09-Jul-2026
Buying your first shotgun is one of the most exciting decisions you will make as a shooter, and one of the most consequential. The gun you choose will shape how quickly you develop, how comfortable you feel on the peg or at the stand, and whether shooting becomes a lifelong passion or a frustrating false start. The UK market offers an extraordinary range of shotguns for sale, from entry-level workhorses to finely tuned competition guns, and navigating that range without guidance can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through every consideration that matters, so you can buy with confidence and avoid the expensive mistakes that plague first-time buyers.
Getting your shotgun certificate
Before you start browsing guns for sale in the UK, you need a shotgun certificate (SGC) issued by your local police force. The application process involves completing Form 201, providing a passport photograph countersigned by a referee, nominating two referees who have known you for at least two years, and paying the current fee. Your local firearms licensing department will conduct a background check and, in most cases, arrange a home visit to inspect your proposed gun security arrangements. You will need a gun cabinet that meets British Standard 7558, bolted to a solid wall or floor in a location that is not immediately obvious to visitors.
The process typically takes between eight and twelve weeks, though some forces are significantly slower. There is no requirement to demonstrate "good reason" for a shotgun certificate as there is with a Section 1 firearms certificate, the default position in law is that the police shall grant the certificate unless they have reason not to. That said, having a clear purpose in mind, whether clay shooting, game shooting, or pest control, will strengthen your application and give you a clearer idea of what gun to buy once the certificate arrives.
It is worth joining a shooting club or booking a lesson with a qualified instructor before your certificate comes through. Most clubs and shooting grounds will lend you a gun for introductory sessions, and the experience will give you an invaluable sense of what feels right in your hands. That early exposure often saves first-time buyers from purchasing a gun that looked appealing in the shop but proves entirely wrong in the field.
Understanding action types
The action type is the single most important decision you will make, and it determines the fundamental character of your shotgun. Three action types dominate the UK market, each with distinct advantages.
Over-and-Under
The over-and-under (O/U) is overwhelmingly the most popular choice for UK shooters and accounts for the vast majority of shotguns for sale on the market today. Its two barrels are stacked vertically, giving you a narrow sighting plane and excellent pointability. Over-and-unders are the standard choice for clay shooting in all disciplines and are increasingly dominant in the game field too. If you have no strong preference for another action type, an over-and-under is almost certainly the right first gun. Makers like Beretta, Browning, and Miroku produce excellent over-and-unders at every price point.
Side-by-Side
The side-by-side places its barrels horizontally and remains the traditional choice for driven game shooting in the UK. It offers a wider sighting plane and a lighter, faster handling character that many game shots prefer. Side-by-sides tend to be lighter than over-and-unders of equivalent gauge and barrel length, making them easier to carry on long days in the field. However, they are less popular for clay shooting, and the wider sighting plane can take some getting used to. If your primary interest is walked-up or driven game, a side-by-side is well worth considering. If clays are your focus, an over-and-under will serve you better.
Semi-Automatic
The semi-automatic uses the energy of each fired cartridge to cycle the action and load the next round, giving you rapid follow-up shots without manually opening and closing the gun. Semi-autos like the Beretta A400 and Winchester SX4 are popular for wildfowling, pigeon shooting, and pest control, where you may need three shots in quick succession. They also tend to produce less felt recoil than break-action guns because the cycling mechanism absorbs some of the energy. The trade-off is that semi-autos are mechanically more complex, require more thorough cleaning, and are not permitted in some clay shooting disciplines.
Choosing your gauge
The 12-bore is the standard gauge for UK shooting and the obvious choice for a first gun. The overwhelming majority of cartridges sold in the UK are 12-bore, giving you the widest choice and the best prices. A 12-bore delivers enough payload for everything from skeet to geese, and the sheer volume of guns available in this gauge means you will find far more options when shopping for your first shotgun.
The 20-bore has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade, particularly among smaller-framed shooters and those who want a lighter gun for walked-up shooting. Modern 20-bore cartridges are highly effective, and at normal sporting and game shooting distances the performance gap with 12-bore is smaller than many people assume. That said, a 20-bore does carry less shot, and for a first gun the versatility of a 12-bore is hard to beat.
Other gauges exist, the 28-bore and .410 both have devoted followings, but they are specialist choices and not ideal as a first gun. The ammunition is more expensive, the range of guns available is narrower, and the reduced payload is less forgiving of imperfect technique, which is exactly what you will have as a beginner.
Barrel length and choke
Barrel length affects the balance, swing dynamics, and overall feel of your shotgun more than almost any other specification. For clay shooting, barrels between 30 and 32 inches are standard, with 30 inches suiting sporting clays and 32 inches favoured for trap. For game shooting, 28 to 30 inches is the norm, with 28 inches offering quicker handling for close-range work in woodland and 30 inches providing a smoother swing on driven birds. If you intend to shoot both clays and game with one gun, 30-inch barrels represent the best compromise.
Choke controls how tightly the shot pattern holds together at distance. Most modern over-and-unders come with multichoke barrels, allowing you to swap choke tubes to suit different situations. This is ideal for a first gun because it gives you flexibility as you learn. Fixed-choke guns, typically found on side-by-sides and older over-and-unders, offer a cleaner barrel profile and one less thing to think about, but they lock you into a set configuration. For a first gun, multichoke is almost always the smarter choice.
Stock fit and why it matters
A shotgun is a pointing instrument, not an aiming instrument. When you mount the gun and look at the target, the pattern should go where your eyes are looking. This only happens if the stock fits you properly. Stock fit encompasses the length of pull (the distance from the trigger to the centre of the butt pad), the drop at comb and heel (how far the stock sits below the line of the rib), and the cast (how far the stock is offset to the left or right to align with your dominant eye).
Many first-time buyers fixate on the make and model of the gun while ignoring stock fit entirely. This is a mistake. A well-fitting gun of modest quality will outperform an expensive gun that does not fit you. Most dealers and shooting schools offer gun fitting services, and it is well worth investing an hour with a qualified fitter before committing to a purchase. If you are buying second hand, a competent gunsmith can adjust the stock to suit you, though major alterations to cast or length may require a new stock altogether.
New vs second-hand
The second-hand market in the UK is vast, and buying a pre-owned gun is an excellent way to get more gun for your money. A well-maintained shotgun will last for decades, and many second-hand guns on Rightgun have plenty of life left in them. The key is knowing what to look for: check the barrel wall thickness, look for pitting or corrosion inside the barrels, test the action for excessive play, examine the stock for cracks around the head, and ask how many cartridges the gun has fired if the seller knows.
A new gun gives you a manufacturer's warranty, the assurance that nothing is worn, and the ability to specify exactly what you want. But you will pay a significant premium for that peace of mind. A Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon, for example, retails new for around £1,800 to £2,200, but clean second-hand examples can be found for £1,000 to £1,400. For a first gun, that saving could be better spent on cartridges and lessons.
Price ranges and what to expect
At the entry level, between £400 and £800, you will find reliable Turkish-made over-and-unders from brands like Hatsan, ATA, and Huglu, along with second-hand Japanese and Italian guns. These are perfectly serviceable first guns and will give you years of shooting if properly maintained. Between £800 and £1,500, you enter the territory of new guns from Miroku, entry-level Browning models, and second-hand Beretta 680-series guns. This is the sweet spot for most first-time buyers who want quality without overspending.
Above £1,500, you are looking at new mid-range guns from Beretta and Browning, and above £3,000 you move into dedicated competition guns and premium game guns. These are excellent shotguns, but for a first purchase they represent a significant investment before you truly know what you want. The general wisdom is to buy a solid, versatile gun in the £800 to £1,500 range, shoot it extensively, and then upgrade once you have a clear understanding of your preferences.
Clays vs game: What to prioritise
If your primary interest is clay shooting, prioritise an over-and-under with 30 or 32-inch barrels, multichoke, and enough weight to absorb recoil over a long day at the stand. A gun weighing between 7lb 8oz and 8lb 4oz is typical for sporting clays. Look for a high, flat-shooting rib, adjustable if possible, and a stock that you can comfortably mount hundreds of times in a session.
If game shooting is your focus, lighter weight and faster handling become more important. A gun between 6lb 8oz and 7lb 8oz will be easier to carry over rough ground and quicker to mount on fast-crossing birds. Shorter barrels of 28 to 30 inches suit the close-range, reactive shooting that game days demand. A side-by-side comes into its own here, though many game shots are perfectly happy with an over-and-under.
If you genuinely intend to shoot both, lean towards a 30-inch over-and-under in the 7lb 4oz to 7lb 12oz range. It will not be the absolute optimum for either discipline, but it will perform well at both, and owning one versatile gun is far more practical than running two when you are starting out.
Making the purchase
When you are ready to buy, take your time. Handle as many guns as possible before committing. Visit dealers, attend game fairs, and browse the listings on Rightgun to get a sense of what is available at your budget. When you find a gun that feels right, mount it repeatedly, close your eyes and mount it again, and check where the barrels are pointing when you open your eyes. If the gun consistently points where you are looking, the fit is at least in the right ballpark.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Reputable dealers and private sellers will be happy to discuss the gun's history, condition, and suitability for your intended use. And remember that your first gun does not have to be your last. Many experienced shots look back on their first purchase with a mixture of fondness and mild embarrassment. The important thing is to get shooting, develop your skills, and enjoy every moment of it.
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