Versitle shotgun?

Either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. They will fill roles for wing shooting, deer, turkey, home defense, etc.
$250 ish for the shotgun (but it will the barrel you feel you will use the most) then buy extra barrels as you need them.

I really like the Mossberg 500. Bonuses are that because it's so common replacement barrels are sold in everything from 18 inches for HD, to full vent-rib barrels for bird hunting, to rifled barrels for shooting sabot slugs.

My preference is for the Mossberg 500, but you can't go wrong with an 870. Same benefits as the 500 in terms of being able to customize with barrels and aftermarket accessories if you so choose.

Look for a used Beretta 390. Lighter weight and less clunky feeling than the Mossy, less recoil, superb handling and reliability. I have owned 3 of them in the past and stuck with the 26" barreled gun. It handles like greased lightening and has fed everything that I have fed through it from 1 oz trap loads to 3"steel, slugs and buck included. A superb shotgun that can be had at reasonable prices. I paid $450 for my current A390 ST.

1) Stick with one of the major American manufacturers (Remington or Mossberg) so parts and accessories are widely available and not overly costly.

2) Buy just one shotgun and add at least one extra barrel. Barrels swap out easily. One 26-28" vent rib barrel set up for choke tubes for clay games, wingshooting, small game hunting etc. One 18-20" rifle sight smoothbore barrel for HD, big game hunting etc. Add choke tubes and other accessories as needed.

3) If you want to really save money, buy it all used and not new. Don't rule out an 870 made 20 or 30 years ago because the company did something you don't like a few years ago.

Don't be afraid of a Browning BPS if you come across one. New about $450 and used about 350 around here depending on the condition.

Regardless of what you choose, I agree with others that buying used is usually a better deal if you find what you like and it fits you. Take someone with you that knows shotguns for help. Remember to buy what YOU like rather than what fits your helper. Read about shotgunning a lot and with experience the right combination for your hunting preferences will come to light. Good Luck!

One of the Browning BPS models would be my choice as well.../ and when you're picking a gun you have to decide if shooting 3 1/2" shells is really important to you - because you'll pay more for a gun chambered in 3 1/2" vs the more common 3" in field guns.

Many of us think a 3" gun is plenty ...but that's up to you / most every mfg out there ...makes 3" and 3 1/2" guns in some models...

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f1=011B

but Browning makes about 20 models of the BPS - in all gagues / although I'd suggest you go with a 12ga. BPS Hunter model, 12ga, 28" is my personal choice for a pump gun.....

My vote goes for Mossberg 500 or if you want to save a little more money than that, Mossberg Maverick 88. The 88 is 95% interchangeable with the 500, barrels included.

Mossberg 930 family

The 930 family has something for everyone.

If you can use a bead sight the 930 can go from slug gun to water fowl to HD.

The SPX models with the picatinny rail are not as versatile IMO because of the rail, they would probably be OK as HD or slug gun, but that's it, but the 930 family in general has a lot of different looks.

can the Mossberg handle 3 1/2" shells for turkey?

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The 535 and 835 can, but the 500 cannot. The only time you will find a 12 ga. 3.5" chamber useful is for steel shot and geese. I recently purchased a like new 500 for $200 and the guy was only asking $175 for it (i felt it was worth the extra thrown in) so deals can be had on used guns. I wanted to try a newer model to see if they were indeed smoothed up and quieter than older models as Mossberg had claimed and indeed it is very quiet due to the spring tension on the action bars, but it is still a rough action compared to others.

An 870 is more customizable and of higher quality (even the express models) but the Mossberg is a good gun. I would get a used 500 or an older wingmaster and put the money saved into accessory barrels.

can the Mossberg handle 3 1/2" shells for turkey?

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You don't need 3 1/2" shells for turkey.

I killed one every year I hunted them with a 2 3/4" shell.

In fact, like Uniquedot siad, you don't need 3 1/2" shells for anything unless you have to use steel shot goose hunting.
And I stil got my doubts you even need them then.

The rest of the time, you got a shotgun with a longer OAL, longer receiver, and longer pump stroke then necessary when shooting 2 3/4" shells 99 percent of the time.

rc

I've taken geese with 2 3/4" steel shot. Just gotta get them low.
For gobblers, 2 3/4" or 3" works fine, too.

Personally, I'm in the camp that sees no real need for a 3.5" chamber. But it's not always about need.

can the Mossberg handle 3 1/2" shells for turkey?

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There are very few things in the shooting world that are more overrated than the 3.5" shotgun loads...

allaroundhunter said:

There are very few things in the shooting world that are more overrated than the 3.5" shotgun loads...

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Amen! I could fill a dump truck with the ducks and geese I've killed with 2 3/4 and 3 in 12g. It seems that calling and proper deke sets have become a lost art in favor of long passing shots.

As for the brand, You can't go wrong with either the Mossberg 50 or the Rem 870. Both are time tested. A good used Rem 1100 would be a good choice too.

Mossy 500

A good pump, maybe with a slug barrel and 28" choke tube barrel.

I prefer Mossberg (or Browning, don't have one) ergos, but any good pump that you like.

For ME, hunting Texas snow geese as I do, i'd make it a 3.5" chamber. It's a specialty load, but don't hurt to have it chambered for 3.5". Will still handle dove loads or whatever else. My new to me Mossberg 535 handles 3.5", my 500 doesn't. No, 3.5" aren't overrated if you have a use. Snows are an example, unless you wanna take out a second mortgage and buy some hevishot. I shoot 10 on geese, though, patterns are amazing.

Amen! I could fill a dump truck with the ducks and geese I've killed with 2 3/4 and 3 in 12g. It seems that calling and proper deke sets have become a lost art in favor of long passing shots.

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If you've never hunted Texas on a clear day, you have no clue what you're talking about. And, don't pull experience on me, I started hunting snows at 14. I turned 60 recently. I know all about rags/deeks, and calling. The problem is steel shot, not case length. Case length is an attempt to add BIG T shot in sufficient numbers. Ts carry a punch way out there. 10 gauge, though, patterns 'em better.

I no longer recommend the 870 now that I have invested some time with the Beretta 390. I've bought each 390 of mine (28" barrels) for less than five bills, and bought factory 24" HD worthy barrels for less than two bills each. It'll handle any load from 3/4oz puffs to the heaviest field load with absolute reliability.

It's really the most versatile shotgun that I've owned, and the last one that I'd sell.

just don't have a grand to spend on one what are your recommendations?

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Then spend $500.

another vote for a BPS

Ithaca makes nice shotguns. They are made in Ohio.

To channel our Celestial Moderator.

Read the stickies at the top of the page
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Buy a reliable shotgun you can afford.
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repeat

huntsman said:

Then spend $500.

another vote for a BPS

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Another vote for Browning 'Crow Bar'. It has very good fit and finish plus extra weight will help with them duck/turkey/high velocity slug loads.

If Remington is out, then Mossberg is the sensible choice. Browning is "nicer", but I'd put up the extra money for an Ithaca before I'd go Browning, or even Remington, for that matter.