shotguns...

[powergunner]

Hey guys,

I have never used a shotgun. I have plenty of experience with guns and with rifles, but when it comes to shotguns im fresh...
I was thinking about getting a hand gun for Christmas as a self present, but a friend of mine suggested that I expand my collection with something new...
Since im totally virgin in this I was wondering what can you suggest me or what should I think about when getting a shotgun...?

Thanks!

 

[highorder]

Welcome to the forum.

What would you like to do with your shotgun?

Deer?
Waterfoul?
Upland birds?
Trap?
Sporting Clays?

 

[oneounceload]

Deer?
Waterfoul?
Upland birds?
Trap?
Sporting Clays?

home defense?
skeet?

what type of action?

Over/Under?
Side by Side?
Pump?
Semi-auto?
Single Shot?

As you can see there are lots of games and types to choose from. A little more info, and folks will be able to give you better insight

 

[Rshooter]

I also have pistols and rifles. A shotgun is a different type of gun. It can do HD duty, target duty, hunting, trap, skeet and other duties almost all in the same configuration. That said many are specialized. You first decide what you want the shotgun to do for you and then you can decide on the shotgun.

I us mine mainly for target and HD and put in a bid for older Police Wingmaster 870's for that duty.

 

[powergunner]

wow.
well as i said, im really new to this firearm. so all the side, pump, semi-auto and so doesnt really tell me much...
most likely i would like to try bird hunting...

 

[rw800863]

I have an remington 1100 20 gauge, a mossberg pump 20 gauge,a .410 single shot(which i love) and just got a remington 870 pump 12 gauge. If you just starting out and you want it for bird hunting i would recomend a pump 12 or 20 with a 28inch barrel that should do what ever bird you want to hunt. they are not fancy guns and cost around $300 but they are good guns. Duck, dove, quail, pheasant.

 

[-v-]

Some things also to consider, how much are you willing to spend?

In general a pump-action shotgun will be cheaper, but it will kick more. A semi-auto will be much more mild in the recoil department, but will set you back more than a pump.
A side by side (SxS) or over-under (OU) have two barrels, with one shell in each. You can get a very fast rate of fire, but you only have two shells.

If you are going for bird hunting, and prefer something more manageable as far as recoil goes, a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 in 20ga of 26" barrel length would serve you well.

One rule of thumb is that the longer your barrel is the tighter your group will be the longer the effective range of the gun will be. For long range applications (like skeet or bird hunting) a longer barrel and a longer range is preferable.

I personally do prefer a 12ga over a 20. My main interest is target and HD. In a 12ga you will find a very wide variety of HD/Hunting ammunition. In a 20ga your buckshot options will be much smaller. 20ga does not suit itself to loading with anything larger than about #2 buck, with most of the over the counter stuff being #4 Buck, slugs, and lots of bird-shot loadings.

 

[oneounceload]

One rule of thumb is that the longer your barrel is the tighter your group will be the longer the effective range of the gun will be. For long range applications (like skeet or bird hunting) a longer barrel and a longer range is preferable.

HUH?? Sorry, barrel LENGTH has NOTHING to do with pattern performance - the CHOKE has EVERYTHING to do with it.

The length of barrel does have a major impact on swing dynamics; a longer barrel giving you a much smoother swing on your moving targets, while a short barrel tends to behave whippy and erratically leading to short swings, stopping of swings, and as a result, missing the bird.

Regarding actions types - and meaning in guns of good quality - price-wise from cheapest to most expensive you'll usually find:
single shot
pump
semi-auto
over-under
side by side

For a novice trying to do some bird hunting, a pump or semi will most likely be your best, allowing for a follow up shot or two without being overly expensive. There are cheap O/U and SxS out there; however their quality can be VERY suspect, while for the same amount, you can get a nicely made pump or semi.

 

[saturno_v]

For a beginner shotgunner I think a pump is the best choice to learn the ropes and the most economical too....circa $250 is all you need for a spanking new Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 (when on sale, which happen often in large cities).....you can go as little as $100-150 for a good used specimen.

And they are very easy to resell/trade if you want trade up and get more serious....personally I wouldn't, a pump shotgun is one of the most useful and versatile firearm ever invented...is like a 22 and a 30-06 of the shotgun world...everybody needs to have a pump 12 Gauge in his arsenal...

 

[jhuwa]

870 or mossberg 500. im with saturno a pump gun is a great way to start. my 870 is my work horse. reliable reliable reliable. lots of aftermarket parts for them as well.

 

[powergunner]

For a beginner shotgunner I think a pump is the best choice to learn the ropes and the most economical too....circa $250 is all you need for a spanking new Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 (when on sale, which happen often in large cities).....you can go as little as $100-150 for a good used specimen.

And they are very easy to resell/trade if you want trade up and get more serious....personally I wouldn't, a pump shotgun is one of the most useful and versatile firearm ever invented...is like a 22 and a 30-06 of the shotgun world...everybody needs to have a pump 12 Gauge in his arsenal...

wait, for 250 im guessing your talking about a used one, right?

 

[Jon_Snow]

Nope, brand spanking new for $250 if you bargain hunt. Check places like Big 5 and other larger retailers. A pump 12 gauge will do anything and everything fairly well, letting you try out hunting, clay games and still be usable for HD. The most important thing to look for when shopping is the fit of the gun, especially the length of pull. Conventional wisdom says that when you have the gun mounted on your shoulder, your right (or left if you're a lefty) thumb should be about 2 inches from your nose. Remember though, that with recoil pads and stock extentions you have some room to change that, so don't worry about getting it perfect. Like you, I was a pistol and rifle guy for a while before trying out the scatter-gun side of life. Now I shoot trap every week and sporting clays once or twice a month. Welcome to the forums and welcome to shotgunning, it's a ton of fun.

 

[oneounceload]

Haven't seen any NEW guns for your prices, and very few used ones either - at least around here in FL. Pumps are running more like 3-400 and up, semi's are adding another couple hundred......

Fit is more than thumb measurements - it involves several measurements in three dimensions, but you are correct - FIT is absolutely critical no matter the style of gun or the cost

 

[powergunner]

I actually started doing some research and found a few that cost around 200 and up...
But I need to do some deeper comparison...
I wonder if they sell "shotguns for dummies" book. lol

 

[hub]

I wonder if they sell "shotguns for dummies" book. lol

Here ya go, and guess what? Its free.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=464149

I think you would be fine with a standard wood or synthetic stocked 870 express or Mossberg 500a. Which ever one that feels best to you. I'm talking about the ones with a 26" or 28" vent rib barrels and screw in chokes.

 

[powergunner]

GREAT!!!
thank you so much!!!

 

[slabuda]

Two ad my .02.

I think 12 ga is a bit more versatile than 20 ga.

With a 20 you can hunt dove/quail up to ducks, I did so last year. Yes geese can be hunted but it will be a handicap unless you really get em deep in the decoys.

12 ga can get the geese with out any problems. Yes its overkill for dove/quail but with #7 1/2 or #8 shot you get loads more pellets and can make it easier for you. PLus its a heck of a lot easier to find steel shot for 12ga than 20ga as well as any other size/type of shot. Its the 30-06 of shotguns.


Another plus of the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 is you can easily and cheaply swap out the 26" or 28" hunting/trap/skeet barrel and put on a 18" barrel which makes the gun a bit more manuverable for home defense. Just pull the plug (for migratory birds you are limited to two shells in the magazine). and load it up with some buck shot. The night before hunting swap back to the longer barrel, just dont forget the plug or you could be in for a hefty fine!!