gift from Dad

[p4+riot]

Well, the father-in-law handed down his old 12 guage shotgun.
It's a Smith & Wesson 916a.

It was such a proud day. Anyone know anything about
this gun?

 

[p4+riot]

well so far the reviews I have found on the Internet
are terrible.

Oh well, its the thought that counts right?

 

[chas08]

Oh well, its the thought that counts right?

Thats exactly right. Enough said.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Unfortunately, from my limited experience with the 916, the reviews are correct. You should treasure it as a gift, but depend on something else if you ever really need a shotgun...

lpl

 

[Mp7]

..you might want to put fresh flowers in the barrels every day.

 

[rbernie]

Oh well, its the thought that counts right?

Absolutely true. Gifting a firearm is not a trivial thing under most any circumstances, and it's not likely that he thinks as poorly of it as does the industry in general.

 

[p4+riot]

Yeah. If anything it's a good "My First Shotgun."
It is nice to look at and so far it shoots so I can't
complain.

Can someone point me to a good, affordable, reputable
shotgun? I would eventually like to have something nice.

 

[Milkmaster]

You are going to get many responses P4 on what you should get! First tell us what you plan to do with it and how much you want to spend. That information will help all of us to help you!

Whatever shotgun you buy, save enough money for practice ammunition!

 

[p4+riot]

I want a shotgun that is reputable, tested, long lasting,
and reasonably priced. I'm thinking $300 - $400 sounds
like a good price.

I'm kind of fond of the Remington 870 but don't know a
whole lot about it.

 

[Milkmaster]

There is nothing wrong with choosing the 870. The 870 comes in numerous configurations. Even more than that if you buy used. Sometimes buying used can bring more value for your dollar. Read some of the "sticky" messages listed at the top of the forum. It is good reading and will help provide some insight. Take your time and research your choice before buying.

Good Luck!

 

[bobby n.]

p4, try it and see if you like it...my dad gifted a bolt action kessler to me. big heavy needed fixed in a few spots, but once it was tuned in, id never ever give it up..so give it a shot. some people are fixed in their opines about everything from guns to the beer they drink. rating schmating we each have our own tune we hum...

 

[amkus]

Both the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 are well in your price range. Both are top notch shotguns.

 

[fireman 9731]

If I could only have one shotgun, it would be a Remington 870!

 

[zombienerd]

I think most people will choose either the 870 or the Mossberg 500.

If you want to spend a little less money, there's also the Maverick 88 by Mossberg, A $200-ish copy of the 500, with a different trigger group. I own one of the 88's, and they are fine little guns, over 200 slugs through mine so far, and nary a problem.

 

[Moonclip]

Well they do have that big neat S&W emblem on the receiver The newer S&W pump, the mod 3000, was an excellent gun though.

 

[rbernie]

I'm kind of fond of the Remington 870 but don't know a
whole lot about it

The 870 is one of the most popular pump guns - ever. It works well, has lots of support in the aftermarket for parts and such, and has a good reputation for durability and reliability.

They generally come in two flavors; the polished metal/walnut 'Wingmaster', and the matte metal/generic hardwood 'Express'. The Express model was designed to make the 870 affordable for most folk, and most big box stores and WallyWorld sell them new for under $300. The Wingmaster has a better finish, but that extra work in the factory makes the price higher.

A local pawn shop here has a decent/clean 870 Express for $150. That's just below the 'normal' going rate around here for the plainer 870s.

That's about as functional and durable a shotgun as you can get.