What to look for in used shotguns?

[Quadkid]

Hi guys,

I have been thinking lately of picking up a shotgun for home defense and maybe some hunting/skeet, and this coming weekend is a local gunshow. I have never owned or shot a shotgun before so I would be a first time shotgun buyer (only own pistols right now), so what kinds of things should I be looking at? I will more than likely be going with a buddy of mine whos an avid hunter so he can help, but i would still like some other opinions.

Through research I would be looking for something like a Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 870.

Thanks
Sean

 

[rcmodel]

Over-all good condition with no signs of abuse.
Check for loose or bent ribs, barrel dents, and cracked stocks & forends.
Check the outside of the muzzle of fixed choke guns for a ring about 1 1/2" back from shooting steel shot through them.
Guns with choke tubes should come with the extra chokes or you will spend some of the money you saved replacing them later.

You can sometimes pick up good deals on used guns with light surface rust.
That can generally be fixed with 0000 steel wool & oil.

Hunting shotguns generally don't get shot enough to wear them out, so unless they were used to jack up a stuck pick-up truck or something, there is not much to go wrong.

rc

 

[hddeluxe]

A good all around shotgun for the purposes you stated would be the Mossburg 500. They came with both a home defense barrel and a longer hunting barrel. Since the shotguns you mentioned are both pump guns check to see that the slide action is tight. Also check the safety. Other than that RC is correct in that hunting guns seldom get worn out, and check the items he mentioned. Good luck.

 

[rcmodel]

But, the slide action isn't tight on a brand new Mossberg 500!

rc

 

[hub]

What kind of price range you talking about? You wanting a pump or semi? I'm guessing probably a pump.

I would try to find a used 870 wingmaster but if that's out of your price range I would probably go for a nice Mossberg 500 or the 870 express. They (shotguns) don't wear or out or break easily and any parts that might are cheap and easy to replace.

I would look for a wood stocked one but that's really personal preference. I would also look for one with the longer vent rib barrel that you can change out chokes in if you have any plans on hunting. Don't be lured by all the HD tactical talk a regular hunting shotgun will do just fine for hd purposes.
If you want to you could always buy a shorter barrel later but it's not a necessity.

I would handle both the 870 and the m500 first to see how you like the controls. I grew up using 870's so that feels the most natural to me but I also have 3 Mossberg 500's now that I'm spending my money and I like those a lot too.

So I say go for a nice used 870 wingmaster if you can afford it, I would probably go for a nice looking Mossberg 500 over the express 870 because I just don't really like the 870 express fit and finish. To me the Mossberg 500 looks pretty good, functions just as well as the 870, and is pretty cheap.

If it's your first I would definitly take your buddy if he is pretty knowledgeable with shotguns so you don't get screwed. Get on gunbroker and to some homework on what prices they are going for with what options. There can be a lot of variables to consider when purchasing at a gun show. Your best deal will probably be found if you find someone else walking around wanting to sell or trade there own personal shotgun and not a vender table. They are there to make money and they will take you if you don't know what it's really worth.

 

[Quadkid]

thanks for the input guys.

yes, i am leaning towards a pump just due to keeping the price down. I have handled both the Remington and Mossberg at a local shop and they both feel nice to me. For some reason shotguns dont usually feel as awkward in my hand as a pistol can, they tend to feel the same (with similar length barrels and similar furniture).

good call on checking online brokers to get some rough estimates of what people are paying.

so there really isnt much to look for internally other than the trigger feel and safety?

 

[hub]

Most things that can go wrong in the receiver are usually cheap and easy to fix.

BUT

I would check the bolt for peening around the firing pin hole, and make sure the extractor has a good hook on it.

I would check the ejector to make sure it's not bent, or showing signs of peening as well.

I would check the magazine spring and make sure it's not rusted.

I would check the action bars to make sure they are not bent or cracked.

I would definitely check the barrel over really well. You need to look for a bright shiny bore. If it is dirty ask them to clean it, if they won't go ahead and pass. If someone has run steel shot through a barrel not designed to handle it, it can leave scratches, a bend, a bulge, or even split a barrel. Unlike lead, steel shot will not compress or deform in the choke so that's what causes the damage.

And last I would check the stock for hairline cracks, stains or whatever.

Most will check out just fine, just as an example my dad has a Wingmaster 870 TB that he bought before I was born. He shot it in a trap league for years and I have also put tons of rounds through it shooting trap also. He said he would bet it has over 10,000 rounds through it since new. I'm 31 now and unless he replaced something when I was to young to know, care, or remember it still has all the stock parts in it.

I bought a early 1990's Mossberg 500 in June this year for $125 off gunbroker and refinished it myself. It was in bad condition cosmetically but internally it was fine. A few rusted springs but that's it. I had to replace the plastic safety because I accidentally baked it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. That the only parts I have had to replace on any of the shotguns I have ever owned.

 

[Kingcreek]

The first thing I look for is an empty chamber. After that, I follow the general advice above. There are lots of good used guns out there, and some clunkers, and it is usually pretty readily apparent which you're looking at. If the barrel is straight, the action is not excessively worn, and the stock has not been split or cut down, chances are you've got a pretty good one. Even better if you visit the local gun clubs (sporting clays, trap, skeet) you might get to take er for a test drive. Most regular gun club folks are pretty upstanding and honest and they all either have a good gun for sale or know of a few. Heck. there is always a bulletin board at ours with several sporting and hunting guns for sale.

 

[oneounceload]

I would definitely second buying a gun from a fellow gun club member over some unknown person at a gun show. Gun show prices lately have been ridiculous and most examples have been more junk than good. A fellow gunclub member who is selling one should let you try a round or two of trap/skeet so you can see if you like it. Since he is also shooting there, his rep is on the line and he would have a tendency to be just a tad more honest than some gun show guy passing through on his way to the next show

 

[AndyJ]

Regarding the 870's, there is only one part on the gun that is not user replaceable and that is the mag tube. If it is messed up it will take a gunsmith to fix it. Another common thing is see in the 870 is loose shell latches that need to be re-staked. Not critical to operation but a pain when you take them down for cleaning or maintenance.


With all of the 870s I have purchased, the only one I misjudged was an older Wingmaster I bought FTF. When I broke it down to clean it I found someone had cross threaded the mag cap and messed up the threads pretty bad.

 

[hub]

+1 on gun shows probably not going to being your best bet for buying. Like I said before you can get some good deals on other walk-ins but as for vendors a lot of them will be over priced. The same could be said of a lot of gun shops too. Understandably they have overhead and need to make money, they know what they have, what they can probably get for it, and they buy and sell all the time. Being inexperienced your just at a disadvantage here.

Gun clubs are a good place as suggested, local paper has hidden gems listed sometimes, another good thing to do is just ask around. Especially if you have friends or family that do much hunting or shooting, they may not have said anything to you but if you put the bug in there ear they may have been considering selling, trading to make an upgrade or whatever, if not they may know someone who is.

Another good source can be online. While they are also trying to turn a good profit they have a lot more competition that keep prices down. Good deals can be had on gunbroker even though you have search through some inflated prices do to sellers "fishing" for a sucker. Don't forget you do have to consider in shipping and ffl fees online or sales tax local or in state.

Here is a pretty good price on a new Mossberg 500a combo, 18.5cyl + a 28in vent rib. The 18.5 would be good for HD and deer hunting while the 28 would cover everything else. You could also sell the pistol grip to make some money back or use it for target practice.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46907

For a little more money you could get a new express with one barrel or for double that price a new wingmaster with one barrel.

Here is several Mossberg 500's that could be had for under $200. Granted if not new you taking a chance not seeing them in person so look close at the pictures, description, and seller rating.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.asp?SearchType=0&Keywords=Mossberg+500a&Cat=3106

You can sometimes find some pretty good deals on new ones locally too. I've seen Dick's, Bass Pro, or Gander Mountain run some good sale ads in the Sunday paper.

 

[Quadkid]

i appreciate all the helpful insight guys. Thanks.

I have been wanting to join a local club, might be a good time to start looking into that.

 

[rcmodel]

I'd keep an eye on the local "shopper" type papers too.

There have been several reasonably priced Mossy's and 870's advertised in ours recently.

Had a buddy who picked up a slightly rusty 28" vent rib Mossy 500 for $85 bucks three weeks ago!

The seller inherited it from his grandfather who had passed away. He left it in the trunk of his car all summer and it got a little light rust in places! He wanted $150 and took $85 cash when it was waved under his nose!

Other then light rust that cleaned off easily, it was like a brand new gun.

rc

 

[evan price]

Any decent size town or city will have qa gun store with lots of used hunting shotguns. I would first check function. Watch the shell stops or interruptors to make sure they work well.

Check for overall evidence of Bubba repairs or hinked up stuff, like overeager Dremel work or something like that. There was a 20" rifled slug barrel Moss 500 in a local shop that the barrel was cut down and the sights were welded on. Crappy looking welds!

Make sure the stock isn't cracked at the wrist and that there is no corrosion in the barrel. Make sure the action works positively, and the safety works. Unloaded, try to fire it with the safety on. It should not fire. Look for bent or dinged barrels, especially at the end.

With some patience you can find a worn-looking but good shooting Mossberg 500A for under $150 OTD.

 

[Sav .250]

Condition....condition....condition...