New Shooter

[Maxus Man]

Hi All

I am just getting interested in shooting again, having shot .22's and air rifles in Cadets a few years back

I am very keen to buy a shotgun, and although Ive never hunted before, I would like to pursue upland game and waterfowl, as well as using the gun for trap.

I did have my eyes set on the Benelli Nova, but Ive heard there have been some potential issues with barrel wobble? Has anyone here experienced that?
Also, Im 5'9", would this be a harder gun to handle for someone my size?

I guess my other choices are the 870 and 1300, although I like the look of the 1300 more. When it comes down to it, does the 1300 match up to the 870 express?? Is either going to be a reliable choice? My price range is about 350-450US

Thanks a lot for any advice you may have

PS - I still have about 30 days for my firearms licence to clear (Canada) so I have a month or so to decide...

Edit
---
What about the Browning BPS?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard, Matt. T'is a fine madness you're walking into. A coupla things...

First, the shotguns you mention are all class acts. The 870 may last longer, but I dare you to wear out a 1300 or that new Nova.

BTW, Benelli has few Spanish speakers in the company, IMO. Otherwise, they'd know No Va means won't go.....

Novas have some forearm rattle, and the one piece stock/receiver unit means there's little that can be done if it's not a good fit. At 5'9", you may be close enough that that isn't a problem.

I suggest trying different models of the above firearms as well as the BPS , Mossbergs 500 series and the now defunt Ithaca 37. Get the one that feels best and BA/UU/R....

More important than the hardware is the software. A good instructor going over the basics can save you immeasurable time and effort. Reading the 101 threads in the archives may help also.

HTH.....

 

[shermacman]

Welcome, Matt!
Just listen to whatever that McCracken dude has to say. He has the shotgun world pretty well figured out!

 

[Oregon_Rob]

I suggest you read up on or find someone who can explain how to see if the gun fits you. Then find someplace that has both. The 1300 fits me a little better, I am on my second one. I bought one used when I was 18 (21 years ago) for $100 and shot the crap out of it. Looked at many different guns and went back to the 1300, only in the synthetic.
I would have gone with the BPS, but I needed a shotgun that I didn’t care if it fell in the mud . We have had both 870’s and 1300’s get packed with mud while duck hunting. If they don’t seem to be working right, we hold them in the water, work the action a few times and go back to hunting . Then clean them properly when we get home. If I had a nice semi-auto, I would take the 1300 for backup!:banghead:

 

[Fred Fuller]

Hi, Matt, and welcome to THR.

Sounds as if you are on the right track, none of the guns you have listed are poor choices. I am an unabashed fan of the 870, as are some others hereabouts, but you would be hard put to wear out any of the guns you list. Try out your available options for fit and feel, shoot any that are available (friends' guns, gun club rentals etc) and then make up your mind as to what you like best. It would be better to handle or shoot various guns before making a choice, that's why the advice to 'try several and then choose' keeps coming up.

Have fun, and Stay Safe,

lpl/nc

 

[kahr404life]

Welcome fellow North American. I am surprised you can obtain any kind of permit in that far North realm. Good Luck! I hope the Mounties approve your permit.

 

[Maxus Man]

Thanks to everyone for their advice and insight

Although Lee's idea ia a great one

Try out your available options for fit and feel, shoot any that are available (friends' guns, gun club rentals etc) and then make up your mind as to what you like best.
lpl/nc

the Canadian government are doing all they can to ensure that a new generation of shooters and hunters never make it.

I just dont know anyone who hunts, and the gun club doesnt exist within any close proximity, nor does it have rental guns.

People wonder why I would want to hunt, never having done so before.
They dont understand the care for nature, and involvement in the environment that hunting requires and rewards.
This ignorance has been ingrained into the psyche of the Canadian population. I can't try a friends gun (Ill be the only one with a gun that I know), and the Skeet and Trap club in a city of 1.1 million people probably has 20 members.
So everything that I learn here will have to go into my choice, and thankfully it seems that as long as one of these fine weapons fits properly, it will reward me for many years.

thanks again everyone