Choices

[MagDad]

Traded with the wife today that if I went to a wedding today I got to go by a gun store on the way home. Win Win. I am looking for a shortbarrel shotgun and the choices on the used rack that caught my eye were"

NEF 20 gauge pardner pump, action Ok, a bit rough, 169.00
Winchester 1200 12 gauge cut down by the shop, action like butter, 199.99
Remington 870exp, 20 gauge action about like the NEF, with ext. 269.00

Previously I owned a Nova Tactical but it was kinda heavy and the stock was not for me. Worked flawlessly.

New gun will be used but does not need to be tacticool.

So gents, the floor is open for your views.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Hunterdad]

I would vote for the NEF, but that's expensive for a used one. You can get a brand new 12ga for $189-$199. So, I'm going to go with the 1200 because of the price and that its in 12ga. I have a 20ga 1200 and love it.

 

[hogshead]

Keep looking, maybe try a gunshow. Seems like shotguns are very cheap nowadays.

 

[Chevelle SS]

Wait for a better deal. But if you have buy something now, get the Winchester.

 

[Dave McCracken]

No experience with that NEF.

I do like the 870 20 here. It handles like an M1 carbine and is poison fast.

However, there's lots of happy 1200 owners.

Get the one that feels best....

 

[TreeDoc]

Have an old winchester that I just picked from a fella, well used and the action was you called it 'butter'. I got it at $150.00

 

[MagDad]

Lets add another to the choices, Today I saw a used 870 magnum special purpose. screw in chokes, canilever mount and scope. Hardly used, 20 inch barrel for 350. The screw in chokes would allow me to use it for more things and I could take the mount off if I wanted. What do you think of that gun for that price and vs the others. More money but more gun too. pt

 

[Virginian]

I am not aware of all that many happy 1200 owners. it wasn't made long before being replaced by the 1300, and in my opinion the 1200 and 1400 were not very good guns. We used to have a Winchester Skeet and Trap range and they sent them back to be repaired regularly by the barrel full. Literally a 55 gallon drum was used to stack up the defective guns.
I am also of the opinion one reason the SuperX Model 1 was so beloved - and in fact is still beloved by one group - is that is was the first relatively reliable good shooting semi auto from Winchester ever. They shouldn't have written off old John's design quite so quickly. Put them in a hole for 3/4 ths of a century.

 

[MagDad]

Never mind, furthur questions show it was a fully rifled barrel. Which when I was there the counter person told me it was not. Oh well more shopping.

 

[One_Jackal]

All the guns you mentioned are overpriced for a used gun. Those prices are for a gun in new condition. For the price of the Remington Express you can get a new Mossberg 500 pump and still have spending money.

 

[oneounceload]

I'll disagree on the pricing - haven't seen NEW gun prices like that anywhere around here