Multipurpose Shotgun?

[PARISICC]

Hi Everyone,

I am very new to this scene. I've shot a bunch of different guns before but I don't know a heck of a lot about them, let alone what's out there and what's better than what.

I guess to start off, I have been considering the purchase of a shotgun. I think it would be nice to have something that can be used for "defense" as well as something I can have some fun with and shoot trap/skeet with. I'd also like something that meets my taste for visual appeal (I know this is subjective).

I've done some reasearch and have seen some pretty interesting guns. Specifically, the FN TPS, Remington 870, Mossberg 500, etc. Can you put (longer?) barrels on these guns to make them work for target shooting?

If there is something else I should be reading that I haven't found yet, I'd appreciate if you could direct me. I'm not new to forums and I know how to search, but I'm not getting anything too specific when I do.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[foghornl]

Both Remington and Mossberg offer "Combo" packages...a short 18"-21" barrel for HD, and a long 26"-30" barrel, for general hunting uses, usually with swappable choke tubes.

Advantage to these guns is that you only need a minute or 2 for a barrel switch (if you work very slowly), and the "Chops" remain the same...controls are in the same place since you didn't switch guns, only barrels.

A lot of folks prefer the Remington offerings, while I am a Mossberg guy. Also, if you need to go with the value-price-point entry-level shotgun, but still want a new shotgun, Mossberg's subsidiary Maverick Arms also has combo packages. MOST Mossberg 500 and aftermarket accesories will fit the Maverick 88.

 

[mr.trooper]

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=216

Shortest barrel your likely to find on a "sporting gun". It would make a good defensive shotgun, but it retains all of the sporting goodness.

* It's reliable
* It's practical
* It looks innocent.

The problem with most tactical shotuguns is that they have a fixed Cyl Bore choke. That makes them worthless for anything other than slugs or buckshot at close range. To be of any worth for Clay games or hunting you will need various choke tubes.

 

[PARISICC]

thanks for the replies guys. just curious, but what makes you veer towards the mossberg side vs. the remington side?

the combo package sounds like a pretty good fit for my situation. are they based on multiple shotguns or is it only one shotgun that they offer the combo package on?

 

[foghornl]

The Mossbergs/Mavericks "Fit" me better than the Remington 870, as much as I like the "Wingmasters". I also prefer the 'receiver tang' location of the Mossberg safety over the Remington 'trigger guard assembly' safety location.

One other thing that some people [like me] prefer is the location of the action lock release on the Mossberg/Maverick vs. the Remington.

 

[PJR]

The multi-purpose shotgun requires two barrels. Clays and birds are games requiring movement and focus on the target. In an HD role a shotgun is like a large caliber rifle where the focus should be on the front sight.

For casual clays a pump is fine but it is not as good as a semi-auto. If you want a pump then consider the Remington 870 Express combo with a 28" vent rib barrel and a 20" rifle-sighted barrel. For a semi-auto, a Remington 11-87 with a spare slug barrel.

If money is no object then a Benelli M2 with a 18.5" rifle sight and 28" vent rib barrel.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'll be a contrarian. You don't need two barrels. One barrel that is 21" or 22" long is the perfect compromise and will work for everything - home defense, waterfowl, upland birds, gun games, turkeys younameit. Get one with a fold down or removable rear sight, or no rear sight. You cannot have a fixed rear sight for wingshooting. You do not necessarily need a rear sight at all, even for turkeys.

On brand/model, pick the one that fits your budget and get one with interchangeable choke tubes. Either 12 or 20 ga. When in doubt, get 12 ga. Pump or semi does not matter. Mossberg 500/500A (or Maverick) on a budget. Or Rem 870, Winchester 1300, or Mossberg 590A if you have a little more to spend. Semi-autos are more still. Pumps are usually preferred/recommended for an all-purpose gun, due to the extraordinarly reliability and very near semi-auto speed.