First Shotgun Advice

[rtrotter 0]

Evening all.

I'm a complete novice hoping for some practical advice regarding a good choice of 12 gauge shotgun, to be used for clays and hopefully game next season. With a limited budget, upto about 700 quid. I've seen a new Webley and Scott 912 that appears to be of reasonable quality and looks nice but i've had conflicting opinions about it. Does anyone here own one or ever used one? I've been advised that a Lanber would be a good alternative. What other makes/ models should i consider? What about second hand guns in the same price range? Any advice/ comments will be appreciated.

Thankyou in advance.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Howdy mate,lamber is a good choice,or lincoln,or for the cash you have, a second hand beretta 686 you should get a mint one for 6-700 quid,if you are going to shoot lots of clays then yes an ou is the best choice as a sbs will knock you about if you shoot loads of clays,there is a hell of a lot of choice out there for the money you have and its easy to get confused with all the choice,I would go to a good gunshop and have a look at a few in your price range,then pick a model you like and that fits you then stick with that and get a good deal, if you get a fixed choke gun make sure you get one with fairly open borings, say improved and quarter or half,you will probably end up with a multichoke though nowadays,gunfit is the most important aspect of good shooting,so if you find a gun you like and it needs altering dont be afraid to haggle a bit and get the alterations thrown in with the deal,good luck with it mate and remember nobody will ever criticise you for being too safe,warm barrels and safe shooting. CHARLIE CALLER.

[bignoel 14]

get yourself into a couple of local shops and try to have a feel of a few different types dont go by looks. and pick the one that fits you the best .goodluck

[eddiej35 10]

As above mate try the guns out first..i went in our shop with 1,500 to spend ,i had 15 guns laid out for me and was told not to look at make or price and just pick them up and see which one feels nice and comes to shoulder propperly..I ended up paying £650 for a new lanber and never looked back ,cracking gun and never had a problem in 3 years with it..

[scorpionchipper 0]

I know they are not to everyones taste but I really think my Beretta AL 390 ST semi auto is the dog's use it for game and vermin control,multi choke and very little recoil due to gas piston operation as well as a damper in the stock.and that third shot has come in handy a number of times.

[jackinbox99 41]

I agree with all the above. Try a few guns out in a couple of local gun shops and see which fits the best. I was in the same boat as you many years back, and I opted for the beretta al391 semi 12bore in the end for clays. What swayed me was the lower recoil, the 3 shots, plus i could use the same gun for pigeons etc, and I like to be a bit different! Brilliant gun, and ive never once had anyone else down the clay range frown at me for using a semi.

 

After a few years, I fancied buying a new o/u 12 bore, and again went to the local gunshop and tried a few out. I walked into the shop with the intention of buying another beretta, maybe a silver pigeon or 686, but after trying a few guns for fit & feel I walked out with a virtually brand new lanber o/u. Again, excellent gun, fits me a treat, feels lovely solid quality, excellent wood. Now I shoot both, mainly at clays and have not had a problem with either. Both are multichoke, so you can alter them to suit what your shooting at.

 

The only other factor really might be re-sale value should you come to sell in a few years. Im pleased to notice that my beretta has hardly dropped in value much at all from what I paid for it. The lanber has dropped a bit however, but ive no intentions of selling either so re-sale doesnt bother me.

 

Finally, dont feel under any pressure from the shop owner to buy, and shop around. Prices in shops vary a lot. Ive 2 shops local to me and 1 is always 25% more expensive than the other.