Joined
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187 Posts
Hey folks, just joined your group after perusing for a couple weeks! Been trying to educate myself a little about clay shooting before asking too many silly questions of the veterans... :wink:
I'm looking for advise - specifically on a decent first purchase shotgun. Let me tell ya a little about myself and what I'm interested in:
Back about 7 years ago I shot some skeet at a company outing. I couldn't tell ya what kind of gun I was using (other than a 12 g.) or what type of shot, or any particulars for that matter. What I can tell you is that I LOVED SHOOTING CLAYS!!! I had so much fun that day, and I swore that sometime in the future I'd get more involved in the sport.
Well somehow, I've now found myself bitten by the bug and becoming very serious about having some fun in this sport! I've been doing my reading, surfing the web, stopping by the stores to touch, feel & talk about guns and the sport, as well as stopping by the local ranges to check out some action.
I think it's likely that I'll spend some time with a little professional instruction and pointers once I get out there and start shooting, but before I get there I'm obviously going to need a decent firearm...
So, I'm looking for some ideas from you all as to what would be a good choice. Here is some criteria that might help:
- I'm a 41 yo male. Slender at 145 lbs and 5'9".
- Under my ownership, this firearm would never be used for hunting - strictly clay sport shooting.
- Interested in being able to shoot skeet & trap to begin with, but also interested in sporting clays and possibly 3-gun competition.
- Interested in a new gun rather than used, and willing to spend up to $1000 for it and a few accessories such as additional/different chokes (not to mention all the other goodies like a decent case & cleaning kit).
- There is a potential that my oldest son would like to participate - he's 11 yo.
- It's likely that I'll be active in this sport for numerous years to come - that I won't "drop-out" after just a few short months...
Okay, so with that info in mind I've been looking real closely at the Remington models. The 1100 and 11-87 automatic series, and the 870 pump series. As I've looked at these I sure do like the Remington 1100 Tournament Skeet as seen on Remington's web site here:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotg ... _skeet.htm
It's a 26" 12 gauge, and it comes with two supplied chokes (Skeet and Improved Cylinder). I see that it can easily be had for $700, or less new.
The 11-87's are nice too, but I sure like the look of the 1100 and since money isn't an object between the two, why not?
Like the 870's too, but I believe I'll want the softer kick of the others over this one.
So, waddya think? Am I in the right ball park here? Do you think the 26" barrel is too short? Would 28" be better for me? Don't forget, you're not writing to some big honkin' Steer Farmer from Texas ya know! :wink: Do the chokes that accompany this gun seem adequate for what I'm looking for, or should I consider some alternatives?
What other manufactures & models would you recommend? Please be specific as possible, and if you can provide a web link to any ideas that would be great!
I promise I'll take all recommendations into consideration, as well as keep this thread up-to-date with my progress.
Thanks all - please do post your thoughts for I definitely respect my "elders" :roll: thoughts and judgments... :wink:
I'm looking for advise - specifically on a decent first purchase shotgun. Let me tell ya a little about myself and what I'm interested in:
Back about 7 years ago I shot some skeet at a company outing. I couldn't tell ya what kind of gun I was using (other than a 12 g.) or what type of shot, or any particulars for that matter. What I can tell you is that I LOVED SHOOTING CLAYS!!! I had so much fun that day, and I swore that sometime in the future I'd get more involved in the sport.
Well somehow, I've now found myself bitten by the bug and becoming very serious about having some fun in this sport! I've been doing my reading, surfing the web, stopping by the stores to touch, feel & talk about guns and the sport, as well as stopping by the local ranges to check out some action.
I think it's likely that I'll spend some time with a little professional instruction and pointers once I get out there and start shooting, but before I get there I'm obviously going to need a decent firearm...
So, I'm looking for some ideas from you all as to what would be a good choice. Here is some criteria that might help:
- I'm a 41 yo male. Slender at 145 lbs and 5'9".
- Under my ownership, this firearm would never be used for hunting - strictly clay sport shooting.
- Interested in being able to shoot skeet & trap to begin with, but also interested in sporting clays and possibly 3-gun competition.
- Interested in a new gun rather than used, and willing to spend up to $1000 for it and a few accessories such as additional/different chokes (not to mention all the other goodies like a decent case & cleaning kit).
- There is a potential that my oldest son would like to participate - he's 11 yo.
- It's likely that I'll be active in this sport for numerous years to come - that I won't "drop-out" after just a few short months...
Okay, so with that info in mind I've been looking real closely at the Remington models. The 1100 and 11-87 automatic series, and the 870 pump series. As I've looked at these I sure do like the Remington 1100 Tournament Skeet as seen on Remington's web site here:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotg ... _skeet.htm
It's a 26" 12 gauge, and it comes with two supplied chokes (Skeet and Improved Cylinder). I see that it can easily be had for $700, or less new.
The 11-87's are nice too, but I sure like the look of the 1100 and since money isn't an object between the two, why not?
So, waddya think? Am I in the right ball park here? Do you think the 26" barrel is too short? Would 28" be better for me? Don't forget, you're not writing to some big honkin' Steer Farmer from Texas ya know! :wink: Do the chokes that accompany this gun seem adequate for what I'm looking for, or should I consider some alternatives?
What other manufactures & models would you recommend? Please be specific as possible, and if you can provide a web link to any ideas that would be great!
I promise I'll take all recommendations into consideration, as well as keep this thread up-to-date with my progress.
Thanks all - please do post your thoughts for I definitely respect my "elders" :roll: thoughts and judgments... :wink: