My fiancee wants to buy us a HD shotgun... help!

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buckeye8

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So I've never owned a shotgun, but I've spent plenty of time 'wishing out loud' and apparently my wonderful future wife has paid attention. She agrees that we need a shotgun in the house for HD. So here is the great part: She wants to go out and buy one with her tax return (Did I mention I love this woman?). So here is the part where is gets a little sticky: She's never bought a gun before, and said she just wants to go to Dick's Sporting Goods and pick one out. :scrutiny:

I told her she was unnecessarily limiting herself as far as price and selection, but for whatever reason, she's not interested in going into a gun shop and buying one. She's been in gun shops a couple of times, but Dick's must feel more like a 'retail' shopping experience to her, and is more in her comfort zone. Irrational, I know, as we have some very nice gun shops in my area. But that's just how it is. So, I checked out the selection at the local Dick's with her, and here's what we saw:

Remington 870 HD: $499
Mossberg Mariner: $420 (Her first choice because it has a 'pretty' nickel finish)
Mossberg 500 HD: $300

I think the Mariner is nice, but I don't really want my first shotgun to be a boat gun. The 870 and the 500 are both configured similarly from what I can tell (7+1 and all that), but I didn't handle them. I assumed because of the price tag that the 870 was not the Express model (tag just said 'Remington 870 Home Defense), could I be wrong about that?

If I let her decide, we will get the Mariner. If I aggrevate her too much, I may not get a shotgun at all! If you were me, would you risk it trying to talk her into the 870 or let her get the 'pretty' Mariner?
 
I'll pass on the advice that was given to me in my "wife wants an AK-47" thread - let her buy what she wants and be very happy she is into guns.
 
I honestly think the Mariner is the better gun. Despite the name, don't think of it as a "boat gun." It's just like owning a stainless handgun. Besides, your future bride is doing a very good thing for you here, and you shouldn't mess with that, especially since she seems to have made a good choice. If you micro-manage this decision for her, this may be the last time she decides to buy you anything at the gun counter. Don't do that.
 
My first thought is that my pick would be the 870, but I think that price is high. A better price can be had at other retailers.

Do yourself a favor and get in some research time before you buy anything. There are some "sticky" topics at the top of the shotgun forum that were put there for just this reason. They provide some good insight and maybe will answer quite a few of your questions. Getting off to a good start will make the whole shotgun experience a great deal better for you. Our moderator Dave mcCracken may also have some words of wisdom for the onset of shotgun ownership.

OH! forgot to mention...nice wife!
 
That mariner is a beautiful weapon. If that's what she wants, don't stop her. All three guns will do the job equally well, so why NOT choose one based on looks? That's like telling her not to get the SS 1911 because the parkerized one is the same gun only cheaper. You may be right, but stainless is a lot prettier. I've always wanted a SS/black shotgun, but other priorities have gotten in the way. GO FOR IT!
 
I've got the 870 HD from Dicks, its a great shotgun, I love it and use it at the range often... but I fall in love with the Mariner every time I go in there... I say let her get what she wants!
showem037.jpg
Thats what it looks like now btw...
 
I think you're looking a gift horse in the mouth!:scrutiny: If your fiance wants to buy a gun, let her!! Drive her there, support her, praise her "good choice", etc.... Women don't generally support men in their gun buying habits. Can't think of how many excuses I've had to cook up for my wife as to why I "need" this gun or particular gun accessory. I notice time after time guys in here saying that they "need to convince the wife to let them buy another whatever". If your woman is going to buy a gun, thank your lucky stars!!:) After Obama was elected, my wife came home and told me to buy as much gun stuff as I could before Hussein outlawed it.:D Two Ar's and a 50 caliber BMG later.........:evil:
 
I got my Mossberg 500 Persuader from Dicks for $270 a few years ago. I'd have loved the Mariner, but I didn't feel the need to pay the extra money just to have the better finish. If she wants that one get it though! Like people have said, it's not a boat gun, it's just a gun with a better finish.

You're obviously looking at the right guns though with the 500 and 870.
 
How about renting a few and let her try them?? If she can handle it, great! - But if she can't then she will not be willing to use it if necessary.

Don't forget some training in those expenses as well
 
If it's really a "we" gun, she's going to want to be able to shoot it comfortably also. If that's indeed the case, you might want to get her to rethink the whole thing from the beginning. A shorter stock wmight be a consideration, depending on her physical size. A standard size magazine will reduce weight in front of the support hand. And it might be that a 20 gauge would be a better choice than a 12, because the gun will likely be lighter in weight overall and (with carefully chosen loads) recoil will be less as well.

Just more stuff to think about...

lpl
 
What Lee Lapin said; make sure the gun fits her. What I would do is irrelevant; I'd look for another used Wingmaster and she wouldn't want to buy a "used" gun.
 
Mossberg JIC, they're like $300 and come with a cool waterproof case and emergency supplies, you wont need the extras buy why not? It's a pistol grip Mossberg 500 with 8 round magazine if im not mistaken
 
The mariner is a fine firearm! Id love to have one. Ive always been a Mossberg fan becuse thats what Ive always owned. I finally got an old 870 to see what all the hype was about. All in all I like the Mossberg pumps way better. The safety is ia more user friendly place on the Mossberg. Especially for the ladies with smaller hands.
 
Let her buy the Boat Gun.
Hey, you may someday own a YACHT!

Actually, I had my eyes on the Mariner, however I could not afford it. Believe me, if I could afford one, I would have one!
 
DO NOT ARGUE. Support, compliment, and encourage her decision. "Great shotgun honey! You made a great choice. I can't wait for us to go to the range!"

As said above, all three are fine shotguns and will serve the intended purpose (HD) well. Let her make the final deicison and consider yourself VERY lucky.
 
Arent weapons with a "nickel" finish harder to care for? Ive heard that nickel is more finicky (for lack of a better word) when it comes to many solvents, cleaners, polishes and/or lubes.

I only ask because I myself have considered the 870 Mariner (vs my other primary choice....an 870 Police). But, the whole "nickel" thing kind of turned me off.

BTW- To answer the question, since this thread isnt about me, if she wants the Mariner..go for it. It seems like "tactical" black just may not be her thing. :)
 
Thanks for all of the great advice. I guess I need to remember that I have all the time in the world to acquire all the guns I want... but I'd have a hell of a time replacing her! Sometimes ya just need a little perspective I guess!
 
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