SirMorris Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Hello all, Just registered in this forum; found plenty of useful advice over here; hopefully you will find time to help with my dilemma: which Semi Auto?! I am intending to buy my first S/A gun and have a limited budget and these are the options I have: 1- S/H Remmi 1187 2- New Escort (looked and felt nice, didn’t shoot it though) 3- New Webley and Scott ( so far everyone seems to be against that one) 4- S/H Baikal MP-153. I like the Escort but a bit hesitant as they are Turkish made……don’t know how reliable they are with all the mechanical parts involved. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Go for no 1 but change it to the 1100 You will never look back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 hello and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 remmy or baikal welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 hello sirmorris, i have been using a hatsan escort 3" magnum camo for the last 15 months (every weekend) without any problems the gun comes with 5 chokes and only cost me £300 new they are good value for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) Second hand Beretta Ulrika or Browning Gold Edited March 23, 2008 by CEREALTHRILLER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillsy Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 escort! i have the same gun! so conveniant, no work needed, great gun worth every penny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 second hand beretta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK38 Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Go for a second hand Beretta.... i had a 303 MC model for years , lovely gun never missed a beat whatever you put through it.... Pigeon hated it ! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 No. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Go for no 1 but change it to the 1100 If you have arms like arnie!!!! I have one they weigh a ton. Webley and scott are also turkish made. Go for a s/h berretta or a browning, i am biased, i have a couple of browning silver s/a's.Put thousands of shells thro mine every year, never had a jam or a problem. Just picked up another for £295. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 second hand beretta, and as it goes i have one for sale in the for sale section, AL391 urika, as im sure most will agree a sweet gun, and will last forever, have a look see what you think mate, cheers, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirMorris Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Hi Guys, Many thanks for the useful and PROMPT replies. I certainly agree that a beretta or a browning should be the first choice. However, if i buy one it will always be a second hand ( budget limitation: Wife!) so i ll never know how they were treated by the previous owner and the last thing i want is to be running around seeking parts!! I reckon i ll try my luck with the Escort and if i find a good company in the berks area to justify the use of the gun.. I will start building my arsenal! By the way, how the heck do I find a land to go pigeon shooting! do you organise "excursions" here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckytrigger Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 my first semi auto was a s/h remi 1100. cracking hide gun and it cycled 24g loads as well as 32g. Shot many crows/pidgeos with it and only sold it to upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 id give a massive thumbs up to the franchi 712 range and winchester x2/3 as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triscrx Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Not on your list but I used to have the Beretta AL 391 and that was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 It depends on what sort of shooting you want it for . I have a baikal MP 153 a great goose gun with 3.5 inch chambers , but a bit bulky and heavy for a pigeon hide. Cant fault the Baikal for wildfowling , a good gun for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberlegs Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 try the escort and use beretta victory choke tubes as the barrels are threaded the same and they are extended they work amazingly well i use it as my roost shooting gun and rough gun dont try the beretta chokes in a 20bore as beretta 20's are threaded differently.and i leave the beretta in the cabinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 My vote goes to the Beretta. I would not touch a Remington again , three of us in my club bought one at the same time, we used to carry a tool box with us, with two trays of spares. I can not think of one ocasion that all three guns were still working after a clay shoot. Pretty guns, but reliable? No way. We all replaced them with Berreta's, no problems at all since. Can't speak on the other makes that you mention, as I have not owned them, but the Escort seems to becoming popular around here for wildfowling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirMorris Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 i will hold my breath and take the plunge!!Escort it is ! (with the full intention of buying a beretta S/H by next august) My dealer in maidenhead is selling the new Escort for 350£ and it comes with that trio pad and an extra shorter barrel. is this a reasonable price? he has two of them if anyone interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyboots Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 id go for the beretta , i had a escort a great gun to shoot with but just 1 problem after another with it :blink: plus when you trade it in agaisnt another gun its not worth much plus i had 2 gun dealers who refused to even take it off me cos they said its a cr*p gun and nothing but trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 hello sirmorris, i have been using a hatsan escort 3" magnum camo for the last 15 months (every weekend) without any problems the gun comes with 5 chokes and only cost me £300 new they are good value for the money i have one and it throws out clay loads 28 gram never let me down yet.payed £160 for it,very clean gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) I Have been wildfowling with a couple of guys who have escorts, the guns got filthy dirty, soaking wet and NEVER miss-fired once, no problems wot so ever throughout the last TWO seasons. I myself have a beretta. :blink: Edited March 23, 2008 by chrispti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirMorris Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 After we established the fact that I ll take my risks with an escort, I have to admit one thing: They look bloody cheap with ESCORT written along the fore-end! It ain't a Gucci Bag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissInFront Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 This is my first post, so treat me gently!! I have been shooting for 15 years, with virtually no experience of semis. My youngster has just started showing an interest, so on the recommendation of a very experienced semi shooter, I bought him an escort 20g semi. For the money, it is an excellent gun. We have had zero problems in terms of it functioning, and it is solidly built - although obviously not a Purdy. Sorry can't help on 12g, or the other makes you mention, but you will do a lot worse than choose an escort from my experiences. Hope you find the gun you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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