I gotta buy a shotgun...

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Blueduck

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I know it's heresy here, but yeah :( LOVE my pistols and revolvers, like my rifles, just never had or have the slightest interest in shotguns. I've owned a Remignton 1100 light twenty (rabbits) and a Winchester Defender (was young and it looked "bad"). Sold both off relatively quickly.

Now however I wish to join my fellow DOC employee's at their competitions. It's 80% handgun but the other mandatory 20% is scattergun with 00 Buck. As I understand it's mainly some plate shooting and relatively close range IDPA (with a shotgun) kind of thing. No slug shooting that I've heard of. Auto's or pumps are ok.

Suggestions
 
Every match I've been to, people have offered to let me borrow them for the stage...can't you borrow it just for the COF? That way you don't have to clean it :p ...and you can try all (under stress, even better) before you buy.

What's your budget?
 
I'm sure I could borrow one for the events but if I'm gonna be shooting in "public" (which is gonna be bad enough ;) ) I'm gonna need to practice at home.

Budget... I'd like to walk out the door under $500.
 
Go borrow the shotguns, shoot a stage or two with them. That way you will know what shotgun is right for your money. Take advantage of the generosity of the shooters, they are trying to help you avoid some of the "new gun gottahavits" they wasted money on along the way while showing off the current favorites.

There is NO substitute for trying the shotguns. You may be surprised at which one fits you the best.
 
Likely good advice on using the first time out to try out some guns, thanks.

Any general thoughts on sights versus bead for this kind of game? and whether most folks use cylinder bore guns or some type of choke?

PS I bet most folks would assume anybody with "duck" in their handle would know a little more about shotguns huh ;)
 
Check out Dave McCracken's assorted threads and responses. Serious wealth of knowledge.

I was in same situation as you, looking for a "game" gun with possible HD use. Got a Police turn-in 870 (18". bead sight), fit it with side saddle, wilson mag extension, and new set of stocks. Less than $300 into the whole package. Looks cool, shoots accurate, groups well, and is FAST.

At last weeks combat pistol shoot at club, 2 Benelli autos jammed as did a FN police. My beater smoked 'em.:D
 
Rem 870 HD model. 18" barrel, 7-shot extension, black synthetic stock. On sale for $319 right now at Big5 sporting goods. Highly recommend.
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That's why you chose an 870P instead??? :neener:

j/k

Haven't seen you on THR in a long while, Sandune!
 
870, Mossberg, Benelli Nova, Winchester SX2, Benelli M1S90. But i think its completely personal preference. Best bet is to go out and shoot as many as possible and figure out what you want out of your shotgun.

The question is what else are you going to do with your shotgun aside from competitions? HD, hunting, clay shooting, "serious" shooting, fishing, golf? j/k on the golf...

I'd probably keep those other things in mind when buying your shotty.
 
You mentioned DOC. Back in the day I used an 870 for LE 3 gun matches because A, I use 870s for everything and B, it was the duty shotgun. My handgun scores were never top line, but I took HOA a few times from good rifle and shotgun scores.

What make shotgun is your agency using? Use that, and competition becomes good practice. It may keep you or a fellow CO alive and the public safer.

Warning, doing one fun thing with a shotgun oft leads to doing more fun things with shotguns, and you may end up with 6 870s. BTDT!!....
 
What make shotgun is your agency using? Use that, and competition becomes good practice. It may keep you or a fellow CO alive and the public safer.
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Our Department uses the Remington 870, which from reading up on seems a pretty respected choice. To not take credit where not deserved I'm not a CO, I'm a field Parole Officer. Several years ago we were put in with DOC.

It's really a contrast, us field people don't have anything to do with Department issued shotguns, but many of us are avid handgunners (what we carry). When taking a youth group on a "scared straight" type program to our closest insititution I got talking with the CO's and found out that while they qualify with handguns most considered it right up there with mandatory PT and diversity training:eek: Mention shotguns however and eye's lit up as they discussed tactics, the last scores, reloading shells etc...

You can really tell what they consider the "main" weapon to be. Might except the guys in the towers with AR-15's but I was told to stay away from those folks anyway ;)

Thanks again!
 
I'm leaning toward the Benelli Nova myself. It comes stock with some nice ghost rings, and a mercury recoil supressor. I dont really want to fiddle very much. I get all of that i need from my 10/22.
 
I'm leaning toward the Benelli Nova myself. It comes stock with some nice ghost rings, and a mercury recoil supressor
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AFAIK it doesn't come with the recoil reducer, AND you need to buy the mounting bracket for it.... does your dealer have one w/ it already in the stock?

Love those LPAs.
 
Skunkabilly, only 6. So far...

Blueduck, handguns are what we have to fight our way back to our shotguns and rifles with. BTW,last qualifier I shot I scored 91% for my carry permit. Lowest in decades, but my cataract surgery left the sights a hair fuzzy. Got great distance vision tho.

Never was a top handgunner but I did OK. Still do,kinda. Preparedness means knowing all weapons....
 
Well, relative loaned me a Remington 870 SP with 26" bbl and set of choke tubes today. In fact he was so hopefull I'd put down the handguns and take up shotgunning with him that he loaned me the gun on a "take it till you find something you like better and buy it" basis. Can't beat that.

Not sure how much was due to studying Dave McCracken's "Proper Mounting Techniques" thread and how much was shooting a heavier, longer BBL gun than the 18" Defender I had years ago, but it was really a night and day experience, I had a blast:) Recoil was no problem through 50 rounds of light loads, and even the ten rounds of 00 Buck I patterned with caused no real discomfort. Even got a little more respect for buckshot as all the pellets were in the vitals of target at 15 yards with the modified choke and usually 7-9 of the 12 were still good at an honest 25 yards (my open cylinder defender was pretty useless past 15 yards)

Likely not the best gun for the game I've got in mind due to the long bbl and low capacity (not going to go around modifying a borrowed gun). But I was really just looking to get my feet wet and everythings going far better than anticipated. Thanks all for the help! :D

PS While I've still got some issues with shotguns for other than hunting or games, if Dave McCracken ever puts his threads in book form I'll be fighting for that first place in line...
 
Gald to help, Blueduck, if I did. Good form is needed no matter how light the load. And 10 buck loads will tear someone a new one if form is bad. Sounds like you're turning into a shotgunner.

While that barrel is longer than convetion dictates, it's the shotgun ya got. Run what ya brung and have fun. Decent used 870s are neither scarce nor expensive(though bargains are harder to find these days) and I know there's a Cinderella shotguns out there waiting for its Prince.

And try the other stuff. Clays can be as much fun as we can have fully dressed.

As for books, be patient.There will be two eventually. One will be Shotgunning 101, written right before your very eyes here. A workbook and guide for the novice. The other will be Shotgun Satori, more warm fuzzies, history and less technical stuff.
 
Glad to help, Blueduck, if I did.
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Oh I'm most certain you did, and other info provided will be of great use in the future. Spent a good part of the last two days searching over your postings here and TFL and not nearly done.

Know my form was very different than before following your advice, and had a much more pleasurable time today, heck I think I'm gonna shoot some more tommorow!

Thanks again!
 
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