We get this question a lot— how can I be sure I’m picking the right shotgun? There are a lot of choices, answering some basic, fundamental questions will help narrow things down. Decisions, decisions….let’s take a look at all the things to consider!
Consideration #1: What will be the primary use of the shotgun?
Answering this question will help determine the type of shotgun as well as gauge. Clayshooting? Trap, Skeet, International games, sporting clays. The Ideal shotgun for each discipline may vary in terms of rib height, barrel length, gauge.
There are different types of shotgun models that vary in performance and price and are designed for certain uses while not ideal for others. Single Shot & Pump-Action, although generally the least costly models, except for certain disciplines (home defense/waterfowl hunting) are not always the best choice for clay sports. At Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing, we specialize in sales and repair of primarily over- under and semi -automatic shotguns.
We understand the importance of offering a wide range of price points and a depth of inventory from standard, to premium and custom. Double Barreled Shotguns, as the name suggests, have two barrel chambers- the side-by-side style, or the under/over style. Selecting one or the other is certainly left to the personal preference of the shooter, with over-unders being more widely used and certainly preferred for clay shooting endeavors. Many clay shooters select semi-auto shotguns for a reduction in recoil (gas operated) and because of the attractive price point.
Choice #2: What barrel length is ‘best’?
The most popular shotgun barrel lengths in hunting disciplines are 26’, 28’, with many folks opting for 30″& 32″ depending on the gauge and type of bird and terrain. Clay shooters today, generally opt for 30, 32, or sometimes 34”. Rule of thumb, for smooth swing, the shooter will typically select barrel length based on their height, build and upper body strength. This decision is primarily based on what type of shooting you envision yourself doing and your comfort level- shoot the longest barrels you can COMFORTABLY manage.
The height of an individual must be taken into account for proper balance of the shotgun; if one has a shorter stock length of pull the shotgun will balance better with a shorter barrel. Stick to a longer barrel if you’re seeking a smoother swing & working with predictable targets (clays). Longer barrels are also more accurate as they give a longer distance from the end of the barrel to the shooters eye, theoretically offering a more concise sight picture. If your passion is bird hunting – working with a shorter barrel aids in maneuvering quickly in tight spaces & are quicker to point.
Choice #3: Interchangeable Chokes or Fixed Chokes
Personal preference. Some competitive shooters prefer fixed chokes as the barrels can be kept lighter and their perceived success is not dependent on ‘choke changing’ or variable constrictions. Chokes are designed to change the shot of your shotgun depending on the target presentation- for example, in certain circumstances creating a tighter pattern allows your shot to travel further for far away targets. Fixed chokes are actually part of the barrel design itself. Screw-in chokes offer flexibility for different types of target presentation and come in two styles – flush and extended. The most common choke constrictions are CYL, SK, IC, LM, M, & IM. More on this in an upcoming blog!
Choice #4: Does My Gun ‘fit’?
Having a gun actually fit to your anatomy, stance and shooting style is one of the most vital aspects to consider when selecting a shotgun. There are a few different ways to go about understanding your correct fit & achieving the correct dimensions. The first thing one could do is have a gun fitting. Gun fitting is not an exact science and is actually quite subjective depending on the ‘fitter’s’ approach and knowledge. We do offer Gun Fittings at Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing – Call one of our shops (Florida/Maine/Texas) today to get on the calendar!
One quick and easy way to evaluate fit for yourself, is to shoot your gun on a pattern board. This will tell you whether your gun is shooting where you think or where you intend based on your mount and fit. More on the process in an upcoming blog!
There are upgrades and modifications a gunsmith can perform on your shotgun to aid in achieving correct fit. An adjustable comb is an upgrade that allows the user to make fine adjustments that may be necessary with weight gain or loss, change in shooting style/ mount or changing disciplines where a shot pattern change is desired. Adjustable combs, 4-way & 6-way provide the ability to manipulate the top piece of the comb to assist in proper fit and alignment of the eye to the rib of the shotgun. Want to learn more about adjustable combs? Read our “Introduction to Adjustable Combs” Blog!
Looking to be able to make additional modifications to improve the fit of a shotgun? Look no further than the TSK Fully Adjustable Stock. The TSK Fully Adjustable Stock allows for a wide variety of adjustability with many components of various sizes. TSK Stocks are extremely popular with younger shooters, as they allow the gun to adapt with the shooter as they grow.
Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing is the Exclusive TSK Dealer for the USA – call our Naples Location today & ask for Pedro! In Texas? Call Andre and the Team in San Antonio. The fine folks in our Maine shop can also assist with getting your TSK set up correctly.
Finally, some shooters opt for a custom stock, built to their exact dimensions and shooting style. This is the most expensive option, but likely the best for the competitive shooter who has finished growing and is looking for the best fitting shotgun. The second or two one might spend trying to work their shotgun into the correct position (aka fitting the shooter to the gun as opposed to the other way around) can distract momentarily from the mental focus that should be on calling for and seeing the target.
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing offers this service on certain models, which involves fitting with an expert gunsmith or when appropriate, CNC scan and machine for an exact duplicate of an individual’s existing stock.
Choice #5: Budget
Shotgunning is an expensive endeavor. Some say it’s best to get the ‘right’ equipment early on, the ‘one and done’ mentality. Some say, get an entry level gun and work out fit and feel issues, enjoy it for a bit before ‘pulling the trigger’ on an upgrade. Although we are in the gun trade, we routinely tell people to buy for quality and serviceability. Buying an expensive gun will NOT make one a better shooter. Buying the least expensive or inexpensive gun that has no service resource or parts availability is just throwing money down the drain and can lead to frustration. Before deciding on a brand, ask around about the availability of parts, service, warranty repair options etc.
There are certainly more considerations, sometimes in the final analysis (after narrowing down the budget and basic platform) it comes down to ‘feel’, so we urge people to try before they buy whenever possible. Find a demo center (Cole San Antonio, Maine, Sarasota) that offers demo opportunities. Oftentimes, large sporting clays shoots will have vendors on site offering demo guns. We have demo options in a wide range of the some of the most popular shotgun makes and models including Beretta, Blaser, Caesar Guerini, Perazzi, Rizzini, Zoli. In most cases our team of talented gunsmiths service what we sell; at the very least we facilitate correct repairs for our clients should they encounter any problems.
We believe there is a tremendous benefit to our one-stop-shop model, providing a depth of expertise and knowledge, ability to guide, fit and modify, troubleshoot and repair.
Call Today & Speak to a Salesperson about finding the right gun for you!
Harspwell, ME – (207)-833-5027
Naples, FL – (239)-352-0345
San Antonio, TX – (210)-906-0857
Sarasota, FL – (207)-800-4667