Which first gun to buy
- Thread starter MP1725
- Start date
Yes.. Paid over of 4k for my 825 trap, I would rather not scratch it up.. Your Grulla is not marked up after years of use in the field? Nicely done! Just shooting from a blind, or taking it through brush?
When I go out for grouse or pheasant, I am hiking through kilometers of field that is full of brush most of the time. Any gun is getting scratched up where I go. I will stick to my synthetic SXP or Affinity for that. Shooting the 825 vs Affinity at birds from 20-30 yards will not make me shoot better or bring home more birds. But the Franchi is 1.5 lbs lighter, so that's nice. For shooting sporting/skeet? Absolutely the Browning has the edge, that is what it built for. Plus the drop and cast is perfect for me.
Different strokes for different folks. Over 4k for a boom stick is a pretty heavy chunk of change for most people, myself included. I'd prefer to keep it pristine for as long as possible, but that's just my preference. I sure would not take a 20k gun to the field unless my net worth quadrupled lol.
When I go out for grouse or pheasant, I am hiking through kilometers of field that is full of brush most of the time. Any gun is getting scratched up where I go. I will stick to my synthetic SXP or Affinity for that. Shooting the 825 vs Affinity at birds from 20-30 yards will not make me shoot better or bring home more birds. But the Franchi is 1.5 lbs lighter, so that's nice. For shooting sporting/skeet? Absolutely the Browning has the edge, that is what it built for. Plus the drop and cast is perfect for me.
Different strokes for different folks. Over 4k for a boom stick is a pretty heavy chunk of change for most people, myself included. I'd prefer to keep it pristine for as long as possible, but that's just my preference. I sure would not take a 20k gun to the field unless my net worth quadrupled lol.
My Grullas get carried miles in the field , and into the brush when my dog is on point in the brush. My AYA #2s were the same, and if they should get a slight mark on them, too bad, there is no point in owning a shotgun that you don't use. I carry a $12k or $18k shotgun in the field, beause I enjoy hunting with them.
Nothing wrong with that if you got the cash and it makes you happy. I agree that if you own it, you should use it, but to a point. Your Grullas are worth more than my car, truck, bike, and old ladies car to put things in perspective. I'm going to baby my Browning as it is the most expensive gun I have ever purchased. Different strokes..
I can't say much about the 1100 but the 870 is a solid shotgun and parts are available, both as factory replacements and aftermarket.
Why own nice stuff if it's not going to get used? You might as well put it on the wall and let it collect dust or not buy nice at all.
One could just use a single shot Cooey and "drag that through the bush".
I use it for clays, that is its intended purpose being the 825 "Trap".. I thought I would use it for hunting as well when I bought it, that helped me justify the cost. But I don't want to mark it up so I don't. A single shot Cooey is not ideal for game birds being a single shot, so I will stick to the Franchi and Winchester for that. I doubt I missed out on any birds by leaving the Browning in the safe for hunting. Not a hard concept to grasp one would think..
Based on my very limited experience, I second the Browning BPS suggestion. It's the first firearm I ever bought/owned (still got it) and I love it. Very reliable.
