SHOTGUNS

[RED_DAWN]

What is the best shotgun to own for pest control??

Does any-one know any good stores that sell that certain kind ??

[Plymtom]

I'd sugest you have a look through all the firearms and archery related threads on here to get an idea of what you are up against, there's not a simple answer to that simple question I'm afraid.

[Steve C]

Whatever you choose go for 12 guage, the smaller cartridges (20g etc) can cost more than than 12g ones (supply & demand) and are not as commonly available.

[Granty84]

I use a Hatsan Escort 3" Magnum Semi-Automatic. They're rather cheap and as they're synthetic you can knock them about and not have to worry. Hatsan's are bit of a marmite gun though- there are some real Hatsan lovers and some real Hatsan haters too! If you were to go for an Escort, I'd recommend one of the new ones as they have a smart valve that regulates the volume of gas going to the mechanism, thus allowing you to drop anything from a 21g to a 56g Magnum through it without noticing much of a difference in recoil. Watch out though as they don't like 2.5" carts or dirty Hull Comp X's.

[brazzy]

Ive got a Midland Gun Company 12G over and under. I use it for all sorts whether it be clay or game. All depends on the cartridges...

[harlowmaverick]

the best advice i can give you is to get good advice!
also look at as many shotguns and gun shops as possible.
make sure that the shotgun fits you correctly and make sure that you get a warranty with your choice of gun.
if a shop does not offer a gun with a reasonable warranty period, stay away from it because they know something that you dont.
set your budget, try to stick to it but dont expect a purdy for £300.
hopefully you have friends that you can take with you, always listen to their advice. you may see a pretty gun and think i have to have it, even though the gun isnt suited to you

[harlowmaverick]

by the way, i do hope you have a licence, take it with you as certain gun shops that i know will not even entertain your enquiry without seeing it.
when you say pests, what sort of pests?

[Black-Hat]

by the way, i do hope you have a licence, take it with you as certain gun shops that i know will not even entertain your enquiry without seeing it.
when you say pests, what sort of pests?

Those certain gun shops don't desirve people's business with attitudes like that

[Triple_sod]

Those certain gun shops don't desirve people's business with attitudes like that

Well I've yet to go in one....so far they've always being really friendly and never had too much time for a customer,

at the same time though I can imagine a few reasons why they might want to see a cert first,

There are plenty of people who are just plain time wasters, and it must be frustrating you wasted the best part of an hour on someone who just fancied listening to your spiel and the chance to handle a few guns..never really going to go any further than that..next stop the camping shop to quiz the lad there about tents...

[Black-Hat]

Oh yeah I totally understand them not wanting to listen to time wasters but if someone is genuine and has applied for a license or maybe just wants advice on how to then I would expect a gun shop to be helpful they should want your business oneday or maybe they could sell you a gun safe