Considering gun purchase for new dude...

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Merck

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Hey guys,

New to the shooting world and starting to consider a gun as I await the arrival of my PAL. I've quite enjoyed trap and will probably eventually try out skeet, doubles, who knows....

In considering a gun I'm liking the O/U idea but haven't made up my mind - it's a mix between want and afford, though I'll keep trolling for used guns.

Quick questions - there are a billion types of guns and each manufacturer calls things by a slightly different name. If I liked the looks of a 28" Sporting gun, what's the difference between that and a 30" 'trap' gun? Being new will I really notice any difference, especially if there are different chokes? And not just those examples specifically....Can I shoot trap fine with a 28"? If I had a 30" is skeet out of the question? How about a 'sporting clays' model or something like that?

Being new I don't want to go crazy and say I need the perfect gun for something but I'm looking to 'future-proof' myself for when I feel like jumping into another game.

Thanks
 
I shoot skeet with a 30" Miroku MK38. No problem with barrel length. Some shooters are even using 32" K-80's these days. Bit much for me, but you don't need a short barrelled gun for skeet.
 
Handle each and you will notice the difference. Trap guns have higher combs and vent ribs. They're heavier to. 28" is fine for trap 30" can be used in skeet. I shoot Skeet with everything from 14"-30". Fit and feel is everything in Shotgunning. Try to avoid those cheap budget o/u if you can. Buying a better quality gun on the used market is a wise choice.
 
Merck - as mentioned, Trap and Skeet are different disciplines, therefore, a Trap model won't serve for Skeet. However, you could shoot trap with a Skeet gun using proper chokes, of course. A "do it all" Clay gun would be in a Sporting model configuration. Bbl lengths are almost always a personal thing. A 28in barrel is usually a good conpromise.

However, as already indicated, gun fit should take top priority in the matter of shotgun selection. If the intent is to shoot clay only, then get something (even if used) that may last - example: sporting models such as Winchester 101, Browning CItori, Beretta 686 (the later will be more expensive in comparison) etc. The Lanber O/U (based on condition) will be a good gun.....not talking about the ones that may be on Tradeex site. There was/is one on the EE that appears to be in excellent condition.

Another cost efficient shotgun, compared to an O/U, will be a semi auto and those are available in Sporting versions as well.
 
Thanks guys. Ahsan thanks for the comments. I wasn't sure what 'sporting' referred to either. The 28" makes sense so I'll keep my eyes open. The Lanber seems ok and I've taken a look at it but still awaiting my PAL in the mail. Also don't like the idea of buying a gun without even shouldering it, though it does look nice.

Cheers
 
Well - you need to bone up on things like single triggers, selective triggers, extractors, ejectors if you are considering over/unders or side by sides.
 
Also, in doing some reading of sites and lots of reviews it seems there's a few different opinions on the Winchester 101 shotguns. Was there a change in how they're made leading to some being good and others being bad or is it just different chokes for different folks?

I was looking at a Win 101 trap for 900 used apparently in good condition....
 
skhunter said:
If you have a gun that fits you well with screw in chokes you can use it for everything.
Click to expand...

THIS.

I've shot trap with a bunch of different trap guns, from a bt-99 to a beretta xcel, and my 391 teknys gold sporting skeet gun wins over them every time. A direct quote from one of the old timers at the club when I asked what should I look for in a trap gun:

Oldguy: "You already have one of the best guns you'll ever buy right there"
ME: "It's only 28" though, don't i want 30 or 32?"
Oldguy "Regardless of what game you're playing, 2 inches of barrel is not going to make one goddamn bit of difference. Learn to shoot that gun you have!"
ME: *gulp" "Yessir!"
 
I've shot trap with a bunch of different trap guns, from a bt-99 to a beretta xcel, and my 391 teknys gold sporting skeet gun wins over them every time. A direct quote from one of the old timers at the club when I asked what should I look for in a trap gun:

Oldguy: "You already have one of the best guns you'll ever buy right there"
ME: "It's only 28" though, don't i want 30 or 32?"
Oldguy "Regardless of what game you're playing, 2 inches of barrel is not going to make one goddamn bit of difference. Learn to shoot that gun you have!"
ME: *gulp" "Yessir!"
Click to expand...

If , and only if the gun fits a person well, I will agree, that you should be able to learn to shoot the gun well. If however, the gun simply doesn't fit, you will never shoot that gun to it's potential , regardless of the quality, or the reputation of the gun. I have watched people suffer for months, trying to learn to shoot a gun that doesn't fit them, and they did slowly improve with it, but when they tried a gun that fit them, their scores suddenly improved by a significant margin.
 
During the first year you own that gun, you'll be super horny over it and will shoot it like there's no tomorrow. There won't be enough ammo and clay birds to supply your hunger. After that however, you might be lucky to put a 100 rounds though it a year.
 
During the first year you own that gun, you'll be super horny over it and will shoot it like there's no tomorrow. There won't be enough ammo and clay birds to supply your hunger. After that however, you might be lucky to put a 100 rounds though it a year.
Click to expand...

I haven't found that to be an issue at all, but then I shoot skeet about ten times as often , as I shoot trap. Over twenty years after taking up skeet, I shoot as many rounds now, as I ever have.
 
Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
During the first year you own that gun, you'll be super horny over it and will shoot it like there's no tomorrow. There won't be enough ammo and clay birds to supply your hunger. After that however, you might be lucky to put a 100 rounds though it a year.
Click to expand...

I've never personally found that to be the case, but i shoot quite a bit more than the average person, and switch guns often in an afternoon.
I shoot about 300 games of skeet and trap a year, but mostly skeet.:D

Cat
 
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