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Shotgun for HD and hunting HELP!

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LouisianaGunslinger

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Jan 18, 2012
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Now that duck season's about over here, it's time to evaluate inventory. Up until now I've been using two Remington 870's. One would consistently lock up and I wouldn't be able to work the action at all. I know that sounds weird and I even took it to gunsmiths several times. They did they're best but they said the Express shotguns and Remington's QC today just isn't all that great. The other one is decent for hunting, but it's a 3 1/2" Magnum and doesn't feed 2 3/4" home defense loads very well because the chamber is so long. I thought I was short stroking it but that doesn't appear to be the case. I know that's heresy to say, but I'm not big on 870's now.



So... I'd like a pump action (don't like autos) 12 gauge that can have barrels interchanged from 18" and 24", for home defense and hunting, respectively. It'd be nice for it to have a 3" chamber, and I prefer an all steel receiver. I know aluminum and polymer ones are pretty good these days, but I like the heft of steel. Also, I want it to be made in the USA.

Any ideas? I was looking into the Ithacas, they seem nice.
 
Get yourself a good used 870 Wingmaster or used 870 Police model, and you will not have the poor qulaity workmanship issues you are seeing with the 870 Express.
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I'm sure those would be fine, but I just have a bad taste in my mouth with Remington. I'd like to explore other options.
 
It sounds like you need a more reliable hunting gun. Get one and it will work just fine for the remote (I hope) possibility you will ever have to shoot someone with it.
 
Given your criteria (pump, steel receiver, US made), Ithaca could be your only other choice. But I don't know about interchangeable barrels on the new ones...
 
Given your criteria (pump, steel receiver, US made), Ithaca could be your only other choice. But I don't know about interchangeable barrels on the new ones...
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Sounds like it...

I think the new ones have interchangeable barrels if I'm not mistaken. I wonder if the new ones are as well made as the old ones...
 
if you drop the us made part a benelli supernova has 3.5inch chamber and cycles 2.75 perfectly
 
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The local/semi-national sporting goods chain Big-5 has the Mossberg 500 on sale for $270ish on a regular basis with two barrles included (28" fixed modified choke + 18.5" cylinder bore). If you like the Mossberg set up (and I do). Then this is a great set up and a great bargin.
 
Definitely agree on the mossberg 500 or even a maverick 88 if you want the safety by the trigger. I have never been let down by a mossberg, on the range, in the woods or in combat.
 
Vote for the Mossberg 500 with the 18.5 inch HD barrel included. They also make Slugger barrels with adjustable sights in smooth-bore and rifled-bore for ~ shooting slugs of course! If you have never shot a rifled slug out of a smooth-bore shotgun barrel, it is great fun let me tell you. So you could have a bird/rabbit gun, a deer gun, and a HD gun by simply having a Mossberg 500 with three interchangeable barrels.

All very reliable and with reasonable cost. Barrels swap out in mere seconds.
 
Sheepdog1968 said:
The local/semi-national sporting goods chain Big-5 has the Mossberg 500 on sale for $270ish on a regular basis with two barrles included (28" fixed modified choke + 18.5" cylinder bore). If you like the Mossberg set up (and I do). Then this is a great set up and a great bargin.
Click to expand...
We have a winner!
 
I really wanted a steel receiver, Mossberg is aluminum. I know Mossberg aluminum receivers are very good, I just have a preference.
 
Hello, friend! There actually are many solutions to your problem. You could get a used bolt action shotgun for hunting and a Keltec 9mm carbine for home defense, too. 33 rounds of 9mm from a Glock magazine will ruin a home invasion crews' day. 9mm has been killing people since 1904, so don't worry about stopping power.
 
I prefer the Remingtons, but I had 3 BPSs and never missed a single beat with any of them. I don't like the bottom loading, but I don't think there is a better designed and built or tougher pump gun.
 
I'm going to put in another vote for the Mossberg 500.



If you drop the made in USA, you could get an H&R Pardner Pump. Steel Receiver, tough, and heavy. Extra barrels are rare, but you could get 2 Pardners (HD and Field Barrel) for the price of one Mossy Combo or 870.

You also check out the Winchester 1300.
 
The local/semi-national sporting goods chain Big-5 has the Mossberg 500 on sale for $270ish on a regular basis with two barrles included (28" fixed modified choke + 18.5" cylinder bore). If you like the Mossberg set up (and I do). Then this is a great set up and a great bargin.
Click to expand...

I just bought one of those. $316 OTD. Excellent value.
Big 5 runs them on sale like every 2-3 weeks. so if not on sale now, it will be quickly.
 
Did you buy that shotgun new? If you've consistently jammed a Remington 870 (even an Express) and "several trips to the gunsmith" can't make it run...then you can break an anvil with a rubber mallet. It's like being the guy who can't get a date in a Women's Prison with a pocket full of pardons. Please understand, I'm not doubting your experience. I'm just telling you that it's so completely beyond laws of probability that there's gotta' be a simple explanation. Yes, there are always lemons in every manufactured device. No, I don't believe the Remington 870 is impossibly perfect. But you're abandoning the very definition of the shotgun you seek. Spit that bad taste out of your mouth & try another 3" 870. it's tough to argue with MILLIONS of happy 870 shooters. :D
 
Ghost, I love my old Wingmasters. But I too wouldn't accept the recent 870's for free. Not even a Police.

Just my opinion but I see them routinely as the most problem plaqued shotguns out-of-the-box made. Where I am, more than all others combined. It is half expected there will be a problem with them brand new. I think it is as much that they are roughly made now and need alot of breaking in, but I was done with them as soon as Remington apparently was. I feel they started taking advantage of their customers good will; seeing how cheaply and what they can get away with for years. Now Marlin seems to be starting to have QC and service issues... Great!

Remington Corporation Company Ltd. Inc. product buyers today are paying for advertising, sponsorships, mergers and acquisitions, executive bonuses and SHOT Show sales parties based on the legacy of a once-fine name I believe.

:(
 
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LouisianaGunslinger said:
Now that duck season's about over here, it's time to evaluate inventory. Up until now I've been using two Remington 870's. One would consistently lock up and I wouldn't be able to work the action at all. I know that sounds weird and I even took it to gunsmiths several times. They did they're best but they said the Express shotguns and Remington's QC today just isn't all that great. The other one is decent for hunting, but it's a 3 1/2" Magnum and doesn't feed 2 3/4" home defense loads very well because the chamber is so long. I thought I was short stroking it but that doesn't appear to be the case. I know that's heresy to say, but I'm not big on 870's now.



So... I'd like a pump action (don't like autos) 12 gauge that can have barrels interchanged from 18" and 24", for home defense and hunting, respectively. It'd be nice for it to have a 3" chamber, and I prefer an all steel receiver. I know aluminum and polymer ones are pretty good these days, but I like the heft of steel. Also, I want it to be made in the USA.

Any ideas? I was looking into the Ithacas, they seem nice.
Click to expand...
I would take a look at this........

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=640649
 
There are a few much more pricey and higher quality shotguns out there but I also went with a Mossberg 500 combo. Grew up with one and feels like home again. Just saying.
 
what ammo were you using. my 870 express(2008 made) has never jammed and i must have put at least 1000 rounds of all kinds through without a problem. however iv heard some 870's don't like Winchesters.try some different types of ammo. if you need a new shotgun get a Ithaca 37 pump combo.
 
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