Buy or sell

[Konor]

In light of the declining shotgun market and the extent of the changes that are possibly on the way what do forum members think the best way forward is. (1) Sell your £1000 plus guns at todays value and pick up a couple of bargain shotguns and continue shooting  or

                   (2) sell all your cheap shotguns and upgrade to one or two while prices are low ,if you can afford to do so or

                     (3) any combination of the above 

posted in wrong section sorry mods

Edited yesterday at 16:59 by Konor
Wrong section apology

[Wylye]

Sit tight. Secondhand guns are bringing nothing at the moment so you would lose on your expensive ones.

[Red carp]

I have owned ONE high grade o/u sporting shotgun for the last 25 yrs does everything, it’s pointless having a cabinet full of cheap junk just focus on one gun. Used guns are worthless just look at the FOR SALE section unless it’s given away it won’t sell.

Edited yesterday at 16:50 by Red carp

[BobbyH]

I have a cabinet of 9 guns ranging from free to £400.

I have one that does everything, but couldn’t stop myself when I sae bargains, every gun in the cabinet has a purpose or a reason to stay

If the time comes, I’ll just sell them for cheap. 
 

All are steel shot ready too.

[Nublue 22]

Spend your money if you have any, because them with it  will soon be targeted buy our government, as for value it's up to you, if you think it's worth £1000 and it does not sell it's to expensive?? Or is the market full of guns no one wants? I have just scraped one it was for sale in the shop for 5 years only because I use the shop on a regular basis I was not charged £25.00,

[Konor]

Thanks for the replies I was just wondering about the range of reactions to our present circumstances. I’ve accumulated or had guns passed on to me for over forty years and just into double figures. Although I’ve sold on in the past I’m loathe to part with some I’ve saved up and probably searched for for peanuts when their personal value to me is greater. Hence I have a few guns that serve the same purpose. If section 1 were to be enforced I’d decide what guns I would have most use for and hang on to the best suited for that.
If I were to opt to use bismuth then I’d far rather do so through a Damascus barrelled English gun and keep guns for skeet ,trap and sporting clay shooting and a 3 1/2 inch magnum for foreshore geese maybe trading one of my guns for a 3 inch magnum for ducks. I’m hoping that section 1 proposals will not come to pass especially after the acceptance that the licensing system is struggling to cope with its present workload but even if they don’t may still concede that old age is creeping up and downsize to some young newbies benefit. Were I not where I am now with the guns accumulated and starting out I don’t think I’d be keen to invest in anything more pricier than an AYA number 4 and a Beretta 687 or Miroku/Browning of equal value and spend the balance of what I spent in the past on shooting opportunities.

[udderlyoffroad]

“Beware the man who only owns one gun”

”Get good with one gun”

Sound advice that I’ve ignored.

I appear to have a thing for uh…low value semi autos. But I doubt I’ll lose much on them should the perfect storm of lead & S1ification come to pass as the doom-mongers on here predict (yet do nothing about it, other than regail us with anecdotes from 30 years ago. Rather by right than helpful).

All that said; I’ve never seen the point of spending north of £1k on a shotgun anyway. It throws shot in the air. Nice wood is a liability, not an asset in my mind.

[Konor]

Semi autos have their attraction right enough and replacement barrels available should the need arise. I think full section 1 compliance for shotguns might be a wish for some in the present government but I can’t see the increased bureaucratic workload making it feasible.  Many grade V Miroku owners would agree on the dangers of nice wood. Grade 3 straight grained through the hand always seemed to me a better option as did similar grained British side by sides especially if there were nice blackish lines running the length of it. As to price I only buy what I can afford and spending over my budget takes the shine off the purchase. If buying second hand a bit of waiting around normally brings an opportunity close to your budget if you are realistic about condition.

[Konor]

41 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

Beware the man who only owns one gun”

”Get good with one gun”

I became a good rough /walked up shot and sporting clays shot using a Beretta fixed choke 687S sporting shotgun bought new for £600 from Chris Potter in my early 20s. I’ve since moved on to multiple dearer shotguns treating myself when money became available. I’m toying with the idea of returning to the same model 687 but don’t know if I could replicate past experience,a combination of using a variety of other guns and old age has maybe closed that gate to me.

[ryle]

I had a similar conversation with a clay shooting buddy a while back when Labour got in. He was considering (and still is) a nice new clay gun at the 5k plus range. 

I said, I personally wouldn't dare now we have Labour in. He looked really surprised when I said that, I'm not sure if he's maybe beginning to understand now. 

Ive 5 guns and altogether they're worth approx 2.5k. I dare not buy anything but old bargains currently. And to be honest, they definitely do the job.

If we move to S1, I presume you will be able to have a Clay gun, a game gun and maybe a semi auto duck or goose gun. 

Its sad as ive finally achieved some sort of financial comfort and would love to get myself a new DT11 but I dare not now.

Edited 22 hours ago by ryle

[Acerforestry]

I have faffed around buying this and that since gaining my Section 2 but fact is that I now realise I'll shoot better with O/U, and whilst plastic stocked guns have their practical place I'll  keep one 3" chambered Winchester and otherwise only need a couple of Beretta over and unders, beautifully aged wood and steel for very modest 3 figure sums. It's easy to be tempted by very cheap guns and at the moment its crazy how cheap they are when you consider the often excellent engineering involved, and high quality for price. but how many do you really need?

[ryle]

2 minutes ago, Acerforestry said:

 but how many do you really need?

One.

But like shoes, clothes, watches, artwork pieces, jewellery or even cars, some people just love to collect and enjoy them. 

I love guns, I dont know why. Its the engineering, the wood, hell... even the smell. I cant quite explain why but I just love em.

And I'm sure that everyone on here appreciates that mentality so I know I'm preaching to the converted but oh well

[Acerforestry]

Ryles comments above sadly resonate a little with my own current thoughts about government, i heard today on the Fieldsports channel that Cambs licensing is so behind they cannot currently process renewals - I'm assuming this is accurate, and license holders are expected to put their guns in RFD storage at their own expense until this is sorted out. That's not ideal if you have a dozen guns or more

Just now, ryle said:

One.

But like shoes, clothes, watches, artwork pieces, jewellery or even cars, some people just love to collect and enjoy them. 

I love guns, I dont know why. Its the engineering, the wood, hell... even the smell. I cant quite explain why but I just love em.

And I'm sure that everyone on here appreciates that mentality so I know I'm preaching to the converted but oh well

Don't worry, I get that - I have 3 old S50 series Berettas that are likely to be nothing more than deactivted wall hangers in a few years but I'd probably rather do that than see them scrapped

[ryle]

Actually, deactivating your favourite gun isnt a bad idea as a keepsake one day.

I see it like keeping your long gone old dogs lead or something, maybe I'm a bit of a hoarder.

I personally see guns not as 'weapons', i particularly despise that term. I see them as something that you enjoy out in the fresh air, with friends whilst enduring banter at the clay ground or alone with the dog waiting for pigeons. Its something that is a part of your body when you use it, used with instinct and expierence in the wet and in the sun. The smell of taking those spent smokey cartridges out, the thrill of connecting with the difficult target or most testing bird. You clean it, you look after it, its more than an inanimate object, they have thier own quirks and character. 

Anyway, enough rambling.

[tonyshooter]

 

S1 will come soon for all S2 shotguns, hence S2 will disappear.

I am told they ( the Labour govt ) are pushing for certificate holders to hold a maximum of one firearm in each calibre banding, ie one rabbit rifle calibre , one fox / small deer calibre rifle and one large deer / wild boar calibre rifle, so shotguns may well be of a similar granting !

Get ready for a shafting, as many guns will be worthless !

[Acerforestry]

From what i understand from an RFD locally, export is a bit of a headache too unless many are sent at once, but i can see the export to US market swell considerably unless somehow the kybosh is put on that 

Edited 21 hours ago by Acerforestry

[jasper682]

The change to s1 for shotguns will require a constitutional change. At present  you have a right to own a shotgun. So the law will have to be changed to remove this right. Obviously  these clowns have majority so it will probably happen. But some will see it as a removal of a right and oppose it. Once you've started to remove people's rights it's a slippery slope. So let's see how it goes. It could well be a human rights nightmare. 

Does jog my memory from my last flo visit though. When he casually mentioned a future requirement  for shotgun shells to be under lock and key soon...........

No more gun purchases for me.....

Jasper. 

Edited 20 hours ago by jasper682

[Konor]

2 hours ago, ryle said:

Actually, deactivating your favourite gun isnt a bad idea as a keepsake one day.

I see it like keeping your long gone old dogs lead or something, maybe I'm a bit of a hoarder.

I personally see guns not as 'weapons', i particularly despise that term. I see them as something that you enjoy out in the fresh air, with friends whilst enduring banter at the clay ground or alone with the dog waiting for pigeons. Its something that is a part of your body when you use it, used with instinct and expierence in the wet and in the sun. The smell of taking those spent smokey cartridges out, the thrill of connecting with the difficult target or most testing bird. You clean it, you look after it, its more than an inanimate object, they have thier own quirks and character. 

Anyway, enough rambling.

A good range of comments and a mix of gloom and optimism. Ryle’s comments above struck a chord with me and probably will for quite a few on the forum. Hopefully combining the requirements of the various clay shooting disciplines and range of game shooting activities most folk will be able to hold on to those guns that they are particularly attached to even if it means taking out chokes to Skeet bore to hold on to a particular favourite 😉

[Old farrier]

My good reason is

i like and enjoy shooting different guns do I need a better reason than that 🙄

i also like nice wood and nice engraving alongside history and innovations in the construction of them is that a good reason 🤔it is to me 

who knows what may happen in the future but I intend to enjoy it while it’s still here 

[Konor]

For anyone lucky enough to have a few British guns that reflect the craftsmanship that went into making them and which reflect a time long gone the thought of having to downsize must be something best not dwelt on. With the one way traffic of vintage guns abroad I’d prefer to keep as much of our heritage here and if that means in the comparative few hands of those that appreciate them then that’s reason enough to allow an individual to own a selection of such guns. As it stands I thought the present shotgun certificate conditions ruled that one was able to keep a shotgun regardless if it was intended to be used or not.

[Robden]

It amazes me, that when I had 6 guns, I always managed to take the wrong one.......🤔😃

[rbrowning2]

Quote

As it stands I thought the present shotgun certificate conditions ruled that one was able to keep a shotgun regardless if it was intended to be used or not.

They do, and what difference does having many compared to just one make to public safety? you can only use one at anyone time.    The impact on the sport and industry of doing away with section 2 would be  devastating and all because the Police failings resulted in the Plymouth tragic event.

 

[vmaxphil]

Licencing is loosing sight that it is the shooter that needs Licencing not the guns, it doesn't matter what guns the shooter has the shooter need to be safe 

Guns need to be kept safe ofcourse 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

1 minute ago, vmaxphil said:

Licencing is loosing sight that it is the shooter that needs Licencing not the guns, it doesn't matter what guns the shooter has the shooter need to be safe 

Guns need to be kept safe ofcourse 

Please STOP being so DAMNED sensible.

 

In reality it is a CLASS action to take guns from private hands.

[ryle]

3 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

In reality it is a CLASS action to take guns from private hands.

...because some people see them as weapons not sporting equipment or tools.

My mum has had a similar opinion in the past. "Ban guns, get rid of them" she'd say.

I'd ask her "What's your experience with them?" Id also say the only guns you've seen are the one's bieng thrown around in Hollywood films. This is the issue, educated by the tv rather than actually seeing any form of shooting in reality.

Well, ive just come home from shooting clays. I will continue to go out, have fun and complain that I should have done better for as long as I can. 

Don't get me wrong, in some ways if we moved to S1, It probably wouldn't be the end of the world. Having to be a member of a clay ground etc would be workable as good reason, its more for folk who move from ground to ground or shoot just occasionally that will be unfairly penalised. 

Im hoping that as it was never in Stalins manifesto and the fact that (i believe) it'll take constitutional changes that for alot of people will regard as an infringement on further rights. This coupled with an already poor popularity for our glorious leader beaten only by Truss and the house of Lords apparently usually having something to say about big changes not stated in manifestos, may help the situation.

My brother and I used to play airsoft, he still does. Back in the late 90s it was another of Blairs targets. I often tell him to enjoy that as much as possible too.