taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 As I stated in my opening introduction i would be asking questions. Whats your opinion of Semi Auto's. I'm still new to the sport and like the look of them but my shooting buddy is against them in a big way. He does not like the idea of not being able to break them to prove safe. What do you guys think. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto culto Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 if your still learning you really should start out with an s/s or o/u . It also depends on what your main sport will be, I.E if your pigeon shooting only, a semi would fit the bill a treat but you do need to be familiar with a normal shotgun so that you can handle it safely in your sleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoCars Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i do like them, rushed out and got one for my first gun, but ended up getting an decent over and under aswell not long after, people at my local clay ground where a bit funny with the semi, and on the pheasent shoots, if I where you, id go and get a good make over and under, that will do everything you want, then maybe later on try a semi, they are good fun, and if you need to shoot heavier loads, they are softer on the recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 They are good and you can prove them clear with flags, however I would stick to and O/U or SBS to start with as to unload them its as simple as breaking and removing the carts whereas the auto's you need to know the knack, so to start off with they are simpler to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 If you're going on organised shoots you'll run into opposition and biased against them. Depends on if you can handle the hassle from the snobs or not. If you're vermin/pigeon shooting etc, shooting on your own patch you can't beat them with a very big stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i love semis and i dont care what anyone says they are as safe as any other type of gun so long as they are handled properly.i dont like some peoples attitude to semis. i have myself taken flak for shooting an auto and i dont think anyone should have the right to pull someone up for it.as a young shooter i found it very off putting,i changed to an o/u and shot it for a while.once again i bought 2 other semis and now ignore any comments. i feel anyone should be able to shoot their preferred gun so long as they handle it safely.safety is a priority when handling firearms of any description.shoot what you can afford and what suits your style and type of shooting and ignore any untoward comments. autos forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Auto Culto & EvoCars thanks for your replies. I am still learning, the truth is I'll be learning for ever I've shot with a lot of guns but I seem to shoot better with shorter barrelled guns. At the moment I've only shot clays and then not as much as I wanted but I've seen quite a few people using semi's and they seem to be pretty well accepted. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead-eye Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Personally i would rather use a o/u or a sbs for rough shooting because i dont like leaving cartridges in the barell and it takes to long to load a semi auto. Although i find the third shot handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i love semis and i dont care what anyone says they are as safe as any other type of gun so long as they are handled properly. autos forever Cheers Vermin. Snobs don't bother me (shooting or otherwise). I think it does not help with the fact that my shooting buddy (mentor) disaproves of them in a big way. I think he would be my biggest obsticle but I do like the look of them. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Personally i would rather use a o/u or a sbs for rough shooting because i dont like leaving cartridges in the barell and it takes to long to load a semi auto. Although i find the third shot handy. I also like the look of the Miruku (spelling) O/U and like I said earlier I shoot better with the shorter barrel. I'm on a tight budget. Pooling my christmas money. I could afford a new semi or a reasonable second hand Miruku 26 to 28 inch. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Don't buy a gun because of its looks. Buy one that fits well and will suit the shooting that you'll be doing. In other words, for all-round versatility, buy a good second-hand O/U. You'll blend in on a formal shoot and at some of the more pretentious clay grounds. You can always buy a semi-auto at a later date, but I would strongly recommend that you go for an O/U to start. The Miroku is an outstanding gun - buy one. I like shorter barrels, but as a beginner I would point you towards 28" barrels until you are ready for the snappier handling of a short-barrelled shotgun. P.S., Taz, please fill in your profile and let us know whereabouts you live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Don't buy a gun because of its looks. Buy one that fits well and will suit the shooting that you'll be doing. In other words, for all-round versatility, buy a good second-hand O/U. You'll blend in on a formal shoot and at some of the more pretentious clay grounds. Sorry for any confussion. When I say I like the way they look I do, but I also do like the feel of them. You can always buy a semi-auto at a later date, but I would strongly recommend that you go for an O/U to start. The Miroku is an outstanding gun - buy one. I like shorter barrels, but as a beginner I would point you towards 28" barrels until you are ready for the snappier handling of a short-barrelled shotgun. I'll never say never but I can't see myself on many organised shoots. at the moment I'm content to shoot clays and i have the opportunity to shoot at a privately owned pond. I think I'll go with the Miroku and save upfor a second gun. P.S., Taz, please fill in your profile and let us know whereabouts you live. Will do. Thanks taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Don't buy a gun because of its looks. Buy one that fits well and will suit the shooting that you'll be doing. In other words, for all-round versatility, buy a good second-hand O/U. You'll blend in on a formal shoot and at some of the more pretentious clay grounds. Sorry for any confussion. When I say I like the way they look I do, but I also do like the feel of them. You can always buy a semi-auto at a later date, but I would strongly recommend that you go for an O/U to start. The Miroku is an outstanding gun - buy one. I like shorter barrels, but as a beginner I would point you towards 28" barrels until you are ready for the snappier handling of a short-barrelled shotgun. I'll never say never but I can't see myself on many organised shoots. at the moment I'm content to shoot clays and i have the opportunity to shoot at a privately owned pond. I think I'll go with the Miroku and save upfor a second gun. P.S., Taz, please fill in your profile and let us know whereabouts you live. Will do. Thanks taz. miroku is a top o/u you wont go far wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Verminshooter says miroku is a top o/u you wont go far wrong with it. Says the man who shoots the semi. taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i hve my winny not unlike a miroku and i have nt shot it since may i m sure.i like my autos for sure,i shoot better with them so thats what i use,my bro has a miroku and my bro in law too.i think miroku was an ancient monk who would nt die and trust me the punishment i have seen these gun get and keep going there must be some truth in it.i had a 3800 trap gun and it was built to perfection,if it had nt kicked me every time i pulled the trigger i would still have it.i preferred the older guns there is a nice clink when the older guns close not like the newer ones.try it in a shop and see what i mean,the older guns ring like a bell with a nice ting when you close them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 i hve my winny not unlike a miroku and i have nt shot it since may i m sure.i like my autos for sure,i shoot better with them so thats what i use,my bro has a miroku and my bro in law too.i think miroku was an ancient monk who would nt die and trust me the punishment i have seen these gun get and keep going there must be some truth in it.i had a 3800 trap gun and it was built to perfection,if it had nt kicked me every time i pulled the trigger i would still have it.i preferred the older guns there is a nice clink when the older guns close not like the newer ones.try it in a shop and see what i mean,the older guns ring like a bell with a nice ting when you close them. I know what you mean. I don't know if it is my inexperienced eye or what but I do like the way a used gun opens and closes. Like I said it might be inexperience but when I've held new guns I've found them stiff and unresponsive. I've mainly shot with borrowed guns and I like the speed with which I can open, remove cartridges, load and close again with the older (what I call slacker) gun. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 for a beginner an O/U is a far better choice though and is far easier to learn the basics. Autos have a bit more to think about and can be a bit more technical with some not liking certain cartridges, then being interesting to take apart and put back together. I've yet to go on a clay shoot that frowned on semis though. And as for the game shooting argument, its not snobbery its tradition that means most game shoots won't have them there, its something you have to experience and a bit like going on a formal day in your camo pigeon shooting gear it just isn't done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazkb Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 yep etiquet and snobbery rule in shooting as in other sports golf springs to mind I like both semi auto and o/u i don't like s x s as i can't hit owt with em I own both and tbh they both have their merits but i have found my cheap escort get's used more and more and hit's the mark shell on shell even the wife loves the escort and shoot's really well with it. there is however some that really don't like s/a at all and nothing but nothing will change there mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 yep etiquet and snobbery rule in shooting as in other sports golf springs to mind snip there is however some that really don't like s/a at all and nothing but nothing will change there mind. The Escorts are relatively cheap arn't they If I play my cards right I could just about afford one of those and a second hand O/U. I'm finding more and more comfort from the replies I have recieved. Not wanting to put words in other peoples mouths the consensus of opinion is that people should shoot with what they like and stuff any body who says otherwise. Safety being the first, last and biggest factor in shooting, the type of weapon used is not important. Cheers guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneEye Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I wouldn't advise buying any gun on pice alone. Given the amount of time you'll keep them, you want to take the time, and spend the money, to get something that really suits you. Some gun shops have land and a trap and let you try out the secondhand guns if you're a serious buyer. Having said that I used to own a Remington 11-87, it was only £300 and shot very well. Now I have a Miroku o/u and very pleased I am with it although it was nearly £1000 s/h. The reason there are so many of the cheaper guns for sale secondhand is that people have bought them on price and then found them wanting. On the other hand, you might find something for £100 that suits you perfectly and you want to keep for ever. Personally, I'd suggest getting an o/u to begin with as they're great guns to learn on, and rightly or wrongly a lot of people are jumpy around semis. It's foolish of them as if you simply leave the bolt back anyone can see it's safe, but (probably untrue) stories of the yahoo with the semi who shot a hole in his own car/foot/gunslip are told and retold by break-gun shooters until most believe that the semi is an inherently unsafe weapon. You might find you get more invitations to shoot if you turn up with a break gun. Balmy, I know, but true. Later on, add a good semi. I'd put in a word for Benelli here - my wife shoots with the Montefeltro as she has a bad shoulder and finds it hard to lift heavy guns - it's as light as a .22 and a lovely little gun, which I borrow frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taz24 Posted December 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I wouldn't advise buying any gun on pice alone. Given the amount of time you'll keep them, you want to take the time, and spend the money, to get something that really suits you. Some gun shops have land and a trap and let you try out the secondhand guns if you're a serious buyer. Having said that I used to own a Remington 11-87, it was only £300 and shot very well. Now I have a Miroku o/u and very pleased I am with it although it was nearly £1000 s/h. Cheers OneEye. I'm not in any real rush realy. The friend I shoot with has two guns and the sites I shoot at have loan guns so I'm not short of choice. I'm not shy while out shooting and I do ask other people about their guns and I always ask questions and listen to other people. After listening to one guy one day I went from my usual hit one miss a few, hit one miss a few to hit six out of eight, hit eight out of ten. Cheers taz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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