Tricky78 Posted November 26 Report Share Posted November 26 I'm just starting out pigeon shooting and hoping to progress to game from time to time. I'm a left hander and would prefer a true left hander gun with a left handed opener. A local gunshop recommended Browning 525 game £1800 or Silver Pigeon 1 field £1800 Would these be OK or should I go for something cheaper? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 26 Report Share Posted November 26 go for the cheapest lefthander you can.....and learn the shoot with it...and in time you will have a better understanding what you really want/ need......... going for an expensive new first gun is like a person been given a Formula 1 car for a first car.... we all started down that same route as you are about to embark on...........dont forget shooting instructors and "gundealers" are in it for the money......not all of them are to be trusted..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 As DM says, "go for the cheapest lefthander you can" At the moment the "trade" is full to bursting with second hand guns. Get on line and on the phone and seek out some of the "True" left hand bargains that are out there. You will potentially save yourself a small fortune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted November 27 Author Report Share Posted November 27 8 hours ago, ditchman said: go for the cheapest lefthander you can.....and learn the shoot with it...and in time you will have a better understanding what you really want/ need......... going for an expensive new first gun is like a person been given a Formula 1 car for a first car.... we all started down that same route as you are about to embark on...........dont forget shooting instructors and "gundealers" are in it for the money......not all of them are to be trusted..... Thanks for the advice, a local gun dealer used the same first car analogy when talking with him. He suggested an ATA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 7 minutes ago, Tricky78 said: Thanks for the advice, a local gun dealer used the same first car analogy when talking with him. He suggested an ATA Stop considering buying new, any gun dealer will make more money from new so is bound to try to sell you something that will make him more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 The advice above is sound - just get a cheapie which is serviceable. Learn to shoot then splash out much later. You’re much more likely to end up with something appropriate to your needs a couple of years down the line - when or if you treat yourself to a posher gun. You will learn to understand which guns feel right for you and why. Better this than making an expensive early mistake. Oh and by the way - hope have a great time! It’s a very pleasant learning journey. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylye Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 2 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Stop considering buying new, any gun dealer will make more money from new so is bound to try to sell you something that will make him more money. I think you will find that margins on the new guns mentioned are fairly minimal and rely on yearly bonus payments on guns sold to make them worthwhile. Used guns on the other hand are potentially more profitable as the shop has control over the price it pays for them, unlike new guns which have a recommended retail price and a generally universal purchase price. If a shop is pushing you to buy new then they are probably approaching the end of a sales period and need the numbers to push them into a bigger bonus payment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 Just to add - I'm left handed but not one of my 13 shotguns is dedicated LH, try as many as you can. I have an early Miroku 3000 bought off here many years ago cheap as chips, 28 inch multi RH stock and fits me like it was made for me, going to be buried with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 As others have said; I don’t think there’s any need for someone with limited experience to fork out that much for a shotgun; cost most certainly won’t make anyone a better shot. There are oodles of good sh shotguns out there for even less than half of either of those guns you mention. Go for a make with a good reputation ( Browning/ Beretta are both good ) but there are quite a few others also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 In my limited knowledge, all i can say is make sure it fits, if not its like shooting a rifle without sites on, it points in the general direction and will go bang but will you hit the target ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 I agree with dougy, if it fits it sits. If it fits, and you can consistently mount the gun…it doesn’t need to be a dedicated LH gun. In my experience, start with a cheap cheap gun to ‘get your eye in’ then go up the price brackets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 14 minutes ago, BobbyH said: I agree with dougy, if it fits it sits. If it fits, and you can consistently mount the gun…it doesn’t need to be a dedicated LH gun. If you consistently mount a RH gun from the left shoulder so that it “fits”, you are not mounting the gun correctly! I know someone who, as a beginner, was sold a LH gun. He is a RH shot. He insisted the gun he had bought was RH because the seller had told him so! He learned to shoot with it and became a proficient clay shot. Two years later, when he wanted to upgrade his gun he found out the truth and bought a RH gun. As he had learned all wrong in the first place, a RH gun felt all wrong to him and it took him a long while to learn to shoot with one. He does admit it is better now he has the hang of it. Incidentally, do not forget that there is a LOT more to gun fit than simply RH/LH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyH Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 58 minutes ago, London Best said: If you consistently mount a RH gun from the left shoulder so that it “fits”, you are not mounting the gun correctly! I know someone who, as a beginner, was sold a LH gun. He is a RH shot. He insisted the gun he had bought was RH because the seller had told him so! He learned to shoot with it and became a proficient clay shot. Two years later, when he wanted to upgrade his gun he found out the truth and bought a RH gun. As he had learned all wrong in the first place, a RH gun felt all wrong to him and it took him a long while to learn to shoot with one. He does admit it is better now he has the hang of it. Incidentally, do not forget that there is a LOT more to gun fit than simply RH/LH. Fair one, I stand corrected! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 (edited) A novice will have no idea if a gun fits or doesn’t, and no one can fit a gun to someone ( novice or not ) with an inconsistent mount, so it would be advisable to have a few lessons with a good coach who should be able to advise which make and model may suit them best. It is for this reason it isn’t uncommon to see novices starting ‘gun up’ at clay shoots, as this is the only way they can ensure they are looking in the right place in relation to the muzzle, or vice versa. It doesn’t make for good scores or indeed good kills, in my experience. If anyone wants to learn how to mount a gun correctly, how to practice that mount correctly until it becomes second nature, how to place their feet and how to address a target, they could do much worse than buying a book called ‘Positive Shooting’. No one can learn to shoot from reading a book admittedly, but it is the next best thing in the absence of a coach and better than no help at all. Then all it takes is years and years of practice for it all to come together, then regular practice to keep it that way. Edited to add: a good mate is one of those who is right handed but plays pool as a left hander; he writes with his right hand and shoots from the left shoulder with right handed cast guns….Baikels are his go to guns. He is a very very good shot and often placed as back gun for this reason. 🤷♂️ Edited November 28 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted November 28 Author Report Share Posted November 28 Thanks for the advice. What questions should I be asking when looking at a used shotgun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 Now that’s a very good question, but if you’re totally new to shotguns little if any of the advice will make much sense. Do you not know anyone at all with good knowledge of shotguns, who would be willing to go with you and lend a guiding hand? Whereabouts are you? If you’re anywhere near Cumbria PM me and I’ll see if I could come with you. Any excuse to visit a gun shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted November 28 Author Report Share Posted November 28 I'm in Perth Scotland, I've been to a few shops and had conflicting advice. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 If the shop is any good they will sell you something that is right for you. EG it fits, if they are just after your money and don't give a monkeys go elsewhere and hand over your hard earned. It's about the seller knowing about what they sell. If there good you could be spending thousands over the years. Are there any clay grounds near you with a gun shop attached ? Try before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 48 minutes ago, Tricky78 said: I'm in Perth Scotland, I've been to a few shops and had conflicting advice. Thanks That’s a shame, tad too far for me I’m afraid. Perhaps someone on the forum could suggest a trustworthy RFD around the Perth area? One which won’t try and sell you something neither you nor he wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 1 hour ago, Scully said: That’s a shame, tad too far for me I’m afraid. Perhaps someone on the forum could suggest a trustworthy RFD around the Perth area? One which won’t try and sell you something neither you nor he wants. BUT, not too far to maybe meet at the shooting ground near to the border. The name of the ground escapes me, but I believe they have a reasonable shop on site. It's worth the couple of hours drive down from Perth, to take up your generous offer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 6 minutes ago, Westley said: BUT, not too far to maybe meet at the shooting ground near to the border. The name of the ground escapes me, but I believe they have a reasonable shop on site. It's worth the couple of hours drive down from Perth, to take up your generous offer Westlands? I’m up for it if the OP is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 28 Report Share Posted November 28 14 minutes ago, Scully said: Westlands? I’m up for it if the OP is. 👍👍 Jobs a goodun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky78 Posted December 2 Author Report Share Posted December 2 On 28/11/2024 at 19:13, Scully said: Westlands? I’m up for it if the OP is. Thanks for the offer, I'm hoping to test a few shotguns next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitester Posted December 6 Report Share Posted December 6 Personally I’d buy new . Go for either the beretta or browning models that you mention and pick the one that fits you the best. i say this because if you start off with a new good one then you’ll have it for years and not want to change. Changing shotguns can be detrimental to your shooting success and the longer you stick with one the better you will be with it. the beretta SP or B525 are pretty bomb proof , they are good choices . i’m a left hander and went with a B525 seven years ago and love it. The beretta has more of a left hand cast and is lower in the Combe where as the browning is relatively straight even in left handed and higher in the comb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 6 Report Share Posted December 6 Guns aren't like cars, with a limited life. A used Browning or Beretta should last a lifetime, so why buy new? Not sure why buying new as opposed to used would make anyone not want to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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