Recommend me a multi purpose beginner shotgun

[joepa150]

I do not know much about shotguns although I've been around them my whole life. I never looked into them mainly because there is no where within an hours drive that I could shoot it besides a place that has skeet and trap shooting.

I saw a Mossberg 12 and 20 gauge shotgun with either a 18.5" or a 20" barrel on sale for $199. I thought this was a great deal but I didn't by since I can't shoot it anywhere.

This got me thinking. I know you can use different shells and chokes so I am thinking that a shotgun is pretty versatile as is.

Is there any lower priced shotgun that will work well for home defense and to occasionally shoot skeet or trap?

 

[Kendal Black]

Mossberg or Remington pump with choke tubes and a longish barrel will work okay for trap or skeet. To use it for defense, simply load larger shot.

If you like, you could also buy a spare barrel 18.5 or 20" long with a cylinder or IC bore, and put it on when your gun is on defense duty, switching to the longer barrel to go bust clay pigeons, but I'm not sure that's necessary. No rule says you have to use a short barrel for home defense. The shorter tube is handier and more maneuverable, that's all.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

My first thought is that, if you haven't already done so, you might want to see about heading over to that skeet/trap place you mentioned and observe the proceedings. Spend an afternoon out there, go watch some folks shoot, see what you think, strike up some conversations, and have a good time. Who knows, you might even get the chance to shoot a couple different shotguns

After you've seen what goes on and gotten a feel of things, and talked with a few folks personally about shotguns and other topics, you can get a much fuller sense of what you're looking at when you go out to buy your own.

In my area, you can pick up Remington 870 Express (similar to the Mossberg you mentioned) starting around $275. The Mossberg 500s are ~$250 from various retailers. Wally World and Cabelas (maybe other places, too) also sells a Rem 870 knock-off, the NEF Pardner Pump, that impressed me in all ways including price-- if you can get over the fact that it's Chinese, the ~$170 price tag is tempting and beats your local sale on Mossberg (if it's in stock in a local Walmart). If any of these aren't in stock, you can normally ask and get one ordered in.

The above three are the generally accepted intro guns, are all well-regarded, and the three least-expensive new shotguns available that I've seen. All three can be had in 12 or 20ga (that trip to the skeet place will probably tell you which gauge you'll prefer), in various barrel lengths and all with multiple choke options. All of them are likely to last you the rest of your life if you're not downright evil to them

Good luck, and let us know what you decide

 

[B yond]

I'm a fan of the mossberg 500 pump shotguns. You should be able to find a combo package with a 18 inch barrel for HD and a longer barrel for skeet for under $300.

 

[batmann]

Both Remington and Mossburg sell combos (short/long barrel) for a pretty good price. I bought a Mossy for my grand-son and he has taken 3 Deer with the slug barrel and goes Goose hunting with me with the longer on. Nice package and one you can grow with.
When you are buying your first anything, especiall a shot gun, get the most for your money you can. A combo allows you to get two barrels for basically the price of one.

 

[oneounceload]

My first thought is that, if you haven't already done so, you might want to see about heading over to that skeet/trap place you mentioned and observe the proceedings. Spend an afternoon out there, go watch some folks shoot, see what you think, strike up some conversations, and have a good time. Who knows, you might even get the chance to shoot a couple different shotguns

After you've seen what goes on and gotten a feel of things, and talked with a few folks personally about shotguns and other topics, you can get a much fuller sense of what you're looking at when you go out to buy your own.

THIS...........and I'll bet they might be able to give you some insight on a shotgun for HD as well

 

[NoobCannon]

Look into an H&R/NEF/Norinco pump shotgun. The price is dirt cheap(I got mine for under $100 OTD at a pwn shop.), most aftermarket parts for a Remington 870 will fit it(Except the barrels, but I haven't had a need to swap barrels yet, so I could care less.), and they're pretty damn tough.

I put a Remington 870 3-shell mag extension on mine, sidesaddle shell holder, and a Remington 870 rail mount, topped off with a Wal-Mart special red dot sight. I keep her loaded up with 8 shells of HD ammo, and keep 5 rifled slugs on the shell holder for any of those pesky hogs or coyotes. My pistol has long since taken over bedside duty, but the shotgun's always in the corner, always ready. I once let it sit up so long that I had to force the action to make it cycle, but it did cycle. I figured that was a good excuse to clean it. That's the beauty of pump shotguns. They're made to be abused.

Whatever you pick, it'll last you.

 

[oneounceload]

That's the beauty of pump shotguns. They're made to be abused.

Not really, but then again, NO gun is meant to be abused - advocating that isn't really High Road either

 

[NoobCannon]

Consider the conditions your atypical military M870, M590A1, etc., go through on a daily basis, or your typical shotgun slogging through the mud and the woods on a hunt, or rattling around in someone's toolbox in someone's truck. These weapons don't receive the best of care on a daily basis. They're workhorses.

 

[joepa150]

Maybe I will take a trip to the skeet/trap place and rent a few.

It seems maybe a combo set from Mossberg or Remington maybe what should get.

 

[JoeMal]

Winchester 1300

 

[oneounceload]

Consider the conditions your atypical military M870, M590A1, etc., go through on a daily basis, or your typical shotgun slogging through the mud and the woods on a hunt, or rattling around in someone's toolbox in someone's truck. These weapons don't receive the best of care on a daily basis. They're workhorses.

First off.....most here are NOT in some military situation (video game commandos in their own mind excepted)

Having hunted for over 35 years.I have NEVER had to abuse my gun like you describe - perhaps you are one of those "slob hunters" we hear about that treats your guns and truck in the same manner? If so, that is not something I would be bragging about.....it isn't that hard to take care of your guns...........

 

[twofifty]

single-shot

A break-action single-shot with external hammer is definitely a good beginner's shotgun IF the shooter is willing to actually learn how to lead on a bird. They're not very sexy, but knowing there's only the one shot focuses the mind on technique rather than on blasting away.

I started with one and it was soon harvesting ducks, grouse and rabbits. This thing cost $50 and fit like a glove - shouldering it put my eye right down the barrel.

 

[bubbacrabb]

Mossberg 500, its a great all around shotgun. Was my first gun and I still have and use it all the time. I own an 870 also. You talk to mossy guys its all mossy, rem guys all rem. Both are good guns. However, I like the safety on the 500 better. I also like the mossy is already drilled and tapped for a scope mount even though I now use a cantilever slub barrel. Your options are endless on either. Also, I'd look into a Maverick 88, they're made by mossberg and can be had at most walmarts that still sell guns for 185 bucks. They're good dependable guns. Or hit up a pawn shop or look for used ones. You can get a good pump gun for under 200 easy. Add the rest later. have fun

 

[btg3]

...knowing there's only the one shot focuses the mind on technique rather than on blasting away.

Yes, this is an effective training method. My dad started me on a semi-auto, and only loaded one shell. Even better, it was nice to progress into skeet doubles and multiple dove shots using the same soft-shooting (gas-operated) gun.

 

[chas08]

Recommend me a multi purpose beginner shotgun

Well... my first choice would be some variety of the Remington 870 preferably an older Wingmaster, but an older Special Purpose, or Express also would do.

They won't break your bank, they are very durable, and they will last a lifetime or two. Or until you decide to move on to something else.

 

[montveil]

As stated before, a H&R 12 ga topper single shot WITH CHANGEABLE CHOKE TUBES would be a good starter.