1k for a shotgun?

[oneounceload]

Well regulated barrels and other expensive niceties being necessary to the security of the ego of some shotgunners, the right of the People to overpay for guns shall not be infringed.

Guess that would all depend on how you factor "overpaying".

$6-10,000 for a dedicated competition gun?? - about the norm
$3,500 for the new Ithaca 28 gauge pump?? I'm not thinking so - but to someone who values that particular gun, it might be.
$200 for a well-used pump?? Seems about the norm
$1200 for one all "tacticooled" up? I'm not thinking so, but someone might

 

[natman]

To actually answer the OP's question:

Most expensive shotguns are double barreled. A double barreled shotgun requires extensive work to get it to shoot both barrels to the point of aim. This process is called regulation and it adds considerably to the cost.

Try pricing some double barreled rifles, where regulation is an even bigger issue to get a sense of perspective.

That's why even a decent double shot gun costs in the teens. A really good one will cost a couple thousand up. From there the sky is the limit as you add fancier wood, engraving and other cosmetic touches.

 

[9mmepiphany]

to address the OP's question, it's all about how much quality or reliability you think you need.

i don't think a Rem 870 works any better or is worth any more than a Mossy 500, but i do think a FN SLP is worth every penny it cost more than a Mossy 930 SXP...and certainly over a 870, to me, to protect my family.

there is nothing wrong with setting spending limits, but you'll find that the more you learn about and use different guns, the fewer compromises you be willing to make for dependability and reliability. i wouldn't even consider buying a 1911 that list for less than $1500, but then i have certain expectations of it that many don't

 

[Carter]

These days a lot of shooters won't know the difference in a quality gun. That is pretty sad because a lot of the older people had to relay one the for their lives.

The Navy MA's (equivalent to MP's) use mossberg's on my brother's ship. They go through torture and work every time. That's good quality in a relatively cheap firearm that people's lives depend on.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Your paying for quality and longevity in a shotgun. Past a certain price point your paying for glitz and glamour. I've seen the $500 O\Us' fall apart in short order. I've seen the $1000 O\U shotguns with loose stocks and stripped screws.

No, a $20,000 shotgun won't make you a crack shot or a sporting clays champion. People that can apreciate fine workmanship and can afford it buy the best. If I could afford a $20,000 shotgun, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Not to be in your face, just because I love shotguns and marvel at the workmanship that goes into making one.

If I could afford a $100,000 car, I wouldn't buy one. I'm not that into cars but some people are. More power to them!

Some of guys at my club shoot guns that cost more than the cars they drive. They're into guns, not cars. I guess the car guys are shooting Chevys and Fords and Dodges.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Some of guys at my club shoot guns that cost more than the cars they drive. They're into guns, not cars. I guess the car guys are shooting Chevys and Fords and Dodges.

The last gun I bought is worth about as much as the last car I bought.
That's because the last car I bought is a 1998 Ford Taurus.
The money I save on cars goes into guns!

 

[WardenWolf]

A well-broken in Saiga 12 with Poly Choke is going to be as reliable and much longer-lasting than much more expensive shotguns. It may not be as lightweight, it may not be as small, it may not be as pretty, but it will get the job done just as well; better in some roles.

The most important aspect to any shotgun, in my opinion, is ease of maintenance. You can keep just about any gun running forever as long as you can take it apart to work on it. Many cheap shotguns cannot be fully disassembled except perhaps by a gunsmith. No matter how well it works, if you can't take it apart it's eventually going to get gummed up or break and stop working. Then you're screwed. A prime example is my father's classic Remington 1100. You cannot get behind the bolt face to clean it. The pins are welded in place and not removable. It works well for now, but for how long? If it's used heavily, sooner or later it's going to get dirty in a place you can't clean. Bottom line: choose a good-quality gun that you can properly maintenance.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

A well-broken in Saiga 12 with Poly Choke is going to be as reliable and much longer-lasting than much more expensive shotguns. It may not be as lightweight, it may not be as small, it may not be as pretty, but it will get the job done just as well; better in some roles.

Please, enlighten us regarding your experience wing shooting or doing clay games with Saiga. I daresay that anyone who thinks a Saiga "will get the job done just as well" hasn't spent much time doing either of those things with a properly fitted and balanced shotgun.

 

[Zack]

Saiga is a Ak build its a very good gun, I do not think it will do good at clays but it could/would out last a gun thats $2,000? IMO (if well taken care of)

 

[WardenWolf]

Please, enlighten us regarding your experience wing shooting or doing clay games with Saiga. I daresay that anyone who thinks a Saiga "will get the job done just as well" hasn't spent much time doing either of those things with a properly fitted and balanced shotgun.

I've shot quite a few clays with it. It handles well with the pistol grip skeleton stock, and that's without conversion. The sights actually work very well. Aim just below the target, and you'll clobber it. The trick is knowing how to handle an AK-style firearm.

 

[post_apocalyptic]

Competition Saiga-12's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FziECY1mSaY

My Saiga-12; recently customized by Lone Star Arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciQU37GG6-Q

A gun like mine costs ~$1650. Imo, it's well worth that and a hell of a lot more capable firearm than the similarly priced Benelli M4.

ymmv.

 

[Justin]

Do realize that the Saiga shotguns used in multigun and tactical shotgun matches are all uniformly relegated to the realm of Open Division shooters at nearly any match. Tactical/Limited divisions are the domain of semi-auto tube fed shotguns, and pump guns rule the roost in He-Man/Heavy Metal division.

I've handled some of the converted Saigas, including the Red Devil gun featured in the video linked above. The guns point and handle nicely in much the same manner that an M1 Abrams tank handles nicely for a vehicle that weighs in excess of forty tons. For multigun Open Division shooters, the Saigas are a uniquely-engineered game changer, but certainly not without their limitations. However, since the vast majority of targets at these matches are static and ground-based, thre ability to repeatedly engage aerial targets with a perfect degree of repeatability is not nearly as important as it would be for a trap, skeet, or sporting clays competitor.

Open Division Saigas are a niche tool modified to fill a particular role. This is no different than a Perazzi trap gun built to fill an equally particular niche of an entirely different sort. You can't really equate one with another, and claiming a Saiga is just as good for trap or bird hunting as a custom-fitted over and under is just as ridiculous as claiming that a Perazzi would be a fine choice for multigun.

Some people can't tell the difference, but this does not mean that no difference exists.

 

[JohnBT]

"The Navy MA's (equivalent to MP's) use mossberg's on my brother's ship."

I'm curious how many thousands of rounds are put through each gun every year.

 

[Carter]

I'm curious how many thousands of rounds are put through each gun every year.

Not sure, but they do love their range time.

Sadly the M-14's are only used when firing across a ship's bow...

 

[k80]

I bought my first Krieghoff used in 1994. Since then, I've put over 300,000 rounds down its barrels. It's had a couple of tune-ups, one broken hammer and one broken selector spring; when needed, the service from Krieghoff International is superb.

This is why you pay top dollar for a competition shotgun, anyway.

 

[Carter]

Okay, by now I'm fully aware of the competition guns and that sort...my question however was tactical/combat/military/police/etc shotguns.

 

[9mmepiphany]

just wondering...

are you asking why folks pay more when a cheaper gun would serve the same function or are you asking what value is gained in a more expensive gun?

the original question of why some shotguns are priced over $1k can be answered simply by, "because there is a market for them"

 

[Sheepdog1968]

There are many price points on shotguns. If you need a plain jane one, Big 5 has the Mossberg 500 barrel combo pack (18.5" and 28" barrels)for $269. You could use it for self defense as is. Many people have just this.

Let's say you want to upgrade it to a more sophiscipated home defense weapon. The typical options one could choose (going more upper end & we could quibble all day about the specific numbers):

Mesa sidesaddle for extra ammo $80
Surefire dedicated pump foreend with white light $350
Ghost Ring Rear Site plus Front Blade sight w installation $300
Sling $30
Slightly shorter LOP stock $80

These modifications run about $840.

Toss in the cost of the weapon itself and we are at $1,100.

Can you do it for less? Sure. But by doing this quick breakout from a plain jane shotgun to a weapon suited for home defense, a $1,000 price tag doesn't seem out of line give or take 20% if the FN has the majority of the home defense features added onto the shotgun already.

This is my two cents anyway.

 

[oneounceload]

just wondering...

are you asking why folks pay more when a cheaper gun would serve the same function or are you asking what value is gained in a more expensive gun?

the original question of why some shotguns are priced over $1k can be answered simply by, "because there is a market for them"

I would agree on there being a market for them when you get to guns with prices like a titanium Fabbri ($220,000), or even a Creative Arts engraved Bertuzzi Zeus at $100,000+.......but serious comp guns cost money........

 

[9mmepiphany]

.but serious comp guns cost money........

...serious competition pays serious money too

 

[Carter]

Thank you Sheepdog1968. I have a mossberg 500 for home defense and plan on making some mods to it, but I was wondering why FN's cost so much because generally FN overprices their long guns by about $500 (IMO) because they can and people will still buy them for their great quality and innovative nature.
But after having a crash course education here...it seems their shotgun price may be a little more fair than I orginally believed.

But I doubt I'll ever jump on the competition bandwagon. Bit out of the price range and practibility of a polisci and criminal justice college student.

 

[oneounceload]

Only serious money is AFTER winning the competition from endorsements, coaching schools, etc. BUT a great gun helps you get there a little faster. Besides the cost of targets and ammo makes the price of a gun a mere pittance

 

[9mmepiphany]

But after having a crash course education here...it seems their shotgun price may be a little more fair than I orginally believed.

it reminds me of the old saying about only "crying once" by buying the gun that comes with everything rather than buying piecemeal and adding it all up. when you buy "the one", you get everything you need and it's all designed/matched to work together.

i carried a Rem 870 for years at work and i would have been my default for a HD shottie until i did a little research of what i needed/wanted and started to price it out.

i found that just about the perfect SG for me was the FN SLP. it was fast and soft shooting. it had an extended mag, safety and ghost ring sights. all i needed to add was a side saddle for extra rounds and i was GTG.

i might add a sling and a fiber optic front sight later. i might even add a mounted light to it...great when searching a strange building, less needed in you own home. maybe even an EOTech...just because i'm a gadget guy

 

[CWL]

Okay, by now I'm fully aware of the competition guns and that sort...my question however was tactical/combat/military/police/etc shotguns.

Carter, by your own admittance, you concede that different applications may have need for differently priced shotguns.

But even for shotguns to be used only as a weapon, there are worthwhile upgrades that can take the cost well over that $1K mark. If you have ever seen a side-by-side comparison between a standard shotgun and a Vang-comped shotgun shooting 00 buck at 25-yards, you will see the benefits of a superior shotgun in being able to keep every one of those pellets inside a torso-sized target out to 25 yards.

 

[post_apocalyptic]

Do realize that the Saiga shotguns used in multigun and tactical shotgun matches are all uniformly relegated to the realm of Open Division shooters at nearly any match. Tactical/Limited divisions are the domain of semi-auto tube fed shotguns, and pump guns rule the roost in He-Man/Heavy Metal division.
...
Open Division Saigas are a niche tool modified to fill a particular role. This is no different than a Perazzi trap gun built to fill an equally particular niche of an entirely different sort. You can't really equate one with another, and claiming a Saiga is just as good for trap or bird hunting as a custom-fitted over and under is just as ridiculous as claiming that a Perazzi would be a fine choice for multigun.

Some people can't tell the difference, but this does not mean that no difference exists.

Yes, of course I realize that. I was trying to address the OP when it comes to tactical/combat shotguns, not shotguns hyper-specialized for trap/skeet, (which of course have their own rather major limitations).

I gave the OP a couple examples of higher-end S-12s that cost >$1k. However, a very nice professionally restored S-12 can be had for ~$900; and it'd still be superior for tactical/combat applications than any tube-fed semi-auto imo.