I am looking at buying a O/U from TradEx and don't know anything about the makes of shotguns that they have in stock. I am just wondering if anyone has any information or comments about the makes that TadeEx had in stock at the moment. Here is what they have Bron, Bailkal, Zastava, Valmet, Angelo Zoli, Fausti and Feg. Just wondering if one is better than the other or even personal opinions on them.
TradeEx shotguns
- Thread starter tbooker
- Start date
First thing to remember with a used gun is that condition means everything. If you get one that needs repairs you'll end up spending the price of a new one, or more.
Baikal is typical Russian - it's not really well finished but it's solid and dependable. Surprisingly well balanced considering.
Zastava is Spanish, decent quality, maybe not quite as robust as a Baikal but better looking.
Valmet is Finnish. Some of them are a little weird looking but quality is there. Good stuff. Top pick dependant on price and condition.
FEG - I don't have a lot of experience with these. The few I've seen looked decent quality.
dragansrbin
Regular
- Location
- Stoners Creek
Zastava is Serbian, not Spanish, and the Baikal's are very nice I have 2 of them, one came from Trade Ex and is amazing, very light finish is very good considering it is used.
The Tradeex shotguns come from a variety of sources. From the homework I've done, and speaking to Anthony, the guns from Sweden are the result of laws in that country that limit the number of guns an individual can own (five only, unless they get a collector's license), plus limits on dealer's inventories. Spain, another source of shotguns from Tradeex, also has a similar law that results in a surplus of shotguns for exportation.
I haven't asked, but I would think that Tradeex might also get some of their shotguns from different dealers in Eastern Europe.
The quality of their over and unders can vary from functionable (i.e. Baikal shotguns) to very high quality shotguns from Italy and Spain. When they last got a large shipment from Spain about 1.5 years ago, I did my research and picked up a nice Sarriugarte for $350 plus tax and shipping. The lower end of that make are of Browning Citori quality, so it wasn't hard to decide to get it. They also had lots of Lanber and Laurona over/unders, which are generally regarded as good quality, low priced shotguns. Other brands like Zabala, however, are regarded as a lower grade gun.
Eastern European makers like Brno, Zastava and Fegevar generally have good reputations, though servicing might be an issue if required. As with the O/U that I picked up, they are mostly fixed full and modified choke that would probably not be suitable to shooting with steel shot, and unless the chokes are opened up or tubes are installed, they are best for those types of upland hunting where a tighter choke would not be a hindrance. That said, I did see a few more open choked O/Us on the website.
I finally practiced with my Sarriugarte this spring, and while the stock fit wasn't the best for me, it was still nice to shoot. I also got a Llama Franch semi-auto from them, which along with the sling swivels makes for a very light and handy shotgun for the field.
With Regards,
Frank
I haven't asked, but I would think that Tradeex might also get some of their shotguns from different dealers in Eastern Europe.
The quality of their over and unders can vary from functionable (i.e. Baikal shotguns) to very high quality shotguns from Italy and Spain. When they last got a large shipment from Spain about 1.5 years ago, I did my research and picked up a nice Sarriugarte for $350 plus tax and shipping. The lower end of that make are of Browning Citori quality, so it wasn't hard to decide to get it. They also had lots of Lanber and Laurona over/unders, which are generally regarded as good quality, low priced shotguns. Other brands like Zabala, however, are regarded as a lower grade gun.
Eastern European makers like Brno, Zastava and Fegevar generally have good reputations, though servicing might be an issue if required. As with the O/U that I picked up, they are mostly fixed full and modified choke that would probably not be suitable to shooting with steel shot, and unless the chokes are opened up or tubes are installed, they are best for those types of upland hunting where a tighter choke would not be a hindrance. That said, I did see a few more open choked O/Us on the website.
I finally practiced with my Sarriugarte this spring, and while the stock fit wasn't the best for me, it was still nice to shoot. I also got a Llama Franch semi-auto from them, which along with the sling swivels makes for a very light and handy shotgun for the field.
With Regards,
Frank
Made in Serbia by descendants of the famous Spanish Zastava family gunmakers maybe...
You're right of course.
That is so true about being better than described!
I purchased a Mosin M44 non-laminate from them and it looked like it just rolled off the assembly line! Not a ding or a scratch!
Tradex is a great outfit to deal with, and they ALWAYS return calls in a timely fashion,
Hi,
Tradex is a great place to buy! You can rely on Anthony to give you a fair deal.
A few weeks ago I was agonising over witch Laurona SxS from the Tradex inventory I should buy , so I just ask Anthony to pick the best one for me. I am quite satisfied with my purchase and would not hesitate to do it again again!
Guy Georges
Tradex is a great place to buy! You can rely on Anthony to give you a fair deal.
A few weeks ago I was agonising over witch Laurona SxS from the Tradex inventory I should buy , so I just ask Anthony to pick the best one for me. I am quite satisfied with my purchase and would not hesitate to do it again again!
Guy Georges
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
tbooker
So what's the verdict?? Whatcha get?
So what's the verdict?? Whatcha get?
