Psyxologos Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I know you must have heard it a million times before. Here it goes again. I had my Module 1 CPSA today and I shot with a miroku o/u that has had over 10.000 rounds through it. I shot like a dream, I quite liked it. OK it was a 32in gun and I need a 30in, but my question is different. Before the lesson today I was convinced I wanted/needed a semi automatic, more specifically a beretta ulrika. The instructor told me they are quite hard to clean and I should go for an over and under. What do most people think? I want to use the gun for clays and later, when i get more confident, move on to rough shooting and possibly quarrying. What is my best choice around the £500 mark? Any help is mostly appreciated. P.S: Also, I was thinking on going shopping in Stephen Fawcett in Lancaster or in Malmo guns. Which one would you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomleatel Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) Post in wrong topic sorry Edited October 15, 2008 by tomleatel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 i would reccomend you buy what you enjoy shooting best. the o/u will take less time to clean and probably last longer.that said i shoot both but cant` explain why the older i get the less i enjoy stripping and cleaning my auto.the auto is a good design and has it`s place.as i say it`s down to what you like most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku Mike Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Whats wrong with a 32" especially if you shot it so well ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest topshot_2k Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 modern autos will shoot and be as reliable as an OU. shoot them both and then decide on what you like. if you want to do game shooting then OU could be the way togo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku50 Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 i always shop at malmo, got some discounted harkila clothing last week.They have probably 250+ guns in stock where Fawsetts only have a handful but are strong on fishing.Malmo have lots of guns around 500 just make sure you ask for a bit of discount and you should get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku Mike Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Miroku50 Are you the owner or a shareholder at Malmo guns ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Post in wrong topic sorry A very helpful and constructive reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I was taught to shoot with an O/U years back as a kid,but when i recently started up again after a very long break and got my own gun-i opted for a semi-auto. Its only a budget 'Hatsan 12G Escort' which cost me the princely sum of £314 brand new,but its reliable,shoots straight and owes me very little.Cleaning is a bit more involved because of more moving parts,but its not rocket science and takes minutes to strip.The only negative part of an auto would be spent cartridge ejection...the distance can be impressive! My local clay shoot dont mind autos being used (i asked them beforehand) so if you can-have a go with one and see how you get on.They're quite light so thats probably the first noticable difference you'll find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 It's also fair to say, that not all clay ranges look so kindly upon semi's. It's a safety issue (as you can break a O/U) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter De La Mare Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 If you are mainly doing clays to start with, I'd go O/U. I'd go O/U regardless, but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Go for an O/U. I had a semi and in 3 shot SGC versions, they are painfully slow to reload! They're also harder to clean, and not as nice looking! For £500 you can get a good used Beretta, Miroku or Browning. All are good guns. You could also get a Lanber, which isn't a bad buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Painfully slow to reload ? The videos of them I have seen are amazingly fast, especially Benelli with the inertia spring! Seriously they look mint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country_est Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 If you only are going to have one gun I would say it would have to be an O/U. The autos are great for certain things nad looked down aupon for others. I have both and use both for clays but the auto is mainly for wildfowling and the O/U for the clays. Just my 2p Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 I wouldnt describe it as slow to reload-just a different technique.First cartridge in the chamber,push bolt release button then second and third underneath into the magazine which takes me seconds to do.If you're popping clays,you can only load two anyway. I do agree with looks though.Autos do tend to look a bit militaryish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisondan Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 It's also fair to say, that not all clay ranges look so kindly upon semi's. It's a safety issue (as you can break a O/U) I don't mind auto's but not the way people wave them around at clay grounds (I don't mean to tar everyone with the same brush) like toys. I walked around a corner a couple of weeks a go at a clay ground and there was a guy who I almost bumped in to was waving his auto all over the place. I hardly ever see them with flags in and never put in a sleeve in between stands. When is someone going to invent some sort of 'catcher' to attach to them so they don't spit hundreds of spent cartridges all over the place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urikastu Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Just to add my 2penny worth I have used urika's for 3 years , now I own my own. I treat it with respect even more so when other shooters are about as for looks, that depends on how much your willing to pay and as for cleaning just download the manual from the Beretta website and you'll see how easy peasy it is to strip down and clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Thanks everyone for the replies. Yes, it is going to be my one and only shotgun, and this is why I want to get it right. I intend to shoot clays once or twice a month. Today I got news that a friend of a friend with permission in a field with wood pigeons, rabbits, hare, partridge, pheasant and the odd duck (now that I read my sentence again I realize it sounds like quarry paradise, but what I meant to say is that these species are to be found in the field at different times and in varying numbers) was willing to get me with him to show me the ropes etc. So I definitely want a shotgun that will help me shoot these species as well as break some clays. @ urikastu: Could you please point me to the right direction for the manual? I would definitely like to check this manual out before I make my decision. Malmo guns is what most people I asked have recommended, so I suppose they are on to something. Next week I am set to take my Module 2 CPSA so I will ask my instructor to bring a semi over so I can have a feel for this too. Since you guys recon that £500 should see me through a nice gun, what sort of gun did you have in mind? An Ulrika was a clear frontrunner as I mentioned in my first message, so as far as semis are concerned I think I have less of a dilemma. But what about O/U? the miroku shot very nicely, what else can you recommend? As for the friend who asked why I should go for a 30in instead of a 32in, this was my instructor's recommendation. He said it should fit me better as 'I was bringing my head too much in the front'. not sure i understood what he was on about, but i guess he knows best, right? I am looking forward to your replies. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urikastu Posted October 16, 2008 Report Share Posted October 16, 2008 http://www.berettaservices.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=652 for the manuals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 http://www.berettaservices.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=652 for the manuals Thanks mate. Anyone else want to offer me some advice with regards to choosing the right gun? all suggestions welcomed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Buy yourself a half decent over and under. They can be used for all types of shooting and don't look out of place anywhere. I do not agree with the safety side of the posts that are on here, safety is all about how you handle a gun and what you do with it. NOT the fact that it has a flag hanging out the side or is broken. Anything from Beretta, Miroku, Browning, Winchester etc will last a lifetime if they are looked after, but don't discount Lanber or Bettinsoli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Just to add to the confusion. With most automatics it`s possible to alter the cast and drop of the stock with the shims provided, thereby increasing ones chance of the gun fitting correctly. All at no extra cost. A similar job on an O/U would probably cost a couple of hundred quid. Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miroku Mike Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I agree with MC, I would purchase an o/u. Fantastic allrounder As for the safety side i would say this. Its not an unsafe gun in the right hands, mainly your own, I am not so keen when someone else is waving one about, solely for the fact i dont no whether its loaded and i have to put my trust in them, whether i know them or not. I think thats what most people worry about. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tis1979 Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I have both an o/u & semi and are great for jobs i want them for, the semi is a beretta 303 that i use for Pigeons the extra shot being the difference between that extra pigeon falling (one less pest and another pigeon for the pie) and the o/u for game shoots or clay pigeon shooting when there are other people around you saftey is paramount. hope this helps happy shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted October 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Thanks guys. I have asked my coach to bring the Miroku O/U and the Ulrika in our lesson next week, so I will have a more 'immediate feel' for what I like best. Which of the two types do you think my £500 would stretch further with? Quality of built, reliability, running costs etc... Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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