First Shotgun: Mossberg 835, Rem 870 or Rem 1187?

[Highland Ranger]

Looking for a first shotgun - criteria was 3.5" chamber, something functional but not completely utilitarian. Gun will be for both HD and perhaps sporting clays or even a turkey or two . . . .

I have it narrowed down to:

In Pumps:

Mossberg Model 61120: http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/model835.htm

The 870 Wingmaster Super Mag
http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/870wngsmg.htm

In Semi Autos:

The 1187 Premiere Super Mag:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/1187pr_smag.htm

Mossberg seems inexpensive and a fairly plain piece.

Remington quality has me concerned - seen too may posts on bad product fresh from the box.

Which of these three or any other suggestions?

PS If we manage to have a bear hunt in NJ next year I'd also like to be able to use it for that . . . . (hence the 3.5" chamber?)

 

[Lennyjoe]

I picked up a used 835 when I was in Texas back in Oct.

Its camo, with a 24" ported barrel. Overall I like this gun very much

I did have light primer strikes about one in 5 shells. The gun was gunked up and whoever owned it prior took no time in cleaning it. So I soaked the bolt assembly for a day and worked out all the gunk.

Took it out dove, quail hunting last weekend and it was flawless. I was on my game Saturday. Everything that flew past went down. Shooting 2 3/4" with a modified choke is a breeze.

The double beads on the barrel help alot in aiming too.

The ported barrel doesnt do squat when shooting 3 1/2" mags except ring your ears even more.

Shooting 3 1/2" turkey loads with my Lohman extra full turkey choke will rattle your bones but not enough to scare ya.

Gonna go out tomorrow and pattern the gun with some 3" steel shot to see how it does. Seen a few ducks flying into a pond where I hunt so Im thinking of trying it out for ducks.

The 835 is also drilled and tapped for a scope should you decide to use it for deer hunting too. Replacement rifled barrels are running round $159 I think.

One other thing I really like is the location of the safety. Easy to go from safe to fire even with thick gloves on.

Its nice to have a gun that you can use for multple purposes. It has become my #1 field gun at this time. Took over the job of the ole trusty Winchester 1400

 

[HSMITH]

Do some reading on the waterfowl forums on the 11-87 Supermag. It is probably the worst liked of all, with even the russian made autos seeming to have a higher rating from the users. It is an adaptation of a design that wasn't that good to start with as the original 11-87 is less than superb for sure.......

The SuperX2 is the same money as the 11-87SM, and has nearly flawless ratings.

If you have to have a 3.5" chamber I would not recommend a pump, but of the two you list the 835 is the better gun IMO. It was purpose built as a 3.5" gun, again the 870 is simply an adaptation of a 3" gun. I hear mixed reviews of the 870SM, but most seem to work OK. For about the same money the Browning BPS is available in 3.5" and is a full pound heavier than the others, that will help immensely with the recoil. It is also a VERY nice pumpgun.

No need for 3.5" for bear, I would shoot 3" slugs and that is WAY more than you need. The only use for 3.5" guns is steel shot, otherwise the 2 3/4" will do anything you need to do with a shotgun, and do it WELL.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Something for you to ponder on, CDNN has the 835 in black for $189 and camo for $239.

 

[nico]

I second the SX2 suggestion. I have the 3" field walnut model (my first shotgun) and I like it a lot. Retail is ~$820, but the outdoorworld near me usually sells them for around $620. It has hardly any recoil, (especially compared to my dad's benelli), and has been very reliable. With about 1000 shells fired through it since I got it last Christmas, I haven't had any problems and it isn't a big PITA to clean like I've heard auto shotguns generally are. Supposedly, it took Benelli's place as the fastest cycling auto, which isn't a big deal, but it's something you can brag about to your friends

btw, whatever you get, if you plan on using it for recreational shooting, check out the "poorman's magtube recoil reducer" sold here. It's about $30 and replaces the hunting plug. It made the recoil in my gun go from minimal to barely noticeable. I can shoot 4 or 5 rounds of trap back to back without any shoulder soreness.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I wouldn't recommend any 3.5" Maggie Numb as a first shotgun, unless the owner is self disciplined enough to develop his/her form before moving up from 2 3/4" light loads.

And, unless one needs nontoxic loads, a 3" shotgun is more than enough. A 2 3/4" Brenekke slug will handle any NJ black bear if placed correctly.

Given all that, the shotguns mentioned will do the job. Get the one that feels best.

 

[Highland Ranger]

WOund up with a Browning . . .

Looked at the 1187 and the Wingmaster; price was nice but they did not look well put together.

On the 1187, The wood forearm was attached with pins that looked like ground down and laquered over nails.

Looked at Benelli's as well, beautiful but pricy.

I wound up with a Browning Gold Stalker Field with a 3 1/2" chamber.

Looks like a beauty, I'll let you know how it shoots. Hopefully they are fairly reliable. Can also get a barrel for it for bear season next year . . . .

Thanks For your help!

(PS No Mossie's so I couldn't compare. He did have an X2 but not in 12 gauge. Everything was Cammo or Black, not much wood. Apparently the wood isn't as practical as plastic . . . )

 

[HSMITH]

A tip or two for that new Browning if you don't mind?

Oil the bolt rails and the contact points between the bolt and the bolt carrier with a heavy weight gun oil. Thin oils will cause headaches, this gun needs an oil with some film strength, and it needs to have the bolt rails WET with that oil. I use Mobil 1 15w-50 and find it absolutely perfect, plenty heavy and it stays put. 3 or 4 drops in each rail is enough. Run everything else dry or very nearly dry. Don't clean the gas piston, if you do use alcohol or gunscrubber only and just rinse it out. You won't get oily solvents out of there and it will gunk up if you use them. There is no need to ever clean the gas piston BTW, just wipe it off every thousand rounds whether it needs it or not. Keep the mag tube bone dry too.

I have had 2 Gold shotguns and both are very reliable when maintained properly. The current owner of one has constant problems but also refuses my advice, I will be buying that gun back here shortly even though I can demonstrate several hundred rounds without a hitch and he can't get a full magazine out after using his "I know how to clean a gun" technique. Some people.....

BTW, my SuperX2 is the same way and needs the same treatment, probably becuase it sleeps near a Gold in the safe though......

The Browning Gold is a darn nice shotgun, one of the best out there.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Tips welcome and appreciated! I think they mention oil weights in the manual and the guy in the store had the same advice re don't gunk up the gas piston assembly.

I hope it shoots as good as it looks - glad to hear you've had good luck with one.

When he checked the sale off in his inventory I did notice that the browning had hung around awhiles in the store (as opposed to other models); think it came in sometime during the summer . . . . gave me some second thoughts for a moment. THis is a busy store in the middle of bear and deer country.

I hope that was just because it may be a bit expensive for a baseline semi auto shotgun (the 11-87 he had for almost $200 less).

Won't be able to use it till after the 25th but I'll post an after action report.

I guess I'll get the rifled barrel next year sometime and the I'll be all set for next bear season (if we have one that is . . . )

Thanks again.