Try before you buy

Rocket Man

Hi, do gun shops off a try before you buy service? Would loke to do a bit of clay shooting, but not sure what is going to suit or fit, dont want to spend money on something that doesn't feel right when I use it.

Cass

If the shop has suitable facilities adjoining them or nearby that they can use then yes. If not, then no.

That being said no gun shop will give you a gun to take away and try (it's illegal and beyond stupid) and any range you visit must be authorised to qualify it as a range so that section 2(4) of the firearms act can apply and you can use the gun otherwise you'd be using/in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Grizzly 45

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058301781/try-before-you-buy

Any gunshop worth the name should have a mirror in the shop so you can see whether the gun fits you properly, and any good gun dealer should also know if it fits you right or not and advise accordingly. That's if they care about customer service and not just a sale. Nothing worse than having a gun, esp a shotgun with a stock that's too short, too long, wrong cast, or too high or too low. So here are a few tips you can use as a rule of thumb to see if a stock fits you.

Stick the butt of the gun in the crook of your elbow and see how far your index finger will reach on the trigger[s]. It should be about the middle of the index fingertip. Over that and onto the 1st joint, too short, longer than that towards the fingertip, too long.

Mount the gun and point it towards the mirror[obviously unloaded]. focus on the front bead, sight. You'll see if you are comfortable on the stock and whether you are too high,or low or if it is cast too much left or right. Just right for me,is having the stock comb touching my upper jawline, which should give you a clear both eyes open sight and the front bead as a blurred point that you recognise but don't focus on...if that makes sense?

That should give you a good idea if the gun fits you more or less and knocks out a lot of buyers' regret and missed shots. Sometimes better to buy a cheaper gun and get a better custom-made stock or get the stock modified to you if it is within a comfortable fit.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058301781/try-before-you-buy

Possibly call up a range near you that does clays and give it a try with their club guns first?

You wouldn't be able to try exactly what you are buying unless they have a gunshop attached, but might get an idea as to what you might like, even if it is just the style, action type, etc.

Rocket Man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120743989#Comment_120743989

Thanks, wasn't wanting to take a gun away, just try it out before I buy. I was thinking maybe of a shooting school with demo guns.

Rocket Man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120745333#Comment_120745333

Do you know of any clubs with a shop attached?

Rocket Man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120744440#Comment_120744440

Thanks, sound advice. I was thinking that this is probably the route I possibly may take, if you cant test drive.

Grizzly 45

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120748049#Comment_120748049

Paddy Carley down in Enniscorthy Co Wexford might be your best bet for this

Feisar

Kirwan's outside Mullingar have a clay setup beside the shop as well.

J.R.

Courtlough Shooting Grounds also have a gunroom and clay shooting grounds.

https://courtlough.ie/

https://thegunroom.ie/

garrettod

Most of the medium to larger firearms dealers will have facility to let you fire a few shots, before you buy, but they won't let you shoot a new gun, for obvious reasons.

So, you are looking at second hand guns, if you want to fire off a few rounds, not that that's an issue. In fact, you may well be better off looking to buy a good second hand shotgun, there are lots available, often in very good condition etc.

It would probably help if you could give us an idea as to what part of the country you are in, if this is going to be your first shotgun, what kind of budget you have to spend, and what you plan on doing with it (ie clay pigeon shooting, or also hunting etc.)