School me on shotguns.

[BigBlock]

I've fired a shotgun once, about 15 years ago. That's about all I know about them. I want a cheap, pump action 12 gauge. I always see a bunch at the gunshop for $150-200 used, but I have no idea what's what. I see Mossberg 500's often along with a lot of New England Firearms. Are these good brands?

Also, when buying a used shotgun, what specifically should I check?

[RetiredLawman]

Buy yourself a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 and enjoy!

These are the most popular pumps on the market and will serve you well. They didn't get popular because they are junk. They will outlast you with a minimum of care.

[lipadj46]

Get a used mossberg 500 or remington 870. Look around you should be able to find a used shotgun for cheap. I have heard decent things about NEF shotguns someone posted about them the other day.

[Geneseo1911]

You are very unlikely to find a pump that's worn out. Do your basic function test-trigger, safety, make sure everything cycles ok, ie the shell lifter pops up at the end of the stroker and the shell release moves to allow a round to pop out. On the "big four" as Dave calls them, parts are easy to find and cheap if you do happen to buy a problem child. Dave's "big four" IIRC, are:

Remington 870-the Wingmaster has nicer wood & better finishing than the Express, and so commands a premium

Mossberg 500-generally considered to be on par with the Remington, but cheaper and IMHO it shows a little

Ithaca 37-new ones are being made again, but they are expensive. This is a turn of the century design (one of JMB's) and pretty unique. They load & eject from the same port on bottom. This is great for lefties, but means a shell has to be put in the magazine before it can be chambered....no slapping a shell in the ejection port. Old models made before a certain S/N (is it 855,000?) don't have a disconnector, and can be "slam-fired" nearly as fast as an auto. These older guns however, have hand fitted barrels that can't be changed out.

Winchester 1300-no longer produced. I have one & love it, it has a more complex rotating bolt which gives it inertia-assisted ejection; it will eject the empty on its own if you fire it one handed. Parts such as barrels are much harder to find. The new Win. SXP appears to use the same bolt design, but with a different barrel. I haven't heard much about them yet.

The Benelli Nova & Browning BPS are also earning very good reputations, but will be more expensive.

NEF makes great single shots, but I haven't heard anything either way about their pumps. That said, I would buy a used of any of the above over a new NEF, Maverick 88, or Chinese clone any day. Shotguns are one of those places you almost always get what you pay for.

Also, don't overlook a good used auto if skeet or sporting clays will be in your future. Pumps are great for trap & HD, but are at a slight disadvantage for most games.

[straitshootr]

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500

[halfded]

H&R/NEF pardner pump. It's a remington 870 clone; most, if not all, of the remington 870 parts will fit. I've used grips, fore ends, and a scope mount on mine. All fit fine. The only sacrifice is the bluing wears kind of fast, especially on contact surfaces. No big deal if it's just a HD gun, or a knock around. You can get a duracoat kit and still be under the remington price mark. Never had a problem with mine since the day I bought it. Brother in law bought a remington 870 and after one shot the action would lock up. Called remington and they sent a new barrel. Still having the same problem. Not quite sure what he's going to do about it though.

And the price you as? $159 brand new.

BTW, NEF makes a great single shot too.

[pmeisel]

I've got an old Mossberg that's never disappointed me.... all the guns mentioned above will do the job, fer sure.....

Haven't tried the NEF pump, but their single shots have been good to me.

[22lr]

Any of the big four are great. I think the 37 is the best built out of the mix but ive got a 500 and it works like a charm. For under $200 you should be able to find a nice used Mossberg or Remington.

[KevinAbbeyTech]

I like the Remington 870 best out of the choices.
Mossberg is good too.
I don't really like the NEF's as much as the others.

When buying a used 870, all that is needed it to work the action, and take off the barrel and look down the inside for pitting.

Honestly, the only reason I have ever deemed an 870 no good was when the barrel nut wouldn't come off.

[MCgunner]

If you shoot left handed, do yourself a favor and get a Browning BPS or the Mossberg 500/835.

[ilmonster]

Bigblock - what do you anticipate using the shotgun for? Clays, hunting, home defense? That will help determine what type of barrel you should be looking for. As others have correctly said, a Rem 870, Mossy 500, Browning BPS, etc. are all good SG's. Probably as important as anything else is how any one of those fits you.

[MCgunner]

A pump can be MADE to fit you. Mossberg even makes shim kits so you don't have to cut up pop bottles like I did. Fit is only important on guns that aren't so easy to tailor to you, like O/Us and SxSs. If you have a screw driver, an old 2 liter pop bottle, and a pair of scissors, you can fit the gun to you. Length of pull will require cutting or making shims to place behind a recoil pad. Camber and drop can be adjusted with shims between the stock and receiver.

[BigBlock]

Thanks for the info everyone. The only reason I mentioned NEF is because they're usually the same price new as a used Mossberg. Are they made in China? This will be for home defense and general blowing s**t up in the woods. :D I would like to find one with a stock 18.5" barrel, but those are probably rare right now...so I might end up cutting it if I get a longer one. In the future I might get a tax stamp to go even shorter.

One last thing - how many rounds do these guns hold? Is there a legal max?

[foghornl]

cheap, pump action 12 gauge

Ok let's modify that statement..

"INEXPENSIVE pump action 12 Guage"

One word...Mossberg 500 OK OK...2 words (Or a Maverick 88 will fit your bill)

[Wagon]

ESPECIALLY with today's economy .... I will buy-American. Just my personal opinion, however.

[sm]

yet.

Bob Brister was correct in using for the title for his book-
Shotgunning: The Art & Science.

Get the book, shotgunning really is a Art & Science.

Oh, there is a difference in being a "shotgunner" and someone that owns a shotgun. Big difference

I also suggest getting with seasoned shotgunners that can assist and access you, your needs for your tasks and environments.


i.e.
Gun fit is a huge part of shotgunning, and gun fit encompasses a whole lot more than folks realize.
Oh, and gun fit can and will change with a person too.

I recommend-
First build a solid foundation with knowledge, and correct basic fundamentals, then go purchase a shotgun.

[PT1911]

an NEF pardner pump is the best new gun for the money.. they are priced at about the same as a used mossberg or remington. they are made of all steal and since there production have had an amazing record of durability....in fact some of the things I have heard are really absolutely unbelievable.... they are well worth the 240 you will spend.. you can even get them in camo, carbon fiber, or a variety of other finishes...

[highorder]

This is a shotgun.

A Winchester Model 12 SBS that lives only on my hard drive.

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=93933&stc=1&d=1236234596

[Dimis]

big block what would you say is inexpensive?if your looking between say 200-300 you can get new mossbergs and remingtons in basic trim or used ones that are a bit more equipped for what your looking for at 500-600 you can get a mossberg 590 with a 20 inch barrel and 9 shot capacity (8+1 in the chamber) or a remington 870 in defense trim with an 18.5 inch barrel and 8 shot capacity (7+1 in the chamber) as for legal limit i dont think there is one as for realistic limit the ammo tube will protrude quite a bit past the barrel if you get too extreme its ok to have a few inches beyond the barrel i.e. the three gun shotguns with 15 round tubes but all that ammo equals weight
if your looking for just HD and blow sh*t up you can get almost anything from the used rack and be fine

as for SMs suggestion i dont see that being the case here seeing as i doubt your looking to compete with this gun and just want to get the shooting basics buy cheap first then worry about a fitted firearm

[Archery Ham]

I am on my way to get a Stoeger P350 that was marked down from $299 to $199. It's the new APG camo.

I saw it this morning and "put it on hold" until I finished my morning errands.

:D :D

[Gunfighter123]

As you have seen , the two most popular are the Moss. 500s and the Rem. 870 types.

Do a search here and you will see that each has their fans -- just like Fords vs. Chevys.

If I was getting a first SG , either would do fine , I'd let the price be the decideing factor.

[boalex207]

Look at Charles Daly while you're at it.