Suggestions for my 1st shotgun

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sloo50

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
99
Location
Chesapeake Virginia
I am currently researching my 1st shotgun. This will be used for an occassional skeet, but mostly just for fun. I was hoping to find a reliable rifle for a reasonable cost. Budget of around $600.00

I was hoping to find something in a 26" barrel or less......

Please let me know what YOU would get if you were me and your reasons.
I always come to THR for advice and reccomendations. So thanks in advance!!
 
870 remington....ordered to taste.


best shotgun you can buy....not the cheapest or the most expensive...just the best (unless we are talking sweet OS's or SXS;s...strictly for sporting) I LOVE the 870 wingmaster though...even my riotgun is made from one)
 
A shotgun is more like a pair of shoes. You need to try several brands to see if they fit right and feel good. The Mossberg 500 works for me and with the money left over you can buy lots of shells !!!
 
Remington 870 express magnum. Uses all shells from 2 3/4" through 3 1/2"
buy a few choke tubes , MOD, Imp Cylinder, Full, Rifled, Turkey

Covers Dove, quail, Turkey, squirrel, rabbit, deer and just about anything else
 
Look at the Mossberg 500 series as well as the 870. There are some crucial differences depending on who is using it. Safety position, stock fit, ease of putting shells in magazine, etc. all should play a part in your decision. And, if you like a semi-auto, there is the Mossberg 930 and lots of used 1100, 1187, .........., the list is long. All for a reasonable price as well. How much you are going to spend, what you will be using it for as to fun, and so on. If it were mainly for fun, don't forget the saiga either. I know one guy who occassionally uses his for skeet (and does quite well). The rest of the time he is blowing holes using buckshot and slugs.
Figuring out what to get is half the fun.;)
 
There are many good guns for that price. As many others have suggested, the Remington 870 is an outstanding choice. I've had one for many years and have had no problems with it.
 
Standard 870 Remington!

You DO NOT need or want a 3 1/2" chambered pump gun unless you are a duck / goose hunter and have to use steel shot. In that case, you want a semi-auto anyway because they don't kick quite as hard as a pump!

The standard length 870 with 2 3/4" shells will handle faster, pump shorter, carry easier, kick less, and hit more birds/clays then any 3 1/2" chambered shotgun ever made.

If it was me, I'd look for an older really good used 870 Wingmaster that was only a 2 3/4" chamber. I think the 870 quality was even better back then!

1224.jpg
rcmodel
 
I guess I'm not the only one then...I buy about every good clean old 2 3/4" wingmaster that comes through the shop. Plus no "nubs" in the mag tube if you want an extention you just screw it on...and they have the ball detent for the wilson extention...no need for ugly clamps ect I alsway feel guilty when I cut a plain bbl down and take the pretty wood off on my tac gun buildups though :uhoh:

slickest remington 870's ever made in my opinion My tac-gun is out of the memphis police arsenal. It's been unpgraded to flexitab ect -all their guns had worn parts replaced and some small parts upgrades...bought a bunch off the FFL that sold them their new HG's...called every bud I had and sold em all in a couple weeks. A whole arsenal of wingmaster riotguns...must have had some old timey wise gun guys there in charge in MPD ;)
 
I'm a big fan of the Mossberg 500. I bought the Field/Security Combo for $239. (Combo comes with a 28" barrel, 18.5" barrel, full size wooden stocks, composite pistol grip, 3 chokes and a choke wrench) The 500 will shoot from light 2.75" shells up to and 3" Magnum shells.

My son is a big fan of the Remington 870 Express Magnum. It will shoot the same shells as listed above and it too is a great shotgun. We paid $199 for the 870.

IMO both are outstanding shotguns for the price and you should buy the one you feel more comfortable with. Handle them both because the release and safety are located differently on both. Loading feels different too so check that out before you buy. You won't make a wrong choice with either IMO.

If you want to spend the whole $600 on a shotgun you can buy a "nicer" gun but not a "better" one for your stated needs.
 
I'd look at semis. A pump can be a pain for shooting doubles, and to me, for "just fun" doubles are great. I'm not sure on what barrel lengths are available, but good options available used in your price range include Remington 1100 or 11-87, Benelli Montefeltro (paid $675 for mine, but paid a bit more than I needed to--they can be found for $600-650), Franchi. I believe there's a version of the Beretta 391 or 3901 available from Wal-Mart for under $600, but only because I've seen people mention it here. My WM doesn't sell guns.

Alternatively, the Stoeger Condor O/U.

Heck you can even get an old A5 for under $600.

I think pumps are great for hunting and for defense, but for clays of any kind, imvho almost anything is a better choice.
 
Thanks for all the replies folks. I had the opportunity to handle a Mossberg 500 this weekend. Felt nicely made, weight was minimal and the price seemed fair.
Looked at the 870 too. Both felt about the same weight.
I will keep looking, as I am no major rush to buy something. Hopefully I will get a chance to fire a few before making a decision.

Keep the replies coming, and thank you all!

Wes
 
A few other good options to consider

Browning Auto 5 they turn up used if you look around they are one of the first if not the first semi auto shotgun been around since 1905 recoil operated.
Check the forearm for cracks were it meets the receiver thats were one will most often find any crack in the wood.

Ithaca 37 a bottom ejecting shotgun its made from forged steel and has a shorter action than an 870 or Mossberg the barrel is mounted using interlocking threads into the receiver and not a crush or press fit between the barrel and receiver.
Unless you plan to later add a magazine extension the Ithaca is IMO a better hunting shotgun than the 870 side by side same barrel length it is shorter lighter and ideal for a lefty or right handed shooter.

Remington 1100 11/87 A good semi auto gas operated shotgun with a forged steel receiver and decades of them being produced some with extremely high round counts through them.
Many good deals on these I have used ones at gun shows for as little as $275-300 depending on condition and sellers motivation to sell it.
If you get a used one the only thing to worry about if you shoot a LOT is the O ring may need to be replaced.

A Remington 11 Shotgun can be had for as little as $200 at some pawn shops or gun shows it is also a Browning design (as is the A 5 and Ithaca 37) the main difference being no magazine cut off and inch instead of metric threads on screws and parts.

You may luck out and find a well used Winchester Model 12 they are a classic and worth keeping if you come across one in good condition at a low enough price.

You can also for not allot of money find a good new or used Savage pump they are a meat and potatoes working mans shotgun nothing extra fancy do not expect to find high grade wood on one they are simple basic solid working tools.

I would not own another Mossberg again they do not hold up to allot of long term use they are cheaper for a reason than some of the other choices.
Yes they are lighter and often feel nice in the hand that's because aluminum and plastic are light weight compared to steel and Walnut. YMMV but if the shotgun is to be kept and used for years or decades IMO go with a more solid shotgun. I never regretted stepping up to a better shotgun a good one will last into your grandkids lifetime if taken care of.

After firing a Remington 1100 or A 5 next to a Mossberg you may be surprised as the recoil will be less especially with the 1100, shot to shot times will be faster and if its your Mossberg you may at that point consider selling it.

Best of luck on your search allot of good deals out there be patient and research your purchase after all when everything is said and done its your money and you have to be happy with what you bring home.
 
I personally prefer the Mossbergs to the Remingtons due to the safety location and the fact that there is nothing blocking the magazine tube when the gun is "at rest."

AD
 
I prefer the Mossberg 500 over the Remington 870 for the following reasons:
(1) The physical location of the safety and slide release are more user friendly.
(2) The shell elevator does not get in the way when loading (try loading an 870 with gloves on).
(3) Larger standard factory magazine capacity.
(4) Duel shell ejectors.
(5) And last, but not least, the 500's quality, durability, and reliability is just as good as the 870...and costs less.
 
I used a double barrel 12 ga from when I was 10 to 14.
I used a Win 1897 pump 12 ga from when I was 14 to when I was 24
I used a Savage Stevens pump 12 ga from when I was 24 until I was 30
I used a Mossberg pump 12 ga from when I was 30 until I was 34
I used a Win 1897 pump 12 ga from when I was 35 until I was 42.
When I was 42 I bought more than a dozen shotguns and one was a Browning A5.
I now [at age 56] own 5 of the 1905 design shotguns, and realize that I have wasted my youth on inferior shotguns.

BrowningA-5Light12Closeup.jpg

The A5 is almost a "never miss gun". I say "almost" becuase a chucker got away from me, once.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
Any suggestions for my 1st shotgun
Replies
8
Views
464
BhmBill
B
F
  • Locked
Need Advice on 1st Shotgun purchase
Replies
14
Views
900
Marshall
M
W
  • Locked
Buying my first shotgun
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
kev778
K
C
  • Locked
Competitive trap and skeet shotgun.
Replies
10
Views
1K
cat_IT_guy
cat_IT_guy
W
  • Locked
Starter Shotgun for Young Competitor (Inexpensive?)
Replies
11
Views
999
JNewell
J
Back
Top