Overall good first shotgun

[rromeo]

The beauty of Mossberg 500s and Remington 870s is barrel availability
You can always find a different barrel for either gun wherever you go. They're usually $100 or less on EBay.
I have 3 barrels for my Mossberg: 18.5" for around the house, 24" slug barrel, and a 28" for field use.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Remington 870. Affordable, reliable, plenty of replacement/aftermarket parts, and easy to find. It is the shotgun by which all others are judged.

 

[PabloJ]

Ok, I think I'm down to 12ga and will be choosing between 870 or 500.

But what barrel len? Let's say HD is the last thing I'm worrying about. Occasional trap/skeet maybe? But mostly hunting. What barrel should I go with?

I see good prices for 500 with a combo (20/28)

The Mossberg is basically old Remington 31 with twin action bars (some early Mossberg 500s had single bar just like the 31). I bought Wingmaster 3.5 Supermag with 28" Light Contour barrel and could not be happier. It even has safety button lock....very KOOL.
Something so nice and shiny had to come home with me the moment it arrived at LGS.

 

[Katitmail]

Found 870 model 25589 at a decent price. It's 26" ribbed vent synthetic stock.

Is there something different about this one? Do they have models with non-removable barrels or some cheaper variations that could be more problematic down a road?

 

[chuckpro]

I know they make several models of the 870 and i am not familiar with them all but from a short web search this is a is a non magnum synthetic stock.

Different Remington barrels will fit on this gun.

From your earlier post i don't think you need a 3 1/2" chamber gun so this should fit your bill.

 

[oneounceload]

The 26" will swing faster

And it will also STOP faster..............

Personally, the 28 is a good choice for most field guns with a pump or semi type action, and 30 works great for SxS and O/U, especially in the smaller bore sizes

 

[Vol46]

The 870 is a classic and it is virtually indestructible. Try to get one with interchangeable screw in chokes - it makes it more versatile & additional chokes are cheap. If you are mainly interested in hunting & clay games, a 26"or 28" barrel would be the best. The shorter barrels are primarily for home defense & would not serve you well for hunting or clay bird shooting.