835 as first Shotgun

An 835 is not a good first shotgun.

The action throw is at least 3/4 inch longer than needed to clear the husk;
The balance is muzzle heavy and funky;
The comb is low and the geometry is wonked because of the long receiver;
The side-directed flash and noise from the ported barrel is problematic for the backyard friends;
You can't fire slugs through it. That requires a different barrel that costs another hundred bucks (@used).

The 835 is a great goose and turkey gun, works fine with heavy loads. It's a decent waterfowl gun, even if you never run a 3.5" round in it. Nobody really don't NEEDS a 3.5" 12 bore gun.


I've shot skeet, clays, trap, grouse, pheasant, ducks and geese with mine, and taken it turkey hunting. I only consider it now for waterfowl and turkey. It doesn't handle really well.

I'd recommend passing on it. Look at the Remington 870s. Even if you need to pay more.

The 835 is a lousy choice for a first shotgun, and the WRONG shotgun to learn wingshooting.

Perhaps look for a decent, used Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, with a 26" or 28" barrel, they would be a better choice than the 835, which is a waterfowl/turkey specific gun, designed for heavy loads at the expense of easy handling, and more natural pointing.


That being said, you could do worse, much worse.

Agreed. As man-portable artillery for water fowl they work a treat. Otherwise they're heavy to hump around, can't shoot slugs, and it's a long reach out on the slide because it's designed for the 3 1/2" shells. Better off getting an 870 or a 500 Mossy.

On the other claw, if you lop off about 1 1/2" of the stock, add a LimbSaver pad, and bob the barrel back to 20" it works pretty well for HD use.

I agree it's too heavy/bulky for wing shooting. I have two; one shoots fine (low rd count) and the other doesn't work anymore. The non-functioning 835 was purchased around the early 90's and has had a ton of shells through it. The plastic trigger group is worn where the pins hold it and as a result, the chamber will not stay closed when fired. Add a big spring to it and it would be semi-auto...

I have an 870 with as many or more shells through it that still does fine; although there's been no 3.5" shells through the 870.