AdamC Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Well, I took my first shots with a shotgun for a good few years, probably 13 or 14, if I discount a dozen shots here and there, and I absolutely loved it. Managed to plough through a hundred odd cartridges just trying a few different guns out, and I can feel it in my shoulder this morning. It turned out that the gun I felt most at home with is my dads Beretta 682 Super Sport. I just found the 30†barrels a lot more controllable and just general use and handling of the gun more comfortable. I found I could break clays with all the guns, none more so than the others, but the Beretta just felt more me. I use to shoot a little Beretta 20 when I was in my teens, so perhaps this is why. So I got to thinking about what I would like to buy. Initially, I was just going to look for a second hand O/U Beretta, Browning or Miroku, in the £700 - £800 range, but wondering now whether to just bung in a few hundred more and get a new Beretta 68 Series Sporting? My gun knowledge is pretty limited, but as far as I can gather the 682 series are no longer produced. Can anyone tell me what the modern equivalent of my dads 682 Super Sport is and can older model Berettas still be picked up new? Also, I can find the RRPs for guns, but are these negotiable in store? I actually need to purchase the whole shooting match (pardon the pun), vest, ear protectors, gun slip, cleaning kit, stock of cartridges, and gun, so I would like to think they would be prepared to negotiate on price. Any member experience on negotiating would be great. I know it is generally not recommended to not spend a too much on your first gun, but I am the sort of person that does not like change! I am rubbish at making decisions, and I like to pick something and settle into it, very much a creature of habit. I also, as mentioned, know little about guns, especially buying a used one, so think I would prefer the peace of mind knowing that it is new. I plan to mainly shoot clays, just some general sporting targets. Finally any recommended shops not too far from the Windsor and Maidenhead area, something with good choice and up for a “Saturday Morning Deal� Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated. Thanks, Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 You have PM Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Hmm, tricky! You say you really like your Dad's gun but they don't make it any more. Any replacement out will be slightly different so you may well be back at square one! Personally I would say find a good used example of your Dad's, most dealers will give you a year garentee and pay for it on your credit card for back up insurance too. Guns aren't too tricky and the vast majority of s/h ones you buy from dealers will be fine as they will have had the once over by their gunsmith. If your inexperienced stay away from s/h private sales. For £700-£800 you'll get a cracking s/h gun...plus you never really know...you just might change! Prices are ALWAYS negotiable, have a look through online guntrader and see what you can find that fits your requirements. Plus with all the extra gear your getting, and the run up to Xmas (a lot of dealers struggle around now as many people are saving for kids prezzies etc) you should be able to get a VERY good deal. Ring around, and if you still want to use a local dealer get him to match prices elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trakker01 Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 berretta make a lot more guns than most think, there 'spin off' companies include rizzini,franch & some subs of browning.. try as many as poss, a reputable dealer will loan you 2-3 guns for a weekend to try... berretta ,seem to be a little over priced when you compare them to the likes of rizzini, or franchi, similar quality here too! some are real heavy too, the older beretta's /browning series are solid , but not the type of gun you lug around all day...... like said try them all...........& have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 So I got to thinking about what I would like to buy. Initially, I was just going to look for a second hand O/U Beretta, Browning or Miroku, in the £700 - £800 range, but wondering now whether to just bung in a few hundred more and get a new Beretta 68 Series Sporting? I know it is generally not recommended to not spend a too much on your first gun, but I am the sort of person that does not like change! I am rubbish at making decisions, and I like to pick something and settle into it, very much a creature of habit. I also, as mentioned, know little about guns, especially buying a used one, so think I would prefer the peace of mind knowing that it is new. I plan to mainly shoot clays, just some general sporting targets. Finally any recommended shops not too far from the Windsor and Maidenhead area, something with good choice and up for a “Saturday Morning Deal� Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated. Thanks, Adam i think the general recommendation of trying before you buy, and buy a cheap gun just in case will not apply to you, in reading your thread i think you already have made a commitment mentaly to get a new gun with warranty and service back up. some people prefer to have a new gun thatway they know its not been abused or overworked ect, ect, comfort in knowing your the first to use it comes with that purchase, go to a reputable shop, i'm sure you will be told of a few on this site, explain your resons and needs, i fully beleive you will get good service, there is no harm in trying a number of guns to find your " this gun is me feel" then you can apply that knowledge with the expertise of the smith/shop attending and find "the one" good luck amd welcome back to the happy throng of shooters. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me and my lad Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 if you are going to haggle do it with cash and tell them it will be cash. you wont get as much knocked off if you are paying by card and if you haggle and then pull a card out chances are youre going to get someone a bit miffed !! whenever someone tells you their lowest price always tell them its too high, i did this with my black ice and got it for £250 less than i was planning on paying. its also worth haggling on the gun, agree a price and then asking how much more they will knock off if you buy your other bits from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 its also worth haggling on the gun, agree a price and then asking how much more they will knock off if you buy your other bits from them. That is useful, was planning on doing it all as one hit and getting the best price, but like this 2 staged approach. I am lucky in that I have been a good little boy this time and save up my hard earned and am able to wave some cash around, and that is useful when trying to do a deal. £250 off is a healthy discount as a %, especially if I have the rrp correct. Gives me a lot of confidence when negotiating. I do like the idea of a new gun, but have to go and see what the shops have. If at the end of the day, they had a very good condition s\h model that was a good deal, I doubt I would pass it up. Thanks for all the advice so far. Cannot wait to hit some shops on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me and my lad Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 also if you buy from a dealer at a shooting ground ask for some free tuition to be thrown in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicko Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 i found the best shops nearby are adenbourne field sports and oxford guns. i know that they are not just down the road but i have bought shotguns from both of then and they were very helpful.well worth the extra miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted December 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Hey dicko, you are not far away from me at all. I have the Oxford Gun Company on my list to go to on Saturday and their stock list certainly does look very impressive. It would also be good to try a gun should I decide to go down the second hand route. Only thing is I hear they are maybe not as flexible on price as others, and I do love a good deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dicko Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 the good or bad thing is shirley of oxford guns will not want to sell you a gun if it does not fit,and she will make you stand in the shop and check your gun mount and the position of your feet.when i got my first gun from her she said it looked like i should be in a western how i was mounting it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Its like Dejavu, I had the same chat over pm with AdamC earlier today Dicko. You know when you've been Shirleyed Great people and good people. As I said AdamC mention my full name and you will be well looked after at any of the outlets I have told you about. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted December 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I went to Oxford Guns today and was extremely impressed, and I think I am a hard person to please. Shirley spent a lot of time running me through guns and options and helped me pick out something that fitted me perfectly. She pretty much gave me a free shooting lesson and told me everything I was doing wrong, which was almost everything! It was not the Saturday morning Dutch autcion I had hoped for, but the price of the gun was within budget and reasonable, and I am delighted with it and the service I received. Whats more, they even let me take it out for a few shots to make sure I could actually hit stuff with it, and I was actually smashing clays rather than just breaking them as I was on Wednesday with the Beretta. Gun of choice was a Browning 525 30" M\C. Engravings and wood are simple but nice, and I look forward to putting some cartidges through it! Funnily enough, it turned out that they ran a gun shop in Northolt that my dad bought most of his guns from, and they actally sold him the 20 bore I used as a nipper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plinker Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 good choice adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 I'm gald you went mate, good on you. Go out and enjoy. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgit Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Did you shoot the Beretta against the Browning? why did you go for the Browning over the beretta? Just interested to know, as i'm in the same ball park as you. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice! Gun of choice was a Browning 525 30" M\C. Engravings and wood are simple but nice, and I look forward to putting some cartidges through it! good choice Adam, i have one myself in 32" lovely platform, great tool have fun and enjoy Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamC Posted December 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Did you shoot the Beretta against the Browning? why did you go for the Browning over the beretta? Just interested to know, as i'm in the same ball park as you. Thanks. Did not shoot them side by side, but Shirely @ OGC would not sell me a Beretta even if I had wanted it. They really know their stuff down there and the Browning was a much better fit for my body shape. This was obvious from the way I was smashing clays with the Browning rather than just breaking them with Beretta. There is also the fact that my shoulder is still black an blue from Wednesdays exploits with the Beretta. All I can say is that if you are in doubt, go to a good gun shop that can advise you on fitting. Try not to think about the look or brand herritage, go in there wanting to buy the best thing for your shooting. I thought I wanted a Beretta at the cheapest possible price. I am sure that if I had shopped around, I could have saved myself 10 - 15%, but that was 10 - 15% I was more than happy to pay for the service I received (like leaving a good tip after excellent service at a restaurant). Plus, gun shops are not on every high street, and driving around them costs time and money. Hence why with all things considered, I am a happy customer. Just cannot wait to get out and run rings around my dad with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 Give him some stick now but remember your master later. He will always be the teacher Glad you got on with Shirley, She is a hand full if you dont behave, I got a clout or 3 when I got my first gun fron there. I still shoot the same as the day I got Shirley'd. Check out Pirates profile and website and pop over one weekend and say hello. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squodged Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Well done. I had the opposite happen to me had a Miroku and got battered and bruised, changed to a Beretta and it was love a first sight, literally!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildoliver Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Yes I'm the same, browning and miroku don't fit me at all well, yet beretta and winchester seem to (gernerally) fit like a glove. Obviously also on the gun weight issue it depends what your using it for, I wouldn't want a light gun for trap, likewise I wouldn't want a heavy gun for game/pest control. Must admit I'm surprised at the comment she wouldn't sell you a beretta no matter what, I'm hoping it is due to the fact that the browning was just a better fit. As if she was saying the beretta isn't as good a gun then her motives are very suspect. Especially with a newby. But overall I hope you enjoy your shooting! And it is a good gun you've chosen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Yes I'm the same, browning and miroku don't fit me at all well, yet beretta and winchester seem to (gernerally) fit like a glove. Obviously also on the gun weight issue it depends what your using it for, I wouldn't want a light gun for trap, likewise I wouldn't want a heavy gun for game/pest control. Must admit I'm surprised at the comment she wouldn't sell you a beretta no matter what, I'm hoping it is due to the fact that the browning was just a better fit. As if she was saying the beretta isn't as good a gun then her motives are very suspect. Especially with a newby. But overall I hope you enjoy your shooting! And it is a good gun you've chosen. Thats strange the Winchester is nearer the mark of a Browning/Miroku than the the Beretta. The good thing about the place AdamC went to is, they are proffesional shooters, then coaches, then Gunfitters. So they choose the gun that fits and works best with your body type and not the gun you want. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildoliver Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Ah thats good then, trouble is you hear far too many stories of shops skewing new shooters in to guns that they need shifted or have most profit across them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 I am biased toward them as that is where I and alot of my shooting mates got started. We have never looked back since being Shirleyed If she fits you up with a gun and you misbehave its like being at school in the 60's, a clip around the ear and you are doing it right It works though because I always remember what she told me on my very first day with my new gun. They have a great ground and some really good staff. Both Doug and Shirley used to shoot for England as well. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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