Which of these guns (HD/Slug/buckshot)

[MagKnightX]

Okay, budget of $400, want a short-barreled (not NFA, though), shoulder-stocked pump shotgun that can take abuse, and I'm thinking one of the following:

Rem. 870 MM
Benelli Nova Tactical w/ ghost ring
Benelli Nova H2O
Winchester Model 1300 Defender

I want it to be able to take slugs (lead cup style, maybe sabot) and buck, no need for bird. Also, it has to be accurate enough that a slug round won't be 10 feet off course at 50 yards

Which of these? A different one? Magazine capacity needs to be four or above of 3" shells, if it's a different one. Scopes or red-dots are not necessary.

Edit: comfort really doesn't come into play here, as these all feel pretty good to me. About equal, actually.

 

[sm]

If one tends to fit you better than the others - I'd consider it, because -
Less percieved recoil, will feel more like an extension of you, and naturally easier to hit what looked at.

My experience is with the Win and Rem so I am biased in recommending one of those two.

 

[MrMurphy]

My Benelli Nova SP makes body hits all day long at 100 yards with Remington reduced recoil slugs, and head shots on demand, from the prone. It's fine with buckshot too.

The Remington 870 Police Magnum with ghost rings will do the same, and has more options available (lights, stocks, etc etc) since it's been around fifty years.

I've owned both, and would be fine with either. The 870 can be modified with the shorter length of pull stock for close combat use. The Benelli can't (it's molded around the reciever, what it comes with is what you've got).

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

All of the above are great choices as they are all great shotguns.

You will be well served with any of them.

All of them can be had with 4 or more right out of the box with the exceptions being the two Benellis. They require a +2 (it's a +3 with 2-3/4" shells) extension. That's the only "con" in regards to the Novas.

I have trigger time behind the Win1300, Rem870 and Nova, and I would love to have either of them. The actions between the 1300 and Nova are very similiar with their rotating bolts, unlocking after the hammer has completely fallen. The manual of arms is nearly identical between the 870 and Nova, with the exception of the chamber cutoff button that is a feature on the Nova.

Since all of them fit you equally well, roll a four-sided die, pick them out of a hat, purchase the one that's on sale, or get all of the above. They all fit your listed criteria. However, the two Novas and the lone Winchester 1300 Defender have fixed cylinder chokes. I'm not sure as to what the 870 MM has. If you really want to shoot saboted slugs, your performance might not be up to snuff with the fixed choke models.

With that being said, I don't have a problem dialing slugs on 12"x12" steel plates at 100yds from prone with the Nova SP (ghost rings).

I'll be the first to say, don't sell the Mossbergs short either. My time behind them is VERY limited as I shot a few during my highschool days when my favorite pasttime was making noise and shooting stuffed animals.

Jim

 

[Wolfy]

I have the 1300 and the first day out was shooting skeet with it and doing a good job. I measured Remington #1 and #4 the #1 was 4" circle at 7 yards and the #4 was a 5" circle at 7 yards. I chose 7 yards because 20 feet is the longest distance in my apartment. Still must give tight groups to be able to shoot skeet with 7 1/2 shot and that it cycles FAST because I was also shooting doubles and hitting both birds.
I am having the forcing cone done mainly to reduce recoil.

Best advice I can give you is see how each brand feels and if possible find a friend who will let you shoot theres and go with what feels the most natural. You can't go wrong with any of the brands you have listed.

 

[Al Thompson]

Agreee with all of the above. I would point out that sabot slugs are designed for rifled barrels and do not work very well in smooth bore SGs.

 

[Moparmike]

Legacy Escort Aimguard. Find an 18" barreled one with a 7-shell tube. Mine was $160 out the door. PM Oleg and OEF_VET for their assessment of the shotgun. They seemed to like it.

 

[liliysdad]

870 or the Nova...really the only two pumpguns worth mentioning, IMO.

 

[Dave McCracken]

While I favor the 870, they all will do the job.

More crucial is mindset, training and practice.