First Shotgun
- Thread starter boresight
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Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Lots of choices, but do not buy any yet. Go to the local range and see if you can try out a few. This will give you a better idea of what you need/want.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Just so those mossberg fans dont brainwash you 
,
Get a remington 870.
,Get a remington 870.
zero_chances
Member
i just went throught this decision. i went with the benelli nova. it seems to be a versatile gun. i have not shot it yet though. my local range is down for now.
The Deer Hunter
Member
Benelli novas are one of the most versatile pump shotguns on the market.
Sure, they arent something to hang over you mantle but they will do anything from clays, up to using 3 1/2" shells goose hunting for only about $400.
Sure, they arent something to hang over you mantle but they will do anything from clays, up to using 3 1/2" shells goose hunting for only about $400.
sm
member
boresight,
Welcome to THR.
We have a great search function to assist you with shotgun questions.
Shotgun recommendations are difficult, as are all firearm recommendations. Too many variables.
Shooters knowledge of Firearm Safety, Level of Experience, Physical attributes (size, does shooter have physical limitations such as previous surgeries, injuries, etc). Use of shotgun/ firearm, any restrictions posed by shooter's jurisdiction, political flavor (anti- gun, pro- gun) ...etc.
Try before you buy.
One test drives a vehicle before buying, one checks out appliances before buying with measurements of where these have to be placed.
Good shooters are made - not born. Misseldine
All we are saying is to ask a seasoned shooter to assist with lessons, gun fit, trying various guns.
New folks I assist with, I prefer a wood stocked gun for instance. Wood is denser, therefore less percieved recoil and the wood stock can be worked on to tweak fit. I am big into a shotgun fitting a shooter, especially a new shooter.
Say the shooter needs LOP (lenngth of pull) shortened, wood stocks can be cut by a qualified gunsmith to maintain Pitch, recoil pad(s) can be fitted more easily. Drop, too high, pitch, cant...etc
Synthetic stock, well some do not enough have "meat" to shorten, and if shortened, nothing for recoil pad screws to screw into.
All sorts of things like this are best learned from a seasoned shooter that knows how to access a shooter, instruct a shooter, and continue to access and instruct.
Nothing against synthetic mind you, just this is MY reason for new shooter having wood for a stock first.
Now if same shooter needs a synthetic for duck hunting, shooter now knows the stock dimensions that fit THEM, and will do some checking into what synthetic stock comes closest, and "Maybe" allows some tweaking to allow same fit as what is known to work for them gained from wooden one.
Oh yeah, many folks have wood and synthetic guns. just most folks I deal with, get the wood stocked gun first.
I mean guns , like in complete shotguns, not swapping stocks. Tools for Task if you will.
Best of Luck
Steve
Welcome to THR.
We have a great search function to assist you with shotgun questions.
Shotgun recommendations are difficult, as are all firearm recommendations. Too many variables.
Shooters knowledge of Firearm Safety, Level of Experience, Physical attributes (size, does shooter have physical limitations such as previous surgeries, injuries, etc). Use of shotgun/ firearm, any restrictions posed by shooter's jurisdiction, political flavor (anti- gun, pro- gun) ...etc.
Try before you buy.
One test drives a vehicle before buying, one checks out appliances before buying with measurements of where these have to be placed.
Good shooters are made - not born. Misseldine
All we are saying is to ask a seasoned shooter to assist with lessons, gun fit, trying various guns.
New folks I assist with, I prefer a wood stocked gun for instance. Wood is denser, therefore less percieved recoil and the wood stock can be worked on to tweak fit. I am big into a shotgun fitting a shooter, especially a new shooter.
Say the shooter needs LOP (lenngth of pull) shortened, wood stocks can be cut by a qualified gunsmith to maintain Pitch, recoil pad(s) can be fitted more easily. Drop, too high, pitch, cant...etc
Synthetic stock, well some do not enough have "meat" to shorten, and if shortened, nothing for recoil pad screws to screw into.
All sorts of things like this are best learned from a seasoned shooter that knows how to access a shooter, instruct a shooter, and continue to access and instruct.
Nothing against synthetic mind you, just this is MY reason for new shooter having wood for a stock first.
Now if same shooter needs a synthetic for duck hunting, shooter now knows the stock dimensions that fit THEM, and will do some checking into what synthetic stock comes closest, and "Maybe" allows some tweaking to allow same fit as what is known to work for them gained from wooden one.
Oh yeah, many folks have wood and synthetic guns. just most folks I deal with, get the wood stocked gun first.
I mean guns , like in complete shotguns, not swapping stocks. Tools for Task if you will.
Best of Luck
Steve
I've shot a Benelli M4 Super 90, and a Model 12 16 ga. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but just a synthetic 12 ga pump. Right now barrel size doesnt matter too much because I dont know what difference the barrel length makes. Charles Daly has some cool looking guns, is this a good brand to buy from?
The Deer Hunter
Member
Charles Daly i beleive is not a very notible shotgun.
I bet you saw them at Wal-Mart.
But anywho, I recomend any of these fine guns:
Remigton 870 synthetic
Mossberg 500 synthetic
Benelli nova.
Winchester model 12
All of them are great guns. The Nova pump comes with a 3 1/2" barrel for around $400 which is better than paying $376 for a 870 than $125 for a 3 1/2" barrel
I bet you saw them at Wal-Mart.
But anywho, I recomend any of these fine guns:
Remigton 870 synthetic
Mossberg 500 synthetic
Benelli nova.
Winchester model 12
All of them are great guns. The Nova pump comes with a 3 1/2" barrel for around $400 which is better than paying $376 for a 870 than $125 for a 3 1/2" barrel
browningbps
Member
My absolute favorite gun is a Browning BPS. I know other's are going to say that they are too heavy, but in my opinion a gun that is a little heavy is good for a skeet gun. However, I am going to go against my own personal preferences :banghead: and say go with the Benelli Nova. If you are worried about recoil, go with the Supernova which has a Comfortech stock and add the mercury recoil reduction system. I saw the Nova's for sale at Cabelas for $299 NIB. Of course this is the all black, no frills, no fancy stuff gun, but it WAS a 3.5" super mag
!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!sm
member
Well how did these fit you?
How well did you shoot with either one or both?
Instructor give any preferences to one or the other for you?
Are you fine with a one piece stock on the Nova?
How well did you shoot with either one or both?
Instructor give any preferences to one or the other for you?
Are you fine with a one piece stock on the Nova?
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gaweidert
Member
I really lucked out for my first shotgun last fall. I was able to score a Beretta AL390 for $300. Probaby because it has a 26" barrel and most shooters weem to want 28" barrels or longer for clays. I just wanted an inexpensive shotgun to try out skeet and sporting clays. It was used for hunting so it didn't have that much mileage on it.
Lately I have been using a Remington 870 Express Magnum with a 28" barrel just to get used to working a pump in a real time scenario. I miss an equal amount of clays with either. Shooting doubles with a pump is a real kick when you do it. You cna get one new at Wal-Mart for about $240 with a wood stock. It ain't pretty, but it's not the shotgun that is missing the clays.
Pumps will kick more. I haven't tried an over/under or side by side.
Lately I have been using a Remington 870 Express Magnum with a 28" barrel just to get used to working a pump in a real time scenario. I miss an equal amount of clays with either. Shooting doubles with a pump is a real kick when you do it. You cna get one new at Wal-Mart for about $240 with a wood stock. It ain't pretty, but it's not the shotgun that is missing the clays.
Pumps will kick more. I haven't tried an over/under or side by side.
The Nova is comfortable, lightweight, and looks intimidating. However the at the gun store I go to (Turner's Outdoorsman) is selling it for close to $400. I've read about people picking up a synthetic 12 ga for about $299. What retailers sell them for $299?
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saltyphotog
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2006
- Messages
- 79
STAY AWAY FROM CHARLES DALY
I got suckered into getting the 12 ga. field pump. I have had it since July, been out to the range twice and it has been sent back to the shop for repairs twice. It doesn't fire reliably, only 3 out of 5 rounds will fire. The firing pin was not set in the center, they replaced it after the second service call. They do have good customer service, but what good is that if the gun is crap to begin with.
I wish I would have spent the extra couple of bucks and got the remington 870.
:banghead:
I got suckered into getting the 12 ga. field pump. I have had it since July, been out to the range twice and it has been sent back to the shop for repairs twice. It doesn't fire reliably, only 3 out of 5 rounds will fire. The firing pin was not set in the center, they replaced it after the second service call. They do have good customer service, but what good is that if the gun is crap to begin with.
I wish I would have spent the extra couple of bucks and got the remington 870.
:banghead:boresight
Since you go to Turners, it seems you are in So Cal.
If you can make it out to Prado on wednesday night you could check out a few shotguns and talk with people that use them.
During the summer we have a wednesday night shoot. This year it includes shotgun.
If you can make it, it could be informative for you.
Only this week and next left for this year.
Bryan
Since you go to Turners, it seems you are in So Cal.
If you can make it out to Prado on wednesday night you could check out a few shotguns and talk with people that use them.
During the summer we have a wednesday night shoot. This year it includes shotgun.
If you can make it, it could be informative for you.
Only this week and next left for this year.
Bryan
MCgunner
Member
Hey, I like the Browning BPS a lot, but it ain't cheap. My Mossberg works fine, don't shoot skeet with it though, waterfowl only. If you can find a used Winchester M1400 semi auto at a gun show, slick shootin', quick pointin', soft on the shoulder. I love mine.
I'm going to get that Turkish built 20 gauge O/U Academy has, Yilt something, how the heck is that spelled? :banghead: It's about $390. I want it mostly for our club country doubles shoots. Put an IC or skeet choke in the first barrel, modified in the second. I'll also perhaps try it on dove, but it'd make a GREAT quail guy, very light and quick handling gun. They offer it in 12, but I want it in 20. Don't have a 20 and want one.
I'm going to get that Turkish built 20 gauge O/U Academy has, Yilt something, how the heck is that spelled? :banghead: It's about $390. I want it mostly for our club country doubles shoots. Put an IC or skeet choke in the first barrel, modified in the second. I'll also perhaps try it on dove, but it'd make a GREAT quail guy, very light and quick handling gun. They offer it in 12, but I want it in 20. Don't have a 20 and want one.
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"What would be a good 12 ga shotgun for shooting skeet. First shotgun under $400 black, and with a synthetic stock."
If you mean skeet and not skeet and trap, I would recomend the Rem 870 HD. I have one and I love it. It has a 18" barrel and is fast on target. It has the black synthetic stock and makes a great all around short range shotgun. It was designed for home defense but makes a great sporting gun as well. Just don't hang a bunch of junk off it and it will stay quick handling.
I have tried the Mossbergs and others but the Remington is better in the ways I care about. The Mossberg has its advantages like the lighter weight and the better safety location but the Rem is more reliable and built to last longer and harder.
If you mean skeet and not skeet and trap, I would recomend the Rem 870 HD. I have one and I love it. It has a 18" barrel and is fast on target. It has the black synthetic stock and makes a great all around short range shotgun. It was designed for home defense but makes a great sporting gun as well. Just don't hang a bunch of junk off it and it will stay quick handling.
I have tried the Mossbergs and others but the Remington is better in the ways I care about. The Mossberg has its advantages like the lighter weight and the better safety location but the Rem is more reliable and built to last longer and harder.
STiTkacik
Member
If you want synthetic I'd say go with the Benelli Nova. I think the mercury recoil reducer is another $50. But it's money well spent.
The Nova in a 12 will wear your shoulder out after just a few rounds without it.
The Nova in a 12 will wear your shoulder out after just a few rounds without it.
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