Cheap shotguns for under £500

When browsing cheap shotguns, it’s important to remember that price alone is not a fair indication of quality. Some may baulk at the thought of spending under £500 on a shotgun but paying less doesn’t always mean you have to buy twice. There is a vast number of quality, cheap shotguns on the market these days. In fact, a quarter of shotguns for sale on Shooting UK Marketplace are listed for £500 or under!

Whether you’re looking to buy a second hand shotgun that you can use in more difficult conditions or a cheap, low-risk, entry-level firearm, rest assured there are plenty of options that will give you change from £500.

And though these shotguns may have double triggers, lack ejectors and feature only the most basic of finishes, they still shoot well. It’s also worth considering that a second hand shotgun won’t depreciate at the same speed as a brand new gun that – just like a car – will shed some of its value as soon as it’s taken out of the shop.

Basic but effective

Of course, the simpler a shotgun is, the more reliable it will be, so a boxlock with double triggers and no ejectors would be ideal for taking out on rough-shooting sessions, rainy days and even onto the foreshore. English non-ejector side-by-sides were hugely popular during the 1970s, and with many men of that vintage now reaching the end of their sporting careers, there are plenty available to buy. The Hudson non-ejector – a handmade Birmingham boxlock – sold new for £120, the same price for which they can be bought secondhand today. The upside to buying a shotgun that’s no longer fashionable is that you should be able to locate a nice one with a very affordable price tag.

It’s worth keeping in mind that good gun dealers will issue a warranty on any gun sold. They are also responsible for selling firearms that are in a good state of repair only, which may go some way to quelling fears over the safety of cheaper guns.

Remember, too, that on top of the security of buying through a reputable, responsible dealer, guns have to go through the very stringent proofing test before they can be sold in the UK. That said, do remember to check the barrels for any pits and dents, and examine the fit and tightness of the levers and the action. Something to watch for on older cheap shotguns is wearing on the cocking dogs, which can be seen by the barrels springing back slightly after the gun has been opened. This is not a major problem and they can be replaced easily by any good gunsmith. But if you’re buying from a private seller and you see this problem, you should probably steer clear as it will cost about £100 to repair.

How to sniff out a bargain

Over-under guns are not out of the question at this price point either, though again they are unlikely to be high specification. Try not to worry too much about the name on the gun; several little-known European manufacturers made excellent guns throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and continue to produce them today. Although you should be able to pick up a good quality AYA boxlock, for example, from this period for around £450, don’t be put off by the likes of Ugartechea or a USSR-era Baikal. If your heart is set on an English gun then a Birmingham-made Webley & Scott is not beyond the realms of possibility, although again your overriding concern should be the condition and quality of the gun. If you can get over your initial concerns relating to the reliability and quality of cheap shotguns, exploration of this end of the market is well worth your time and effort. It is quite likely that you will unearth a gem for considerably less than you ever thought possible

A great place to start looking for a cheap shotgun priced under £500 is the Shooting UK Marketplace website. You’ll be able to search through hundreds of guns – listed by dealers and private sellers – and refine your search by spec, price or location.

Baikal over-under for £100

This Russian company has its roots in the USSR and takes its name from Lake Baikal, the world’s oldest, deepest lake. It still makes a range of firearms today, and has always been renowned for reliability. The firm also produces power tools, medical equipment, electronics and more.

This one is probably 40 years old and is an excellent example, being in very good condition. It has obviously been well looked after because it is in a good state cosmetically, and the action is still nice and tight. The barrels are chromed, and the gun is a double trigger non-ejector, so along with the inherent strength of the action, which functions on inertia, not much should go wrong. The metalwork is blacked and features very little engraving, as you would expect. The wood is an oiled piece of surprisingly impressive quality.

Obviously, any cheap gun is unlikely to be particularly refined, and indeed the gun feels slightly too heavy in the hands, being biased towards the 28-inch barrels. It has two and three quarter inch chambers so will take most modern cartridges, and would be a great gun for wildfowling – all for less than the price of a nice meal for two.

Lames Model 801 for £195

These guns were made in Chiavari, Italy, in the 1960s and 1970s and predominantly used for trap shooting, so tend to be tightly choked. This gun has a single selective trigger and is an ejector, so represents a lot of gun for the money. Indeed, these two factors are the major causes of the price difference between this and the Baikal. The action is blacked and features a rolled-on scroll engraving with game scenes on each of the plates of the boxlock action. They are quite nice but unsurprisingly a little unrefined.

Again, these guns tend to be rather weighty, but given that you could happily use them for driven bird shooting, this is perhaps not such a bad thing, as you will be able to maintain a good swing. One nice feature is the rounded pistol grip, which makes it comfortable to handle, particularly on overhead birds. A good piece of wood has been used for the stock and fore-end, with an attractive grain, though the chequering is rather bold. To bring out the grain, a fine wire wool and regular application of linseed oil will really improve the overall look. This early Italian model would be great as a first gun, or as a low-risk investment for those looking to try their hand at something a little different.

Parker Hale Boxlock for £350

This Birmingham-based company made its name in the post-war period producing a range of firearms accessories for the trade, such as rifle scopes and cleaning kits, before moving into firearm production itself. Parker Hale was famous for its barrels, and became well known for the large range of rifles it produced.

Though it also sold shotguns from the 1960s to the 1980s, many were made by Spanish firm Ugartechea, which still makes guns today. This boxlock is modelled on the Churchill XXV, with a short stock, 25-inch barrels and a tall, thin sighting rib. It has double triggers, a nice, slim straight-hand grip and a push-rod fore-end. The engraving is pleasant enough but does not cover every surface, which suits the bright coin finish. It is a boxlock with ejectors, and would make a great first gun for a young man thanks to its relatively diminutive dimensions.

It is, however, starting to show its age – though it is a nice piece of wood it needs rejuvenation and oiling, and the chequering needs to be re-cut. Mechanically, however, the gun is extremely sound, and it shoots extremely well. Once properly tidied up it will be well worthy of its price tag, and unlike a TV at a similar price will last you a lifetime and is not likely to be superseded any time soon.