Thinking about getting into shotguns

[SoCalShooter]

Long story short my mom would like to buy me a gun (hinted at of course) she has a friend who's husband shoots skeet and goes hunting and she wants to arrange a play date. So what would be a decent shotgun for both of these things, I would like to get a semi-auto. I have looked at the prices of shotguns but don't want to overspend on a beginner. I was thinking in the 900 to 1200 dollar range for decent shotgun. Tell me what you guys think. Also if you could give me some general prices of skeet and shot shells and such, I have looked myself and checked out several websites but I would like to compare what I looked at with what some more experienced shooters can provide. Thank You.

[ArmedBear]

What does he hunt?

For your first shotgun, that will make a difference, since you might want a 12 or a 20 Gauge. For skeet, quail, dove, etc., 20 is great, even preferable, but if you're going waterfowl hunting, 12 will be a far better do-all gun.

Note that this won't be your last shotgun, so don't get caught in the trap that many do and think you need to get a gun with a 3.5" chamber. Arguably, there's no need for a 3.5" 12 Gauge at all, now that there's heavier-than-lead nontoxic shot. A 3" chamber will give you more options, far better gun choices, better patterns, etc., without handicapping you at all. Ignore the advertising hype.

Again, if you like shotgunning, you might sell some of your other guns to buy more shotguns, so this single gun needn't do everything. I have done very little formal range shooting of anything else, since I started shooting clays. Plinking and open-area shooting is still fun with rifles and pistols, but shooting paper with an RSO shouting over the loudspeaker is a chore I now reserve for sighting guns in, or specific practice. Shotgunning is just that much more fun.

A great semiauto choice that doesn't break the bank is a Beretta 3901 in Walnut. Again, synthetic stocks on shotguns are not desirable, unless you find yourself in hip waders and need something waterproof. Balance is everything, and wood usually just feels better.

You will have a hard time finding a lousy gun in your price range. They'll all work well. Browning, Beretta, Remington, Winchester branded guns will do what you want them to, and anyone who tells you otherwise is exaggerating at the very least. Buy what fits, and don't buy junk, and you'll do well.

That said, for $1200 you might be happier with an Over/Under, depending on the game and hunting conditions. SKB makes an excellent gun in your price range. You will be happier with a double gun at the skeet range. Again, depends on what you hunt.

[BozemanMT]

Don't do it, it's addictive and very threatening to your wallet.
Cool mom though. :cool:

Beretta 391

[SoCalShooter]

I assumed I would be hunting birds of some type. Maybe larger game but I doubt that I have a 300 weatherby magnum for that type of work. Does CZ make a good shotgun? I know they make pretty good rifles and handguns.

[ArmedBear]

CZ doesn't make any shotguns.

They put their name on Huglu shotguns from Turkey. These guns are unrelated to CZ's world-class rifles and pistols.

Turkish guns have a reputation for bad metallurgy, leading to parts that get damaged or broken far too early in the life cycle of the gun. This reputation has held true at the range where I shoot.

Turkish guns are, however, often well-finished and pretty. This makes them alluring. If they can ever get their shi'ite together on the internals, they'll be bargains. Right now, though, Turkish guns in general are temptations to be avoided IMHO.

Decent shotguns are designed and built to go for 100,000 rounds and then keep on going with a bit of mechanical work, if they are treated well. That's what you should expect from a shotgun. In a morning at the skeet range, you can easily blow through a case (250 rounds). It's not like a bolt-action, where you would plan to replace a barrel after a few thousand rounds even, or especially, on a really good rifle.

The upside of this is that you can buy a good used shotgun and, if you are careful, you can save some money without sacrificing quality. The downside is that, with the exception of a few excellent pumps (BPS, 870, Ithaca 37, and the now-rare 1300), shotguns for less than $750 new aren't worth a damn.

(Also, recoil is an issue. Some people have good luck with the Stoeger Brazilian-made Benelli-style guns, but they're light and they recoil a lot more than most even if they work fine. Consider the cumulative effect of recoil when buying a gun. 250 rounds in a morning can really suck, or it can feel like nothing, and the gun makes most of that difference!)

Reloading and Wal-Mart are the shotgunner's friends. Fortunately, shotshell reloading is much faster and far easier to do well than rifle reloading.

There's just nothing to be gained by being TOO price-conscious. You'll pay hundreds of dollars for tickets and ammo before you know it anyway. Might as well get a gun that won't break.

Find out what he's hunting.

PM me with your actual location, if you want. I promise not to spread it around.

[zinj]

The downside is that, with the exception of a few excellent pumps (BPS, 870, Ithaca 37, and the now-rare 1300), shotguns for less than $750 new aren't worth a damn.

What about the:

Remington 870 (both Wingmaster and Express)
Mossberg 500
Remington 1100
Remington 11-87
Winchester Super X2
Franchi I-12
Benelli Nova
and many more...

I can understand these guns not fitting personal tastes, but not worth a damn?

[ArmedBear]

I didn't want to get into used guns, because that's a whole other ball of wax. I like my 1971 1100 Magnum. A LOT. It didn't cost me much, either. It's just harder to discuss, and it seems he's looking for a new gun (not a bad idea if you're getting into shotgunning, not tinkering).

I mentioned the 870. IMO the Express is hands-down the cheapest way to get a good shotgun you can use forever. I've got one. The Wingmaster is really nice, though they're getting pricey (NIB, anyway).

The 1100 is no longer available in a basic field version, and even when it was, it was a tad over $750 NIB. The G3 is an even nicer gun, but it's $900+. It has also replaced the nice 11-87 Premier, and the Sportsman isn't worth buying. It's WAY overweight and handles like a 2x4.

500 falls pretty far short of the other pump guns, for close to the same price. It does work, though. It's probably the only newer pump gun I've seen jam on the firing line, for reasons other than a badly-sized shell. I'd spend the money on something else. But the 500 DOES balance nicely with wood furniture, and it's got a nice rib, too. So I wouldn't recommend against it.

Super X2 is under $750 new? If so, that certainly breaks the rule. A great gun (AKA Browning Gold, etc.).

Franchi is good, if you like Benellis but think (like me) that a plastic blowback shotgun isn't worth the asking price. Not much under $750, at least where I've seen it, and that's in it ugliest form.

Benelli Nova? I don't want to get into that... It's a heavy thing, though, and it rattles. I'm not a big fan. Interesting way to get into trapshooting, if it happens to fit you (trap guns are extra-long and weigh over 8 lb. and it's a desirable trait. Mine is almost 9 lb. but I don't use it for upland hunting:) ). I have no clue why a plastic shotgun should weigh more than an all-steel 870.

[Two Cold Soakers]

+1 on 391, since you specified a semi-auto

I'd go with a 28" bbl, Urika sporting taper as a starting platform.
(I got a 30", wish for a 28" when I shoot skeet/ruffed grouse)
Then point/shoot at a target and use the included little shims to get the point of impact right-on.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Browning, Remington, Mossy, Winchester, I’ve shot them all, well, and own three of the above. For two cold soakers, Italian guns just seem to sit down in the hand, point, and swing, smoooooooother.

Additionally, the Beretta tends toward a finer fit and finish, if one cares about such details.

Soakers

[zinj]

Some of the guns I quote were recently discontinued but still can be found new in shops.

The 1100 is no longer available in a basic field version, and even when it was, it was a tad over $750 NIB. The G3 is an even nicer gun, but it's $900+. It has also replaced the nice 11-87 Premier, and the Sportsman isn't worth buying. It's WAY overweight and handles like a 2x4.

The 1100 Classic Field was running about $650 when I saw it last. I think you are right about it being difficult to find, they only were out for a year or two before they were dropped with the coming of the G3.

My local GM has about a half dozen 11-87 Premiers for $599. I think they are clearing them out. I might consider picking one up, as they seem to be about the only shotgun besides an Auto-5 that remotely fits me.


Super X2 is under $750 new? If so, that certainly breaks the rule. A great gun (AKA Browning Gold, etc.).

You can find the SX2 Sporting clays for just under $750.

Franchi is good, if you like Benellis but think (like me) that a plastic blowback shotgun isn't worth the asking price. Not much under $750, at least where I've seen it, and that's in it ugliest form.

Actually, I'm not really a fan of Benelli. Anyway, despite the funky styling the I-12 seems to have built a good rep from what I have read.

[SoCalShooter]

I really appreciate all the responses. And am still doing research, if I have to I can kick down some cash on it.

I want a dual purpose weapon at this point, NIB and preferably in 12 gauge, now that I have done some reading. I would like to try shotgun hunting and do trap and skeet. I know its a lot to ask of a gun to do these 3 things atleast decent or even well. But if I like it I will get into it more (:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ) I want to dip my feet into the devils brew before I take the plunge. I had already planned on getting an 870 P next year for the parents (HD). So I was eventually going to get into this.

I have heard and was directly told by a friend that skeet shooting can really improve your regular shooting and especially hunting. I did shoot a deer at 400+ yards but he was barely moving. (it was one of those shots that was meant to be). So basically is this true what I have heard?

[TX1911fan]

The Browning Gold is a very nice semi auto and is in your price range. CHeck it out.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=010B&cat_id=011&type_id=263

[bowfin]

If you are going to be shooting skeet, I would pass on the pumps, as you will be shooting doubles. My brother does have an 870 skeet gun, so I guess some have used pump action shotguns, but no one will recommend it.

I vote for a Remington 1100. Great at the range, good in the field.

[SoCalShooter]

So could you use semi automatics for skeet?

[GRB]

I have owned 2 shotguns in my life. Both have been 12 gauge Remington 870s. I sold the first after about 2 or 3 years because I needed money (what a jerk was I). I bought the next one about 20 years or so ago. It may not be the last shotgun I will ever buy, but it sure has fit the bill from trap shooting, to upland gamebird hunting, to waterfowl hunting, to squirrel hunting, to rabbit hunting, to big game hunting, and to home defense. Great shotgun the Remington 870:D .

All the best,
Glenn B

[Kingcreek]

So could you use semi automatics for skeet?
Sure could. I shoot a Beretta 390 for skeet. Have also used my SX2 to tune up before duck season. Only one down side to the semi auto for skeet is picking up hulls.

[wildfowl]

I would vote for either the Beretta 391 or the Browning Gold.

Since a lot of shotgun shooting is INSTINCT, fit and feel are more important than a lot of other factors. You don't aim a shotgun, you point it. Lots of good shotgun shooters claim they never see the front bead. They just throw up the gun, pull the trigger, and the target falls. It is built in aiming without actually thinking about it.

Because of this, don't get your heart set on a gun before you pick it up and swing it. If you can shoot one, even better, but at least pick up and get the feel for a bunch of guns before you buy. Browning, Winchester, Beretta, Benelli all make excellent semi-autos. Remington, Stoeger, Franchi, etc are also OK, but not top dogs in NEW semi-autos.