Buying a shotgun

[Barbel Mick]

Decided to take up a new hobby! Been clay pigeon shooting a couple of times recently and enjoyed it so I've applied for a licence. I had my police interview last week and he told me there's no reason I should be denied one and it'll come in a few weeks, so pretty soon!
Anyway the question is, do any of you folk go shooting (clay pigeon in particular) and able to advise me on what gun would be best for a 'beginner'? I don't want to spend too much and have a budget of £1000. (Seems a lot, but not in the shotgun world it seems)!!
I'm looking for a 12G over & under but 28" or 30" barrels, new or second hand and if you live in The Midlands the best dealer to go to for advice and maybe buy from within 25/30 miles of Derby?
Any other advice welcome.
Cheers
Mick

[greywolf]

Oh no! Guns and politics being discussed. It's as bad as home.

[Rusty Nuts]

A gun. Singular.

[Graham62]

Let me know when you've got it Mick, I could do with using it about now. 

[wurzel]

It's a long time since I gave up shooting, so I'm not in touch with things, most any old school dealer will be OK, you should get a very nice gun for that money, think about what chokes you want for clays, and if you intend to go rough shooting.
Some modern guns have screw in chokes so you can alter them to suit your requirements on the day, might be worth considering if your new to the sport as you can tailor your spread and reach to the shoot.
If your joining a club, which is a good idea for clay shooting, go along, talk to the old and intermediate lads, and get some feedback, maybe find someone to accompany you when you go to buy.
That will help on a second hand gun, and they will be able to help find a gun that fits you, though stocks can be shortened or extended, you want to be settled with the thing in general.

[Loz]

Whenever someone mentions clay pigeon shooting I always think of this 

[kwackboy]

Brilliant... . There will never be another del boy ..!!  .

I used to do clay pigeon shooting many moons ago , strangely satisfying sport.
Was my mate who had the licence and two guns, he let me tag along with him (not sure if that's allowed now.?) and we used to have little wagers on the who scored the most.

What's the law these days with keeping guns at home, do you still have to have a fixed secure safe that needs to be checked on a regular basis ?

[tallpaul]

You don't need a licence for the sawn off types, apparently, which I find strange because only villains seem to have those. They could cut down 70's bank robberies by a huge amount if they introduced licences for those...

[Rusty Nuts]

Even up the odds. Those clay pigeons can be cunning little blighters.

[Ianmc]

Mick,sent you a text.
     Ian Mc.

[Timmo]

Go join a club they will let you try their guns and you can make an informed decision. What feels right in the shop is different when you sweep left or right that 2 inches can make a huge difference. There will also be some members with guns for sale, buy cheap and then get the one you really want.

[Barbel Mick]

Cheers for the replies gents. No matter the subject we can always rely on our membership to find humour in it! 

Kwackboy...."What's the law these days with keeping guns at home, do you still have to have a fixed secure safe that needs to be checked on a regular basis?"
Yeah, you need a secure gun cabinet, checked on the police visit when first applying, I don't think they check on a regular basis but I believe they can make random checks. The officer said that, by law, persons without a licence cannot have access to it!! That means my wife should not know were the keys are! But then the cheeky bugger says, "but persons of your age should make provisions in case something happens."   

Thanks wurzel, Timmo, Ian & those who sent PM's

[Jeff999]

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518193/Guidance_on_Firearms_Licensing_Law_April_2016_v20.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117794/security_leaflet.pdf

https://basc.org.uk/firearms/firearm-shotgun-security-what-do-you-do/

Some bedtime reading. You can’t go wrong with Beretta or Browning O/U, best try a range to see what suits you. Worth joining BASC good for legal cover and insurance with loads of info available.
https://basc.org.uk
Any questions drop me a PM and I’ll try to point you in the right direction.

[Barbel Mick]

Cheers Jeff. 

[DCZH]

The most important question that everyone seems to have missed is: how are you going to stow it on your V-Strom? 

[Barbel Mick]

Swap the horse for a V-Strom...................I've still got two eyes but the fat man bit I can't argue with!! 

might be a bit sad but I like(d) John Wayne films and this was a favourite!! 

[Graham62]

At DCZH, Mick rides a 650 so it will go behind the pannier rack on the left hand side. PS can Mick borrow your hat? 

[Ridaz]

 

[Barbel Mick]

  Probably not illegal, so long as it wasn't loaded. (and you'd got a licence)! 

[imindoors]

I had a firearms licence years ago, as quite few rabbits and foxes in Carmarthenshire can no longer testify to. Can't remember the details now as I'm two and a half bottles of red in to a week's holiday. However I do remember the interminable hoops I had to jump through to get my ticket.

Did I really just use the word interminable? Thank God for spell checkers.....hic