[sm]

Oh I want your Age and Gender as well please.

Here is the deal , for whatever reason, one is restricted to one shotgun for everything. This has to serve for HD, Civil Unrests, to hunt with , any clay games...

You have $1K dollars to spent for the gun, the ammo, training...the whole bit. This has to last , because restrictions dictate each year after the first year- how much one can spend on ammo , training, repairs, maintenance....

What if $500 is the limit?

Discuss please.

:)

[sm]

I'll go first.

WM, 49 yrs old , living in the South.

$1000 bucks , I'm going with either NIB 870 Express , or one hell of a deal on a used 870 , Ithaca 37, or 1300. I will add a Skeet choke if the bbl is able to take threaded chokes, if not - I'm not going to worry about it - I can tweak loads, and stack loads. IC or Mod fixed is fine. I'll add sling studs and used leather sling.

I figure $250-$300 for the gun and all. My $700 left over is going for a Used MEC single stage, some reloading supplies. I'm buying factory slugs, and Bismuth for waterfowl. Lets say I have $300 leftover - I can find someone to teach me the safety and basics and have some monies left over if I pick and choose the teacher...or swap out some skills and labor for the lessons.

I'd be prone to cheat and find a Used K frame, internally sound, ugly as hell on the outside - with part of the $300 left over...but I'm just that way. Easier to pull and shoot than load up a magazine, and something to fight with to get me to the shotgun. ;)

$500 , mirrors the idea above , gonna find other folks I trust and split cost of the MEC , reloading supplies, and factory ammo.

You?

[charby]

30 male

If I was only allowed to own one shotgun, be it $1k or $500 to spend, I think I would go with 870 Remington with the slug barrel combo. Just because its a workhorse that takes a beating and keeps a ticking. People ask if what shotgun should I buy for my first one or only one and I always tell them 870.

I have or have owned a lot of shotguns, but nothing has been more reliable than the 870. Plus you can get a ton of aftermarket add ons.

Charby

[Gunsnrovers]

35 year old white guy located in Los Angeles (in my mind I'm living somewhere else)

Used Wingmaster with a 28" or 30" tube and a 20" smooth bore deer barrel. I'd pick up a one round extension and sling for use in the field and civil defense role. I like the CQB sling that don't require a sling stud on the butt stock.

I've only recently entered the the 870 world after playing with a few other models that last 12 years, but I've really come to love the modular design and ease of maintainace and parts replacement.

I love my Ithaca 37 and my '97, but the simplicity of the 870 really impresses me. I like having tools I can repair myself and that have parts readily available from a wide selection of resources.

With the $500 budget, I figure I'll have about $200 left for initial ammo/training. The follow on budgets will get squireled away for reloading supplies.

With a $1000 budget, I'd do the same, but I'd go for training first. Reloading supplies will get worked up into follow up budgets.

[sm]

No disrespect and my fault - so I apologize now.

If one has limitations due to injury, surgery or disabilities - if you don't mind sharing please do so. This may be of interest to those in such a position and the education will be benefical to them.

If you live in such an area , within or outside of the US , With Restrictions on what you can , cannot have, be it firearms or the ability to reload - please share as well. Outside US - please help us with ROE ( rate of exchange) in USD .

I'm using this thread to educate not only members, but also any lurkers new and researching. I'm also getting a idea on some other "areas of interest".

Thanks.

[Rupestris]

35, Male, Southeast Michigan

For $500 I’d go with the SG I currently have.
Remington 870 Express Magnum 12ga Synthetic 26"VR bbl. - $220
TruGlo Pro Series Fiber Optic sights - $40
Uncle Mikes Sling Mounts - $30
Camo Sling (cant remember brand) - $18
Additional Chokes (IC & Turkey ex.full) $30
Like sm, I'd barter for some of the training.
TOTAL - $338 - The rest would buy ammo.

For the $1000 price cap, Same as above with the addition of:
If possible, a 18.5" barrel for HD as an "add-on". - $99
30 rounds (pre-paid) of trap/skeet with ammo - $270

That leaves $293 for a training class and a fair amount of slugs/buck for HD and deer hunting and 30 rounds of my favorite turkey loads.

[sm]

Hey!

Where are the ladies and older guys? I'm all alone here, so far ...I could really use the company. :D

Tamera, pax, Girlwithagun...Kaylee do shotguns? :p

Lot of damn good Smoke is gonna do on the age dealie...young whippersnapper he is... :neener:

Denny, get in here...you are older...*snicker* not by much - buy hey- I'll take it.

Art - wake up! :D

Folks wonder why I stay in trouble with the mods... ;)

[Smoke]

Huh? What? Who's there....woke me from my nap....

39 yoa, Male, WASP

Make mine a slicked out Wingmaster with the most beautiful wood and a perfect deep blue finish. One 18" barrel with rifle sights, one 26" vent rib barrel with screw in chokes. Add a +2 extension. Provision for a sling (even though I refuse to put one on my shotgun)

But you know, one could do dang near the same thing with an 1100.

I might get too old (like sm) to shuck the thing.....

Food for thought.

Smoke

[sm]

Yeah well I get "that old" , I'm liable to tote a 20 ga SXS for everything.
Dribbling, shaking, and all- I might forget how to count past two shells...I "hear" Stoeger makes a nice one... :neener:

[Third_Rail]

Little bit of everything in me, from Italian to Russian to German to Native American.

You tell me what I am, I've been trying to figure it out forever.


18 years old.


If I were limited to $1000 for a good long time for supplies, the shotgun itself, etc., I'd go with a Mossberg 500a with two barrels: 22" bbl with imp. cyl. choke, and a 20" rifled barrel. That's about $350 so far.

The other $650 would go toward a MEC reloader, unsure of kind, primers, hulls, wads, shot, and a small supply of slugs. Also, money would be spent on a lead pot and a mold for slugs, so I could use wheelweights to cast.


That would last me quite some time.


If I were limited to $500, I'd go with the same shotgun, but with only the 22" bbl. I would then use slugs to lesser effect, but hopefully still good enough for deer hunting. Reloading supplies would be more limited, a smaller selection of shot, no slugs except for those that I can cast.

[dfaugh]

49 yr old WASP, seperated right shoulder a coupla years ago, so I'm recoil sensitive....Have a 20" Mossberg "Special Purpose" with PG and sidefolding stock...Total investment under $300...can tolerate the recoil generated by low brass hunting loads, using the stock...For social stuff (3" 00 magnum loads) I can hit what I need to at reasonable ranges, either from the hip (I practice) or with stock braced in my elbow(short stock-long arms). Its cylinder bore, so not ideal for hunting, but it'll work to reasonable distances. I'd spend the rest on ammo.

[Rupestris]

Little bit of everything in me, from Italian to Russian to German to Native American.
You tell me what I am, I've been trying to figure it out forever.

How about Red Blooded AMERICAN! :cool: ;)
I think we've been kicking around here long enough to establish ourselves as a nationality. If the Canadians and Mexicans can do it then why not us? :D

[TrapperReady]

38 year old guy.

One gun? I'd get either (A) used Wingmaster or (B) new or used 870 Express in 12ga with a 28" barrel. Either one would have to take choke tubes. I'd want at least an IC and Full. I'd look around for a used MEC 9000G (in reality, I wouldn't have to look any further than my basement).

Each year, I'd splurge for a couple boxes of slugs for deer hunting, a box of Hevishot #6s, a box of Hevishot #2s and as many reloading supplies as possible.

If the limit were $500, then I'd probably go for a used MEC 600 Jr Mk 5.

Truly, I'd like to have a Model 12, but it'd be a shame (and expensive) to get one and thread it for tubes.

[Denny Hansen]

Just turned fifty. My wife says I'm middle-aged but I don't know many folks who are 100. :rolleyes:

Make mine an 870, 20", cyl. bore with rifle or ghost ring sights. Need a sling and considering the budget some type of removable el-cheapo light attachment--left on for HD, taken off for hunting. Probably invest in another (my fifth) shotgun class under Master Yoda (Louis Awerbuck).

That about eats up the grand, but I have a large supply of components on hand and cast my own slugs, so I'm good to go on ammo.

Denny

[Brian Williams]

The one shotgun question?????
OBTW, I'm a 48 WASP
Ithaca 20" Riot gun pre disconnector with screw-in chokes installed.
w/ cyl bore...... slugs or buck shot
w/ skeet ....... Skeet Games and dove/woodland birds
w/impcyl.......???? trap sportin clays
w/ full...... trap and or duckies/geese
find some sling swivels and a quick adjust sling or a US GI leather sling type 1917 I think

[sm]

Denny makes a great point. Okay where are all the 140 year olds...turning 70 and middle aged wouldn't sound so bad...

Mom was 25 when I was born. I turn 25 and she calls disturbing my hangover..."how does it feel to be a quarter of a century old". I replied " why don't come over and tell me from a half century pointof view". She never used that analgoy again.

She just turned 75 , and for sure, we don't . :D

I'm seeing some really good well thought out responses. Third_ Rail...you sure you are only 18? I'm impressed with your post. <thumbs up>

[Okiecruffler]

I'd find me a Stevens 311 12g for about $250 (already got a few), then buy me a Lee Load all for about $40 (got a couple of those too), and then spend the other $700 on reloading components.
Like my g'pappy always says, "Stick with the horse what brung ya." Been shooting The Wife's shell shuckers and my own little Maverick, but I'm too set in my ways to really change.

Oh yeah, and danged if I ain't creeping up on 35.

[smokemaker]

31 cauc. male in socialist NY...

I love my Ithaca 87 deluxe with both barrels (bird and 1:34 rifled), but it's a bit pricey if I've only got $1000 to work with. I think it'd be the 870 express combo, and a lee loader and components.

With $500 restriction, I think I'd quit shotgunning.

[kudu]

36 WM

I would have to go with a good used Remington 870 Wingmaster 12ga with about a 26" or 28" barrel w/chokes. I don't care for the Express versions and I have shot 8 or10 different ones but never could take a shine to the feel of one.

Got to have a reloader, a Mec of some sort. Cast my own slugs and use a rifled choke tube. A variety of shot sizes for different varmints to the wild mean skeets that roam the area.

As for training, by the time you get components and shells there is little left over to waste on training other than general shooting. I figure I have shot about 5000 clay birds this year @ $3.50 per 25 = $700 plus 5000 shells at about $3.00 per box reloaded = $600. A very slow shooting year for me. I have not given up much average wise from when I shot 20,000 rounds a year.

I figure shooting the available shells that I have is worth more than spending the money on a training exercise or trainer.

[ksnecktieman]

I was pleased to hear that college girls prefer middle aged men,,, then I find out that they think 35 is middle age,,,,, I have 20 years experience at being middle age,,, I wonder how they will like that. I am 55, and I will take the 23" remington 1100 12 ga with screw in chokes, from my safe, and use the rest on ammo:)

I guess I am lucky to have the one I like, and be perfectly happy with it:)

[HSMITH]

32, WM.

SuperX2 3.5" for about $700, leaves me $300 for ammo. I have already paid the training bill and shudder to think what the total cost has been. That X2 will do anything that can be done with a shotgun, do it well and is extremely reliable. I have less than 35K through mine, but I have had less problems with it than I have had with my 870 in the same round count.

$500 limit? 870 express, and $300 in ammo. It can do anything that a shotgun can do within a reasonable range expectation, do it well and is reliable.

I shoot fairly well and $300 worth of ammo per year would be plenty for sustinence and defense uses regardless of gun used, I wouldn't bother reloading with such a drastically limited ammo budget.

I have not given up much average wise from when I shot 20,000 rounds a year.

kudu, that is when you know you are getting there, that all the training and all the money you spent is paying off. I had several years that were over 50K rounds and a lot more that were 25K plus, it paid off. I can go months without shooting and still go out and shoot pretty decently. When I do shoot a few times a month the form comes back very quickly and scores reflect it. I think I could be back in top form for me with 10K rounds and two months of practice, but we are only talking a couple birds in a 100 round event.

[azrael]

33 W/M...

Due to recent nerve damage in my left arm, I am gonna go with an auto...

Saiga 12 w/ 19in barrel..$250.
15-5 round mag's..$375.00

2-4 Mag pouches for the Saiga..Cost of leather (Thinking similar to the m-16 pouches in the Army...Dont know if anyone is making them though...hmmmmm..Gotta look into that!)

Split the rest of money for ammo...

[sm]

HSMITH, kudu, Trapper, Dave, Correia Denny...and others.

Yeah one gets to a point even if they don't shoot regular, they can still run'em pretty good. I think I dropped 2 last time out. High one , and low 5 on the first box.

*ahem* I dropped the first bird *on purpose*...ya know, put a little pressure on myself to focus on the next 99..."I'm Sure" you others have done the same thing ...training technique - right? ;)

[TrapperReady]

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

The first two times I ever ran a straight 25 in trap, I missed the first shot of the next round. Now if I'm gonna miss one, I usually wait until I'm at station #3 and they throw one straight away from me.

:banghead: :banghead: :cuss:

[El Guero]

Alrighty, I'm 18, a male, and from Nebraska.

If I had to pick a gun that I felt could do everything, I'd take some breed of Benelli M1. I'd look into barrel lengths and everything, but I feel for sporting clays I'd really need an auto.

Believe me, I love my 870. But I was just getting tired of seeing all you guys with $1000 to spend on a gun and using all the cash on reloading supplies! :neener:

[Dave McCracken]

58, Alpha Male....

Frankenstein, with two barrels. The 21" "Turkey" barrel will handle defense and slugs, the 30" LC everything else. IOW, I've got my do everything shotgun.

And I'd spend the remaining cash on range tickets, ammo components, and maybe even a lesson from a good SC instructor.

[sm]

Gee, I'm surprised Dave. :D

Okay, I'm kidding. Reading this thread, I'm seeing a definite pattern.

Since I also note why finding good used pumps and extra bbls are getting difficult to find...I'm going to start recommending folks buy newfangled plastic stocked guns, or buy aftermarket syn stocks and bbls.

Please forward any wood stocks, and original fixed choked bbls removed to me.
Accepting any long tubes "blowed up" while waterfowling too. :D

[mparris71]

Male age 25. I would go with a 870 express or wingmaster. Use the rest for ammo and lessons, Lord knows I need them.

[SapperLeader]

I am 24, and a white male living in northern Virginia.

1000 dollar budget:
Purchase a new or used 870 express with 28-30 inch barrel and a 21 inch turkey barrel(deer and hd). Purchase a sling and a light mount (tacstar and surefire). Total would come out to ~ 450. Find a good deal on a used MEC reloader (which I did recently) purchase a stock of slugs, buckshot and reloading components.

Ask rather nicely at the range for safety and shooting lessons, and use barter of skills if necessary. This setup should set me up for any sporting or hunting tasks I need a shotgun for, along with a nice HD gun.

500 Dollar Budget
Shop for used gun extensively, if I have no luck with that a 870 express with the 28 inch barrel. Purchase the sling and light mount. Total for gun is under 300. Stock up on slugs and buckshot (50 dollars) and purchase a 100 dollars of WalMart bulk birdshot rounds. Apply the remaining money towards a reloading components fund for next year.

Finally I would ask really, really nicely for the shooting lessons at the range and still barter my skills as much as possible for more lessons. Excuse me Sir/Mam, I am young and strong and I am pretty handy with tools. What do you need fixed to teach me the knowledge I need
:D

[sm]

SapperLeader,

Another one that does not type like a young whippersnapper...I'm getting a bit more concerned now. :D

IIRC you have taken Awerbuck for training. Not wanting to get into just defensive use, if you would please share again what Awerbuck "recommends" as far as My question. Granted your post is most representive I'm sure. Still I would appreciate any other tidbits.

Thanks.
"Probationary Reprobate"
:p

[Bix]

Male, 28

I've acutally engaged in this excercise for real. Here's what I did:

870 Express 26" remchoke = $250
Skeet, IC, Full chokes (used) = $30
18" Police IC RS barrel (used) = $120
A/O 24/7 express sights = $120
Stock shortened/new pad = $50
Sling setup (used) = $20

That's $590 for a gun that can shoot trap, skeet, sporting clays, deer, game birds, pigs, and just about anything else that you can hunt in North America (alright - probably have to get a different barrel for prarie dogs :D ). Plus, it's perfectly appropriate for HD/CD duty, as well as practical shooting competition and class. I've used it for many of these activities and have been tremendously pleased.

I spent a lot more than the remaining $410 on guncamp and ammo :rolleyes: - but if I had to strictly adhere to the budget, I'd ditch the A/O sights, and widen the factory rear (on the Police barrel) with a file. I'd spend the $530 balance on Awerbuck's Stage I Shotgun and ammo for the class.

[Black Majik]

Im 22, male, in The O.C. Califonia. :D

One shotgun, it'd be a Remington 870 Wingmaster Supermagnum with an 18.5" barrel

That was easy.

[Smoke]

Wait! I might change my mind!


Could one buy
this (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=58023&highlight=Ultimate) for under a grand? It must surely be worth 5 times that.

You know you want one....admit it.

Smoke

[sm]

Smoke, I just thought Steve was a - well you know what ...you could have gone all day and NOT brought that up. .

:D

[lbmii]

Another White Male age 36.

How bout an old beat up 12 gauge side by side with double triggers and a hack saw just for the fun of it? Oh yes better buy some black electrical tape while your at it.

$75 for the shotgun + $7.99 for the hack saw +$2.99 for some extra hack saw blades + $0.49 for the black electrical tape = $86.47

That gives me $913.53 left over, I use that to buy 14 contracts of Conoco Phillips (COP) call options striking at 95 expiring in Jan 2005 currently selling at $0.65. In two to three weeks from now I close out at $3.00 and now I have $4200 to spend on all sorts of goodies! But by then Phelps Dodge stock might have dipped down so I put all af that $4500 into PD call options striking at 105 expiring in Feb 2005................

And then I'm flat broke again but at least I have a neat old shotgun.

[TNT]

Male, 25

This is pretty easy because I already have it. My used Remington 870 Express with 28" barrel that I bought for a $100 and the used pawn store 20" RS smoothbore barrel that I picked up for $90. I would use the rest on ammo and BA/UU/R :)

[SapperLeader]

:uhoh: :what: Smoke - not the ULTIMATE, nothing the rest of us has posted even comes close! With that gun, we don’t need training, or ammo, or accessories, because the gun is the ULTIMATE :rolleyes:


SM - Hah, I got you fooled too! Not all of us young whippersnappers are total idjits, some of us just repeat some of the stuff you older curmudgeons tell us to make ourselves seem smarter. :evil:

As for Awerbuck on shotguns, I will say that the man truly doesn’t seem to have a preference for a particular platform in regards to what other individuals should get. He mentioned pros and cons of all guns, and his list of criteria was reliability then gun fit(stock), sling and light.

He never came out and said so, but I got the impression that his grab and go gun was a Winchester 97 with regular slugs or possible the Aguila mini-shell slugs (which feed properly in the 97). He really was more about manipulation of the gun, and lots of drills to make muscle memory.

I still say he is the best diagnostic teacher I have ever had, and that’s not just for shooting. I will include the teachers from all sports, schools, college and military training I’ve ever taken.

[sm]

SapperLeader,

You don't think we curmudgeons know that...how do you think we learned to be curmudgeons? *grin*

I could do a model 97 with slugs, yep, no problem. I prefer slugs anyway for "serious situations".

I just have a lot of respect for Awerbuck, someday perhaps I can too can start from scratch and learn from him is all. Hence all my interest and questions.

Appreciate your sharing sir.