[BlackVest]

Hello everyone, newbie here posting for the first time. I've lurked on TFL and THR for some time now and finally decided to register and join the community actively. Go easy on me ;) .

Anyway, I was thinking about getting a shotgun as my first firearm. I have an interest in hunting waterfowl and the shotgun seems to be a wonderful all-purpose tool. Now I've read about the big four brands to buy into for a quality firearm but I had another question about that.

In the Revolver forum Jim March has some links to an excellent guide he wrote some time ago about inspecting used revovlers when buying private party or at a gunshow. Has Dave McCraken or another shotgun guru written a similar peice? I did some searches for 'shotgun buying guide' but could find anything extensive... can anyone point me in the right direction or possibly give a noob some tips for the next gunshow?

Thanks

[TIMC]

First let me say welcome to the BB.

Being this will be your first firearm and not knowing how much experience you have (I would assume very little) if you don't know what to look for you could end up with something less than desireable. I would suggest getting a new shotgun. There are some decent guns out there that are priced reasonable brand new and you know you will be getting a gun in good shape.
If money is a concern look into:
Baikal
Gazelle
Mossberg
All inexpensive guns and reliable.

[SASS#23149]

My first piece of advice would be..avoid the gunshows if saving money is the point.
However,if buying 'off the books ' is your point,i fully understand.
YOu can get brand new Mossberg 500 pumps,with chokes,for 199.00,and the cheaper Maverick version(alloy frame) for 159.00 at WalMart.I doubt a gunshow would save much,if anything on a used gun.
One notch up the scale would be a Remington 870.Thousands of em in use,and you'll probably never wear it out!
Have not heard rave reviews on the Charles Daly autos,but they are well priced.
Before going to walmart,get acquainted with a small local dealer if you have one,and if he sems honest ,and interested in doing business with you ,support him first!! I mentioned walmart as that's the last place I looked at shotguns recently.
ok,tha'ts enough yammering.:)
Get yourself a shotgun and go have fun.:)
Mike

[Dave McCracken]

BV,welcome aboard! I'm no guru, just a journeyman with lots of experience.

The thread on TFL about "Buying a Used Pump Gun" has what you're looking for. Feel free to ask about anything you don't understand.

Gunshows rarely have any bargains these days.

In your shoes, I'd....

Call around to local shops and ask what used name brand pumps they have. Stick with name brands, parts and smiths are available, and if you decide that shotgunning isn't for you, resale value is good.

Check the bulletin boards at local ranges for deals. I missed out on a minty,LNIB 870 TB for $360 last year by hours.

While at the range, ask around and see if there's competent instruction available. If near MD, find me(G).

And this is crucial. Buy the lightest ammo you can find for familiarization, and work up by increments.

HTH....

[ruger357]

Nice to have you on. Keep a look out for a used 870.

[rick_reno]

I frequently see some good deals on used shotguns at gunshows around here. Get a friend to go with you that knows something about them, it'll help. Bulges in the barrel(s) aren't good. I carry a shotshell (used) with me, I can check if the ejectors/extracton work with it. Snap caps are good to have too, most sellers will let you dry fire the gun with them in it. Dry firing the gun won't tell you much, but you should hear a click and it'll let you test the saftey. Pump guns shouldn't be loose, when you close the action on one it should be tight and not have much (if any) play in the forend. On some guns they'll have matching s/n's (M12's come to mind), they should match. Look for rust - you can inspect the barrels on doubles by opening the action and looking down them (point them at a light source), and on pumps/autos by opening the action and putting a piece of 3X5 card (you want something white) in the action and looking down the barrel. The card will reflect enough light up the barrel to get a look at it. Find a store that sells new shotguns and look them over; that'll give you a benchmark of what you should be looking for.

[BlackVest]

Alright, thanks for the replies everyone!

In following with your advice I'm probably going to dispense with the gunshows and try pick up a 870a or a Win 1300 from one of the local gunshops when a good used one comes in.

Now what else should I pick up with the gun? I thought a good assortment of cleaning tools would be in order.

I have an old M-16 clean kit with the brass brushes, swab rod, and a little CLP. I saw many people in the gunsmith section using something called 'hoppes #9' and brake free(sp?) fluid. Are there any specialized stuff for shotguns I can get (I guess the gunstore would prolly have all this stuff lined out for me.)

Also, it might be some time before I get the gun since I'm waiting for a used deal. Do gun safety courses require you to have a gun beforehand or can you get a lecture type class? I was thinking I could get some basic instruction on safety before picking up the SG.

Unfortunately none of my friends know anything about shotguns or hunting, so they usually arent very good resources when it comes to longarms. I live in California, the way of the gun isn't strong here. :(

Thanks again for the replies :D

[Dave McCracken]

I think a Cleaning 101 thread is in order here, watch for it in the next 48 hours.

The gun courses I'm familiar with do not require ownership first.YMMV.

870s and 1300s are good guns, watch also for the Ithaca 37, the Mossie 500, and the new kid on the block, the Nova from Benelli.

I suggest eschewing the off brands and clone guns. Parts and warranty may be a cruel joke, and any of the Big Four can be had used for less than a week's pay. Way less, sometimes.

HTH....