Budget over unders worth it?

When I did try trap for the first time, my rented gun was a mossberg silver reserve II, is it good for a beginner?
I have no reason to buy a 1500$ gun when I'm just starting out, It's the same as with music. Why would you cash out on a vintage gibson when you don't even know if you like music?
 
I suppose there must be someone, somewhere, who is happy with their Mossberg Silver Reserve in the long term.
I've never met one.
Sure know lots of people who were short term owners.
 
I'm in the same boat. Looking for something cheap to get started. My use will be for pheasants and clays off the deck so I just can't justify a 725...yet. Was impressed with the fit and finish of the Akkar/churchill I held, seemed to swing and shoulder ok. The Stoegers and the pointer I held had horrendous fit and finish, the selector and safety was loose, and that was at the gun counter. TradeEx seems to have some interesting Baikals, FEGs, and a Sabatti but I'd really like interchangeable chokes. I haven't found many used churchills up for sale, O/Us at least. Not sure if thats a good sign or a bad one. I've also heard the CZs aren't bad if you can find used, I believe they're made by Huglu or Akkar.
 
Astaziel said:
As said before, I'm just looking for something to get started on, to see if I like the sport.
I can always upgrade later.
Click to expand...

You asked a question and it appears that you don't like the answer.

By all means go buy a Silver Reserve if that's the route you want to take, I'm sure it will last long enough for you to figure out if you want to stay in the sport.
 
Nothing wrong with buying an inexpensive gun when you are on a tight budget as long as it's reliable. Most of us have used this stepping stone somewhere along the way and years down the road we still have dream guns to lust after, just more expensive ones. A true gun nut is always looking forward to the next one. Yes, you can add Huglu ( basically the same as CZ) to the list, and those inexpensive doubles by Savage, Stevens, Mossberg will meet your requirements as well. With a $600-$800 budget this will be your best bet, used Berettas, Brownings, etc are very rare under $1000 these days unless with fixed chokes or really beat up/worn out. Get to know the sport, find your limits and aspire to that much better gun that will solve all your problems. At 100 rounds or so per month all but the very bottom of the barrel should give you lots of fun and last long enough to point you towards your inevitable upgrade.
 
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You mentioned shooting skeet. I have seen Winchester 101's that were choked skeet go for under $800.00 a few times recently. I bought one choked skeet about 2 years ago for $400.00 off the EE. Not a mark on the gun and it has been working just fine. A very good gun for the price. Just keep an eye out and watch the ads.
 
I believe huglu is the best of the cheaper doubles. All the cheap doubles that are new are turkish or brazilian.
The churchill ou guns that i see on my local skeet field have held up well.
As for baikal doubles i have a sxs with over 70000 rounds thru it and other than the forend latch thinning causing slight play in the forend its still in great functioning shape. It was my main trap and skeet and crow gun for many years. Choked full and tigher full i shoot it well. Better then most skeet guns ive owned. Its also taken ducks geese grouse pheasants rabbit coyotes and deer. Its a tank. Like others have said its heavier and not as refined as other guns but it cost me $375 bucks and i could likely get nearly that for it now. The bores are still mint on the inside. I like sxs more than ou. There are gunsmiths that have carbide reamers that can and will open up chrome lined chokes. It does cost more. If one were opened to ic/mod it would do for nearly everything.
Another gun often over looked is brno zh 101 and 301
 
A true skeet gun with fixed skeet chokes will of course work fine for skeet. It may also work tolerably well for some sporting clays courses. It will be frustratingly inadequate for a beginner shooting trap which is a longer range game. For an all round gun you should be looking at a Sporting Clays gun or the easiest to find option, a field gun with 28" barrels and choke tubes. While it won't be ideal for any clay sport it will be very adequate for all of them.
 
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Don't forget to check the bulletin board at your local club, or simply chat with any regular members of the trap club - they'll talk your ear off...

Many members (at my club) have spare trap guns they'll bring out for others to use/try and often end up buying/selling/trading guns to expand or change their collection.

The club prices that I've seen are far below what I've seen asked for on 'Used Gun' listings or forums, or from your local firearms supply shop.

The club guys treat each other VERY well, they want to see each other improve, bring new participants out and help to make it easier/cheaper to get out and shoot.

The advice given to me was to keep my initial gun investment minimal and spend my money on putting shells through it.

Then - when you reach a point to do a gun upgrade, you'll have enough experience to know what features you want.
 
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