bennyuk Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Hi Im looking to buy a semi-auto, 3 shot as I only have a SGC. On a tight budget so looking second hand max £300 Seen the following, which do you think I should get and why? Beretta 301 £300 Hatsan Escort (black) £250 Franchi Hunter £200 £300 is a real stretch at the moment so is the Beretta worth it? Any advice would be really helpful, only had my license a short time, got a Baikal U/O dt which I really like but looking for a semi too. Thanks Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 (edited) At that price which fits and feels the best to mountn and handle.....? Beretta and Franchi - should be as reliable as a Japanese car but they are quite elderly so they could have the odd hiccup. Hatstands are great VFM, but some early 12g ones had some suspect internals that have seince been upgraded. FWIW - if its a stop gap get the Beretta as it will still be worth what you pay for it (provding you look after it) at most points in the future...... If you have an engineering background (so you dont mind taking it to bits regularly to clean gthe internals) and want to buy it and keep it for some time then the Hatstand represents good VFM because of the warranty (if its new) . Ultimatley - decide what is going to used for most and get the one that fits, mounts and swings the best for you ....... Edited April 8, 2009 by The Burpster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 beretta all day long mate, no question, rather an old beretta than a new escort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I agree with burpster find a gun that fits you and feels right that is reliable and buy it the ones you mentioned would all be good if they fit you good luck mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningGP Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Can Never go wrong with a beretta mate! good solid gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autolover Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 i aggree with the berretta. i have had autos for a lot of years couple of months ago my head was turned to an escort cause it was cheap took it back after one session of skeet the thing wouldnt cycle the rounds probably because using 24g cartridges but my old berretta 303 and 391 and my all time fav remi 1187 had no probs. i use mine for clays as well as pigeon shooting. i do strip mine very frequently and clean it includng trigger mech keeps the autos running well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Of those three I'd agree with the choice of the Beretta. I would suggest a Benelli semi-auto might be a better gun, but I doubt very much you'll find one for that money. I'd also suggest a Mossberg or Remington pump action, that price will buy you a new Mossberg more or less, and will be more reliable than any of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyuk Posted April 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Pump is now tempting me, can anyone tell me the advantages and dissadvantaged compared to a semi auto? Thanks Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 stick with the semi mate, pumps are ok for fun but not really a shooting gun, yes there ok for somethings and im sure some people will say they can shoot as well with a pump, i had a mossberg 835 pump it was fun but not good for getting good scores on the clays, lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Pah. My Mossberg or Remington can take the Pepsi Challenge with your semi-auto any time you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Pah. My Mossberg or Remington can take the Pepsi Challenge with your semi-auto any time you like Oooooh we gonna have a shoot off? Jolly Good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 its not the gun but whos behind it, id wipe the floor with you mate you know what i mean about what i said, and especially if this lad is a beginer and its his first gun, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyuk Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 sounding interesting. So anybody reccomend what I should buy in the £250 range? Even better anyone selling anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) If price is an issue the advantages of a pump might be: 1) With the likes of the Benelli Nova or Supernova you get a better quality gun for your money than you would with a cheap auto. 2) It never fails to cycle with any sort of cartridge. 3) It is virtually indestructible and even handles quite well. You do need to get used to it though, something that not all pump owners bother to do. It`s worth bearing in mind that every major clay competition in the US has, at some time, been won by someone using a pump. The Americans would laugh at the notion that the pump is unsuited to certain types of shooting. ( Driven game excepted, but for reasons of tradition rather than practicality) Edited April 13, 2009 by mudpatten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 To settle the arguement, don`t worry about names/makes/models or types, the best gun for you is the gun that feels right, and is within your budget, don`t rush into buying a gun just becasue of people say blah blah blah make good guns, pick-up the gun, see how it feels to mount it (pauses for people to be crude), check the weight, balance etc and doing it that way you can`t go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul@Ribchester Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 You have started something here...................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyuk Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Looks like I have definatley started something! Seem to be two clear schools of thought on this one. There does seem to be a lack of decent second hand pumps and semi-auto though. Cant really find anything at the moment. Hopefully someon will be selling something soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viking Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 have you looked on guntrader mate, im not getting into this one, its all about opinions, gook luck in your search mate, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) its not the gun but whos behind it, id wipe the floor with you mate you know what i mean about what i said, and especially if this lad is a beginer and its his first gun, When I started shooting shotguns I did this kind of thread. And ended up buying a Winchester 101, which was a lovely gun, on everyones advice, but I didnt like it. One day I bought Mossberg 500 and my scores doubled and I went on from there. Now this chap is asking about semi-autos / pumps, and what I'm saying is for the amount of money being spent, a Mossberg or secondhand Remington (or new 870 express for that matter) would be a better gun than a Hatsan or suchlike. As far as who's beating who, well, I think you'll find I said my gun would take the challenge with your gun. I'll shoot the same amount of clays with a pump as with an auto As far as your shooting , well, I've no idea mate, and I doubt we're ever going to find out, but I'll leave the chest beating to you //edit Mind I see you have a DT10, if you're spending that kind of money I expect you are a pretty good shot, thats not generally a gun owned by a novice shooter Edited April 13, 2009 by throdgrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnamaniac Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Hi Go for a Hatsan Escort, its pretty bullet proof, and mine has never failed to cycle a cartridge. The only advice i'd give is only use 24g+ and also try and use plastic wads if you can. Woody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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