Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 I am looking to buy a second hand Beretta semi auto (budget won't stretch to a new one). My question is are any models better than others? Any ones to avoid? It will be used 90% of the time for pigeon shooting. Budget of around £500. My first and only semi auto has been a Hatsan Escort which fits like a glove and I have enjoyed shooting but is totally unreliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 If you come out with me any more even an unreliable one will be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, JDog said: If you come out with me any more even an unreliable one will be enough. ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Any of the AL 390/391 range will fit the bill very nicely, and will cycle just about anything you give it regardless of length or weight the 391 being the newest out of the two . yes you can pick up an old 301/302 ect but there old and it’s getting harder to find one worth having . If you have a £500 budget and it’s a beretta you want , buy the best you can afford which will be one of the AL390/391 range and get years out of it . And also have the benefit of being able to buy modern chokes for it you so wish . Also if you find you can’t get on with it , you WILL always sell the 390/391 my advice would be to go and look an AL391 , your budget will get a cracker ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, stevo said: Any of the AL 390/391 range will fit the bill very nicely, and will cycle just about anything you give it regardless of length or weight the 391 being the newest out of the two . yes you can pick up an old 301/302 ect but there old and it’s getting harder to find one worth having . If you have a £500 budget and it’s a beretta you want , buy the best you can afford which will be one of the AL390/391 range and get years out of it . And also have the benefit of being able to buy modern chokes for it you so wish . Also if you find you can’t get on with it , you WILL always sell the 390/391 my advice would be to go and look an AL391 , your budget will get a cracker ! Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 (edited) Your budget will get you a good gun. As above the early Berreta’s are very good, Benelli and Browning are also good guns. Your budget will get you an excellent SX3 also. As always when buying a gun, pick one up and see how it feels for you. I loved the SX3 but found it was quite slim and I prefer a chunkier gun. But that’s just personal preference rather than a good or bad gun. If if you can shoot before you buy, even better. Cos Edited February 18, 2018 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 I love my UO berettas but SA I went for the sx3. At 500£ you have a big pool to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Having had most makes (apart from Turkish) of auto at some stage during the last 50 or so years I now use only a Beretta. I have just returned a well used 391 from whence it came, because no matter what I did, to get that gun to work, it just failed to cycle. Having used it for a couple of weeks and then resorted to using my 303 on pigeons yesterday, the 303 is CERTAINLY easier to clean ! I am now looking for a decent 300 Outlander, which, I believe is based on the old 300 series of guns, and therefore just as easy to keep clean. When they work, the Beretta is probably the most reliable semi auto and in my (very) humble opinion, handles far better than the competition. I have donned my tin hat and taken cover ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Thankyou for the info. gentlemen. Time to get out and pick a few up and see what I like the feel of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 I omitted the outlander only because it may be out of your budget . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 13 minutes ago, stevo said: I omitted the outlander only because it may be out of your budget . Yes it is, my brother has just bought one, I am not keen on the narrow fore end, I am hoping other models are not the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 The 391 is a different beast ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Mate has an old 301/302 Beretta which he uses for decoying; it’s never missed a beat. He even had it Teagued. Ive never owned one but have used a mates 301/302 choked at 3/4 many times and rate them highly. I’m not a Beretta OU fan but I would happily own one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankook1 Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Quote Hi clodhopper, I have a really nice Beretta a303 sporter 28" barrel multi choke with 3 chokes not done much work it really is like new been sitting in my cabinet for years as i didn't want to part with it before but i have so many guns i don't think i will ever use it again . You're not to far away if you want it i will sell it for £375.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Bargain. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 15 minutes ago, hankook1 said: Hi clodhopper, I have a really nice Beretta a303 sporter 28" barrel multi choke with 3 chokes not done much work it really is like new been sitting in my cabinet for years as i didn't want to part with it before but i have so many guns i don't think i will ever use it again . You're not to far away if you want it i will sell it for £375.00 Pm on its way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankook1 Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Thats ok mate ive not advertised it for sale just saw your message on here that you were looking for a good s/a on a budget it will stay in my cabinet if you want it once you're sorted with the hatsan let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 24 minutes ago, hankook1 said: Thats ok mate ive not advertised it for sale just saw your message on here that you were looking for a good s/a on a budget it will stay in my cabinet if you want it once you're sorted with the hatsan let me know ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 I got an al390. It cycles everything ive put through it. Doesn' have a narrow forend and has maybe jammed 2 times in the last 6 years or so. Wouldn' be without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Well this evening I popped into the gunshop to return the faulty Hatsan and there on the shelf was al391 within my budget. Got my hands on it and it came up beautifully. It will require a slightly thicker butt plate. But other than that it is spot on. Thanks again chaps for the helpful advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Told ya so ........... will be expecting a full report in coming weeks ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted February 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 26 minutes ago, stevo said: Told ya so ........... will be expecting a full report in coming weeks ? ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 Did the dealer take the faulty Hatsan back with no quibbles and was he happy to do a deal with you for the new gun? Naming and praising may be in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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