Want to buy 1st shot gun - I'm so undecided !

[danez71]

I need some guidance on my 1st shot gun.

Its mainly going to be a fun gun and it wont be shot much.

I consider all of my guns to be potentially used for HD/SD but that isnt my primary reason to buy it.

I'm all over the place on what I want to put some money on so please bear with me.


My unfulfilled childhood desire is a SxS coach. (I would prefer single trigger but I'm open.As a kid I thought I wanted exposed hammers but I have decided I want it hammerless)

I also really like that, at for least the Stoeger coach, the gun can be quickly broken in half. Its a lot more likely for me to travel with it.

The more practical side of me says a pump gun is the way to go except for the travel aspect of it.

I understand the pros and cons of a double vs a pump when it comes to HD and I feel that since both have pros and cons, either will suffice.



Here's where my questions start.

Ive recently started seeing the USSG coach guns at about $75 less than the Stoegers (I see them in the looooww $300's. I THINK that USSG is the same as the EAA/Baikal/Remington coach.

Are all of those the same... being Baikal?

As compared to the Stoeger, is it better or worse in terms of reliability/durability?

If both are equal in that respect, is the Stoeger worth $75 more?


What are the main differences besides the chokes?
Are the triggers both rebound or mechanical...or?
I think mechanical is better to increase the chance of the 2nd barrel firing if the 1st doesnt... Is that right?... Does this even apply to double trigger or is this a single trigger only issue?

(USSG looks to have fixed OC and the Stoeger is either a IC/MC or the supreme has removeable chokes. I'm OK with OC)



As you can see, Ive done some reading but still need help making sense of it and a decision.

My other option is a pump... with a Maverick 88 being high on the list but open on that too.

I prefer the safety to be on the trigger group rather than the tang but I'm willing to accept it for the coach.


Of course the easy answer is BUY BOTH!!!! And I might end up doing that.


Can some of you nice... experienced shot gunnners help me out with the USSG/Baikal/Remington/EAA questions? Once I get those settled I can make my final decision.


Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Handi Man]

i can tell you by experience if you go with the Maverick 88 you will not be disapointed they can usually be found around $200 or less very reliable and most if not all aftermarket mossberg 500 parts will fit on it hence it is pretty much a 500 just a different safety mecanism and the 88 has mexican made parts and is assembled in texas all in all a fine piece of equipment for the money

 

[shiftyer1]

I think a pump would be more versatile as a first shotgun, a good friend has a maverick for years and i've never heard one complaint. It also see's some hard use.

The uses for a coach gun are a little more limited. I've been waiting to stumble onto one for years

 

[oneounceload]

All I will say regarding inexpensive AND cheap SxS guns is Caveat Emptor - these guns require the most hand fitting and labor to assure proper functioning - that is not cheap.

If your budget is only about $300 or so, go with the pump - most can be easily broken down by removing the end cap on the magazine and removing the barrel

 

[Kiln]

Another vote for the Maverick 88, it is an excellent shotgun. I got mine today for $170 brand new out the door and it doesn't look too shabby either.

 

[toivo]

Another vote for a pump. It's really a value-for-money question. You can get a pretty good pump shotgun in the $200-$300 range. It's a very versatile platform, and very durable too. When and if it does need repair, you can do a lot of it yourself, unlike with double guns.

 

[straightshooter9]

You guys that have the MAVERICK, a MOSSBERG heat shield will fit as well as an ammo holder, ghost rings and flash suppressor?

And it'll take a sling?
I'd like to know if it'll take a few TACTICOOL items!

 

[Kiln]

Not sure, I just got mine. I think all parts will interchange besides safety related parts and the magazine tubes but don't quote me on that, I've just heard it said somewhere before.

 

[RatherNotSay]

Remington 870

American classic, great reliability, good aftermarket and is $319 shipped.

 

[stan rose]

I would go with a pump by Remington or Mossberg for your first gun. They would be more reliable than an inexpensive side by side, and you can easily modify as your shotgun experiences and desires change.

 

[USAF_Vet]

You guys that have the MAVERICK, a MOSSBERG heat shield will fit as well as an ammo holder, ghost rings and flash suppressor?

And it'll take a sling?
I'd like to know if it'll take a few TACTICOOL items!

Maverick 88:

Mossberg 18.5" barrel

ATI pistol grip stock, ATI heat shield and integrated ghost rings

Mossberg 500 action rails with an unknown brand tri-rail foregrip.

Forgot the brand of the saddle style optic rail.

Yes, they can be tacticalized.

 

[bigalexe]

A new gun thread? I am REQUIRED BY CONSCIENCE to come in and suggest the Mossberg 500. The field/deer combo can be found on sale for a little over 250 and that gun does everything. If you want to get into "tactical" or IPSC stuff maybe pickup an 18.5" or 20" barrel for it so it's a little more portable than the 28".

I'd also say buy it and shoot it before you decide to tacticool it. See if you really want all that stuff on your gun. I only did 1 modification to mine being a Knoxx recoil reducer, the pistol grip was a tag-a-long on that modification.

 

[Rshooter]

If you are looking at the Mossberg 500 that would be a good gun, you can use the money you saved for some 00 Buck for practice.

 

[danez71]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

The SxS coach vs pump issue is a childhood want vs grown up praticality. Reading eveyones replies makes it even more apparent.

I've decided I will get a pump! I'll probably get the Moss 500 or the Mav 88 but I want to at least hold a Remington before I buy something. The NEF didnt quite fell right whe I shouldered it.


But I'm still interested in a coach gun. Its just one of those 'wants' I cant seem to shake after 35 yrs of wanting one.

(I probably should have never brought up the pump gun :banghead

Can anyone give input to ANY of these questions? I looking for more input in regards to the USSG/EAA/Baikal/Remington questions and how the Stoeger compares to it.

Here's where my questions start.

Ive recently started seeing the USSG coach guns at about $75 less than the Stoegers (I see them in the looooww $300's. I THINK that USSG is the same as the EAA/Baikal/Remington coach.

Are all of those the same... being Baikal?

As compared to the Stoeger, is it better or worse in terms of reliability/durability?

If both are equal in that respect, is the Stoeger worth $75 more?


What are the main differences besides the chokes?
Are the triggers both rebound or mechanical...or?
I think mechanical is better to increase the chance of the 2nd barrel firing if the 1st doesnt... Is that right?... Does this even apply to double trigger or is this a single trigger only issue?

Thanks again for your input.

 

[Geckgo]

Also may want to consider a Rem 870, just saying. The safety on a mossy is annoying to me, specially if you get a model with a pistol grip stock. On the regular rifle stock it isn't so bad. Good choices all around. Get something choke-able.

 

[303tom]

I hear you talking Doubles, maybe this can help.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/affordable_doubles.htm

 

[Deus Machina]

I vote for the Maverick 88 as a first shotgun, too.

Even my 20", 7+1 version was only about $220 after shipping and transfer--even the big box stores couldn't get them in when I was looking.

Get the 5+1 at Wal-mart or the like with a nice ribbed 28" or so hunting barrel, and another $75 will get you a new 18.5" barrel for home. Swapping them is as easy as loosening the mag nut.

If I did it again, I'd look at some local shops. My friend got a Winchester 1200 police trade-in for something like $260 OTD, cleaned the gravel (yes gravel) out of the firing assembly, and the thing still looks like it spent years in a cruiser's trunk, but it cycles like glass.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Best I can offer is buy what you want.

I have two pumps, a 500 and a 590. The Remington (Bakail import) SPR220 coach gun is what I keep next to the bed.


Pumps take more practice, time, and some training to master. Coach guns take less time. I have it handy because my wife can make better use of it than a repeating shotgun. I've found I can, too.


I can't speak about what USSG is importing right now. But those Stoegers are popular and well-made. At least, they're well-made enough for what your interests are.

The coach guns do travel nicely. I've traveled with mine here and there. And two independent triggers make for redundancy.


Get what you want. Capacity is NOT everything.

 

[David E]

If it's going to a "fun gun, but won't be shot much," then you picked the wrong gun.

The pump is far more versatile and, therefore, much more "fun."

You'll shoot it more than you think .......if you choose wisely. Me, I'd get the 870

 

[Mike1234567]

I opted for a Saiga 12ga.