[MikeJ]

Now that I know how to safely secure a shotgun I have to decide which one to get. Once again I ask for your advice and opinions in helping me make this choice. I will be getting a pump action 12 gauge and have looked at Remington, Mossberg and Winchester. I was pretty sure I was going to get the Winchester Defender but would like some expert opinions before I do. Here are my thoughts and questions:

1. I like the "feel" of the Winchester and that it holds 8 rounds. It also seems to have a very smooth action. How is their quality?

2. I have been reading recently on some posts that the newer Remingtons aren't up to snuff quality wise. Is this true? Also, is the 870 Police Magnum worth the extra money? I was just looking at one and the dealer was asking $449 for it. He said that it had all steel internals and was over engineered for police use and abuse.

3. As far as the Mossbergs are concerned, are the 500 series equal to the Winchester or Remington? I picked up a 20" 590 and it just didn't feel right.

4. Finally, am I going to notice a tremendous difference in the smoothness of the actions as I operate these guns.

I have virtually no experience with shotguns and would like to make the right decision the first time. I also don't want to get into customizing it so it needs to be right from the start.

Price is not a terribly big concern as I feel this is something I want to have for the rest of my life. I would spend up to $449 for the Remington if it is really worth it but the basic 870, Defender and 500 all run about $300 and of course I would rather spend less. This is not a gun that is going to be abused or overused by any means. Opinions please, Mike

[Preacherman]

All of the shotguns you list are good choices. The Remington 870 is a superb shotgun, and has sold more than all other makes of pump-action shotguns combined since its introduction. I don't like the modern Express version as much as I do the Wingmaster, due to the economy of manufacture used for the Express (cheaper parts, poorer finish): but it's stone reliable once you've broken it in.

The Winchester is very smooth: the only thing I don't like about it is the aluminum frame, which makes it lighter for carry, but absorbs less of the recoil than the heavier Remington steel frame. Others love it for the lighter frame, because it's less heavy to carry! YMMV.

The Mossberg 500 series is an excellent shotgun, and I own a couple still, even though I'm mainly using Remingtons. If I couldn't buy a Remington, I'd take a Mossberg as second choice.

The Mossberg 500 can hold up to 6 rounds, and can't use a mag extension, whereas the Winchester 1300 Defender model can hold up to 8 (or is it 9? I forget). This gives the advantage to the Winchester, if you're looking at defensive applications. If you want a general-purpose shotgun for sporting as well as defensive use, I'd personally choose the Remington or the Mossberg. I don't think the Police Model is worth the extra money. If you really need the magazine capacity, go for the Winchester Defender up front, and save a couple of hundred bucks! :D

[Dave McCracken]

No BAD choices here, and please let me clarify something....

Old Wingmasters rate as possibly the best pump shotgun ever made. Let the Model 12 fanciers cavil and whine if they wish, the market has spoken with the 870 still in production after 8 million units and the 12 verging on artifact. BTW, I like the 12, just think the 870s is better. If Pop had been a Model 12 fan, things might be different.

New Remingtons aren't quite so well made. Old WMs are great, new ones are still very good, once you win the QC lottery and don't get a Friday, 4:59 PM unit.

Expresses need a bit longer breakin, or the technique up in the floating threads to reach silkiness. It can be done, just takes a bit longer. The 20 gauge here is the LEAST smooth 870 of the 6. It's the only Express, it's been shot the least, and it's still smoother than most other brands.

BA/UU/R fixes the shuck, and good lubing protects the finish indefinitely.

I suggest trying out the Big Four, plus that new Eye-talian upstart, the Nova. Go with the one that FEELS best. It's the pianist, not the piano, that makes the music.