20 gauge over and under

[gixer1]

Folks,

 

I was wondering if anyone on here uses a Lincoln 20g O/U M/C and if so what do they think of it? the local gunsmith has one for £475 and I am thinking of buying it but don't realy know much about them?

 

Any help/opinions appreciated.

 

Gixer.

[Baldrick]

Gixer,

 

A good friend of mine has used a Lincoln Premier 20b M/C for the last 8 years. I have shot this gun many times. It feels clunking and oddly plank-like when compared to almost every other 20b O/U I have shot, and particularly different to the well-proportioned shape and nimble handling qualities of a Beretta Silver Pigeon.

 

I appreciate that there is a cavernous gap between the Lincoln and Beretta/Miroku/Browning in terms of cost. I readily confess to being a gun snob, but being sincere, I dislike the Lincoln because of the way it feels in my hands and the way it is made - I'm not slating it purely because it's a Lincoln. I have shot 12b Lincolns that felt a lot more lively than that 20g.

 

Is this prospective purchase being made on an impulse, or have you got the time available to consider alternatives?

 

Balders

[jimmyb79]

I'd have to second Baldrick's opinion, but I too am a bit of a gun snob. I tried a Lincoln 20b when I first started shooting and the whole thing felt like it was about to fall apart for some reason. I now own a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon III 20b and there is no comparison (although it is quite a bit more than the Lincoln in price.) I'm sure there are better 20 bores out there for the money than the Lincoln...

[Baldrick]

Jimmy, I think the Beretta Silver Pigeon 20b (in its various guises, with the EELL at the top of the pile) is the finest handling factory 20b ever made. Nothing else beats it for handling, balance, elegant design and minimal depreciation.

[John_R]

There are some 20 gauge O/U shotguns that are built around the same actions etc. as the 12 gauge models, and those are never as nicely designed and elegant as those that are built from the ground up to be 20 gauge.

 

I am not saying that is true of the Lincoln, I don't know at all, but it would be a good idea to look at a few before parting with any cash.

[Baldrick]

John, the Lincoln is built on a 20b action, so its proportions are OK. It just looks very angular, with money spent on oddly elaborate engraving and inlaid gold, when it would be better placed on a more elegant fore-end, cleaner chequering and a smoother trigger.

[clayman]

The Lincoln is made in the massive FAIR factory in Italy. This manufacturer sells under its own Rizzini brand and makes guns for other markets under other names, Lincoln for the UK market, Rotweill for the Germans, but also imported to the UK. This factory makes complete guns for many markets under many names, and is also a large component maker producing parts, barrels and actions for many other well known brands.

 

The Lincoln comes in three versions: the Basic, The Premier Gold, and the Jubilee. The first two are the same gun with different levels of finish, the latter a different gun with superior finish and handling.

 

These are robust mid range guns that are excellent for getting going in the sport. Yes there are better guns, but not at £475 which is a good deal - these are about £800-00 new now, and you would be lucky to get much change out of a grand for even a second hand SP 20 these days.

[Beardo]

in that price range you'd get a Browning Medallist 20g - nice little gun for the money

[gixer1]

Folks,

 

I appreciate the opinions, But it's too late.......I bought it, needed a little 20 for the 1st of sept! it's a lincoln No2, it actually feels similar to the Beretta 20 that got me thinking about a 20, it's 3" mag, M/C and has a very nice bit of timber, plus at 475 it wasn't big money I had a look on Gun Trader and there are 3 no 2's the cheapest at £500 and the most expensive at £600.

 

Plus i made about £100 on what i paid for the 12 e rizzini I was getting rid of

 

The fore end seems to be a copy of the pre SP Berettas and the wieght is around 6 1/4 lbs so it should be a nice gun to carry around! it's no beretta but still a nice gun all the same.

 

Also went into a spin and bought an AYA Yeoman for £45 just for the sake of having a sxs in the cabinet!

 

P.S.- having never ownes a 20 can someone explain the cartridge situation? i.e. - for sporting clays, DTL etc i always use 7.5's and for skeet 8's or 9's, how does this equate on a 20 gauge, i bought 250 6's (clear pigeon) for game just now.

 

Thanks again guys.

 

Gixer.

Edited August 26, 2009 by gixer1

[John_R]

I've only tried Gamebore so far in my 20 gauge, both in game and clay loads. For game I have used both 24g and 28g #6 and for clays I used 24g #8. I do have some 24g and 21g #7.5 lying around as well, they came with the gun when I bought it.

 

No complaints as yet!

Edited August 26, 2009 by john_r

[jimmyb79]

I only bought my 20 a few months ago and have been going through a similar dilemma with cartridges.

I've yet to put any game cartridges through it, but I asked a similar question on here recently and was recommended Eley VIP 28gram No.6 Fibre Wad for game which I will be purchasing next.

For clays, I have been using Hull Pro 20 24gram 7.5 Plastic wad and have no complaints.

I'm sure there are others with far more experience than me that will add some more beneficial views though.

 

Congrats on the purchase of your new gun - I know how it feels to buy a gun and then read all sorts of negative things about it from other users, but as long as you're happy with it and it fits and shoots how you want it to, thats the main thing.

 

Good luck.

[dougall]

sorry to enter this debate slightly late but thought these comments might assist;

1) I Bought my sons @ 5 yrs ago a Lincoln 20 bore as their first shotgun,great 1st gun.It was fixed choke 'Premier' model 28inch barrels. Have since chopped it in and now I have both a Browning 425 & Beretta SP in 20 bore. Without doubt Beretta SP is the best handling/balanced a belter of a 20 bore. To me Berettas are best in 20 bore( Idon't go mad for their 12s) The 425 comes 2nd as a fine well made gun but the Lincoln whilst 3rd in the contest I thought was a good gun;It was also readily exchangeable if/when you wish to change.

Cartridge wise I am a big fan of RC SIPE 1oz 5s and Lyalvale Express/Game bore Traditional for game/quarry. Lyalvale special twenty 24gm for clays.

 

I shot a lot of pigeons with the Lincoln(just making sure it was all right for the boys you understand..)and I don't think you will be disappointed,it is solid/well made and works.

All the best with it.

[Beardo]

i use Eley VIP 28gram No.6 Fibre Wad for pigeon/game etc.

and

Eley CT 24gram No. 7.5 Plastic Wad for clays

[nipper]

After seeing the gun and admiring the surprisingly good wood on it .I apologies for calling it a LESBIAN over and under !!!

As you know I didn't have my glasses on and all I could see was the L &&&&&&& N .

 

You will have to remember that the area you intend to go shooting , I know very well .So you will be shooting fibre wad shells wont you ? (YES George )

 

At least that cuts down your choices a little bit .

For clays anywhere else you can use whatever you like .

 

If it shoots as nice as it looks ,you should have a useful gun for a few years .

 

If your a good boy and practise plenty,we might let you into the Beretta owners club eventually :look:??:yes: ???

[gixer1]

HA HA HA! Yes George.... thanks for the input.....

 

(to explain this is the person who loaned me the Beretta 20g)