Sikvenum86
Member
Hi I just turned 18 a couple months back and I'm looking to get a shotgun as my first firearm. But I don't really have a lot of money. Any recommendations?
Under $300 pump gun?
- Thread starter Sikvenum86
- Start date
- Status
Alec
Member
What's its purpose?
Without knowing what you'll be using it for, or if it will be for all-around use (clays, home defense, wingshooting, turkey...), I will recommend a Mossberg 500 series or Remington 870 Express. Either can be had for less than $300; I found my Mossberg 500A 12ga for $150 used. It looks like it was barely fired.
I'd say a 23" barrel for all-around use.
Without knowing what you'll be using it for, or if it will be for all-around use (clays, home defense, wingshooting, turkey...), I will recommend a Mossberg 500 series or Remington 870 Express. Either can be had for less than $300; I found my Mossberg 500A 12ga for $150 used. It looks like it was barely fired.
I'd say a 23" barrel for all-around use.
Remington 870.. No questions asked. Regardless of what you are using it for, a barrel decision is all you will need and you're in business.
I remember a few years ago on a duck hunt in Oklahoma, I dropped my 870 in the pond while setting decoys. After 5 or 6 minutes I found it 2 foot under water and buried in the mud. As soon as I picked it up, a double flew right over us and sure enough, she fired and dropped one. After that, I swore on the thing. It's never let me down.
I remember a few years ago on a duck hunt in Oklahoma, I dropped my 870 in the pond while setting decoys. After 5 or 6 minutes I found it 2 foot under water and buried in the mud. As soon as I picked it up, a double flew right over us and sure enough, she fired and dropped one. After that, I swore on the thing. It's never let me down.
Sikvenum86
Member
Its mostly for home defense. My parents are crazy anti gun nut jobs and there have been increasing crime rates in my city.
ohgrady
Member
The Walmart in south St. Louis county had a couple Mossberg 500s for $217 tonight. Mavericks were cheaper yet.
Sikvenum86
Member
Walmart sells guns? I live in California and I have NEVER seen them sell guns. Most don't even sell ammo. I'm beginning to think its company policy to not sells guns in California. Are the home defense guns cheaper or are the hunting kind cheaper?
philobeddoe
Member
WalMart sells guns and ammo here in CA, just not in certain stores.
As for your shotgun decisions, I purchased a Winchester 1300 Defender some time ago new for $225, a used short barrel wood stock Smith and Wesson 12g for $150 more recently, an NEF 12g, I took in trade for some motorcycle camshafts probably a $150 to $200 deal, and one of them Turkish Escort Shotguns for about $100.
There are a lot of options out there, new and used. For your first one, don't be afraid to buy a reliable used gun. It's for shooting, not showing.
As for your shotgun decisions, I purchased a Winchester 1300 Defender some time ago new for $225, a used short barrel wood stock Smith and Wesson 12g for $150 more recently, an NEF 12g, I took in trade for some motorcycle camshafts probably a $150 to $200 deal, and one of them Turkish Escort Shotguns for about $100.
There are a lot of options out there, new and used. For your first one, don't be afraid to buy a reliable used gun. It's for shooting, not showing.
cluttonfred
Member
Mossberg Mavericks are simple, cheap, rugged and made in the USA.
SLCscottie
Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 130
Pawn Shops
My son is looking for the same thing for home defense. The best deals I’m seeing are at pawn shops. A friend who frequents them says when it comes time for people to pay taxes, there will be more guns showing up on their shelves. Sometimes at $100 less if you don’t look too interested and they can still make money on them. Ask them how far they can come down.
That $160 for a like new Mossberg is probably right. That’s what we are going to try.
Good Luck.
My son is looking for the same thing for home defense. The best deals I’m seeing are at pawn shops. A friend who frequents them says when it comes time for people to pay taxes, there will be more guns showing up on their shelves. Sometimes at $100 less if you don’t look too interested and they can still make money on them. Ask them how far they can come down.
That $160 for a like new Mossberg is probably right. That’s what we are going to try.
Good Luck.
killchain
Member
Maverick 88.
Sikvenum86
Member
Hmm so basically its Remington, Mossberg and Winchester. Anything else?
Sikvenum86
Member
I just got back from my gun shop and I can't decide lol. They only have a used Mossberg and a used basic Remington 870. They have a new benneli but thats out of the question lol SO from those two, which one? Oh and the mossberg has a 18 inch and the remington has a 20 something inch barrel
FruitCake
Member
Remington 870. Its the shotgun that you will find any option for at reasonable prices almost anywhere in the world. This is ofcourse once you become proficient with the basic platform. I've addeed many doodads to all my 870,s and they've ended up coming off and being sold.(Most not all) Well I did keep a few that might play certain roles but that will be my secret.
Spec ops Grunt
Member
Are you left handed?
If so, you will probably like the Mossberg safety more.
If so, you will probably like the Mossberg safety more.
Last edited:
Adair
Member
870 is the most popular pump shotgun ever made.
Sikvenum86
Member
Yeah I'm left handed. I just found out that the Remington 870 is still used by the military. So before I get the 870, anyone still have an argument for the mossberg?
brandon_mcg
Member
you will not regret it if you buy the remington 870.....
Spec ops Grunt
Member
The military uses the Mossberg too.
You can't go wrong with either, choose whichever feels better to you.
You can't go wrong with either, choose whichever feels better to you.
Sergeant Sabre
Member
I do: The Mossberg 500 is the "official" military shotgun, although I have personally seen both Remingtons and Mossbergs in armories when I was with the Marines. If you're left-handed, the safety on the 870 will be difficult to manipulate. It's a cross-bolt trigger safety that lies behind the trigger. Push it to the left and it goes off. The problem is that, being left-handed, your trigger finger will be on the left side of the trigger guard. You will have to reach around the trigger guard to the right side of the shotgun to disengage the safety. The Mossberg, having a thumb-operated tang safety, is ambidextrous.
But, you can get a left-handed 870. They aren't common, and I think they are more expensive than a "normal" one, but Remington makes them.
Last edited:
JNewell
Member
I recently bought a very good Winchester 1200 with a "Riot"-marked 18" barrel for $125 OTD. Used Remington 870 Wingmasters should last a lifetime or two and commonly can be found under $250 in good shape. Now that deer season is ending, you may be able to find a 21" smoothbore barrel on a used Wingmaster in that price range, and other than the extra inch or three of barrel, it's essentially the same as a HD-type 870. With luck, you can even find a LH 870. Good used shotguns are a really good buy - you should give it some consideration.
Sikvenum86
Member
Aren't Winchester 1200 models really old though? I don't mind used but I don't want one that my grampa used either lol. I'm seriously considering the Remington now considering its only 150 but I do like the Mossberg tang safety since I'm a lefty...... So many choices can't decide....
- Status
