Blaser f16. Is it worth it?

[grantwal]

So I was about to go ahead and buy a silver pigeon 5 but I’ve just for the first time discovered the blaser f16 and I’m wondering do people think it’s worth it or stick with my original plan? 
 

my biggest problem is I’m a leftie and the closest left handed one is 100miles away and don’t know if it’s worth the trip to end up not liking it. 
 

if anyone has any experience with one and could give their opinion on the F16 would be great. Thank you 

[matone]

Know a few who bought them but none kept them for long ! Most cite poor recoil handling . Shot them a little myself,32" felt good but didn`t work for me somehow. I`d buy a Beretta .

[Centrepin]

Go for the one that fits you best and you feel comfortable with.

I find Bretta low in the comb but that's just me. Everybody is different. You need to handle a gun first before buying.

[Mr grumpy]

I tried an f16 at a show 3years ago.got rid of a 525 & a 690 to buy the blaser.lovely gun but couldn't get on with it.not great when you come to px it.i've gone back to a browning.if you do buy an f16,get a nice 2nd hand one.jmho

[steve1066]

I too couldn’t get the hang of it, part ex a 692 because the engineering of the Blaser was lovely not a sharp bit of metal anywhere. But the F16 was too light and slim, the gun was all over the place, so got rid for a Prosport.

 

still not hitting clays mind, but I am a bit more stable when I miss😂

[Wylye]

The F16 is a poor substitute for an F3. I think Blaser built it down to a price to compete with all the other guns in that price bracket.

[Westward]

The game model is very light but the couple of sporters I've tried were a nice weight of 8lb 3oz which IMO is about right for a sporting clays gun. I liked the way the F16s shoot, with the fit very close to my CG. The triggers were pretty good too and much lighter than either of the 2 late-ish Berettas I've owned.

For sporting clays I wouldn't pick an F16 over a CG, but I'd much prefer one to any 68x or 69x family Beretta.

[pux]

I had a F16 for about 3 weeks...To light, far to slim forend for me personally. I plumped for a Browning XS Ultra Pro in the end.  

[sam triple]

Got a F16 sporter Grade 5 love light fast handling , no issues with recoil , only thing that comes close is more 686 20 bore , my 682 gold e stays in the cabinet now , feels like a fence post in comparison, but EVERYONE is different, try one and draw your own conclusions 

[Westley]

On 07/04/2023 at 18:41, steve1066 said:

I too couldn’t get the hang of it, part ex a 692 because the engineering of the Blaser was lovely not a sharp bit of metal anywhere. But the F16 was too light and slim, the gun was all over the place, so got rid for a Prosport.

 

still not hitting clays mind, but I am a bit more stable when I miss😂

I never actually bought an f16, I just took one for a test drive. I was with a group of 4 other shooters, none of whom are new to the game, not one of us could shoot the f16 with any consistency.  I couldn't shoot the XS Pro either  so ended up with a ProSport. 

I CAN hit clays with that  !

[steve1066]

I tried the XS but the comb was too high for me. But yes for me the Prosport was a better choice over the F16 and the 692.

I think the additional weight helps steady he Prosport.

[steve1066]

9 hours ago, Westley said:

I never actually bought an f16, I just took one for a test drive. I was with a group of 4 other shooters, none of whom are new to the game, not one of us could shoot the f16 with any consistency.  I couldn't shoot the XS Pro either  so ended up with a ProSport. 

I CAN hit clays with that  !

Which grounds do you shoot at Westley. I have just noticed you are in Lancashire?

[Westley]

Ribble Bank, Kelbrook, Paintmine, Dolphin, Catton Hall,  NWSS, Llandegla, and Hodnet. Looking to get to Mickley Hall in the near future. I try to get around   !    😄

Not all on the same day though  !   

Edited April 10, 2023 by Westley

[steve1066]

Similar grounds to myself. Mickley Hall is definitely in its own little niche in regards to shooting out of sheds on a few stands.

[HantsRob]

Blasers feel and shoot slightly differently. I love the F3, I don't think I've tried the F16.

You need a ground where you can try one. I think they're lovely. Everyone is different!

[Scully]

A lad I shoot with ocassionally has a Blaser, the model of which I’m uncertain, but has the high rib version. He rates it highly. Not much help I know! 
 

[Scully]

On 10/04/2023 at 09:28, Westley said:

I never actually bought an f16, I just took one for a test drive. I was with a group of 4 other shooters, none of whom are new to the game, not one of us could shoot the f16 with any consistency.  I couldn't shoot the XS Pro either  so ended up with a ProSport. 

I CAN hit clays with that  !

My shooting buddy has the XS Pro, and after toying with the idea of getting rid, twiddled about with the weights, comb and butt pad ( of which there are three I believe ) and now judging by the way he shot last weekend, has it finally set up correctly for him. He didn’t miss a lot. 
He reckons the XS Pro is a 525 and the Pro Sport a 725 ( or vice versa ) and that there is a difference, which I wasn’t aware of. 
Anyhow, given the choice I’d opt for the Pro Sport; I just think it’s a much better looking gun and fits me well. 

[Westley]

I think that the stock on the Prosport is second to none, which is why I prefer it. I have Elton John fingers but the palm swell is superbly positioned.  I have an MK38 lying dormant in the cupboard because I now find the comb too slim and it catches my cheek bone. I just wish the Prosport was 3/4lbs lighter. 

I have none of the additional weights fitted, it doesn't need them. The Prosport has a slightly lower height to the action and a different trigger assembly.  It STILL suffers carboning of the bottom barrel firing pin though  !     😄

Edited April 11, 2023 by Westley

[Westley]

13 hours ago, steve1066 said:

Similar grounds to myself. Mickley Hall is definitely in its own little niche in regards to shooting out of sheds on a few stands.

Yes, I believe Mickley Hall has a few enclosed stands, a noise issue I think.

[discobob]

On 08/04/2023 at 14:32, Westward said:

For sporting clays I wouldn't pick an F16 over a CG,

I think I have come to the decision to sell my Invictus 1 and keep my F3 - I shot a very good 86 on a registered Sporttrap the other week with the F3 - realise it isn't an F16 but just to throw in the mix.

 

[PeterHenry]

Hijacking this thread for a moment - can anyone who's used (ideally the game version of) the f16 explain why they didn't like it?

From what i've read, they are quite light - so I'd be interested if they suffer from the 'quick to start, quick to stop' issue that's inherent with a lot of light guns, or if the 30" barrels keep them moving well enough to make lead manageable / easy?

On paper - they look exactly like the gun I've been searching for - something that's light enough to carry all day, can shoot walked up snipe, driven pheseants, geese over decoys, and teal around a flight pond equally well. With a decent price tag and good looks to boot.

[sam triple]

Mines got 32” barrels and is as easy to shoot as my 20 bore beretta , light quick ,slim and handles well 

[Gerry78]

Friend bought one for clays didn’t like the felt recoil he sold it bought miroku grade 5 If you can try get a round of clays with F16 you will know yourself then 

[Westward]

Blaser stocks don't suit everyone. I had no problems when I tried one but there have been lots of complaints about the recoil on Shotgun world. But then a high ptoportion of Americans shoot shotguns like rifles and cram their faces into the comb in order to look flat along the rib.

[Wylye]

A 32ins F16 weighs less than 8lbs so recoil from some bumpy cartridges is going to be uncomfortable. For a competition gun shooting 100+ in one go its hardly heavy enough.