All the guns below are worthy of a mention and all for varying reasons, from the budget-busting ATA right up to the mighty wallet whomping Krieghoff. Blaser F16 £2550 Let’s start with the shotgun of the year 2016. Since its attention-getting flame throwing launch in early 2016 at the British…
Gun buying guide
Our experts have written about all aspects of buying a gun. Whether you’re looking for your first-ever shotgun or whether you’re looking for a second-hand bargain. Read our gun reviews which will give you an informed opinion and where you can search by manufacturer, price or type.
Perhaps you’re considering buying a rifle for stalking or upgrading your favourite over-and-under. Or maybe you need an air rifle for pest control.
No matter what your interest, we’ve got it covered. Browse through our comprehensive list of articles, hints and tips on buying guns to make sure you’ve got the background research covered.
Shotguns | Rifles | Over-and-Under | Side-by-Side | Air rifles | Buying a gun second-hand | Budget guns
20 best shotguns for under £1000
Lincoln Vogue Game 20-bore Country of origin: Italy Price: £925 new The elegance of this gun suggests that it should cost more than £1,000. The action is neatly blacked to match the barrels, and the inlaid gold-coloured game birds form a neat contrast with the trigger. Even the internal workings…
Finding the one – your perfect gun
Buying and selling guns is part and parcel of the enjoyment of shooting. It’s all about finding “the one”. All I can say is count yourself lucky if the first gun you clap eyes on fits the bill perfectly and that, shunning all others, you stay faithful to it ever…
What’s my best gun for shooting clays and game?
Q: Having just taken up the pastime of clayshooting (the skeet discipline), and having more than a passing interest in gameshooting, I find I am bamboozled by the choice of shotguns that are available. I would prefer to buy a 12-bore side-by-side rather than an over-and-under shotgun, but are side-by-sides…
Three secondhand lightweight 12-bores
“I have turned 70 and, although I can still walk fair distances, the 8lb Sporter I use for all of my shooting has become rather too heavy. I am therefore looking for a lightweight 12-bore – either O/U or semi-auto. Recoil doesn’t bother me too much as nowadays as I…
A gunsmith’s guide to buying guns second-hand
What’s the best way to go about buying guns second-hand though? What do you look for and what are the potential pitfalls? To find out more I visited The Country Sports Shop in Devon to speak to the experts. I met shop manager Chris Lamb, himself a keen shooting man…
Four of the most popular rimfire rifles – taking a closer look
There is a distinct range of rimfire rifles available on the market for anyone looking to buy today. When somebody comes into the shop asking about rimfires I ask them two questions. Firstly, what will be the rifle be primarily used for and secondly, how much do they want to…
Secondhand Browning – three of the best for an all-rounder
Max price: £1,250 Type: O/U game or Sporter Main purpose: clays, pigeons and game Preferred make: Browning Mike George’s buying advice for choosing the best used Browning for an all-rounder When John Moses Browning’s famous B25 model first appeared in the gun shops in 1926, the makers boasted that it…
What you need to know about buying a gun second-hand
Last year I was on the BASC stand at the Game Fair at Hatfield House. A young chap came up to me and said that he had been given my name by one of the clay coaches who thought I might be able to help him buying a gun second-hand.…
Second-hand small-bore shotguns – what to buy?
A second-hand 28-bore or a .410? With more than £1,000 to spend on a small-bore shotgun, either a 28-bore or a .410, our reader has plenty of scope. In fact, he could buy a new gun if he so wished, particularly if he looked at the Turkish market. If he…
The best second-hand semi-autos for under £850
“I wish to buy a semi-auto, mainly for clays but also for a little pigeon shooting. I don’t really want to spend more than £850, and I want one made by one of the major, well-established manufacturers.” Finding a bargain second-hand semi-auto Did you know up to 75 per cent…
Three of the best second-hand clayshooting guns for beginners
Buyer’s brief: “I have been shooting clays for the past six months with guns hired from the shooting ground. Most of these have been various versions of Beretta Silver Pigeons, which I do like, though I have no experience of other guns. I have a budget of £1,000 to £1,500,…
“I’m looking for an elegant second-hand boxlock – please help”
Buyer’s brief: “I am a clay and walked-up game shooter, and I am looking for a really elegant gun to replace my ageing Browning B125. I could spend a little more than £5,000, but I would rather pay out less and use the surplus cash on lessons with a coach…
Sending a gun to auction – do I have to tell the police?
To the amateur trader, a sale room can seem like a daunting place. Shooting Times asks experienced auctioneer, David Porter, for his tips on buying at auction.
Which are the best prestigious English guns to choose when buying second-hand?
Frankly, even if I won several million I don’t think I would buy a new Purdey, Boss or Holland & Holland. It’s not that I don’t hugely admire the finest craftsmanship in gunmaking, but I would be frightened of damaging the gun every time I took it out. However some…
How to choose a second-hand gun for £1000
Mike George’s buying advice for a second-hand gun for £1,000 The most common request I get from readers is advice on buying a first gun. It’s also one of the most common queries received on the forum section of our website. It all depends on the amount of money the…
The making of a Purdey shotgun
‘You can tell a Purdey person when out shooting – they’re understated, not flash’ If you’re lucky enough to visit Audley House, James Purdey & Sons’ emporium on Mayfair’s South Audley Street, which has been home to the distinguished gunmaker since 1883, you’ll witness first hand the rich history bound…
Three of the classiest boxlocks around
“I would dearly love to be able to afford a sidelock O/U from a prestigious maker, but I can’t afford one. Instead, I am going to have to settle for a side-plated boxlock. I have a budget in mind, but I will happily exceed it to get the right gun.”…
Is the side-by-side shotgun history?
“Snobbery and inheritance are the only reasons why people use a side-by-side.” So said one keen Shot, once described as the best of his generation. “But I’m not that bothered. I just like to shoot straight.” Once upon a time, the side-by-side was the only gun to use. Turn up for…
What’s a good second-hand rifle for deer stalking?
Q: I want my son to come out stalking with me; he is keen and a good shot. Can you recommend a good-value second-hand rifle? Will any brand be OK providing the rifle meets the right specifications, and if so what specifications should I be looking for? A: It is…