Best all around 20 gauge?

[Pud]

I asked this over on the "other board"...thought I would ask here and maybe word it a little different.
I have a 12 gauge Mossy 500, a combo set, with the slug barrel, and a smooth bore one.(have had it over 20 years).
Am going to purchase a 20 gauge shotgun now, and I've spent much time looking on forums, and just reading manufacturer's web sites, trying to get a good, all around(skeet, bird, deer) 20ga.....had pretty much made up my mind to just go with another Mossberg combo in 20-but, from what I can find, there are really only 2 models available. One is basically the wood stocked 26/24 barrel set, and the other is a camo one, same barrels.
Just don't know what I want,how can I say it----the 2 models just don't DO anything for me!
Does that make sense? I just would like a 20ga that will be at home shooting slugs and shot-and be reasonably priced! Don't forget, REASONABLY priced!
So, no $1000.00 shotguns please.
Would appreciate your help folks, I've been doing the handgun, and rifle thing for a long time now..my shotgun pickin' skills just are not there!
Thanks!
Pud

 

[BK]

Walmart might still sell the Beretta 390 for half a grand. Almost any pump will be priced under that. I like Beretta autos however.

 

[Gordon]

May I suggest an Ithaca Model 37 Featherlite ? They are MUCH slicker than any mossy! Like "snick-snick" One with a Imp cylinder or Modified barrel is pretty hard to beat! I have a 1964 one and an 80s Ultrafeather light one . The older one is just gorgeous and all steel but only 6.5 pounds with a 28" Modified plain barrel a death ray. It is the upper gun in this 20ga stack:


The later one has a 24" Deer Slayer barrel but is actually a tight Skeet choke. It is 6 pounds and my wife's shotgun. It is the upper gun in this stack:

 

[straightshooter9]

ITHACA is a great choice.
Here's a 20ga MOSSBERG new for $321.00!

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/46499

I like this one for $344.00:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/60530

They aren't combos but nice, nonetheless!

 

[mnrivrat]

had pretty much made up my mind to just go with another Mossberg combo in 20-but, from what I can find, there are really only 2 models available. One is basically the wood stocked 26/24 barrel set, and the other is a camo one, same barrels.
Just don't know what I want,how can I say it----the 2 models just don't DO anything for me!

What are you looking for that these do not have ? You should also be able to find or put together a plain black synthetic version. They did make them, or you can buy the gun and the slug barrel seperately. Same plateform as your 12ga and a proven gun at a reasonable price - What's not to like ?

 

[DaleCooper51]

I've had a few 20's that I really liked. I purchased all of them used and paid under $400 for each. The first was a 20ga Wingmaster with a 28" barrel on it. It was about 6.25 lbs and was probably my favorite of the lot. My other two 20s were a Browning BPS and a Remington 1100 LT20. Both weighed right around 7lbs. The added weight helped on the skeet field and the 20ga 1100 had very minimal recoil. I think any of the three would treat you well.

 

[Gordon]

Here is a decent 70s one
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=252103886
And another eable choke tubes you have to get an Ithaca 87to give you an idea.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=251311698

Now if you have to have a 3" chamber and changeable choke tubes you have to get an 87 or one of the new production guns which are $700+. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=252152364

 

[straightshooter9]

Here is a decent 70s one
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=252103886

Gordon, thats a good looking gun...........
how did you determine it's a 70's model?

 

[Gordon]

I know these things pretty well
The really well made ones are the 50s ones, how ever in the mid 60s they were still well made but had interchangeable barrels after a certain serial # . In the late 60s they started impressing checkering and they got gaudier looking but still well made. In the late 70 thru 80s the quality went down steadily until the 87 was produced. Now don't get me wrong the quality is at least as good as Mossy on Ithaca's worst day but tghe company went under and ones put together after that weren't good generally. The new ressurrected company has had issues but the Featherlite 3 I handled a couple years ago seemed very nicely finished. You can't beat the design!

 

[straightshooter9]

Would you recommend a NEW ITHACA, Gordon?
Or should a shopper stick to an older model?

 

[Gordon]

I KNOW the older ones WERE good and they ARE cheaper !
I think I'd get a BPS 20 ga. before a new Ithaca as they have a better track record last 20 years.

 

[JohnM]

I like nice well made classic guns.
I know a lot of folks would look down their nose at one of these, but the little H&R Topper is a fun shotgun to carry for a days upland shooting.
Things have been around forever and you can still get them for about 150 bucks and even have wood stocks.
The 20 gauge 3" weighs in at about 5 pounds and will sure make you hone your shooting skills

 

[JSNAPS]

ithaca all the way!!!