buying my first shotgun

[shotgun_tommy]

hi all can i firstly say im new to this forum and im new to the shooting game... what im after is some advice and recomendations in buying my first shotgun.. i dont have much money to spend but i have been looking at the escort brand new for around 350.. dont mind weather its a semi or over under side by side. pref it would have to be a semi or over under..

 

i have been offered a.... er is it a miracle over under for 375 used though and i dont know what the hell to look for in buying used..

 

any help will be very appreciated..

 

jamie

[Baldrick]

Jamie,

 

I believe you mean a 'Miroku'. Miroku is a very good brand, but don't let that blind you, when you should be considering the more important issues of gun fit, the gun's condition and whether it will actually suit your needs.

 

I'd strongly recommend you take an experienced and impartial friend with you when viewing any gun. A decent RFD will allow you to test the gun at a local clay ground, upon payment of a deposit. You can of course tweak the gun's fit to a degree, but the foundations need to suit you and your requirements.

 

You get what you pay for: I would be looking for a second-hand Bettinsoli, Browning Medallist, Beretta A303 or some other O/U or semi with decent provenance. I would caution you against buying an Escort, as I personally think there are significantly better second-hand guns out there for the money.

 

Balders

Edited July 29, 2009 by Baldrick

[shotgun_tommy]

thank you for you reply.. my local gun shop has a marrochi over and under he is asking 200 but how can i tell if its been abused..

 

it is also sold as seen

[Baldrick]

Ah, sorry, I forgot about Marocchi.

 

Have a good look over the exterior and internals of any gun you're considering. Strip it down into its major component parts. You're looking for things like this (I stress it's not an exhaustive list):

• Are the barrels in good order internally and externally? Hold the barrels up to the light and peer down each end. Can you see any imperfections, such as rust pitting, bulges, dents and odd abrasions? Are the barrels' ribs securely brazed on, and free from dents? Is the blacking consistent? if it's a multi-choke, are all of the chokes present with the gun?
  
• Look at the action: does the face of the action and the hinge pin show signs of abuse, or excessive use? Are the firing pins in good condition? Does the safety catch and (if fitted) the selective trigger mechanism function?
  
• Re-fit the barrels to the action, leaving the fore-end off. Is there any play between action and barrels?
  
• Re-assemble the gun and pop in some snap caps. Test the trigger for function and play. Test the ejectors.
  
• Look at the woodwork: is it absolutely knackered and riddled with cracks, or is it suspiciously new? Woodwork is a good way of telling the amount of abuse a gun has had. You're looking for woodwork in a condition that matches the wear the metalwork has seen.
  
• Shoulder the gun and have as many practice swings as you want. It should feel balanced and solid.
  

I can't emphasise enough the need to take someone experienced with you. Not all RFDs are scrupulous and honest. I hope that your RFD is both fair, but also a good judge of gun fit.

 

Take your time with choosing.

 

Baldrick

[sid the sniper]

could posssibly be merkel