Post by ***@ntlworld.comAs someone returning to shooting after a 20 some year break does the forum
have any recommendations as to choice of gun bearing in mind price
restrictions.
Derek C
I just started a couple of years ago so I'll share my experiences.
I knew I would be staying in the sport for the long term so I was happy to
invest a reasonable amount of money in a gun. I decided to go down the 1 gun
for all jobs route and as I shoot sporting clays, DTL, wildfowl and driven
game I opted for a 'sporter'. I deliberately went for a 12b with 3" chambers
steel proofed and this has proved important for to be able to shoot decent
non-toxic cartridges on the foreshore.
With regards to the actual gun I bought I took every opportunity to borrow
guns at the clay ground and to handle guns on shoot days. I found the gun
which best fitted me was a Beretta Silver Pigeon II sporter and with
multichokes it meant I could shoot DTL tightly choked and open my chokes for
sporting clays/game/skeet etc.
My next task was to find one! I used the Guntrader website and kept an eye
on it for my ideal gun. I had to wait a while but I got it as an ex demo
gun, never been fired, for just under £1000 (list price £1600) and it came
with a Beretta 10yr guarantee.
I am still happy with my choice 2 years later. I have since added a cheap
s/s ejector as I found the Beretta too heavy for a walk about day rough
shooting. I only paid £150 for it.
In retrospect I picked the gun for its spec and the back up of a big
manufacturer. I am lucky it fits me perfectly. If I had to offer some advice
I'd say think what you will use the gun for but most importantly make sure
it fits you! I would have been happy to go down the 2nd hand route to save
more money but living where I do in the west of Scotland I am 2 hours to the
nearest gunshop so travelling to shops and looking at lots of 2nd hand guns
was out of the question.
Hope this helps,
Dave