[Labyrinth666]

Hey guys, I'm 16 and I live in southern Illinois. I have been thinking about getting a pump-action shotgun. I was thinking something like an 870, but i'm not really sure what to get. I wanted something more for home defense, I've got about $1,100 to spend, so help me out here.

[Virginian]

Buy a used 870 or Mossberg and shoot it some. Both are good guns that work, and are available cheap because there are so many of them. After you have shot a while you will form your own opinions about what you like and dislike. As long as you take reasonable care of it, you should get every dime back when you decide what you want long term and trade it off. If you decide to keep it it will probably still outlive you.
I did not inherit any shotguns, and I went thru 4 before I found the "right" gun for me. I found it 46 years ago at age 15, and though many have come and gone, I still have that 1100.

[Labyrinth666]

do you have any thoughts on the super nova series, or should I just stick with the 500 and 870?

[benatilstate]

I would stick with the 870 or 500 for your stated purpose - i had one of each for some time and they are both great low-cost utility weapons. While there is nothing wrong with the Nova, I dont think there is any gain over the other two that would warrant the additional price tag.

[mgkdrgn]

First .. take $600 of the $1100 off the table. Put it away for college or something, $500 is MORE than enough.

To paraphrase an old IBM commercial .. "Nobody ever got fired" for buying a Rem 870 or Mossy 500. Good solid shotguns that you will be able to pass along to YOUR children if you take reasonable care of them.

More accessories available for the 870 than the Mossy ... but no need to get all "Tacticool" to get the job done. Buds right now has some very nice 870 Police trade in's for 1/2 of the $500 you have left on the table that will do just fine. I'd take a good well used Wingmaster over a shiny new "Express" any day of the week.

I still have the first 870 I ever bought .... nearly 40 years ago. I've got my dads too. Never bothered to buy another shotgun ... never needed one. Hunting, skeet, trap, sporting clays, HD ... it's done it all and done them all reasonably well.

[Fred Fuller]

Best advice I can give is to do your experimenting on someone else's dime, if you can. Talk to family and friends, find out who has what kind of shotgun, and see if you can set up a range session. You should pay for your own ammo for these outings, if you can set them up, and maybe think about springing for lunch as well.

Your age may be a complicating factor in some regards, I don't know. I usually suggest rental guns at gun clubs or shooting ranges as a possibility for folks who aren't related to or don't know anyone who hunts/shoots who are willing to take them shooting. There's an awful lot of people in that situation these days, it seems. You might be able to get a parent to help you out in that regard if it's necessary.

I always suggest a 'try before you buy' approach to getting a first shotgun. It's possible to get some sense of how a given make/model feels to you and how it fits in a gun store, but nothing beats some trigger time on different guns to figure out what you like and what works for you. But even just handling a few different guns at your local FFL dealer is a better approach than depending on "buy this" or "buy that" advice on the 'net.

It's going to be your gun, not ours...

One more thing. If you don't have a copy already, spend a few of your hard won dollars on this book: http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly/aapr_oldman_boy.htm . It'll do you good.

hth,

lpl

[bigalexe]

I'm 16 a wanted something more for home defense

Not trying to pry into your living situation but at that age my parents ruled the house. Are they aware you want to buy a gun to shoot intruders?

[AcceptableUserName]

Like Lee said, try before you buy. You may like the feel of the Remington better. You may like the ergonomics of the Mossberg better. You might like a used Winchester 1300. A Benelli nova?

I'm a Mossberg guy, personally. 1,100 dollars is certainly overkill for a pumpgun...although if I had it I'd probably get a SPAS-12, just because. :D

[hub]

First .. take $600 of the $1100 off the table. Put it away for college or something, $500 is MORE than enough.

He is right, even if your looking to buy a really nice pump you can do it for around $600. Maybe a little more than half of that if you buy used. When I say nice I'm more or less talking about looks, quality blued with nicely finished wood stocks like the 870 wingmaster, Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, ect. If your going tactical you can get a express 870, or the Mossberg 590/500 for a lot less.

Personally if I was looking to get a nice HD only shotgun I would look for a Remington 870 police, Ithaca 37 riot, or a Mossberg 590. If I was just looking for something to get the job done I would go for a 870 express, Benelli Nova, or Mossberg 500.

I suggest you go to a local store with a pretty good selection and check them out yourself. If there are none in your area you could always go to Evansville. I think Carmi is only about 15 or 20 miles from there anyway.

Are you into hunting at all? Your area is good for several different kinds of hunting, and really good for deer. The reason I bring that up is if you decide to hunt in the future some of the tactical type shotguns are just not the best choice for double duty. I find it much easier to let a hunting type shotgun fill the HD role than a tactical shotgun filling the hunting role.

I though I would throw that in there just for you to think about. Some of accessories on tactical shotguns makes them not very ideal for hunting, optics, ghost ring sights, lights, extended magazine tubes, most come with short barrels that do not accept choke tubes, also bad if you plan on hunting. You could get other barrels but in the case if the Mossberg 500 you can only use a barrel that fits the extended magazine tube because the barrel screws into the top.

Other factors you may consider are gauge. Are you recoil sensitive? If so you may want to consider 20ga instead of 12ga.

Are you left handed? If so, some prefer the Mossberg's tang safety over the Remington's cross bolt. Some lefty's also prefer the bottom eject of the Browning BPS, or the Ithaca 37 over the right side eject of the 500 and 870.

Like I said go check them out for yourself and see what feels best to you.

[Labyrinth666]

Okay, so what I have understood from this is that the 500 or 870 are the way to go. But there are so many versions of each, so what should I go with there? Also, how do you feel about pistol-grips?<<< maybe with a folding stock?

[WalkAbout]

Pistol grips are a novelty. Even for home defense, get a full stock. They're more accurate, and with an 18" barrel you really aren't losing enough mobility to make the loss of accuracy worth it. JMHO.

b

[rcmodel]

Pistol grip shotguns are best used in video games and movies.

Shotguns with stock are best used for real world purposes.

rc

[oneounceload]

At 16, are you old enough to purchase a long gun?

[Labyrinth666]

if not my father will purchase it for me

[A man with a gun!]

New to shotguns and home defense using one? Don't set aside that $600 bucks for college...

I'd suggest putting it towards some professional training and ammo.

[Labyrinth666]

I have shot a shotgun a few times before, and pistols monthly, I am also not trying to be John Rambo: tactical shotgun ninja. I just need some help on getting something that will go where I put it and stop what I put it in. I'm not going to be running around outside setting up a perimeter with my night vision goggles, it is just a very special gift for the SOB that decides to step foot inside my home unannouced and uninvited.

[tactikel]

You have to decide what your primary use of the gun is. So. Ill has some great Pheasant hunting, also rabbit and squirrel- get a 12 ga 870 or 500 (2&3/4 inch or 3 inch chambers), use the modified choke tube. For ducks or geese 3" steel shot is good. For deer mount a 1.5x-3x scope and shoot slugs. For home defense get a good cell phone and xenon flashlight and a 5 pack of 00 buckshot. Call 911 about the intruder, identify and warn him, if the first 2 fail use the 00 on him. If you can find a used 870 or 500 but it! they both will last several lifetimes with good care. If you buy new, look for sales both will be deeply discounted (esp for Christmas ). Get a good gunlock and lock ammo and firearms separately. Always be safe. Try to shoulder each gun,everybody "feels" each gun differently-you will know which gun mounts better and is for you.

[Labyrinth666]

So are there any sort of accesories that I should get, and does everyone hate the benelli supernova because no one has said anything about it? I mean is there any advantage or disadvantage to the benelli compared to the 870 or 500?

[TimM]

You won't go wrong with an 870 or a Mossberg 500 but don't overlook my favorite.... the Ithaca Model 37.

[Labyrinth666]

Thanks TimM... For not saying anything about benelli...

[hub]

I mean is there any advantage or disadvantage to the benelli compared to the 870 or 500?

Well Benelli makes a fine gun and the Super Nova is no exception. The only disadvantages I see is that there is no factory option for an extended magazine tube and price.

There are aftermarket mag tubes though if you really think you need one.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=178334&t=11082005

The price of the Super Nova is in the same ball park as the Remington 870 police, Mossberg 590, Ithaca 37 riot, Browning BPS. Of those choices I would not pick the Super Nova but that's just my taste and has nothing to do with reliability.

Comparing the Nova to the 870 express, Mossberg 500 I would say they are all about equal except the Nova may cost just a little more. I actually prefer my older Mossberg 500.

So are there any sort of accessories that I should get

Anything you want it's your shotgun, but in my opinion less is more when it comes to a HD shotgun. If I was to put anything on, and that's a big IF, it would be a weapon light and a side saddle.

You can spend hundreds of dollars on extra crap that makes it looks cool but no accessory is a good crutch for inexperience. In all actuality it will probably slow you down or just get in the way when you need it most.

I don't think you will go wrong with any of the pumps mentioned so get what feels best to you and shoot it. A LOT. Learn how it patterns and what it patterns best with, make sure it shoots where you want and is 100% reliable.

[oneounceload]

Try shooting all of the different types and models and see, as mentioned above, which one "feels" right to you. You might try a gun club to borrow/rent these and determine which one fits.

As to accessories, I have a pump in a closet - it wears a side saddle, nothing more. Too many things throw off the balance and swing dynamics and offer chances for Mr. Murphy to rear his ugly head at the wrong moment

[Labyrinth666]

should I just keep the factory sights or should I get like an EOtech? Also, where are good, convenient places to hide it for quick, simple access?
Sorry for the overload of questions, I just want to get it right... "A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others."

[TimM]

Thanks TimM... For not saying anything about benelli...

I am not sure if that is sarcasm or not, I will assume that it is not.

I have 0 experience with the Benelli, I don't even know anybody who has one, so anything that I offered would be conjecture at best.

[Labyrinth666]

I was joking bro, chill out.

[juk]

Get the Remington or Mossberg first.

I have a Mossberg 500 with 3" chamber and 28" barrel. That was my first firearm and I will not let go of it. I know for a fact that I can trust it to do ANYTHING that I can reasonably expect out of it. That includes skeet shooting to duck hunting to home defense. My other Mossberg 500 is 3" chamber, 18" barrel with telescoping stock and fixed choke. It does everything the longer will do but hides in the closet easier.

My Benelli Nova is a great gun. I can't make a complaint about it. It has 3 1/2" chamber and 28" barrel. It is my dedicated duck slayer. If you are not planning on hunting, dont spend the money on a gun chambered in 3 1/2". A 3" shell can do everything a 3 1/2 can do. For general range time and familiarization, you're wasting your money if you shoot anything other than 2 3/4".

Like I said, If I were to make the choice, I would go with the Mossberg or Remington. They are inexpensive and parts and accessories won't cost an arm and a leg (unlike the Benellis.) If you want a short barrel, buy a complete used gun with a full length barrel, then buy a shorter barrel for it. That way, you aren't limited by a fixed choke on the short barrel. You can swap the barrels in under a minute and go from throwing buckshot and slugs (short barrel) to shooting skeet and upland bird hunting (longer barrel with appropriate choke).

Oh yeah, my 500 with the 18" barrel and tele stock isn't anything special. If I didn't get a great deal on it, I would have gotten a plain-jane fixed stock short barrel. 98% of the time, the cool looks and accessories won't do a thing to hep the shooter...unless you are trying to attract stares at the range.

[hub]

should I just keep the factory sights or should I get like an EOtech?

Keep it factory, it's a shotgun that's purpose is defense inside a home. How long of a shot do you think you might have to make inside your home anyway? Like I said it's just more crap to slow you down or fail when you may need it. If it's way too dark to see the bead, then it's way too dark to properly identify your target. That is something that is very important since your not the only one in the house. If it's too dark get a flashlight, and or a tritium replacement bead.

Also, where are good, convenient places to hide it for quick, simple access?

That's up to you. Do you have any younger brothers, sisters,or anyone else that may get a hold of it? Who exactly do you need to hide it from? I'm just saying I don't know your situation, just don't forget the safety of others in your house.

With that being said I used to keep one in the corner behind the door to my room. When the door is open it's hidden, door closed sitting right there. My dad always keep his right under the bed in an open soft case. I have a two year old now to consider and now so I put two screw in type hooks (like the kinda you hang bikes on in the garage) just above the door frame inside my closet. Shotgun is very easy access, just a small jump for me and so far out of the way no one has ever even noticed it and it's sitting up there. I still leave the chamber empty and the safety on just in case.

[Fiv3r]

Howdy, neighbor:)
I'm over in Evansville. About a year ago I was in the same situation that you are (well, except that I'm about 12 years old than you;)). I needed a nice HD shotgun that could do anything else expected of it.

I tried my father-in-law's 500 Persuader. It was nice. 18.5" barrel, 4 + 1 round capacity, tele-stock with shell holder. Certainly LOOKED the part. However, i decided on a little less tacti-cool 870 express synthetic. 18.5" barrel with mag extension giving me a very respectable 6+1 load out, no "murderous looking" features that would come back to bite me on the butt if I should ever have to use it in a SD situation (God forbid).

It's been a fantastic gun. Eats just about anything, cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, should outlive me. Oh, and I'm a lefty. The right side eject and trigger mounted safety are no big deal. As a matter of fact, I have a tang mounted O/U, and I still have to think about how the safety slides to make it fire. With the 870 on my shoulder "flush on the right, ready to fight".

You could get a nice mossie or 870 at Walmart or come over to Evansville to shop at Dick's or Gander Mountain. However, I really like the guys at Strictly Shooting. That's where my father-in-law bought mine (parting gift before he passed away), and they have been great to me. 3 or 4 guns later, and dozens of trips to the range there I have a good relationship with them:)

[Labyrinth666]

yeah I got to strictly shooting's range sometimes, I was thinking gander mountain would be the best for getting a couple of used ones

[Fiv3r]

You might give SS a call first. They usually have better prices than Gouger Mountain. GM has a better selection of used hand guns in different calibers, but check the local guys first

[Labyrinth666]

It doesn't really look like they have that many guns at SS, do they have like a back storage room or is it more "what you see is what you get?"

[Mr. T]

Mossberg 500 or 835, Remington 870 or Benelli Nova (Stoeger has an identical knock off of the Benelli for a fraction of the price).

[chevyforlife21]

i have had the 870 the nova and the 500. all good guns, the 500 seems like crap but it never jams and shoots evertime, the remington is good but the safety and action release are in bad spots, the benelli is awesome but it has a longer pump stroke which makes it slower, and sometimes it will jam if you dont go all the way back. get a mossy if its for defense. if your gonna hunt, or shoot clays get the remington, or benelli. the benelli is easiest to break down and clean everything,followed by remington. mossy is hardest and takes longer but its still not to bad.

[chevyforlife21]

and mr t: the stoeger looks similar but its not, safety is in a differnt spot and no rotating bolt like the benelli.

[bigalexe]

mossy is hardest and takes longer but its still not to bad.

What model Mossberg exactly are you referring to? My 500 can be completely disassembled and reassembled (from barrel on) in 3 minutes. Every time my friend takes his Remington 870 apart he has to get out the video to figure out where the heck all the stops are in the thing. I would definitely dispute the statement that Mossbergs are hard to take apart.

[rcmodel]

the remington is good but the safety and action release are in bad spotsThat's one mans opinion.
I grew up on Model 12 Winchesters & Browning A-5's and have been shooting them for over 50 years.
To me, a trigger guard safety is in the perfect place, faster, and safer then a tang safety.

Why?
Because you have to let loose of the pistol grip with your thumb to use a tang safety quickly.
And it can be released with your bugger hook / bang switch in the trigger guard & on the trigger.

If you like Mossberg tang safetys, fine.
But that doesn't make trigger-guard safetys in the wrong place for experianced shotgunners who prefer something else.

rc