Shotgun for $200

Six months ago I bought a Stevens 520 off Gunbroker for $199. Cost me $25 for shipping and $20 for incoming transfer, though.

For my $244 I got an old-fashioned-looking, ninety year old 12ga pump shotgun with almost no original finish and a few minor dings in the stock. It was designed by John Browning, and like many of his later long arms, it's a takedown design - open the breech, spin the magazine tube a couple of times, push the button in the trigger guard, and the gun splits into two pieces. It's all machined steel and wood; no castings, aluminum, or plastic.

It's old and looks it, but it's way cool and functions perfectly.

Gun safe room is tight. Looks like the almost-new Mossberg is going to get voted off the island in favor of the weird old antique.

520's are a good, underrated shotgun. A bit heavy, but solid as a rock.

I never purchase the least expensive product available. Neither do I purchase the most expensive unless it is footwear. I’ve found that spending the least amount possible incurs hidden costs. On the other hand spending absolute top dollar has diminishing returns. There are of course exceptions to every rule.

Three years ago a friend of mine called and asked me what the least expensive tactical pump shotgun was. I asked what he wanted one for. He said he wanted to spice up the marriage and take some pictures of his wife wearing a camo thong and holding a shotgun. My friend has always thought outside the box. After looking around I told him about the Pardner so he bought one. Supposedly there are photos but his wife is a very successful attorney and they will never see the light of day. Anyway the shotgun now resides at their ranch and gets used all the time by anyone who wants to shoot it. The shotgun has been dead on reliable. Even with that heart warming little story, and it is true, I’d still feel more comfortable spending $100.00 more for a new 870, 500 or getting a used Wingmaster etc.

I'm just stuck on new,I paid $199.99 for my Maverick 88 three years ago.

The Wingmaster will have better resale value as a used item. You won't lose money, and it might even gain in value...unless it's worn out and in need of work. A Maverick will depreciate from new, but at that price point it's negligible. Haven't owned a Remington, but had a Maverick field gun that I purchased new maybe 20 years ago and it worked fine the few times I shot it. One thing I remember about it though was that the bore had a kind of rough surface, but the factory said that was normal and would smooth out with use.

grabagun.com Mossberg 500 brand new and no credit card fees 7.99 shipping


Take your pick on configuration

Big 5 Sporting Goods has RIA M5's for $199.

I like mine.

I have been real happy with my Hawk 982. Very stout 870 knockoff. I'd wager to bet it is better than a new 870. No mim junk in it.

I'd pay a little bit extra and get the Mossberg 500 and keep Americans employed making American guns.

If we are all going to chase the lowest price simply for the sake of having something now, then who is going to buy what you're producing or selling if I can get it from Turkey, China, Egypt or Pakistan for a few dollars less?

The permanently-attached action bars on my buddy's Mossberg 88 failed after a hundrd rounds or so. This is apparently one difference between the designs of the 88 and the 500. His gunsmith replaced the 88-style arms with a set of 500-style arms and it has been gtg since.

Based on that experience, I'd choose the Wingmaster (or a 500) over the Maverick at that price point.

If the Remington 870's were like about these or in better condition I'd pick up one of the Wingmasters.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/121956

i had the same question on my mind back last fall, i had not very much money and needed a shotgun for deer season and home, i finally went with a maverick 88 and glad i did. shoots great, no problems with feeding or ejecting, love the gun.

I can tell you this. Our department has relegated our 870 expresses and wingmasters to range qualification only because everytime we shoot them something breaks on them. We are issued Mossbergs with pistol grip m4 style stocks. In fact we are totally getting rid of the 870s all together here real soon. That should tell you something about Remington's quality over the last 10 yrs as far as the express and wingmaster lines go.

Browning said:

If the Remington 870's were like about these or in better condition I'd pick up one of the Wingmasters.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/121956

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That's almost exactly what I did; bought a trade-in Wingmaster and added 20" rifle-sight barrel, an extended magazine tube, a synthetic fore end and speed-feed stock, and a side saddle. It's no looker, that's for sure, but it points and shoots well and operates with an action that's slicker than seal snot on an iceberg...

Stay safe!

Riomouse911 said:

That's almost exactly what I did; bought a trade-in Wingmaster and added 20" rifle-sight barrel, an extended magazine tube, a synthetic fore end and speed-feed stock, and a side saddle. It's no looker, that's for sure, but it points and shoots well and operates with an action that's slicker than seal snot on an iceberg...

Stay safe!

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I really regret not picking up a police dept surplus Remington 870 Wingmaster that we had at the gunshop that I worked in during the late 90's.

Cool gun. Too bad they can't tell stories. For some reason used guns like that with a military or police history are just more interesting than a new gun (not that I'd buy a new Rem now).

If I wasn't full up on shotguns I'd probably buy one just like these in the ads.

At least I still have a Rem 870 Marine Magnum from back then though.

Analogkid said:

I have been real happy with my Hawk 982. Very stout 870 knockoff. I'd wager to bet it is better than a new 870. No mim junk in it.

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Yup. The H&R Pardner Protector is the same gun. Very solid and heavy duty. It functions as smooth as my 70s, 870 Wingmaster which sold me on it over a Maverick 88 which is a good gun. 159.00 new on a holiday sale sealed it. Patterns 00 buck center of target and puts 1 oz slugs on a 6" paper plate at 50yds holding the bead on top of the receiver. Love it.

I'd look at the police trade-ins first. Ugly but smooth? Sure.
On the other hand, I bought a 20" 8-round Maverick 88 a few years ago for that, and can't speak highly enough for something that price new. Any parts can be replaced with even more solid ones.
And for what it's worth, I got a used 870 Express for $175 OTD, great metal and acceptable wood, and functionally perfect--just worn in but not wearing out. Albeit with a 28" barrel which isn't in vogue locally, but might be worth keeping an eye out for something even nicer than the trade-ins for that price.

Min said:

For this amount of money, would you pick an old beat-up Remington 870 Police or Wingmaster, or a new Maverick 88, Pardner Pump, etc?

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If you look, you can add a lightly used Mossberg 500 to that list. I prefer the tang safety of the 500 over the Maverick 88. A lightly used 500 will outlast you.

Browning said:

I really regret not picking up a police dept surplus Remington 870 Wingmaster that we had at the gunshop that I worked in during the late 90's.

Cool gun. Too bad they can't tell stories. For some reason used guns like that with a military or police history are just more interesting than a new gun (not that I'd buy a new Rem now).

If I wasn't full up on shotguns I'd probably buy one just like these in the ads.

At least I still have a Rem 870 Marine Magnum from back then though.

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I'll hazard a guess that the vast majority of police shotguns don't have a great amount of stories...which, in all honesty, is a good thing. I know the ones I carried in my units these past decades were driven around a lot and only taken out on rare occasions. There are certainly those guns who were a part of seminal moments that could tell some amazing stories; North Hollywood, the SLA shootout, the gangster wars of the 1920's, various riots, etc. but I'll guess most were mainly passengers "riding shotgun" on daily patrols. That is why they make such great guns for their second life in our hands; carried a lot, shot a little.

Now military shotguns; WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam etc. that were held in the hands of those who were in combat? I'll bet many of those guns saw a LOT of history, and those are stories I would love to hear!

The marine 870's with the resistant finish were a really good idea, and those that I have seen have always appeared to be in pretty good shape. I don't know if any were ever aboard a boat in a true "marine" environment, but they looked tough enough to shake it off. Hang onto that one, it's a real keeper!

Stay safe!

I still say that if you are going to get an old beater make sure you go over it with a fine toothed comb. I would probably even let a gunsmith check it out and let you know if there is anything that needs to be done. Then replace any parts that need replacing yourself.

I sold a whole bunch of 200 dollar guns and bought a citori. should have done it years ago. would have saved a ton of money. dc

Didn't browning make a tactical pump called the bps or something?

I’ve had several sub-$200 guns, and love them because I nearly always can fix what’s broke, and never have to worry about messing up the finish.

This is my Stevens 520. It came with a 32” full choke barrel, but I also cut down and fit an orphaned 20” barrel extension to it for “options”. I think I have $200 in the whole rig.