Buying a gun without shooting it?

Tennispro

January 01, 2003 06:35

You guys have been so helpful in my dicision making process. I have not shot for many years and never shot shotguns until a friend brought me out to shoot skeet last week. Now I am hooked and am trying desperately to find the right shotgun for me. I understand that guns are like underwear and you have to try them on. Unfortunately my friends have pump shotguns and I do not have access to a Bareta 12 ga O/U (I like the 26' in this model) or Bareta 391 12 ga. auto (I like the 26' with the synthetic stock, and the 28' with the wood stock)which are my front runners. I am also trying to decide what barrel length (if you saw my other post). The Bareta's that I have mentioned seem to fit me compared to the others that I have felt at the stores. I will probably pick a gun without getting to fire it. Is it possible to choose a gun that is confortable to me and is a consistent performer like the Bareta 391 in a 28' barrel and then learn to use it. Or am I being to impatient and need to take the time and effort to find the models that I am interested in and shoot them before I buy.
Bottom line is this. If I do my research and find a gun that is going to fit my needs and it feels good to me in the store (balance, grip, etc.) and it has a good reputation,how far off could I be. Is it a good possiblility that I buy it and it does not work for me?

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  I.Shute

  January 01, 2003 07:49

  You won't be far off at all. There's a 100% possibility that you'll have several before long.
  They're like Lay's potato chips: You can't have just one.
  Guaranteed!

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  He Dog

  January 01, 2003 07:56

  I.Shute's answer covered everything. If it fits and you are comfortable with swinging it you will be fine (with your first of several[^]).

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  Rembrandt

  January 01, 2003 08:21

  Quote.."I understand that guns are like underwear and you have to try them on".
  
  ...well, I've never tried on underwear before buying, and I've bought a lot of new guns where the store managers wouldn't have been too happy letting you shoot before paying. (heehee, sorry just had to say that).
  
  The best recomendation would be to ask other shooters at your club/range for their advice. Most will be very happy to let you shoot a few rounds from "their favorite". I've seen more experienced shooters go through half a dozen guns before finding the "perfect" firearm for the application.
  
  Most skeet shooters prefer an O/U so they don't have to chase empty hulls all over the field. If you really get hooked on skeet, then you may want to expand to other gauge catagories in the future. This is where it gets spendy....a nice O/U with screw in barrel tubes for multiple gauges will not be cheap. Beretta, Browning, SKB, Ruger, Kriegfoff, Perazzi are some of the more popular brands of O/U's skeet shooters use.
  
  Nothing wrong with a good pump or semi-auto, except you'll have to chase your hulls. Remington, Benelli, Browning, Winchester all make some fine guns that could double as target guns and field guns for hunting.

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  easygo6

  January 01, 2003 08:23

  Whose signature line in the forums reads 'Its too late for me...save yourself!' !!!
  
  That says it all. Whether your thing is handguns, rifles, or shotguns...when it becomes more than a passing interest (like buying that first NICE shotgun) you'll buy several. Because each has its own unique attributes. You will 'try' another brand or model while at the club and you will 'HAVE TO HAVE ONE'.
  
  
  
  
  
  SEMPER FI

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  martzkj@msn.com

  January 01, 2003 08:40

  When you find the right one yu will know. I bought a rifle once, real good deal. I was going to sell it and make a few buck. I used it for hunting one season and was hooked on it. My best gun to this day.

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  Tennispro

  January 01, 2003 09:22

  Great feedback guys!! I have to decide if I want a O/U or a Automatic first. Then find the one that feels right to me, which may turn out to be a 26 inch barrel! Judging from my other post 26' works fine for skeet. It sounds like you guys are just as excited about my future gun as I will be!!!! It does sound like from the responses that I got so far that finding a gun that feels right in the store will most of the time translate into a gun that I will be happy with!

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  rsnyder55

  January 01, 2003 15:48

  As skeet and trap guns are considered target guns, depending on the model of the gun, many are adjustable. Some have shims to adjust the stocks, triggers that can be adjusted for length of pull, etc.

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