[Alex23]

What would people recommend when it comes to a cheapish 12ga for clay shooting? I haven't shot clays in a long time but think I'd like to get into it again. I will most likely be buying second hand. I used to use a semi-auto Remington I inherited (can't remember the model) but sold it long ago.

Would you recommend a double barelled, pump, or auto?

Thanks.

[ArmedBear]

Sporting Clays, or some other discipline?

CDNN has some pretty decent options right now, for clearance prices.

Fit matters, as you know. A $1000 Belgian-made Winchester O/U is a deal if and only if it works for you, for example.:)

[mgkdrgn]

Nobody ever got fired for buying an 870 pump.

[Alex23]

Thanks. $1000 is a bit to steep for me considering I'm not looking at any kind of competition shooting at this point. More like me and the wife in the field out back. :D

I have seen some 870s in pawn shops and the like for around the $200-300 mark....like this:

Remington 870 Express Magnum 12GA
LIKE NEW Remington 870 Express Magnum 12GA

$249.00

*** URL REDACTED ***



$249

Decent price?

[ArmedBear]

More like me and the wife in the field out back.

Ah. That's different. That gives you a lot more options.

I have had fun with an ancient Ithaca 66 SuperSingle 20 Gauge, doing that. I picked it up off a guy for 50 bucks.

You can get a new 870 Express for under 300 bucks. That's one reason I haven't sold mine and probably won't ever. I won't get squat for one with a fair amount of use when a new one, with the nicer current stock and rib, is under $300. I'd rather just keep the gun, which works fine.:)

Do you and your wife want to shoot the same gun? Would the same gun fit you? Is she above average height and strength? I've seen too many smaller people -- in good physical shape -- leaning back to balance an 870 12 Gauge. You really can't hit anything that way. There are some women whose size, limb length, and strength are a good match for a stock 870 Express 12 Gauge, but they are not the majority. (I knew a woman who was an ace with big, heavy trap guns, but, while she was a real estate agent, she had been a truck driver in Alaska when they built the pipeline. She wasn't burly, but she was tall and strong enough to wrestle those old semis along bad roads for a living.)

For shooting out back, there's no reason the gun has to be pristine. It can be more fun if it isn't. Two beater H&R single shots that actually fit you and your wife well would be better than a brand new Krieghoff that doesn't.:)

[Alex23]

Do you and your wife want to shoot the same gun? Would the same gun fit you? Is she above average height and strength? I've seen too many smaller people -- in good physical shape -- leaning back to balance an 870 12 Gauge. You really can't hit anything that way. There are some women whose size, limb length, and strength are a good match for a stock 870 Express 12 Gauge, but they are not the majority. (I knew a woman who was an ace with big, heavy trap guns, but, while she was a real estate agent, she had been a truck driver in Alaska when they built the pipeline. She wasn't burly, but she was tall and strong enough to wrestle those old semis along bad roads for a living.)
Excellent point. She's above average strength and height at 5'9" but not burly, I think she may well prefer a 20 ga. now that you mention it. She doesn't mind hard kicking handguns but it's a bit different taking it in the shoulder.

For shooting out back, there's no reason the gun has to be pristine. It can be more fun if it isn't. Two beater H&R single shots that actually fit you and your wife well would be better than a brand new Krieghoff that doesn't.
That makes a good deal of sense. Hmmm, will investigate...

Thanks.

[ArmedBear]

WRT the guns, it's not recoil that's the main issue. Heavier guns will kick less. However, what I've seen is that guns that weigh too much for a person's upper body size and proportions tend to pull them forward, and give them a feeling of tipping over. To compensate, the shooter will lean back. It's like a crane lifting a heavy bridge girder: the crane has to be the right size to counterbalance the weight of the cargo.:)

BTW still check CDNN for some fun guns. There are O/U and SxS shotguns, 12 and 20, in their catalog in the few-hundred-buck range. These could be fun and practical.

[hometheaterman]

Remington 1100 would be my choice. I'd make sure it was an older one though as I wouldn't get a new Remington. The quality just doesn't seem to be there anymore. If I was to get a 870 I'd only get a wingmaster. I wouldn't get an express.

[sfc_mark]

Seeing as you're in Academy Sports territory, check out the Yildiz O/U. It's a great deal at $400. My son has one in 12 ga and it's a winner. I'm planning to pick one up in 20 ga since I can't justify the cost of another Beretta.

[Virginian]

There have not been many guns made that will kill clay pigeons better than a nice used Remington 1100. And few that shoot softer. 12 or 20 gauge both work well in my opinion, and there are a gazillion around so finding one won't be an issue.

[clang]

Rem 1100 is a good choice if you like how it feels. For semi-auto, I would also look for a used Beretta 390.

Rem 870 is always a good place to start any kind of shotgun shooting. Many people on this site are also saying the Mavericks are a decent gun too, but I never owned one.

Stoeger Condor/Rem Spartan/etc. inexpensive shotguns that tens to go bang every time you shoot them. If you can find a used one, they should be CHEAP. You have to be carefull when looking at inexpensive O/Us, some were pretty badly made guns which is why most people will steer you to a pump gun in this price range.

Steven 311 SxS and the store brand guns they made - good serviceable SxSs. A bit of a utilitarian quality to them. Used to be plentifull and cheap, but are a little harder to find nowadays.

[ArmedBear]

A Remington 1100 is a good choice for shooting out back if you think cleaning dirty guns is a lot of fun.

[Snarlingiron]

For semi-auto, I would also look for a used Beretta 390.

That would be my suggestion, and is exactly what I did when I first got into shooting clays. I found a nice wood stocked A390ST with 30" barrel for $475.00 at a local gun shop. I now own 12 shotguns, and this is still my favorite. It is dependable as an anvil and with 1 oz. target loads is a pleasure to shoot.

[colonelhogan44]

I shoot a Mossberg Maverick, and I couldn't be happier. It kills squirrels, rabbits, birds, clay pigeons and just about everything else without a hiccup.
All for right around 200 bucks.

[batmann]

If you want 'soft' shooting, hard to beat a good Remington 1100. If you are in the market for a good, reasonably priced O/U, look at Mossberg's O/U series.

[ArmedBear]

I knew a number of people who bought those Mossbergs (Khans, actually). They all broke down, and soon.

I wouldn't get one for shooting clays out back. I'd figure on a good number of rounds going through the gun, since it's going to be cheaper than paying range fees.:)

[MCgunner]

Ehh, I prefer my guns built out of steel. Aluminum is fine for the receivers, but clay is a bit brittle.:scrutiny:
























:p

[Alex23]

Thanks for the replies. I had a look at a bunch of used Remington 870s today. One very clean one and a few slightly more battered 'Magnum' models (no need to shoot the larger loads here).

Prices were hovering around the 250 mark. Seemed a tad high to me but I do not know what used shotgun price are reasonable. The one I like looked barely used - barrel was very clean and the stock was almost totally unscathed.

The Beretta semis run more as did the 1100s.

Now just need to find some used Mossbergs and take a look.

[MCgunner]

Keep an eye out for used Winchesters, too, 1300 or the 1400 automatic. The 1300s are more common and they really are slick guns. You might bet either a 1300 or 1400 cheaper than you can get an 870 if they're running that much. I have the 1400 autoloader and love the thing, softest shooting 12 gauge I've ever shouldered. Reliable, too, if you keep it clean. It's a gas gun and needs a cleaning after shooting. I let mine go for a whole dove season one year when I had a dove lease and was shooting a lot. Only toward the end did I start having some jams. But, it's easy to run some hoppes in the gas cylinder and mop it out with a rag.

[sarduy]

under $220

Norinco (interstate armory)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_288/products_id/91401

maverick 88:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42608
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42605
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42628

under $300

Charles Daly
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_224/products_id/58243 (this is the one i ordered)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_224/products_id/36376

under $360
mossberg 500:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46281

Mossberg 590 (my favorite, a gift from my wife, but i cant have it untill then)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46282 (she have it on lay-away untill feb-14 )

[Alex23]

Great links.

That Mossberg Maverick 31010 looks very appealing...

[MCgunner]

The maverick is very affordable, a cheap Mossberg basically and I think even barrels will interchange on 'em. It has a crossbolt safety and a few budget differences. Academy had 'em on sale a while back for 150 bucks brand new.