looking for a cheap shotgun with the express purpose of converting for HD.

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So, wife says I have a couple hundred to spend on a shotgun for a Christmas present. I'm looking to convert it for HD by shortening the barrel and forend and sawing the stock (if the stock is nice I'll sell it or put it aside and get a beat up one, I won't ruin a good stock). What is a fair price to pay for an old wood stocked 870 of any variation or Mossberg 500a, wood stock?

Any other brands you recommend? I'm open to the possibility of an old Springfield 67h, Sears/JC Higgins, etc, even a Winchester 1200 or 120 Ranger...how hard are those guns to maintain? An Ithaca 37 would be awesome to, how much for a perfectly workable but well used 37?
 
Maverick or Mossberg 500A. You can get them where they need little if any modification for your purpose, and you can still convert them back with another barrel at a later point if you ever feel like hunting with them.
 
I saw some new remington 870 express magnums in my local shop for 250 bucks, 12 ga. 4+1, 2 3/4 or 3" matte black with black synthetic stock. the New mossberg 500s were $329 and the mossberg 590s were $429. I've never heard of a Maverick, but any 870. 500. or 590 is easily customizable for HD, and awesome shotguns.
 
Hello friends and neighbors// Good choices

My local pawn shop has a 12ga. 3" magnum Mossberg w/shoulder stock, 18 1/2" barrel for $160.00 I'd try for $125.00 if I needed one. ( Rockhill SC if you happen to be near there).
I see where Bud's guns has the 12ga. 3" ,6+1, 18" barrel Remington 870 Express Tac. synthetic stock for $328.00 delivered.

Unless you are experienced at checking out used shotguns I'd recommend buying new or having a gunsmith look at a used purchase.

I saved for six months for an 870 Express and I found this one damaged (scratched on display) Remington had a $30.00 rebate and I got 20% off for scratch on 2 shot extension tube. Cost $439.00 Remington 870 Express Tacital.jpg

Remington 870 Express Tactical w/Ghost Ring Sights ; synthetic stock,12ga., 3" magnum , parkerized,,18 1/2" barrel with cylinder choke/breacher (I could do with out that thing and will have to add cost of replacement choke), sling grommets, shoulder pad,scope rail.

There are things I would like to add (forearm with flashligh holder and side rail)but I'll have to wait another six months to save up. Luckily, it usually takes me that long to find the right deal.

I hope you find the right one for you, good luck... content
 
Around here, a Mossy 500 used in good conditions (it would be modified anyway right??) can be had as little as under $100.
I got mine for 80 bucks (variable choke) and it is a blast at the trap range.

When it doesn't pulverize clay pidgeon, it sleeps under my bed stuffed with 00 buck....
 
I've got an Ithaca for sale but it's already set up for HD. It has a Surefire dedicated forearm light and a sidesaddle. I'll send you details via PM.
 
No, no. NOT 'cheap.'

INEXPENSIVE.

There's a difference!

$100 shotguns have gotten pretty hard to find around here, as inflation takes its toll. But a good used 'store brand' shotgun from Winchester (Sears Ted Williams Model 200) or Mossberg (several 'store brands') used to be pretty common. A High Standard Flite King masquerading as a Sears J. C. Higgins Model 20 is a good bet, and likely to be the slickest pumpgun you'll ever lay hands on. Those are likely to be the most common sleepers.

But some judicious shopping might fetch you a good buy on something a little pricier. I got a Mossberg 590 MarineCote recently for about $225- a coat of camo spray paint had it looking pretty yucky, and it was priced accordingly. And then there was the $150 Winchester 1300 slug gun, sold cheap because 'it kicks too much.' Or the $100 Hawk 981...

There are some good deals out there, just shop around.

lpl
 
No, no. NOT 'cheap.'

INEXPENSIVE.

There's a difference!
Click to expand...

Absolutely, definitely, completely agree

Not only in firearms...its is a difference, unfortunately, many people fail to recognize and it makes the marketing divisions of companies extremely happy and fat....

Just an example in the firearms world....if it were for me Kimber would literally cease to exist...and yes I could afford a firearm from that company any time of the day...
 
I recently bought a Mossberg 500 in 20ga. that had the barrel shortened to 19 inches. Some roughness on the forearm wood. Bought off Gun Broker for a total of $124 with the shipping. ( I prefer the 20ga for home defense)

Avoid the Savage 67 and 30 series guns IMO . Mossberg 500, used ones can be had for $125 to $175 in very good shooting condition. Remington 870's are usualy a bit higher, starting at about $165 but can still be found in good shooting condition for the money you have to spend. That includes older wingmasters , and sometimes police guns with already short barrels.
 
I'm hoping to land a Wingmaster, a plain jane 500, or an old Ithaca 37 if I'm lucky. I plan on using wood forend and stock, with forend shortened and stock cut and sanded into pistol grip. I'll post pics of the gun's stock and forend beforehand to make sure I'm not desecrating some quality stuff. I'm hoping to get some cheap laminate stuff. I'll probably sell or trade the long barrel on the wingmaster, shorten the barrel on the 500, and sell/trade the Itcha barrel which I probably won't be able to do. all in all the 500 would probably be the easiest and the most guilt free.
 
Mossberg's Maverick 88 line of shotguns is a low priced alternative to the M500. It's about 95% of an M500 for 80% the cost. They are great HD guns. I've got one with a Hogue overmolded stock and 18.5" smooth barrel and a SureFire on the end for HD. Loaded with 00 buck. Cost was about $169 new, plus the stock (which was a Xmas present).
 
No, no. NOT 'cheap.'

INEXPENSIVE.

There's a difference!
Click to expand...

I'm glad you said that, Lee! I can NOT tell you how many times I've tried to explain the diff to folks over the years. Saved me from having to type it.

rich
 
How about dedicating your 590 to HD and picking up a nice '37 or Wingmaster as more of an all purpose shooter?
Click to expand...
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Kinda sorta what I'm doing. The gun that I buy will double as hd/field. I going to have two stock sets for it, one sawed into a pistol grip, the other a nice full stock. One shortened forend, one nice. And obviously two barrels.
 
I've never heard of a Maverick
Click to expand...

Maverick's are Mossberg's "Budget Line" The maverick 88 is a Mossberg 500 with a "less expensive" finish, and a different trigger assembly. Everything else is interchangeable with the 500.

I've got an 88 I paid $160 brand new last year... Nice shotgun :)
 
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