suggest me a good and reliable all-around shotgun?

[ShootAndHunt]

Till now I have owned only rifles and no one shotguns, and I finally begin to think about try one. Hence you know I am really new to shotguns. Could you guys suggest me a good and reliable all-around shotgun (for hunting, recreation and home defense)? I guess I got to go with a 12 or 20 gauge and different chokes? (did a little reading), the problem is: there are so many shotguns to choose from and I really have no any experience which shotgun is better (and not very expensive)?

I prefer a semi-auto, but this still leave me a lot of choices. Remington, Winchester, ..., etc.

How long should the barrel be? I do prefer a shorter barrel because they are more handy and I might not shoot often at long range, (by the way, what is the usual range of a shotgun? 20,30, 40, or 50meters?)

I heard about rifled barrels, are they for slug use only or you could just use the usual shotshell? (in general, I don't want a slug only shot gun since I already have rifles.)

What do I need to pay attention to most when choosing a shotgun? I heard about the stock configuration? There are different styles of stocks, which one is better for an all-around shotgun?

So which model is a good and reliable choice for me? problem need help to be solved.

Thanks,

 

[Moparmike]

Around here you will get the standard Rem870 or Moss500/550. For HD, I prefer my Legacy Escort, which was $160 out the door. 12ga, 7+1, and fits me like a glove. Have had compliments from people while they are sholdering it.

YMMV.

 

[sm]

Pumps: Any of the Big Four; Rem 870 / Win 1300 / Ithica37 / Mossberg

Semi: Winchester SX2, ( SX2 we call it for short). Browning , or Beretta.

Welcome to THR and check the links and 101 threads for more info.

 

[killermarmot]

I've used a rem 870 ona couple occasions and that seemed great and from everyone I've spoken to they are a workhorse, ofcourse I'm partial to my winchester 1897 =)

 

[Dave McCracken]

870....

Second choice, an 870.

Third choice, another 870.

Fourth choice, any of the excellent repeaters made by Browning, Remington, Beretta, Winchester, Ithaca or the plebian but dependable Mossberg 600. Other than the Italian Berettas and Benellis, stick to US made shotguns, or those made for US companies.

Fit is crucial. Do not obsess over it. A seasoned instructor can get you into one that fits well enough and help you get your form started off right.

A rifled barrel is for slugs only. It's egregious for other uses. A smoothbore barrel can have acceptable accuracy to more than 50 yards with slugs.

I suggest getting one Big Four pump, with two barrels. First one should be a long barrel of 26-30" with choke tubes for most hunting and clay fun. Second should be short, possibly with open sights, and suitable for HD and slug work.

 

[HSMITH]

Super X2, or the Beretta 391. Pick the one that fits.

 

[zahc]

870 combo with a choketubed barrel and a slug barrel. Good value on some serious shotgunnage.

 

[ruger357]

Remigton 870.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Remington 1100 if you're looking for an inexpensive autoloader, although I'd go with the more reliable 870 pump if you're considering use for home defense. There's also the 11-87, but I have no experience with one.

Benelli Montifeltro if you're looking for a more expensive, but more robust, reliable and easy-to-clean autoloader.

3" and 3.5" barrels and modern screw-in chokes are nice, but not essential if you want to save $$$. There are some nice used shotguns out there very cheap if you can give up a few features.

28" barrel swings nicely for me, 18.5" for home defense to get around corners.

Rather than spending $$$ on a rifled barrel, I suggest a rifle -- unless you need to use a shotgun for hunting in your area. A rifled barrel will mess up the pattern of regular shotgun shotshells.

 

[ramseyj]

All around great shotgun.

As mentioned by others pumps are more reliable for home defence. (ie they don't jam) For a good generial purpose shotgun you can't beat the Winchester 1300. It comes in a number of configurations. Is widely distributed (I got mine at Wal-Mart), and it's very affordable. I paid $219.99 for mine, wich was onlt $15 dollars more than the Moss 500 or the Rem 870. What are you getting for the $15 extra dollars??? glad you asked. The chokes extend past the end of the barrel, so they can be changed with your bare hands. (No need to carry around a special tool to change chokes) More importantlyt, it pumps much faster than the Moss. or the Rem. because it has a rolling bolt. If you have friends with each of these shotties try this test (if not go to Wal-Mart, you can do this with the gun unloaded) pumping any of these guns cocks the hammer, and upon closing the bolt it locks. When you pull the trigger the hammer falls and unlocks the bolt so you can cycle the next round into the chamber. Most of the time you will already be pulling back on the slide when you shoot. This is to keep the gun firmly against your sholder so that the recoil doesn't kick the **** out of you. Both the Rem. and the Moss. require that you release this back pressure so that the locking lug may drop free of the barrel. The Winchester's rolling bolt does not. Pull back on the slide and pull the triger, the bolt releases from the barrel quickly and smoothly every time. This means you can get off more round quicker.

 

[ysr_racer]

I'd go with a Rem 1100 or a Beretta 391. Both are great guns.

 

[M Jager]

Great advise so far so theres not much to add.
On longer barrels pick whatever feels best to you.
Stay away from cheap autos, pay a bit more for a Rem 1100, SX2, browning, beretta, benelli and you get a heck of a lot more gun. If you get a chance at a used Beretta 390 snatch it up, I love mine.
Any of the big four pumps along with the browning bps, benelli nova, and older models such as the Win mod 12 are great guns. Short barrels for any of the big four ar readily available.
Best advise I could give is find someone you trust who knows shotguns and go shopping. Pick the one you like best but realize you can never buy just one........
Matt

 

[Chuck Jennings]

Don't be afraid of getting a used 870. I have (and many others have) one that in its third generation of use! A used 870 will give you the best bang for your buck.

 

[ShootAndHunt]

Thanks guys. Now I am looking at the pumps in addition to the semi-autos. I want a semi-auto at first because no experience with a pump action, and just as I said, I shooted rifle only and would definitely not go a pump rifle, and there is no a bolt action shotgun. But it now seems to me that a pump action is not bad on a shotgun. Do you guys prefer semi-auto or pump? Any skill difference when shooting these two?

Still want to go with a shorter barrel (18" or so) since it is unlikely that I will use it for hunting (but who knows) but mainly for home defense and range use and a backup when hunting. I don't know what a short barrel will affect the performance of a shotgun, but found that it is really difficult to find a shor barrel shotgun is really difficult. Any info?

Is the recoil somthing different from shooting a rifle?

 

[Rupestris]

and there is no a bolt action shotgun.

Wanna buy one? If you look around and keep an eye on Gunbroker and the like, you can find a Mossberg 395 or a rifled bbl 695. The 395 can be had used for just over $100 in most cases. You can find the 695 new at Wal-Mart.

 

[sm]

If possible you need to get hooked up with a seasoned shotgunner, and shoot a variety of guns ( pump and semi's).

As you have read from the links posted at top of this forum or in doing a search - couple of additional things.

-Quality made shotguns are naturally better made, last longer, parts are available ( have been and will continue to be "if" the need arises).

-Gun fit is VERY important. Quality guns are more easily fitted to shooter being as the quality is there to allow one to do so and stuff like recoil pads afford many choices.

-Gun fit , also plays a BIG role on perception of recoil. Gun fit allows the shooter to hit what pointed at. READ that again Shotguns are POINTED - NOT AIMED ( exceptions for slug shooting, turkey).

- Barrel length: For HD a shorter bbl allows better manipulationa and handling. Longer bbls for hunting and clays lessens the apparent lead, and smooths the swing.

I know what you are thinking.

I can ,as many here as well ,take a 30- 32" bbl from low ready and mount quicker, smoother than folks with a 18.5"...and hit the target. Longer bbl. are NOT harder to mount.

Again gets into gun fitting shooter for the task needed...balance comes into play. I prefer the balance to be a "tad" ahead of hands.

I prefer 28 " bbls on everything, pumps, semi's O/U , SxS, single shot. That's just me.

Smooth bore bbl is you need. More versatile, and if you choose to - a rifled choke is avalible .

A stocked shotgun that fits shooter with a 28" smoothbore and chokes is gonna be hard to beat. Getting another shorter smooth bbl for HD later not a bad idea. Unless you happen upon a 2 bbl set ( short, long smoothbores). Rifled bbl only at this point will severely limit your learning at this point IMO.

Light loads after getting a gun fitted and proper instructions will go a l-o-n-g way to helping you along. Do not add anything to gun. Learn the gun , one cannot buy skill by adding gadgets, only earned by BA/UU/R.

I have a 28" 870 Wingmaster sitting near me as I type. Not mine, but if the guy doesn't show up....anyway used for everything, bone stock ,with a new Decellator Recoil pad ( that is why it is here). He will put a Koplin butt cuff on it for Home defense, take it off for hunting. Fixed Modified bbl , that actually throws more of a Imp Mod pattern. Hell on wheels for his hunting and trap...I know how this thing patterns/ groups....not good news for a BG...especially since the HD loads is 2 3/4" 1 oz slugs. The red ones of course.

I just happened to be out, with 2 boxes of slugs and the gun. So 50 slugs later I'm comfortable with it....sure hope this guy forgets I have it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Pumps are slightly more reliable than autos, much cheaper, and any handicap for most shooting short of the top level is minor.

In the last year alone I've used 870s for....

Plenty of trap. That includes some trap doubles and wobble trap. Maybe 15 25 bird straights.

Some skeet.

HD.

Deer hunting with slugs.

A squirrel hunt for old time's sake.

My recent Eastern Shore One Goose Safari.

Some Buck testing.

Versatile? H*!!, yes...

Loads ran from 3/4 oz creampuffs to 1 3/8 oz non tox.Total rounds fired, maybe 5K. One glitch, a broken firing pin spring.

A heavy slug load from one of my tweaked "Serious" 870s kicks less than my Model 94 Winchester 30-30.

 

[Guyon]

Warning: In my experience, 870s are like Lays potato chips. You can't have just one.

 

[buttrap]

well more like Lays chips in a bottomless bag, cant hardly wear out a 870.