First gun

[Trent]

OK, I've done a fair bit of research, and I'll soon be ready to purchase my first shotgun. Since I'm a small framed shooter and have limited bootspace in the car and don't want to have to dissassemble the gun each time I take it to the range, these are the things I know I want so far:

 

12 gauge

Barrel: 24 inch or just over

Stock: synthetic for lightness and weatherproofing, preferably foldable for even neater storage.

Choke: fairly open

 

At the moment I can afford to spend about £400 max. I know that's probably not much but it'll have to do for my first.

 

I haven't seen many guns since I've only been learning a few months, but I like the look of the Mossberg 500 and the fact that there seems to be a lot of accessories made for it. Does anyone know what one of these retail for, and if they're easy enough to find on sale here with the kind of specs I gave above?

 

Thanks

[Cushat]

So you want a folding, 24" barrelled gun???

 

Seriously, 26" is the minimum you should look at for an auto or 28" for an OU in a first gun. And folding stocks only really exist on .410 poachers guns

[Gordon R]

You cite a 24" barrel, which would leave only a very limited number of guns. A Mossberg Slugster - 24 1/2" barrel pump, is one of the very few. If your boot is small, try an over and under - which you could take apart. It takes seconds and will serve you better than a short barrelled pump with no choke.

 

Laurona, Baikal, Lanber etc are within your price range, but get a gun that fits you.

 

You also mention the gun being light, but this will increase recoil.

Edited July 17, 2009 by Gordon R

[Floating Chamber]

Sounds like he wants a light short folding 12 gauge with SG shot.

 

(There ain't much cash money held in banks these days and OK Corral is over.)

[rimfire4969]

I often put my rifle or shotgun in the footwell in the back or on the back seats.

 

Or have a look for one of these, should if in your jacket or boot of the getaway car

 

[al4x]

basically what you want is a 28" 1/4 and half choked over and under, loads about forget about the folding as you will get one in your boot, if its tight all you do is unzip the sleeve and break the gun open and it'll bend so will fit. Either that or sit it in the rear passenger footwell behind the front seats. Thats where mine always travel

[ShropshireJohn]

Not forgetting you can always break the gun down aswell Al4x (Barrel, stock, and Forend)

[Trent]

So you want a folding, 24" barrelled gun??? :(

 

Seriously, 26" is the minimum you should look at for an auto or 28" for an OU in a first gun. And folding stocks only really exist on .410 poachers guns :o

OK, well I'm keen to learn, so please could you tell me why you suggest 26 min or 28 for OU? You see I'm trying to work out what would be the best gun for me but I keep getting conflicting advice depending on who I ask.

 

Basically, here's what I know so far:

I'm very small framed: I'm in my thirties but only about 5' tall and skinny, so I'm often asked for ID when buying my favourite whiskey. When I ask people to guess my age they usually guess around 17-20, although I've had guesses as low as 10-14! So, although the main guns I've fired so far have been 12 gauge with 28gram cartridges, I find the recoil throws my aim off sometimes so I recently switched down to 21g cartridges and found them much better. Plus being so small my arms get easilly tired by holding up the long barrelled 12 gauges. I've tried lifting weights and all the rest but tbh I'm small and I'll always be small, but I like shooting, so a small gun would suit me.

 

You also mention the gun being light, but this will increase recoil.

OK, but can I compensate for that perhaps by wearing one of those padded shooting jackets?

 

Sounds like he wants a light short folding 12 gauge with SG shot.

 

(There ain't much cash money held in banks these days and OK Corral is over.)

Well, I don't need to rob the bank, I already work in one and have the highest security clearance, so using a shotgun would be the hard way to do it. But as I say I'm pretty new to shooting so I don't know what SG shot is yet tho.

[Trent]

I often put my rifle or shotgun in the footwell in the back or on the back seats. :(

 

Or have a look for one of these, should if in your jacket or boot of the getaway car

 

OK OK enough jokes please LOL. I don't want to break any laws, I just want a small gun because not only am I small, but (as explained in my other thread) my boot is 34 inches from side to side, and only a few inches longer diagonally, and I love my car so I ain't changing that. I don't know much about taking them apart yet as I've only fired guns I've borrowed so far, maybe once I know more about taking them apart I'll be more comfortable about quickly and safely removing and re-attaching barrels for transport. :o

 

basically what you want is a 28" 1/4 and half choked over and under

OK, thanks for the suggestion. Please tell me your reasons and I will factor it into my decision. I have previously fired a 28inch Silma Sciroco 12G and a 30inch Hatsan Escort 12G but found them a little unweildy, weight wise.

 

forget about the folding as you will get one in your boot

Fraid not mate, have measured the guns I mentioned above and they are both over 40 odd inches long, which won't go in my boot even diagonally, and I worry about the slip/case being visible on the back seat if I ever had to pull over for petrol or something, so as I said a smaller gun would probably still be best for me.

 

Not forgetting you can always break the gun down aswell Al4x (Barrel, stock, and Forend)

Yeah I'll probably get comfortable with that once I know more about it. Obviously I'd have to know how to be sure I'm putting it back together safely before I take it apart regularly, as I wouldn't want any accidents when it comes to this. Thanks for the help tho. Edited July 17, 2009 by Trent

[SXPhil]

Breaking a gun down is very simple TRUST ME

[libs]

Go and get yourself a game gun.

 

Anything with game/field on it will be light, have 28" tubes and be choked 1/4 and 1/2

 

Failing that go to a gunshop, keep picking up and dry mounting guns until you find one that is the right weight, size and feel (and look, because thats really important)

 

Best of luck looking, but to be honest you will shoot well with anything you are used to.

 

I use an old sbs non-ejector with 28" tubes and a comb raiser taped on and I get by!

[J@mes]

Breaking a gun down is very simple TRUST ME

 

 

what he said ^^^ you can break a gun down quicker than you can put it in a sleeve and zip it up!

[JonD]

Hi,

 

The Baikal O\U's come up quite small, i have one which has 27 3\4" barrels and has a short stock also.

 

My friends fiancee uses it with 21g cartridges and is about the same size and build as you so you should be fine. You will easily get 1 if not 2 within budget.

 

Breaking a gun down is very straight forward and you will need to break it down to clean it properly anyway, you just need to check the gun is unloaded and then close the gun, underneath the fore end there is a release lever which you pull and then the fore end comes away. You then break the gun and the action and barrels separate. Reassembly is pretty much the same, you hook the barrels onto the action and then close it up then refit the fore end. It's very simple.

 

Good luck.

 

Jon.

[ryantidgwell]

how old are u if u dont mind me asking ? as you say your arms will hurt , Man or mouse? and what car do you drive ? cheers

[Trent]

how old are u if u dont mind me asking ?

No, I don't mind you asking, although I did answer that above :( - I'm in my thirties but to give an idea of size, when I buy clothes I buy them the same size as a 13 year old. Saves on VAT. How old are you?

 

And it's not that it "hurts my arms" - it's that my arms gradually tire with the heavier weight of guns, and I think if my arms are tired then I don't think my aim will be as good.

Edited July 17, 2009 by Trent

[ryantidgwell]

oh yea so u did i missed that bit :( arms will soon get used to swinging the gun

[Trent]

Hi,

 

The Baikal O\U's come up quite small, i have one which has 27 3\4" barrels and has a short stock also.

 

My friends fiancee uses it with 21g cartridges and is about the same size and build as you so you should be fine. You will easily get 1 if not 2 within budget.

 

Breaking a gun down is very straight forward and you will need to break it down to clean it properly anyway, you just need to check the gun is unloaded and then close the gun, underneath the fore end there is a release lever which you pull and then the fore end comes away. You then break the gun and the action and barrels separate. Reassembly is pretty much the same, you hook the barrels onto the action and then close it up then refit the fore end. It's very simple.

 

Good luck.

 

Jon.

Thanks Jon, I'll try one out at the gunshop and see how it feels. :(

[reddan]

Fraid not mate, have measured the guns I mentioned above and they are both over 40 odd inches long, which won't go in my boot even diagonally, and I worry about the slip/case being visible on the back seat if I ever had to pull over for petrol or something, so as I said a smaller gun would probably still be best for me.

 

 

I transport mine across my back footwells or across back seats. For the reasons you mention I keep a blanket and/or coat in the car and just cover it up.

 

The gun suggested by Al4x is a good allrounder 'size' you will find that a gun of this description will not limit what you can do with it. Shorter barrells will make it harder for you on some types and styles of shooting. Weight can be a problem but then, depending on what you are using it for, you will get used to holding the mounted weight of the gun. The shorter barrell guns I have used suffered from a large muzzel jump, heavy recoil and a swing speed that was difficult to match to the clay/bird*.

 

* Unless you are roost shooting and then there isnt a funner gun than a short sxs.

 

Dan

Edited July 17, 2009 by reddan

[Lloyd90]

From what you have said Trent I would either be looking for a semi auto as much less recoil and lighter OR a 20g O/U as there much lighter and have less recoil, also not much of a difference to a 12g anyways

[humperdingle]

Go into a gunshop and ask them to show you how a 12g O/U and a 12g Semi auto dismantle.

 

I'm sure after you've seen that, you'll realise how simple it is. Then you can buy a 30" soft or hard guncase and carry the gun around dismantled in your boot. An O/U takes literally 5 seconds to dismantle to components of barrel, action and fore-end, and another 5 seconds to re-assemble.

 

Your muscles will soon "Learn", and won't ache after a few weeks of use. It's just that holding a shotgun uses muscle groups your body won't be used to.

[Cushat]

a 20g O/U as there much lighter and have less recoil, also not much of a difference to a 12g anyways

 

 

Lighter guns recoil more than heavier guns. A light 20b will recoil more than a heavier 12b. If you're concerned about recoil then shoot 12 bore with 21g cartridges.

 

As for OP's original problem of the gun feeling heavy - you'll soon get used to it. THey do feel heavy in a shop, but once you're conentrating on a target you'll not notice. I've shot with some very petite young ladies who have no problem handling a 12b.

[Condor]

Trent, I'm a short, small-framed woman somewhat older than you who began shooting very recently - as you can see, my guns are both 12g, the Browning is quite a heavy gun, but as its had a Kickeeze pad added and a cheekeeze on the comb, the recoil is no problem. If you dry mount for 5-10 minutes a day as most coaches seem to advise, your arm muscles will soon improve in tone and not get as tired as quickly when shooting. Heavier guns generally absorb recoil better.

 

Having said that, the semi auto I have is a joy to use - its light, almost no recoil and splatters the clays with 21g loads just like the best of the O/Us. Perhaps you should look at a semi auto 12g - I tire the least using it and as there's almost no recoil its a pleasure to shoot. I use a shooting vest with a Browning Reactar pad in the shoulder pocket - that really helps with recoil, although obviously many of the bigger chaps don't find it necessary.

Whatever gun you buy, you may well find that given your small frame, you may need to budget for a bit of work on the stock for it to fit you properly, unless you can get a used buy with a slightly shorter stock, it may even have a Kickeeze pad added - I've just traded in my Medallist and it is a slightly shorter stock with a Kickeeze pad, great condition. PM me if you want details, although you'd have to travel to the Midlands to see it and try it.

 

Don't be in a rush to buy, look around first, if possible get a knowledgeable friend or a shooting coach to advise as well.

Personally, although I love both my guns, the semi-auto is so light and easy to use, I'd have no hesitation in recommending one - be it one of Beretta's finest, like mine, or another solid performer with a good history.

 

 

[Trent]

Thanks Condor. Good advice. I'm in the Midlands too (East Mids, not far from the airport)

 

And I just yesterday purchased a semi-auto 12g. I chose semi-auto because of the slight recoil dampening. After buying the cabinet and license and gun all within about a fortnight I'm a bit strapped for cash right now, but next week I plan to head over to a couple of local ranges to get a good lot of practise in to familiarise myself with my new gun. My new 12g has a rubber butt-pad on the stock that has like a swiss-cheese sort of arrangement behind the actual pad, don't know what this is called but it takes the recoil out quite nicely. I drove down to london and spent the day in a big gunshop so I could choose a gun that was right for me, and I'm pretty sure I found a good match for my first gun.

 

Thanks again. And yeah, I smile a lot, sorry if there's any forum rules about that - I know some places don't like it but I'm a happy person. :unsure:

 

edit: OK, I know what my guns recoil pad is called now, it's called a "Trio-pad butt system."

 

Edited July 24, 2009 by Trent

[Condor]

I'm glad you got sorted Trent, where do you normally shoot?? I'm at Doveridge usually, the Wednesday evenings are especially good value with clays being only 17p for members. Its a great ground with friendly people, perhaps you'd like to join up for a bit of practice sometime? As I work fulltime, my shooting is usually weekends and Wed evenings while the "summer" light is with us. Hope your Hatsan serves you well, it looks like it should there are lots of bad remarks about them but I think a lot of it is snobbish stuff and if it breaks clays for you, that's all you want!!

 

Most of all, enjoy your shooting!!! :unsure:

[Trent]

I'm glad you got sorted Trent, where do you normally shoot??

So far I've mainly been shooting at Lowe's Lane, since it's closest to me, but I've also been to Cockett farm and some ranges as far afield as Kent whilst on my travels. Lowe's lane is pretty much my "local" - although sadly my off-work days are mon-tue and it's closed those days (D'oh) which is why I went to Cockett farm (North Notts).

 

I'm at Doveridge usually, the Wednesday evenings are especially good value with clays being only 17p for members.

Bargain

 

Its a great ground with friendly people, perhaps you'd like to join up for a bit of practice sometime? As I work fulltime, my shooting is usually weekends and Wed evenings while the "summer" light is with us.

Yeah maybe, although I must admit, so far I'm a terrible shot - DTL I find easier, but the fast crossers on skeet/sporting I am having trouble with.

 

Hope your Hatsan serves you well, it looks like it should there are lots of bad remarks about them but I think a lot of it is snobbish stuff and if it breaks clays for you, that's all you want!!

Yeah, I had used a friend's hatsan a few times and found it never failed me. According to the manual it's not recommended for cartridges below 24g, presumably because the manufacturer thought they might not have the power to cycle the heavy bolt spring and load the next round, but I fired a whole box of 65mm 21g carts off in quick succession once and it never missed a beat. I admit tho there is a lot of intricate engineering in a semi-auto, so it's not suprising that sometimes things will go wrong, but I imagine it's like any other machine: keep it in good nick and it should work better. :yp:

 

Most of all, enjoy your shooting!!!

Unfortunately, I'm enjoying it too much - it's taking up all my free cash LOL. But I suppose life's there for living. :yp: Edited July 24, 2009 by Trent