Well after what has seemed an age, I have finally bought my first shotgun.

My journey started properly about 12 months ago. I managed to get an invite to a local clay pigeon shoot for myself and two friends. Off we went to Longridge to the Dolphin Shooting ground. No gun, no experience, but full of excitement.

The day went really well for us all and as we drove home the buzz of the day lasted long.

Once the bug had took a little hold and after a number of other shoots, myself and a friend spent a great morning at the Manchester Clay Pigeon club in Worsley. It was here I thought “I quite fancy more of this”

I downloaded the shotgun application and through discussions I ended up being offered a three gun cabinet. Right I thought get the cabinet (great price £75.00) install it, apply for licence and away we go.

The family had real reservation about it. The thought of a gun in the house wasn’t popular, but as I kept reminding people, the gun isn’t the danger, it’s the users and the mentally adopted around it.

Cabinet installed and application completed. The application process took what seemed far too long, but after a home visit from the police we were underway. 6 weeks or so down the line the license arrived with the obligatory poor photo.

No rush to go and get a gun at this stage, lots of reading and gaining of knowledge. Not wanting to rush into something without some form of understanding.

I’d spotted the gun I’d really like Berretta Silver Pigeon, the only stumbling block was the £1500 price tag. No matter how much I wanted it, it didn’t seem right to spend so much on the first gun.

Almost a year to the day I’ve off to a premier shooting venue and as the day gets closer my thoughts are on taking my own gun to shoot….

Saturday arrives and with free time on our hands I ask the family if they’d would like to come with me to the Gun Shop to look at the second hand offerings.

I can’t tell you how nervous I was stepping into an unfamiliar environment with what I would class as limited knowledge. The shop was busy but full of what seemed to be great offerings around the £500 mark. For my first gun I was happy that amount would see me get started. After about an hour or so of trying different guns I finally settled on of all things, a new one. It is an entry level shotgun but nevertheless it looks the business and all for £550.

Hubertus Bayard 12g

So next week off I will go new gun in hand and more experiences to share….