Buying your first shotgun: What you need to consider

Just in case there is some misunderstanding with the title, this is not about the first shotgun you were privileged to own or shoot with, but rather about a selection process for the first-time buyer and aspirant shotgun shooter.

In this article we look at the factors to consider when buying your first shotgun, the different types available and some models worth investigating.

 

START BY DECIDING HOW YOU WILL USE IT

Your intended application should be one of the first considerations when choosing a shotgun. Are you primarily interested in wingshooting, clay target shooting or a combination of the two?

Clay target shooting encompasses several disciplines, which can broadly be divided into two groups:

• Skeet, compak and sporting: These disciplines generally favour a gun more akin to a field shotgun.
• Trap, universal and Olympic trench: These disciplines tend to favour more specialised guns.

The amount of shooting you intend to do, your budget and the cost of ammunition should also influence your decision. Friends, fellow shooters and advisers may have strong preferences for particular manufacturers, but the final choice will depend on your own requirements and what is available at the time.

 

OVER/UNDER OR SIDE-BY-SIDE

The over/under has become the dominant configuration in the modern shotgun market, considerably outnumbering side-by-side models on dealers’ shelves.

The main differences to consider are:

• Over/under: A widely available option for both clay target shooting and field use, with a broad selection of models.
• Side-by-side: Generally lighter and easier to carry during long days in the field. However, lighter guns are less suited to heavier loads and extended sessions on the clay range.

For a first-time buyer looking for a versatile shotgun that can be used both in the field and on the range, an over/under is a practical option to consider.

 

WHICH BORE SIZE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Although there is a dedicated following for smaller-bore shotguns, the 12-bore remains a practical choice for many first-time buyers because of ammunition availability and cost.

A 20-bore may be worth considering for younger shooters, women or people with physical limitations or injuries who would benefit from a smaller-bore gun.

The smaller-bore options include the .410, 28-, 20- and 16-bore. The .410 falls outside the scope of a practical first-shotgun choice in this context, while the 28- and 16-bore have their own appeal.

Before settling on a bore size, consider what ammunition is readily available and what you can afford to shoot regularly.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE SHOTGUN MARKET?

The market offers a wide variety of shotguns, from smaller-bore models and affordable over/unders to high-end sporting guns and traditional side-by-sides. The challenge for a first-time buyer is to narrow down the options according to the intended application, budget, ammunition availability and the amount of shooting planned.

Here is an outline of a broad selection of manufacturers and models worth considering.

Among the smaller bores are the .410, 28-, 20- and 16-bore. While the .410 is not a practical option for the type of first-shotgun purchase discussed in the article, the 28- and 16-bore have their own appeal. The 20-bore is also an option, particularly for younger shooters, women and people whose physical limitations or injuries make it a more suitable choice.

In the side-by-side category, the choices range from the more affordable Brno to guns from established British makers such as Boss, Purdey, Holland & Holland and Woodward. Reasonably priced new side-by-sides is hard to find , it would require careful shopping and good advice.

The over/under market offers a broader selection. More affordable options include ATA, CZ Mallard, Fabarm and Marocchi. Other manufacturers to consider include Beretta, Miroku, Browning, Winchester, Fausti, Caesar Guerini, Rizzini and Blaser.

Further up the range are guns from Perazzi, Renato Gamba, the Belgian-made Browning B25, Famars (Abbiatico & Salvinelli) and Perugini & Visini, as well as high-end British over/unders. A number of modern over/unders are available in 20-bore.

For someone looking for a general-purpose shotgun suitable for both wingshooting and clay target shooting, the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and Browning 525 are good options. Both have single triggers, selective safety and multichokes. He also suggests considering the Browning 725 for buyers looking at another model in the Browning range.

Other models he recommends investigating include the Franchi Sporter, Winchester Select and Weatherby Orion.

CONSIDER A SECOND-HAND SHOTGUN

Buying second-hand is another option across the market, allowing buyers to consider models that may not otherwise be within reach.

However, he cautions against rushing into a second-hand purchase. A gun’s condition needs to be assessed carefully, particularly when it is an older firearm.

Be patient and consult an expert who can evaluate the gun before the purchase is finalised. Identifying a genuinely qualified expert is important; someone you happen to meet at a braai is not necessarily the right person to assess a firearm.

BERETTA 686 SILVER PIGEON VS BROWNING 525

Both models feature:

• Single triggers.
• Selective safety.
• Multichokes.

These features make the guns versatile for different shooting applications. Both have strengths and weaknesses, but that their shortcomings are more likely to become apparent with excessive use or abuse.

For buyers considering another option in the Browning range, he also suggests looking at the Browning 725.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BERETTA AND BROWNING?

One important difference is the design and height of the action, or frame.

The Browning uses a locking bolt below the barrels, resulting in a taller action. The Beretta, by contrast, uses two conical locking pins on either side of the barrel, allowing for a lower action.

These design differences affect the construction of the guns and influence recoil and handling.

 

SO, WHICH SHOTGUN SHOULD YOU BUY FIRST?

Someone looking for a versatile first shotgun should consider an over/under 12-bore from Beretta, Browning or a comparable manufacturer, depending on the buyer’s budget.

Buy the best gun you can afford, taking into account your intended application, ammunition costs and how much shooting you plan to do.

Ultimately, the right shotgun is one that suits your needs and that you enjoy using.

(This article is based on information in the article ‘Buying your first shotgun – what you need to consider’, by Brian Reilly, published in the 2021 edition of KOLSKOOT.)

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