Beginner recommendation

[jleonardwv]

I am a beginner with shotguns. I have about $500 or less to spend. I'd like to learn to shoot clays. I am kind of a small guy, so I don't want a heavy gun. I have shot a few guns belonging to various friends and family. The 1100 was too heavy. I like my nephew's compact 870 express. I like my father-in-law's model 37 16ga. The others I've shot (Mossberg O/U 20ga, H&R single shot 20ga and 410, Browning Sweet 16, 410 JC Higgins pump, Stoeger SxS 12ga) I could take or leave.

Any suggestions from the veterans?

 

[Spec ops Grunt]

Mossberg, Remington, and Winchester all make quality pumpguns.

 

[Starter52]

+1 to trying a Remington 870. I prefer the Wingmaster over the Express but that's a personal choice. Either model will serve you well.

 

[mptrimshop]

older Remington 870 wingmaster.....not a new one they are junk......Browning BPS kinda heavy..but smooth and tough....i would stay away from anything else....but thats just my opinion. i own a Browning BPS ($390 used) a Winchester 1200 (free grandpas gun) and a Remington 11-87($375 used)... i like the BPS the best hands down.....the 11-87 is an auto...but a real nice light gun...if u want a pump gun go to a Cabela's/bass pro/big box store line them all up look at them rack the slide a few times see what ya like....thats how i ended up with my BPS...smoothest pump i have ever held

 

[Maj Dad]

For $500 you can find an older Remington 1100 in nice condition. I have both an 870 Wingmaster and an 1100, and I like both. The 1100 is more like driving a sportscar and the 870 a strong pickup truck. I like both of them, too... 1100s are nice.

 

[oneounceload]

Going with too light of a gun will mean more recoil directed to your shoulder, making fatigue an issue when shooting several rounds of trap or skeet. You will want the heaviest gun you can handle for that regard - Some of the folks I shoot with are older women (70's), who stand maybe 5-5'3 and they all shoot 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 pound guns.

Weight with light loads is your friend when shooting clays targets; coupled with a good gun fit. With $500, I would also consider a good used semi

 

[throdgrain]

The original poster said he wanted to shoot clays. With the best will in the world, a pump gun is going to make life very hard shooting pairs.

You can do it, I once came third in a local competition of 50 sportiing clays, 25 trap and 25 skeet with a Wingmaster, but it certainly wasnt easy!

I'd suggest a semi-auto to the OP.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Most of the really good clay shooters that I know shoot double-barrel guns - either side-by-side or over/under. Now, finding a good one for under $500 might be a trick. I bought a used Beretta Whitewing 12 ga for about $750. It's not a purpose-built clay gun but it works for me. It also doubles nicely as a gun for upland game bird hunting as it's relatively light to carry afield for several hours.

For a smaller person, you might want to consider a 20 ga.

 

[Captcurt]

Going with too light of a gun will mean more recoil directed to your shoulder, making fatigue an issue when shooting several rounds of trap or skeet. You will want the heaviest gun you can handle for that regard - Some of the folks I shoot with are older women (70's), who stand maybe 5-5'3 and they all shoot 8-1/2 to 9-1/2 pound guns.

Weight with light loads is your friend when shooting clays targets; coupled with a good gun fit. With $500, I would also consider a good used semi

True, so true. If clays are on order a 7.5lb or heavier semi with lite loads are the ticket. I prefer a 20 or 28ga but whatever gauge you choose a semi will dampen the recoil a bunch.

 

[reckless carolinian]

In choosing a shotgun(just as in choosing everything else), the question of application is of great importance. Is this going to be for clays only, or perhaps some hunting, or even HD duty? With this in mind, a more clear decision can be made.

 

[jleonardwv]

Clays only for now

For now, I am only interested in shooting clays for fun, no competitions. Browning Golds are under 7 lbs. and I like the idea of a semi. Looking at Gun Broker, they are a bit more than $500.

 

[mptrimshop]

a gold is real nice gun.....you will find yourself shooting alot more than clays after a while....thats how i started....now i'm a duck/goose hunting fool....it's all i think about in the winter

 

[InkEd]

Remington.

 

[ms6852]

Go with Yildiz. Beautiful turkish wood and in your prize range without the engraving. With the engraving about $579 at Academy.

http://www.yildizshotgun.com/yrotoeng.html

 

[Captcurt]

I don't know how well they will stand up but there are some S&W 20ga semis on Gunbroker for around $325. I have heard that they are a copy of a 309 Beretta. I looke d in the blue book, Smiths website and online and they retail for $450 to $550 and MSRT is $660. I bought one to resale but have not had a chance to check it out yet.

 

[oneounceload]

One thing to think about when buying a decent clays gun - in the long run, the gun - no matter if it is a $500 or $5,000 or a $50,000 gun - is the least cost in the equation. Ammo and targets will far surpass the cost of a good gun. Buying something cheap (as opposed to inexpensive), will cost you more in the long run than buying a good quality gun up front.

 

[jleonardwv]

Saving pennies

I have considered what you suggest... Save my pennies and get a Cynergy or something similar.

 

[Smitty in CT]

Take a look at the Mossberg 930, they have a very similar gas system to the Browning Gold, they can be had for a fraction of the cost of the Browning, too...

They are every bit as reliable, granted they aren't as pretty, though...

They can be had for $457 with free shipping at: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/14634

 

[oneounceload]

Take a look at the Mossberg 930, they have a very similar gas system to the Browning Gold, they can be had for a fraction of the cost of the Browning, too...

They are every bit as reliable,

The last part is opinion and might be debatable, depending on who you talk to. Browning guns, no matter which action type, are very rugged and reliable.....Mossberg has that rep with their pump guns, their semis - not so much

But you can buy one and try it for your needs - which if not great, it might just suffice nicely......then again, it might not

 

[Smitty in CT]

.....Mossberg has that rep with their pump guns, their semis - not so much...

While I agree that the older Mossberg autoloaders (i.e.,1000, 5500, 9200, even early 935's) never had a reputation for reliability, the 930's are proving to be very reliable.