Help me pick out a 12g for HD, please...

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Your best gun for the money is to buy an old used Remington 870 Wingmaster hunting gun for $200, chop the barrel to 20", and spend the other$300- $400 you saved on practice ammo & range time.

It's not the arrow, it's the indian shooting it you really need to worry about.

rc
 
This is one of those Ford vs Chevy type debates, I think most people would agree you can't go too wrong with either a mossberg 500 / 590 or a Remington 870 Express or Wingmaster just beware a lot of the tacticoool stuff is just that. Mossberg has recently (in the last couple of years) introduced several of these tacticoolized HD shotguns, just beaware if you buy into them that part of what your buying is the image, the question you should ask yourself is if you ever have to use it, do you want to find yourself in a court room with a DA holding the gun up as evidence, particularly if it includes wording about "zoombie slayer, etc. in large print on the side) Key features tend to be relatively short 18.5 to 21 inch barrel, an extended capacity magazine and maybe a good quality slide mounted weapons light.
 
Actually you better have a good arrow! Remmy 870 used less than 300 all day long.
 
Your best gun for the money is to buy an old used Remington 870 Wingmaster hunting gun for $200, chop the barrel to 20", and spend the other$300- $400 you saved on practice ammo & range time.

It's not the arrow, it's the indian shooting it you really need to worry about.

rc
Great advice. I'd look for one from the late 80s through late 90s. If you can't find one for some reason, next recommendation would be a Mossberg 590/A1.

Do not think the NIB Remington 870 Express is equal quality to a Wingmaster from the 80s and 90s. They aren't even in the same league. Pee-wee versus Majors, no joke.
 
This is one of those Ford vs Chevy type debates, I think most people would agree you can't go too wrong with either a mossberg 500 / 590 or a Remington 870 Express or Wingmaster just beware a lot of the tacticoool stuff is just that. Mossberg has recently (in the last couple of years) introduced several of these tacticoolized HD shotguns, just beaware if you buy into them that part of what your buying is the image, the question you should ask yourself is if you ever have to use it, do you want to find yourself in a court room with a DA holding the gun up as evidence, particularly if it includes wording about "zoombie slayer, etc. in large print on the side) Key features tend to be relatively short 18.5 to 21 inch barrel, an extended capacity magazine and maybe a good quality slide mounted weapons light.
Great post.
 
1st - Used 870 Wingmaster or Police
2nd - Used 870 Express HD

Put on a quality weaponlight and 18-18.5 inch barrel, then shoot it until it is part of you.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Lotta good pump guns for that price. I preferred the 870 Police until I got my hands on an old Ithaca 37 DSPS. I love that old warhorse.

All you need is a gun that fits your build, feeds well, and goes bang every time. All the black paint and plastic in the world is going to make a bigger hole in a bad guy.
 
I still have my old Mossberg 500, 18 1/2 barrel, extended mag tube, fiber optic front bead and all. But it's just for show now.

The gun next to the bed at night is a Benelli M2, although I would take a Mossberg 930 HD model just as quickly. Modern semis are extremely reliable now and as I age (somewhat ungracefully) I find I am much faster with a semi than a pump.
 
Do you want a new gun or used one? If you want a new gun I would go with a Mossberg 590A1. If you don't mind a used gun either the Mossberg 590A1 or Remington 870P would work. Another possibility is a used 870 Wingmaster and sell the barrel for an 18 or 20 inch barrel. Of course with the Wingmaster you could keep the barrel and buy a seperate barrel for HD. That way if you decide to use it for something other than HD you would be good to go. Sometimes 2 barrels are better than 1.
 
I like the Mossbergs. Budget? Oh, $500-600. Likes and dislikes of them?
Try to find BPS with long one piece magazine tube and 20" barrel. I looked over one at local Gander Mountain and the thing had SUPER smooth pump stroke. It must have been the finish they used on that model. The price was just under $500 if I recall correctly. I looked long and hard but don't seem to be able to find another one to buy.
 
I just got a Mossberg 930 spx for $700, alway wanted an auto. Im going to pick up a 590 next. You cant go wrong with an 870 either, just get the one that feels right. Im a lefty so the saftey is better on the Mossbergs for me.
 
A good used Mossberg 500 series or a Remington 870 Wingmaster.Both are proven guns and have a lot of industry support.500-600 can buy a couple of guns and a few boxes of shells/accessories.
 
I've been following this thread and like the advice on a older 870 and cut down the barrel. What's the proper way to cut the barrel down? Can I just replace the barrel with a 18 to 20 aftermarket barrel? If I found a barrel for the right price.
 
I like the Mossbergs. Budget? Oh, $500-600. Likes and dislikes of them?

I bought a Mossberg 500 Persuader with 20" barrel and 7+1 capacity I believe for $334.00 a few months back. It will do everything you need for HD. Use the extra money for ammo to practice and have fun. It's a great gun. you don't need parkerized barrels, heatshields, fancy sights extra, etc. for HD IMHO.
 
This Remington 870 Express synthetic 7-shot, popped up locally and I jumped on it. Its LNIB, I was able to get it for $325 including the side-saddle and a bunch of 00 buck. All it really needs is a light and sling for HD use.

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Mossberg vs Remington = Ford vs Chevy, they all do the job they are intended to do.

You won't go wrong with either a Mossberg or Remington, new or used. They are both good shotguns. I own a couple of Mossberg 500s and a Norinco 98 (knockoff of Rem 870 police). I prefer the Mossberg shotguns because of location of the safety since I shoot left handed most of the time. I haven't had any problems out of any of my pump shotguns and wouldn't hesitate to grab either the Mossberg or Norinco for HD, I wouldn't hesitate to grab a Remington 870 either. I would not pass up a Winchester or Ithaca pump either.
 
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