My First Shotgun

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RookieWingHunter

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Hello, this is my first post, i just started hunting last season with my uncle, (my dad doesnt hunt), and know it is time for me to get my first gun, a shotgun, i was looking at the 870 express just because that is what everyone else has, but i wanted to know if there were any more pump or auto shotguns that were under $400-450 that would be a good candidate for a first gun, i will primarily be shooting skeet at the range here at home and hunting dove and squirrel at my uncles' house. thanks for reading and looking forward to being a member on here.
 
It's hard to beat an 870 as a first, second or third shotgun. A classic pumpgun is better than a cheap auto in the sub $500 range. Go for it!
 
You really have many choices for under $450. A Remington is always a good choice. Mossberg has a fine line of shotguns with the 590, I believe, being a popular choice here. Winchester also has a fine line of products. For the purposes stated, a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag would be a great choice with the 26" barrel and removable chokes. The 835, IMO, works wonders on skeet and any kind of fowel be it land or air.
 
Hi, Rookie 8^). Welcome aboard!

The best advice I can give you on selecting your first shotgun is to try out as many different makes and models as you can before you make up your mind. That might mean just handling and mounting different shotguns at your favorite gunstore, or it might mean renting different shotguns at the gun club, if they do that there of course. It is better to actually be able to shoot different guns in the process of making up your mind, you might be able to get friends and relatives to let you use their guns on the skeet range (you should buy the ammunition though).

Most of us old fuddyduddies got started with single shot shotguns. Some of us still shoot them after many years, too. Please at least think about that option if you're young and really don't have a good bit of experience yet in gunhandling. A single shot helps enforce good form in shooting (by encouraging you to make each shot count since you don't have a followup readily available) and makes it easier to be safe with the gun. They are simple and usually pretty inexpensive too (though some of the really costly trap guns are single shots).

Good luck in your search for the perfect gun, congratulations on having an uncle to help you learn, and please feel welcome here. And above all,

Stay Safe.

lpl/nc
 
Find a gun that fits. I wasted allot of money over a bunch of years before I found that out. If I had $1000 to spend on a gun I would rather spend $200 on the gun and $800 on a fitting than have a $1000 gun and no fit. I could hit consistently with the $200 gun and not with the other. For a shotgun fit is everything. Most guns are serviceable and will do the job required.

az
 
The 870 is a great first gun. They are tough to beat or the price and the durability.

I'd also look at the Benelli Nova (if it fits you). Light wt but heavier felt recoil, so get limbsave recoil pad. highly recomended...

I've had both and loved each until I sold out to the autoloaders (M1 Super 90 and SBE).

Either the 870 or the Nova should make you very happy.
 
Rookie, welcome to THR. There's much to learn here. Stay awhile and do lots of reading. Ask questions as you wish, and learn how to use that SEARCH function. (We can help you with that as well.)

As you can see from my user name I'm a major fan of the 870. I've owned two in my life. First was a wingmaster 16 ga when i was in my mid to late teens.

I now own an 870P, an 870 modified for home defense (actually a police "riot" gun) with a short barrel (18").

You can't go wrong with an 870 as a first gun, including the express.

However, I've gotta agree with Lee Lapin (as I almost always do) to suggest a single shot as your first. Everything he wrote about those is true, so I won't repeat it.

My very first shotgun was a 20 ga single shot. I forget who made it now, but it taught me MUCH about how to handle it, how to make every shot count, etc.

I eventually sold it and bought the 16 ga. wingmaster, but I'm glad I started with a single shot. I think it made me a better shotgunner in the long run.

Good luck with your decision, and keep us posted on what you get. ;)

Nem
 
im back

sorry guys i was on vacation for 2 weeks it was only supposed to be 2 days but my grandmother hit her knee so she couldnt get us home, but anyways, i think that i will go with the Remington 870, i know that the single shot would probably be better for me as i havent had a shotgun before, but the only single shot(gun) around Jacksonville,Fl is $50 peice of junk., i saw a Bps the other day , it looked pretty good but i guess the performance doesnt catch up with the looks... i did get a gun while i was away, my grandma gave me my grandpa's old .22, it is pretty good condition, he bought it from a sears catalog, in the 1960's, i like it a lot, it has some character here's a pic, i hope this doesnt get moved to the rifle country section, needless to say this is an antique.
thanks so much for the advice, you guys know what you are talkin about!

Oh yeah, i live in Jacksonville,FL, but i will be hunting in the panhandle and southern alabama

Here is my new(to me) Ranger Model 35A (Stevens 66A):
 

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For 400/450 bucks, you can get a used Remington 870 Wingmaster that will be a way better quality gun than the express. Nearly every good gun shop should have more than one used 870.

that would be my suggestion.

Trust me, this shotgunning stuff is addicting.
I started with one gun, I think between me and wife now we have 9 shotguns? 9could be more, i don't really want to go open the safe)
IN TWO YEARS

So, don't get too bogged down on the first one. :rolleyes:
 
I have both the 870 and the BPS and both have functioned flawlessly. My waterfowl gun is a 870 Supermag with a 30in barrel in camo, and shoots like a dream. While I have never required 3 1/2 in shells, the 3 in. goose loads can make for heavy recoil. But in December with heavy clothing on I don't have a problem with them. My BPS in 20ga with a 28in barrel is great for upland game. I had a BPS in 12ga and it also shot flawlessly, but was a little too heavy to carry around. The advantage though of a heavier shotgun is less felt recoil. So don't underestimate the quality of a BPS.
 
i am a weakling,

i am a small guy, are the 870's super heavy compared to other shotguns? i have held the 870 and only one other shotgun.: the S&Wmodel 1000 in 20ga.
i really liked the feel of that m1000, too bad they arent very common or else i would like to look into those.
 
Field grade 870s with 18" barrels go a bit over 7 klbs for the most part. My 870TB Trap gun with all that wood runs a bit over 8 in stock form.

A Light Contour barrel will save some weight,so will an old style Coontail forend.

IMO, most folks bigger than Tinker Bell can handle a 12 gauge 870 IF the stock fits them.

Some dry mounting at home will help condition the muscles needed.
 
It's a good day on Earth when Dr. Dave makes a recommendation about shotguns, especially 870's, cause we all get to learn.

I'm going to take the initiative to (re)iterate two of his points that I totally agree with (because he {with the help of notable others here) taught me much about 870's,and because my own experience is another data point in favor of his assertion}:

IMO, most folks bigger than Tinker Bell can handle a 12 gauge 870 IF the stock fits them.

Some dry mounting at home will help condition the muscles needed.
Click to expand...
I'm 6' and hovering around 135. Slightly larger than Tink, but well below Terminator.

I find my 12 ga 870 (18") a joy to shoot. Yeah, a shotgun workshop with over a hundred rnds would (meaning I've not done one ... yet) rattle my brain, but a couple or three boxes o' shells ('specially RR) put through the barrel with appropriate attention to snugging that baby up close, in tight (just like you'd prefer any welcome love or ally) ain't nothing to worry about.

Plus, mine's got an R3 pad on it, highly recommended for those of us closer to tinker than terminator.

And yes, those dry fire sessions at home (done ONLY after tripled checking that said shot gun is unloaded) will substantially help that firing comfort.

Remember: snug 'er up tight on the shoulder, and lean into it a bit.

Make sure your fingers are well up on the fore end when racking. (You'll likely make the "pinch mistake" once if you don't.)

Happy Saturday everyone.

Nem
 
If your a smaller statured guy look into the 870 youth model 20 ga less kick and its alot shorter overal. Either way you cant go wrong with an 870 I'll bet my paycheck on it. :neener:
 
I see you looked at a S&W 1000 20ga. :uhoh:

I have a S&W 1000 12ga, it's the 'multiple choke' model, I just use it for trap shooting and I'm not all too serious about it. It's a good gun, but it's 'touchy' I've been working on cleaning it for the past few days and figure out how it's supposed to be assembled. I wouldn't recommend it for a first gun, they weren't all to poular, parts and guys who know them are sparce. It has a great feel to it, light and has the engraveing on the sides of the reciever... not for a first gun though

I'd recomend an 870, good platform to start with and build off of.
 
thanks

thanks guys as soon as i can get down to the store i will be going to get an 870-12ga. sounds like you cant beat 'em for price and durablilty and stuff. thanks for helpin me out, ... so now i guess its my turn to help other rookies :)
 
<OT tangent>

<smiles> Trust me, Card: I eat all day, everyday. It just never seemed to help. I've been a rail all my life. High metabolism just burns up the calories. (It's a great thing to be able to stuff myself with so much and not suffer the spare tire syndrome that others would.)

Still, I'd rather be thin than fat. At least I'm not participating in the "obesity epidemic" that is plaguing the US.

And, I may be small, but it's all solid and functional. Several folks in my day have been rather surprised (often from positions on their back on the ground) at how fast and mean a small body can be. (When one grows up small, one learns street fighting very early. ;)

My doctors have all told me that I'll probably out live most of you <ahem> heavier folks. ;)
_______

<Male announcer> "We now return you to the originally scheduled shotgun thread, which is already in progress..."
 
"its my turn to help other rookies....

Exactly. You just figured out how it works. Huzzah!!
 
another option

Think long term on whatever you get. My dad still has a Model 12!!
Believe what the previous poster said about fit - that is why me & my BPS get along so well.

I dont think you can go wrong with any of these for the money.
Mossberg - like the controls - had 1 along time ago -
Rem 870 - ubiquitous - can't argue with success - volume lends to savings, support, knowledge & aftermarket parts
An 870 with the Mossberg/BPS controls would be pretty darn perfect.

BPS - is a great gun (for me at least) I bought one years ago when I shot with some lefties. It is good for for right or left handers. The receiver being solid on both sides has an advantage of keeping debris out. The shells eject into the pirogue/at your feet if you pick up your empties. I like where the controls are. Good quality, quiet (No Rattles), handles well. $$ Not as cheap as others. Academy had 1 for less than $500 last week
Mine is 12ga 2.75" or 3" 28" modified good all around gun before choke tubes came in.

Hatsan - foreign but supposedly good quality - Legacy is US importer/name
http://www.hatsan.com.tr/escort_field_hunter.asp

My dad just got this one - ($575)http://www.hatsan.com.tr/escort_camo_waterfowl.asp
there was a lot of shotgun for the money & some others that have it love it.
Importer & pricing ($250.00 will get you something)
http://www.legacysports.com/escort/index.htm

Have fun & be safe
Mike
 
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