from a tree and the carrier latch spring. The barrel comes out after one quarter turn. The simple springs (which I have never had break and are over 50 years old) could be fashioned in seconds from music wire! There are no pistons to clean (or eat through the magazine tube). Comments please. Does any member out there own one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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