It amazes me that people buy guns based only on their looks. This is even before they have seen how sturdy it is and how it handles.
Perhaps manufacturers do this intentionally; if they can make well-designed stocks and laser up pretty engravings, it might be love at first glance for some customers.
This is what I call “new gun syndrome”. It’s a condition where you have no issues with the gun and can shoot with an open mind. Your shooting will be ruined if you suddenly lose your grip on the gun.
Buy a gun
When buying a gun, the first thing you should do is to find the right make for you. This applies to all bore sizes, men and women. You can only get a feel for a brand by testing it out at your local shooting range. This will help you assess build quality, handleability and compatibility with the brand.
We would all have a gun made just for us in an ideal world. While buying off the shelf will not give you what you need, it is worth setting aside a little money to allow a gunsmith to customize your gun.
Because I love Perazzis, I’ll use them as an example. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t Brownings, Berettas, and Blasers that would suit you.
Buy guns near me – Visit a gun fitter
Once you have an idea, book a session with a trusted gun fitter.
This will provide a set of measurements to inform a gunsmith what adjustments they might need, unless you are having a gun made. Most basic measurements can be made depending on the stock bolts and the strength or pliability of your wood. The grip can’t be altered unless the grip is swept or the front of the brush is reduced (removing wood so that someone with a larger hand can shoot the gun more comfortably).
Grip is vital
It is crucial to have a good grip. Your hand must be seated properly in order to mount the gun correctly and consistently. Other issues such as pulling or stretching the trigger too hard or too large in the grip will be apparent. You may also feel cramped up or your length can be affected.
Make sure that the grain runs through your hand/grip when you are looking at the stock. This ensures that the wood is strong through the most stress-prone part of the stock.
Barrel length and various other things
You can look at a variety of things here. First, length. For an all-round shooter, 30 in barrels are the best. 32in barrels can be a little difficult to use and can take some time to get used to. If you only shoot a few days per season, it may not be enough gun for you. These are too long if you do a lot of shooting, including rough shooting.
Another important factor is barrel weight. The overall weight and balance of any gun are crucial. And, of course barrels also have an impact. Do you prefer lighter barrels that make the gun more balanced? This will mean the shooter will need to put in a lot of effort. Do you prefer heavy barrels that make it more difficult to control? Most guns will balance forward of the hinge pin.
Here are some examples: My gun is 8 1/2 lb Perazzi, 32in barrels and 1.530kg in weight. It is balanced according to my specifications. The gun has long barrels and a reasonable weight, but it doesn’t feel heavy while I shoot it.
Top rib
It is extremely important to have a top rib. The top rib is what directs your eyes towards the target you are shooting at. Over-and-under guns have a thin toprib. Side-by-sides have concave ribs, while sporters have a wider or tapered one. It is also important to choose the finish of that top rib. The bead must also be chosen. This is not difficult to do with a store-bought gun. It is important that you don’t allow anything to distract you from what you are doing.
Chokes
Chokes can be a matter of personal preference. Fixed choke 5/8 is what I use in both tubes. Many Shots love multichokes, but factory multichokes can be a problem for many makes. They also affect the balance and make the gun’s muzzle heavier. Multichokes are possible by having the gun “Teagued”. Half and half fixed chokes or slightly tighter are the best for all game types. My opinion is that Teagued or fixed choke is the best way forward. Teague chokes are a pioneer in multichokes. The muzzles have metal removed and the thin choke tubes are fitted perfectly flush with the muzzles. They don’t affect the gun’s weight or balance and the pattern is not affected.
Steel proofed
Do not assume that all modern over-and unders are steel-proofed. Some aren’t.
Fore-ends
There are many sizes and shapes of fore-ends: slim game, thin beaver tails, slim beaver tails, schnarbled and so on. You need to feel confident in your grip on the fore-end. You should also consider whether your front hand can be adjusted in length if you need to. A schnabled front-end, where the tip of the fore-end flares out into a large nob, can be a problem. They are not my favorite.
Trigger pulls
This is something I always remember to check when testing a gun. However, it’s something that most people don’t think about when purchasing a gun. Heavy trigger pulls and pulls that aren’t crisp can cause serious problems for shooters. The first pull should weigh in at 2 1/2 lb, and the second one 3 lb. You can feel flat springs and coil springs differently so it is important to choose the right one for you.
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