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First trap gun - recommendations

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DrLaw

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Mar 24, 2007
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Wild Western Illinois
Okay gentlemen, suggestions wanted. I shoot rifles and pistols, but for some reason, have done very little with shotguns (except for what was carried in my squad car way back when).

I have been cajoled into trap shoots now, and rather than borrow a friend's wife's Remington 870 (which really didn't fit for pull), I was thinking of getting something for myself.

Here is the criteria. Simple, 12 gauge, inexpensive and rugged and the reasons for that is I would not be using it as much as other guns I have (those aforementioned rifles and pistols) i.e. about 25-50 shots per session. (time constraints)

Now, what can you gents come up with (I'd invite the ladies opinions, but the wife and daughter want nothing to do with this - yet)

The Doc is out and looking for your prescriptions now, because even us Docs have to be treated sometimes. :cool::rolleyes::D
 
I highly recommend a used 870 Wingmaster. for $250-300 you can get one in nice condition, and its already worn in. If your going to use it solely for trap try getting the longest barrel possible.

But really, the only prescription is more cowbell....

:D
 
Perhaps you should ask Walken what his "weapon of choice" is... :)

I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything other than an 870 for someone with no other shotgun. What's your price range look like?

Right now, I'm using a Ruger Red Label O/U which fits me nicely and points very well. Another option if you like the O/U idea but want to spend a bit less money would be the Huglu shotguns. CZ and DeHaan are the main importers that I know of.
 
12 Gage WingMaster 870TB

I have a vary nice WingMaster 12 Gage 870TB trap gun, Great wood 30" barrel vent rib, 2 beads on rib ,2 3/4'' would let go for 400.00 for a face to face meet , in Michigan . Thanks TEDMI.
 
Sorry, tdb, I'm stuck out here in Wild Western Illinois and not planning on making any trips to Michigan in the near future. It's actually 45 minutes to the nearest expressway north for me and just a trip to Chicago takes up 5 hours.


And for others answering, I did not want to go over $500.00 by much.

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
There's few shotguns questions an 870 is not a good answer for.

Versatility, affordability, durability and a few other "Ty's" in a well handling package.
 
Shooting trap you'll be loading a shell at a time so a repeater is of no advantage. You can get a Baikal single shot 12 guage from Remington/Sparta or H&R for around $100. It's a cheap way to get into the sport and if you decide it's not for you then you aren't out much.

For a little more, $220 gets you a very nice Spartan SPR 100 SC4 trap gun from Buds.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/64/products_id/14178
14178.jpg

If you want to also shoot skeet or clays then you'll need an o/u or repeater.

Good article. http://www.hunttheoutdoors.com/articles/buying-your-first-trap-shotgun-82.html
 
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A beretta 390 or 391.

Best trap/ multi purpose shotgun there is.
Click to expand...
I agree. If I could only have one shotgun the 391 would be it. It is more expensive than an 870 but there is nothing it can't do in the way of shotgun games and bird hunting. It also comes with a couple of butt pads and a shim system to adjust length, drop and cast.
 
Okay, everyone... There's a question to ask first.

DrLaw: what didn't fit on the 870? Is it too short, long or ???
 
It was just that the gun I borrowed from the guy had it custom set up for his wife. It was a family trap shoot and he was hoping she would join in that day. As it was, he let me borrow it since I am the secretary of the club, we were doing a special benefit shoot for the new High School Sporting Clays Target Program team we sponsored this year, and I was there. The stock was set lower than I am used to and he had an adjustable butt plate (recoil pad attached) that he forgot to bring the wrench for, so I had to make do. The pull was a little shorter than a full size regular stock, too. I made do, as a beggar cannot be a chooser. Basically, it was an 870 he had specially set up for her. (He being an avid trap shooter and one of our new team's coaches) Since I am used to 870's from police service, I had no problems with it other than not fitting as well as it generally does without the gizmos he had attached for his wife. Also, I stand about a foot taller than she does, anyway.

The Doc is out now, for the time being. :cool:
 
Ah.

I was just wondering why so many people recommended 870s or similar-dimensioned 390/391s when you said the 870 didn't fit you.

An 870 would be a great choice.
 
I shoot trap with my 870 and the clays break just as well with it as they do an expensive shotgun. ;)
 
I am a fan of the 870 as well, but for me the Winchester 1300 pump fits me better. Either will fill the bill in a pump shotgun. A used 1100 can be had for about $400 if you want a soft shooting gas operated semi-auto.
 
My first trap gun in 1976 was an 870TB. It replaced a ribless pump that I can't even recall the manufacturer of. My scores immediately improved and all was well with the world. A few years went by and I traded for an 1100TB without first trying it.

Although nothing's wrong the 1100, it never quite replaced the 870TB.

A little over two years ago I announced to the forum that we were finally reunited via the agency of Auctionarms. I shant repeat the mistake of selling this one. If you get one, it's ok to add, say a 687SP3, but don't replace the pump - there's a certain moral imperative to dance with the one that brung ya.

There's a nice version available new. You won't need to haunt the auctions and used shops for 30 years like I did.
attachment.php
 
I suppose it would be asking too much to look around for the finest trap gun of all times -- the Winchester Model 12!

Just to show you how old I am!
 
The 390/391 is a great gun, but I feel that an O/U, doesn't have to be an expensive one is the best gun all around. You can have two different chokes at all times, no changing and set off six well placed rounds faster than you can place 5 well placed ones with a plugged non breach loader if you are good at handeling the wepon. Now if you don't have to use a plug and are field gunning it, it is the best to have an auto/pump.
 
+1 on the O/U. A large number of O/Us out there in your price range. Trap, skeet,sporting clays, and trap doubles, they do nicely. I like being able to look down the barrels before loading. ........But what do I know , I only been shooting the clay thingies for 50 years.

Enjoy,goldy
 
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