Shotgun purchase ideas?

[Eightball]

Greetings to all. Anyhow, here's the deal: I currently own an old .410 SxS. I'm looking to get some kinda cheap 12, since ammo is a lot easier to find (ever tried looking for .410 ammo? not fun ). Anyhow, my expertise is more ususally in the rifle section of THR--I know very little about the differences in scatterguns other than name, capacity, price, and method of operation. Anyhow, at the range today, I observed 2 different 12's--a good old slide-action (8 shot), and a break-open shotgun/rifle combo thing, both look cool. Now, my budget is very small (under 200), and I have no idea what is good/bad in the ways of shotguns. Can anyone give me an idea of what to do/where to look for some good deals, as well as what names to look for? Thanks

 

[bearmgc]

A used Rem 870 express or Mossberg used. Probably the best options for a decent shotgun in your price range. Both are slide actions.

 

[Fumbler]

Walmart has the Mossberg 500 blued for $200. The Rem 870 is $240. Both are pump action (or slide action as some call them) and have good reputations for reliability. They are also both very versatile with lots of different barrel and stock options as well as other accessories.

If you have the extra money for the 870 then I'd say get it. I own a 500 and have not been dissapointed at all (got it on clearance at walmart for $175), but I have shot some 870s and believe they have just a slight edge in fit and finish.
If you are a lefty then the mossberg's top mounted safety is a nice feature instead of the right handed safety in front of the trigger of the 870.

You don't need anythign fancy, especially since you're not real familiar with shotguns. Once you know exactly what you want to do with it then you can buy the parts to make it purpose specific.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I think the Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870 are both top contenders. They're usually neck-to-neck and people always make comparisons between them. They've been around for a long time, have proven their worth and reliability, and in their basic form, can be obtained for very little money. They're also very popular so you should be able to find them new and used at any location that carries firearms.

Both have a lot of aftermarket accessories to make the firearm best fit your purpose and comfort should you chose to go that route. I'm fairly familiar with the Rem 870 and it's easy to strip and also simple to swap out parts should you need to do that. Those two have my vote.

 

[mattw]

If you don't need a repeater I would recommend an New England Firearms single shot 12 guage. They only cost about $90 brand new and that leaves you ALOT of money for ammo. I have an 870 express that I got from Academy Sports for $214 (taxes included) and a 20guage NEF Pardner (thats what they call the shotgun). The single shot is alot of fun, very cool to have the spent hull fly out over your shoulder while you pretend to be reloading an M79 .

 

[Dave McCracken]

Beater 870s are still available from time to time for $200 or less. Other Big Four pumps(Winchester 1300, Ithaca 37 and the Mossberg 500/590) are also. Shun the ChiCom clones.

Check the Archives, there's lots of input about inexpensive 12s.

HTH....

 

[Falcontech]

As a new 870 owner myself, you can't go wrong with the 870....nuff said.

 

[RoyG]

Check the pawn shops for the old store brands also. Most of them are Mossberg 500s with the store name on them. These can be had for not much more the a c-note most of the time. Also don't forget about the Win 1200s and Ranger 120s. These can be had for well under $200 also.

 

[ruger357]

Another vote for an older 870.

 

[1911 guy]

Rem 870 or Mossie 500

Go with the 870 or model 500. Get one that has choke tubes, you'll spend less than on individual barrels later.

 

[mattw]

If you don't like the NEF single shot, get the 870.

 

[33-805]

It's hard to go wrong with an 870. The mossberg will work too. The 870 has the edge IMO due to the amount of goods & services available for making it into whatever you want, should you decide to add anything to it. Make sure that whatever you get has the 3" chamber. Gotta love that recoil!!

 

[MoeMentum]

Rem. 870 or Moss 500. Either will serve you well.