Suggestions for Shotgun Inventory...

[boalex207]

I am in the beginning stages of offering Shotgun training.

I want to purchase no more than 4 shotguns, and I want those 4 guns to present a broad spectrum of gauges, models, types, actions, etc.

The first gun I already have.......a retired LE Remington 870 12 ga. pump gun.

Sooo................what do the other 3 need to be ?

 

[cblood]

at least an o/u that has tubes, and a semi auto,Beretta 391?

 

[Trebor]

What kind of shotgun training are you offering?

Clay games or defensive?

For clay games, pick whatever is most appropriate for what you are teaching.

For defensive, I'd say get a 870, a Mossberg 500 and maybe whatever autoloader is most common in that area.

Other than that, you might want to get a youth gun for shorter statured shooters.

 

[Defensory]

Gas operated Semi-auto:

Mossberg 930 SPX (If your budget is limited)
Benelli M4 (If price is no object)

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Inertia driven Semi-auto:

Benelli M2

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Double Barrel (side-by-side)

Remington SPR220 (Coachgun, exposed hammers)

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Compact Pump (For vehicle carry, concealment, backup etc.)

Mossberg J.I.C. Cruiser (Pistol grip only, no shoulder stock)

 

[boalex207]

This will be defensive training - home defense & personal protection.

No sporting or hunting.

 

[Red Tornado]

I'd say a double or single shot in a 20 gauge, or even 28. The function will be about the same, and a break open of some kind should be included. A lot of people may have Grandpa's old single shot or Steven's 311.

An auto of some kind, obviously. A remington 1100? Mossberg 935? I'd go with what's the most popular and most likely to be owned by your students.

For the 4th, how about a Mossberg 500? It's duplicates the 870 in some regards, but the differences can be significant enough that students can get a better idea of what works for them. Between the 500 and 870, you'll cover most home defense shotguns, anyway.
RT

 

[PJR]

The first gun I already have.......a retired LE Remington 870 12 ga. pump gun.

Sooo................what do the other 3 need to be ?

If the purpose is defensive training I'd get another LE Remington 870 set up exactly the same and spend the rest of the money on ammo and training. Make the 870 platform part of you.

If you are absolutely committed to a third gun I'd suggest a 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster with a 26" or 28" barrel and take it clay target shooting.

A fourth gun? A 28 gauge Wingmaster of course.

 

[streakr]

If HD/PP is the only objective, the 870 is nearly perfect. I agree with PJR; get a couple more and be happy!!

streakr

 

[gp911]

Fellas, he wants to teach a class, not take one.

I'd definitely get a semi-auto, in 20 gauge. Softer shooting for the recoil-sensitive and still shows how a semi functions. I'd also get a coach gun in either 20 or 12 and use it to discuss the single shot if you're absolutely sticking with 4 as a top number. Lastly, I'd get another pump in a youth size, in 28 or .410. If you got a Mossberg Bantam then you could show the differences between the 870 and it to cover the majority of popular pumpguns. Honestly, I'd add a single shot since they're only about $100 new. The 20 gauge youth models are usually on sale for around 89 bucks out here.

Sound good?

gp911

 

[Browning]

Sooo................what do the other 3 need to be ?

Probably some kind of decent quality (Browning/Ruger Red Label/Beretta etc) double barrel (O/U or SXS) and a Semi-Auto of some kind (Rem 1100 or 11-87, Browning Auto-5, Benelli Super Black Eagle or a Beretta Extrema2).

You don't really need four shotguns, so after that I'm not sure.

 

[Acera]

You are asking that question and your profess to be enough of an expert to teach a class????

 

[Trebor]

Ok, for defensive shotgun training you *must* have both a Rem 870 and a Mossberg 500. Those are the two most common choices and they are different enough to have both.

For the rest, are these to be "loaner" guns for students to borrow or do you really want to have "one example of every action type" for teaching purposes.

For "Loaner" guns, here's what I might do if I were you:

1. Rem 870 12 gauge

2. Mossberg 500 12 gauge

3. Either Rem or Mossberg in a 20 G "Youth" model

4. ??? This gets harder if you want a broad variety with only four spots to fill.

Other common guns to consider:

Ithaca 37

Winchester 1300

If you wan't "one of everything" to show different action types and models, I don't think you can do it with only four guns.

You'd need:

Pump

SxS

O/U

Semi-Auto

You could just get one from each category, but then you wouldn't have both a Rem and a Mossberg. You also wouldn't have any youth model pumps for shorter/smaller shooters.

 

[boalex207]

You are asking that question and your profess to be enough of an expert to teach a class????

I read my post again. I didn't see the part where I said I was an "expert". I saw "beginning stages"........which would include gathering opinions from other knowledgeable people on the topic.


To EVERYONE ELSE....................great thread, good suggestions, and I appreciate it. Gotta reply to a couple of 'em tomorrow when I get a bit more time.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Acera, the OP has contacted me and will use some of my stuff and techniques for his entry level class. He has received permission to do so.

Folks like Clint Smith, L Awerback and M Ayoob are marvelous teachers at any level. Many of US need more work on the basics.

I'm sure boalex will do what needs to be done.

 

[DMR]

My "libray" is a 870, 11-87, 18" Mossberg 590, Mossberg 930.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Two pumps- Rem 870 and Mossberg 500/Maverick, both in 12 gauge. Have on hand a couple of stocks for each in different LOPs so you can fit the gun to the student on the line by changing stocks. ALL stocks should have premium recoil pads fitted. Better idea is to have two of each with a long (factory issue, usually 14" or so) and short (12- 13") stock in place- that can come in time.

A SxS- 20 ga. is OK here. Should be a coach gun, hammered or hammerless makes no difference. Should have a shortened stock, 12- 13" LOP, and a good recoil pad.

A semiauto. Rem 1100 is the best bet for a semi IMHO, it's more common than most other makes/models out there. Fit it with a factory 21" slug barrel (smoothbore) and a shorter stock (12-13" LOP) with a premium recoil pad fitted.

That should get you started for Shotgun Kindergarten. Get yourself trained to teach- NRA instructor classes are pretty widely available, and Basic Shotgun plus PPITH (Personal Protection In The Home) should be useful. Add a class or two from one of the 'big name' instructors and you should be pretty well set up.

lpl/nc