Need some O/U advice please

**Xormac** · 04-04-2016, 22:20

Hi Guys,

So it's happened, the clay shooting bug has bitten hard and I am now at the point of wanting to purchase my first O/U. I have done a ton of reading, research etc and out of all the reading I summarized it to the following:

A Shotgun needs to fit
Fit is justified by that fact that you know how to mount the gun

I've looked at numerous brands, I've considered new as well as second hand after shopping around quite a bit I've narrowed it down to the following options:

Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 (http://www.sussexguns.com/media/cata...on_no_bits.jpg)
F.A.I.R. SLX 800 (http://www.fair.it/media/img/prodotti/slx800_b.jpg)
ATA SP Sporter (http://www.ataarms.com/urun/big/trsp-sporter.png)
Fausti Conrad (http://www.sixesandsevens.co.za/Prod.../ConradNEW.jpg)

I'm now looking for some professional input from my fellow forum members, and also open to any suggestions and advice. My intentions for this firearm would be for clay shooting, both trap as well as skeet. I might be doing some wing shooting but that would probably be few and far between.

Thanks a million.

Best Regards,

Xormac

**Tayls** · 04-04-2016, 23:20

I am also an avid clay pigeon and wingshooter. My view is that you should go for one of the more established brands, preferably one with good after-sales service in SA.

I am a Beretta man and have owned the Silver Pigeon I (686), Silver Pigeon III (687) and a Diamond Pigeon (687 EELL). I totally rate these shotguns and would suggest that you look seriously at this make if it falls within your budget.

If you are a larger build, you might also want to consider a Browning which I find to be a bit "chunkier" and better suited to the larger guys.

Also speak to others who own these four (or five) makes and, if possible, see if you can try the same model as that which you are potentially going to buy.

Good luck!

**Xormac** · 04-04-2016, 23:29

Hi Tayls,

I have identified a really nice SP1 that I like, I was/am just a bit torn between whether it would be worth forking out the money for the particular gun, and whether something priced close to it like the SLX 800 would have been a better gun, or perhaps something a bit cheaper would have compared with it on some level.

From what I've read though, the SP1 is a solid choice, and I must admit it does fit me well.

I'm about 178, and a bit of a stocky build, but I wouldn't really say I'm a larger/tall guy.

Unfortunately haven't found anyone with a SP1 or any of the other guns mentioned to be able to try them out though, only shoulder mounted some guns at the dealers.

Prices I have on the above firearms are as follows:
Silver Pigeon 1 @ R26 000
FAIR SLX 800 @ R25 500
ATA SP Sporter @ R18 500
Fausti Conrad @ R26 500

Thanks for the input.

Regards,

Xormac

**driepootx** · 05-04-2016, 05:09

A clay gun works hard - dont buy the makes that are new to the market. My cheapie has broken firing pins twice and repair costs are now close to what I have paid for the shotgun. Beretta have a long history to draw on.

**Big John2** · 05-04-2016, 06:21

Originally Posted by Xormac

Hi Guys,

So it's happened, the clay shooting bug has bitten hard and I am now at the point of wanting to purchase my first O/U. I have done a ton of reading, research etc and out of all the reading I summarized it to the following:

A Shotgun needs to fit
Fit is justified by that fact that you know how to mount the gun

I've looked at numerous brands, I've considered new as well as second hand after shopping around quite a bit I've narrowed it down to the following options:

Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 (http://www.sussexguns.com/media/cata...on_no_bits.jpg)
F.A.I.R. SLX 800 (http://www.fair.it/media/img/prodotti/slx800_b.jpg)
ATA SP Sporter (http://www.ataarms.com/urun/big/trsp-sporter.png)
Fausti Conrad (http://www.sixesandsevens.co.za/Prod.../ConradNEW.jpg)

I'm now looking for some professional input from my fellow forum members, and also open to any suggestions and advice. My intentions for this firearm would be for clay shooting, both trap as well as skeet. I might be doing some wing shooting but that would probably be few and far between.

Thanks a million.

Best Regards,

Xormac

I would suggest a bit more research, a trap gun is totally different to a skeet gun, there are many different kinds of clay shooting and few of these guns are suitable for wing shooting. What kind of clay shooting are you interested in?If sporting or compact then the same shot gun can be used for wing shooting. Let me know and I will guide you to someone in your area that can assist.

**Xormac** · 05-04-2016, 06:34

Originally Posted by Big John2

I would suggest a bit more research, a trap gun is totally different to a skeet gun, there are many different kinds of clay shooting and few of these guns are suitable for wing shooting. What kind of clay shooting are you interested in?If sporting or compact then the same shot gun can be used for wing shooting. Let me know and I will guide you to someone in your area that can assist.

I'm actually considering a lot of trap, but also wanting to have a go at skeet shooting.

From what I understand, the drop of the stock on the Silver Pigeon 1 is between that of a trap and a skeet gun, making it quite usable in both scenarios? Perhaps I got this a bit wrong?

Which gun would you suggest having a look at?

**shooty** · 05-04-2016, 07:39

Make sure its got interchangeable chokes. As you need a full choke ideally for trap. And open for Skeet.
Sporting youll have to look on the day how they set it up and decide.

Critical is how the shotgun fits you. Otherwise your going to miss alot.

Also look at the Browning 525 and 725. And if you can get hold of one the Browning GTS Special.

**shooty** · 05-04-2016, 07:44

just remember the more you think about chokes, grip, shot weights, angle of grips and all the other variables. The more you will miss as well.
Thinking to much during clay shooting. Makes you miss.

Again. The shotgun needs to fit you. You can buy a Perazzi at over a 100 000. But if does not fit you. Forget about getting good scores.
Regrettably at the amounts we have to spend on shotguns. we cant have them custom made at the Perazzi or Beretta factory for our built and stance.
So we are left to handle all the once in our price bracket. And find the one that fits us best.
Important is not to bring brand into it. But firstly go for what fits you. Yes im saying it alot. But thats the most critical part of Clay pigeon.

**johannvdg** · 05-04-2016, 08:57

Xormac, ask yourself a few questions honestly, like: Do I want to try everything and then decide tickles my fancy, I want to specialise in trap and shoot the occasional round of skeet, sporting or compak? What your ultimate goal is? Is it to have fun shooting clays, to become club champ, to make the provincial squad, to get Protea colours or to become world champ? Is it to become a better wingshooter? Each and every scenario may well lead to different choices.

I for one am not a proponent of trying to find a gun that will fit you of the shelf, as what you may think is a well fitting gun, probably is not because of personal bias, buy the gun that you like and that is fit for purpose and have it fitted to you. Once you get acquainted with the members of your local clay club, the number of the preferred local artisan should be fairly easy to get.

I am always astounded, that people are willing to fork out up to 30K for good optics, because they understand the significant contribution it makes to the accuracy of a rifle at range, but are unwilling to spend an extra 6 or 7K to have a shotgun fitted, which is basically like zeroing your shotgun for you. If you are willing to do the research and fairly handy, you can actually do it yourself, but remember, if you screw it up, it will cost you a stock;)

Lastly the Beretta SP range is a good first choice as a long term entry level gun and comes with a few different options in terms of straight stock, cast on or off, as well as options in terms of drop at comb for their sporters, although most gunshop salespeople probably does not know it and I suspect neither does most importers. If trap is going to be your primary discipline, the one with the least amount of drop will probable be better suited.

I still have a Beretta S58 Trap, that is in excess of 40 years old, has in the region of 50k shots through it and is still going strong, the only issues have been operator induced breaking of small reset springs in the action on re-assembly, I was able to remanufacture said springs using guitar strings, so we are good to go again.

Sometimes I long for interchangeable chokes as F and Improved Modified (3/4) can be a little tight and unforgiving at times, but mostly they are perfect.

Enjoy!

**dAyLiTe** · 05-04-2016, 09:07

Yip... it has to fit 'you'.
I can't stand the feel of a Perazzi, it just feels wrong and 'fat/chunky', but my Beretta 682 feels right.
Apparently the Perazzi is a better gun... it's just not for me.

Go try all of them:
- Beretta
- Browning
- Miroku (Browning derivative)
- Lanber
etc
They all have a unique feel, it's up to you to find the one that works for you.

BTW: If the Beretta fits, there is one available on GT this morning:
http://www.guntree.co.za/latest-ads/...igeon-1-12g-28