Good 1st gun??

NDM

Hi guys just a quick question i have regarding an offer i saw on Duffys website... they have a sale price of 599 down from 699 for a Baikal IZH-27 o/u..fine lookin gun it is but just wondered what are peoples experiences with this gun and what would they be like for a beginner?

many thanks for any help

riflehunter77

NDM wrote: »

Hi guys just a quick question i have regarding an offer i saw on Duffys website... they have a sale price of 599 down from 699 for a Baikal IZH-27 o/u..fine lookin gun it is but just wondered what are peoples experiences with this gun and what would they be like for a beginner?

many thanks for any help

Baikal are a great gun for anyone starting off, they are a workhorse of a gun well the older ones were anyway. My father had one for 28 or so years. Iv heard that new ones are not as good weather this is true or not i dont know. That looks a good deal with duffys i would ring around a few other dealers and see what they are offering. By the way stay away from yilidiz if you are offered one, biggest load of sh!te IMHO

bunny shooter

riflehunter77 is spot on I have had a few Baikals over the years and they are seriously good as game/vermin guns, bit hard on the shoulder for clay shooting though

Stay well away from any of those "Turkish Chocolate" guns

pullandbang

You'll not go too far wrong on a Baikal if you plan to keep it forever. It will outlast you and your children's children.

However, for €600 you could probably find a secondhand Beretta or Browning which might be a better investment. They will hold their value better than a Baikal when it comes to trading up.

fathersymes

Just remember that one of the most important things with a shotgun is 'fit', if the gun doesn't fit you, you're not going to shoot well, so try out different guns in the shop to see which feels comfortable.

pullandbang

fathersymes wrote: »

Just remember that one of the most important things with a shotgun is 'fit', if the gun doesn't fit you, you're not going to shoot well, so try out different guns in the shop to see which feels comfortable.

+1 for that!

If you can, go somewhere you can try before you buy. There are plenty of shooting grounds around the country that have shops attached so it 's worth taking the time to check them out.

Remember, you have been at least 18 years without a gun, another few weeks will make no diffeence!

NDM

thanks guys for your replies..i will indeed try out a good few before i buy..ive never owned one before but ive been lucky enough to try a couple out..for the last two years ive been going out with a couple of very experienced friends who have let me take a few shots from their own guns..its given me a rough idea of what i like..dont want anything fancy for a start as i said around the 600 mark..i like a long barrel cause i seem to find it easier to swing for some reason..is it just what the person prefers that makes them choose between a side by side or a o/u?
for the last 6 years ive been hunting with ferrets so i feel time is right to apply for my licence and get shootin'!!
i honest to god love nothin more than gettin out in the fields on a nice frosty mornin with my mates and the dogs and spending the day havin the craic..really is nothing like it!!:D:D

fathersymes

The choice between s/s or u/o is down to preference;

the u/o is generally a bit heavier and will often allow for a faster second shot due to the way recoil is dispersed in the stock. Also the u/o will be moderately slower to reload.

Some find the sighting plane easier on the u/o also.

I have both and use the s/s for game and the u/o for clays/pigeon/vermin.

Finally! Don't be sold a Trap gun which is specifically designed for certain clay disciplines.

NDM

fathersymes wrote: »

The choice between s/s or u/o is down to preference;

the u/o is generally a bit heavier and will often allow for a faster second shot due to the way recoil is dispersed in the stock. Also the u/o will be moderately slower to reload.

Some find the sighting plane easier on the u/o also.

I have both and use the s/s for game and the u/o for clays/pigeon/vermin.

Finally! Don't be sold a Trap gun which is specifically designed for certain clay disciplines.

il be bringing one of my mates when im going looking but just now out of interest how do i know the difference between trap/game guns?

pullandbang

NDM wrote: »

how do i know the difference between trap/game guns?

For a start the game gun will be much lighter than a trap gun.
The comb on a trap gun is parallel to the rib whereas on a game gun it will fall down at an angle leaving the heel below the level of the rib.
The stock and forend on a game gun is usually much thinner and lighter than on a trap.
The barrels on a trap gun are usually 30" or 32" and on the game gun normally 28".
Last of all is the price - most game guns are cheaper than trap guns.
If you're spending €600 or so you'd be hard pushed to find a trap gun at that price.