Silver Pigeon 1 or Winchester Select English Field?

[Snaphaan]

I want to replace my Brno ZH301 o/u 12g. It is a nice gun, but it has 2 full chokes (fixed) which really demolish birds at short range.

Problem is, I cannot choose between a Silver Pigeon 1 and a Win Select English Field. The specs and prices are the same. I like them both a lot.

Any comments on the choice?

Please.

[corriedewilde]

I prefer the Beretta

[Wesley]

Beretta's are exceptional shotguns. Second only to a Browning!

[Snaphaan]

I'll have to flip a coin...

[carlp]

If not Browning, then go Beretta.......

just not fair, i need to replace my Boito ASAP

[Snaphaan]

The Winchester comes from the FN Browning factory in Belgium. I still have to flip that coin...

[johannvdg]

Of the 2 I would get the Winchester, now if you were talking Silver Pigeon III, that would be a whole different ballgame.

[Shaker]

Dont know much about the Winchester, have'nt seen many doing the rounds on the circuits.

I've been told that all the Silver Pigeons have the same action, only the stocks and engraving are different.
Depending on the model the Rib, Bead and Barrels could differ.

I have a SP1 with Mobil chokes and a Sporter with Optima chokes so that is most probably where the barrel differences come in.

Not sure if the different SP models have vented barrels as well.

[Connie]

I have the same dilema thats how i stumbled on this amazing Forum,i have an old Sabatti at present and shoot with friends who's guns include new Brownings and even an original Holland and Holland pair, worth about 40000 pounds.
My budget is no more than R20000 and have spent hours on research,i have spoken to David Drinn from the importers Harold J Drinn (Browning and Winchester for South Africa)that Browning has become even more expensive than they allready were , as they are made in Japan and the import duty is 15% more, than the Winchester which is made in the Browning factory in Belgium.They say that the Winchester quality and value is excellent so
I think it will be back to personal choice for me once i have put both guns side by side,the problem being at the moment is that in Natal there is no Beretta in stores, they are waiting for stock to arrive.
I can say that i have done hours of research and for the R18000 to R20000 price range they seem to be the best that is currently available and everyone says they will out live us ,which is what we want in South Africa with our tight legislation.

I am 1.75cm tall, can anyone help ,do i go for the 28 inch or 30 inch barrel or is it down to fit and balance?

[Springer]

If you absolutely HAVE to shoot an O/U in the field then I suppose it should be the Silver Pigeon.