Peter Skellan

I was choosing between the Benelli M2 and the Beretta Xtrema. I went Benelli. 7 round FAC M2 with Comfortech stock to be precise. Love it. Put 300 cartridges through it and never a hiccup. So simple to clean. Light. Its the best gun I've ever shot. I did 70 shots in in 15 minutes this afternoon and my shoulder is absolutely fine. I've put all sorts of cartridge through it including some pretty light Clear Pigeon and it was fine. I cannot imagine anything better. PS

Had a 20g SP3. Sold it to buy a Benelli M2 7+1. Love it. Much much much better. The Beretta was a lovely thing though. The M2 on an elasticated sling is even more comfy to carry all day than the SP3. Not all shoots ban semi-autos and not all semi-autos are hard to clean... PS

I've put 450 shells through it now and not one hiccup. With 24 inch barrel I find it to be the most pointable, best fitting gun I've had. The ability to bring down 4 or 5 pigeons at a time is very satisfying. Its an amazing gun. Buy one if you were toying with the idea. In exchange for my SP 3 I love it and use it much more. PS

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/?NewGunID=090730144253004 Anyone come across these people at Roger Bill shooting supplies of Bromsgrove and their version for £725 ? PS

PRICE INCLUDES: SUPPLYING MODERATOR, SHORTENING, SCREWCUTTING & PERMANANT ATTACEMENT OF MODERATOR TO COMPLY WITH UK LEGISLATION All for £700 new. PS

A .223 Tikka T3 works at all ranges ta. The gsg5 would be for close in work.

Well, Silver Pigeon is great for when I'm on a paid for shoot. AYA 3 is good for giving to guests or taking out in the rain or on the back of the scrambler. Benelli M2 7+1 is great for killing game in great numbers and busting clays, the Tikka T3 kills foxes and other things at long range and is interesting as a target rifle on the shooting range. The GSG 5 would be mighty suited to clearing rabbits which are just a bit too far away for the shotguns but a wee bit overkill for the Tikka (at 80p a round). No need to be an SAS wannnabe. PS

I have .223 on my FAC and own a Tikka T3. I've just seen a GSG-5 being used at my local range and I wondered if its possible to get them on my license. They are .22LR calibre and I think it would be great to get amongst the rabbits with one of these semi autos with 20 odd rounds... Whats the situation regarding semi auto .22LR's as far as FEO's are concerned? Couldn't find anything about it on the BASC website. If you haven't seen one there are several on Guntrader and they are an MP5 clone that look like this: http://www.guntrader.co.uk/?NewGunID=090730144252003

Tikka T3 as its easy, not expensive, holds it money and works. Any good scope. I like Leupolds but to be honest try a cheap £60 scope and see how get on before adding another zero. Get a bipod.

Sorry its taken so long. And the Scope is a Leupold Mark 2 3-9x40mm. Its a bit gorgeous. I busted my budget. Next I was an Benelli M2...

I wouldn't bother. Its a massive weight penalty (on a rifle you've paid a premium to be light) and it makes the gun very nose heavy. For the 4 rounds a day you'll shoot through it - don't bother. Wear 15 grams of ear defenders. Sensible. PS

Yesterday I resolved my dilemma. With a new FAC and SGC in hand I am now the proud owner of: An AYA SBS 12 bore for visitors, rough handling and general cheap gun use. A Beretta Silver Pigeon 3 in 20 bore with 30 inch barrels in mint second hand condition as my main walkabout gun and clay gun. An ex-demo Tikka T3 .223 Lite stainless, and here's where I pushed the boat out, with Leupold Mark 2 4-12 40mm T2 scope. I'll post a picture tomorrow. I think its a fairly strong gun cabinet line up and I did bust my budget but I went extravagant on the scope.

A Beretta Silver Pigeon 3 would be the BMW 3 series of shotguns. Ubiquitous, easy to sell, competent and somewhat desirable. New ones can be had for around £1,400. The fancy new product from Beretta is the SV10 Perennia. Its a complete update with a host of new technology and features and forms the bedrock of Berettas range for the next 30 years probably. As such for around £1,800 you are getting a lot more for your money than the technology in the very tried and tested Silver Pigeon. The hydraulic kick-relief system does work but plenty of people don't like it as it makes the gun

Well given the 30% decline in Sterling vs Euro its perfectly understandable that Italian Beretta would need to rise their UK retail prices. Once the deflation is over I hope you're all prepared for the hyperinflation. Buy assets now because inflation is going to eat your savings. Guns as assets also has a useful practical benefit which other assets don't I need to handle an SV10 next to a SP3 to deicide whether or not the £500 difference is something I will care about or not. Probably not, the newer gun looks mighty fine...

The cheapest Silver Pigeon 3 on Guntrader is currently at £1095. Just 10 guns down the list and you're at £1,400. I like the looks and detailing of the III.