Help me with getting a shotgun

[TheOtherTaylor]

So for my birthday my dad has given me a budget of 325$ I'm really pushing to get an 870 or a 500, but it doesn't look like I'll have enough. I need to buy a case, some ammo and range time. Ideally I'd like to get an 870 Express synthetic 18 inch, but from what I've seen, that's my whole budget right there.
The 500 is from what I've seen the same price and I've heard good things about it but I'd like to have the 870.

I'm open to either. The requirement is it needs to come with a buttstock, and be able to fit my budget. Sorry for the lengthy post but I don't know where to turn, I need ideas for a cheaper place to get it.

If it helps, I'm in South FL.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

That should be plenty enough... IF you buy used. There are a lot of nice used 870s and 500s out there in really good shape for around $200 or even less.

You didn't mention what kind of case you need nor what kind of shells you want to practice with. If you wanna use a birdshot value pack to break it in with that won't hurt the budget. But if you want to try out your new shotgun with buckshot, slugs, or other heavy loads it'll probably cost you around a dollar per shell. Soft cases are pretty cheap if that fits your needs.

There's a shop up here in Georgia where I saw a Mossberg 500 for $160. It was used, but didn't look like it had been shot at all. It had a 26 inch barrel though and wood stocks. Even with shipping and an FFL transfer, you'd still be under $200.

 

[montveil]

Get as much basic gun as your money allows as you can always get the misc stuff later==birthdays etc

 

[TheOtherTaylor]

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to have to put through. I know you can get birdshot for next to nothing, but the indoor range near me only allows slugs, so we might have to go to the outdoor range and get some birdshot.

 

[Wood Man]

Check out "ArmsList.com" for your area. There's always plenty of good used 870's and 500's on there. Also hit the pawn shops. They usually have a few of each at different prices. If your local "Wally-World" sells guns check them out too. I've seen 870's and 500's in there for under $300. Even if you have to get a long barrel, a pipe cutter will trim it to what ever length you want. Good hunting.......

 

[lvalmont]

look at H&R Pardner and Mossberg Maverick 88

 

[USAF_Vet]

+1 for the Mav 88. it was my first 12gauge and despite having put a lot more money into it, you could easily buy it new, with a soft case and a box of shells for your budget.

 

[CaveLake08]

My first gun was a used 500 with wood furniture. It was around $190. There's not a lot that goes wrong with either of those guns so don't be afraid to buy used as long as it looks like it's in good shape and cycles well.

 

[reckless carolinian]

Pawn Shops. I've said it more times than I can count.

 

[Nushif]

I bet you could find a used 500 at a pawnshop easy for that price.

Just check it over, take it home and shoot it a lot. 8) It's what I did.

 

[withdrawn34]

You could get an Interstate Arms (Hawk) 982. I just bought one a few days ago. $185 NIB with ghost ring sights, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity. It is an 870 Express copy with arguably better build quality than the 870 Express. It also has a matte finish rather than the rough blue on the 870 Express.

Only downside is that it is made in China (if you consider that a downside). But, they build a better shotgun for the price compared to the 870 Express. It is tough to pass up.

 

[frankenstein406]

I would go with a 835 mossy. Easily found at $200 or less used. 2 3/4, 3, 3 1/2 shells so lots of room depending on what your using it for. Gun case $17 new. New or used ammo off armslist.com. so $250ish give or take. I just saw a 500 at a gun show for $140.

 

[oneounceload]

FL gun trader will have LOTS of folks who are willing to sell FTF. Guns move VERY quickly for reasonable prices. This would be for good condition used guns for the most part

http://floridaguntrader.com/

Here: http://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=79477 is a mint 870 WINGMASTER for $375 - just an example of what you can find - otherwise check your local pawn shops

 

[SoulLessGinger]

I would check out both and see which you like more. I prefer the controls on the 500, but some prefer the 870's. Then find a good used example and spent the rest on finding the ammo it likes best.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

Look at the NEF line of pumps and semi autos. Their reviews are way too long for me to get into.BUT web search will tell you all you need to know.

 

[kayak-man]

Get the gun you want. Trust me, its better to save up, and buy the gun you want instead of whats available. I've done that a few times. MKIII instead of a Buckmark, single shot instead of a coach gun. I have never said, "Boy, I'm glad I settled instead of getting what I wanted." I have said "I settled, and its not too bad." but thats because I bought the runner up, so I still knew what I was getting.

Oh, yea, the shotguns. I have the 870, and I love it. I know guys with mossbergs, and they're good guns, but If it was me, I'd go with the 870. You don't have to buy everything all at once. Get an 870, then the barrel you want for it if that works out better. As far as shells, In my neck of the woods, you can get a 100 from walmart for $20.

 

[btg3]

This is for home defense and it's just you and your mom at home?
Will your mom shoot this shotgun or is she protected otherwise when you are not there?
Would a handgun be better, or are you not yet 21?

Just checking.

 

[Mark8252]

Best Deal??

I also go with buy the best gun you can...get the rest later. You will be happier down the road.

 

[Big20]

You get what you pay for. Cheap foreign guns are OK if you shoot infrequently. When they break (20 years from now) good luck with repairs. Buy a USED Remington. It will last a lifetime. I bought a used Ithica (mfg. 1958) 40 years ago, shot thousands of rounds out of it and it still looks great and runs great. My buddy bought a new Rem. 870 40 years ago. It runs great but has seen a hard life and looks abused.

 

[straightshooter9]

You could get an Interstate Arms (Hawk) 982. I just bought one a few days ago. $185 NIB with ghost ring sights, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity. It is an 870 Express copy with arguably better build quality than the 870 Express. It also has a matte finish rather than the rough blue on the 870 Express.

Only downside is that it is made in China (if you consider that a downside). But, they build a better shotgun for the price compared to the 870 Express. It is tough to pass up.

I went to ACADEMY SPORTS at Jax Beach yesterday to check out their selection....BEST PRICES I've seen in Jacksonville!

I played with the INTERSTATE ARMS #982 with amazing "Ghost Sites"....
this gun is impressive! My understanding is that the CHINESE company that makes these "970" copies also makes arms for the MILITARY, and CHINESE Military Weapons are well made.
I think this one was $177.00

The other great choice as mentioned previously is the MOSSBERG MAVERICK 88 which, I think was $188.00............

Can't go wrong with either. I've just never been a "used" buyer of anything, but I'm sure any used MOSSBERG OR REMINGTON OR ITHACA
would last you a lifetime!

 

[Ari3sgr3gg0]

I picked up my J.C. Higgins Model 20 at a local gun shop for $75, has screw adjustable choke, 24" barrel, shoulder stock and five round mag. It only shoots 2 3/4" shells but that doesn't bother me. It's a blast to shoot and shows you can get really cheap guns that have stood the test of time( mine's about 60 years old). As for a case, Wal Mart should have gun socks that are exactly how they sound. Basically a sock that goes over your gun and slugs can be found online for pretty good prices, just my $0.02