Which Shotgun Should I buy?

[LouisianaGunner12]

I've done a lot of research, but the choices are so similar it's hard to pick.

Basically, I want a 12 gauge pump that can be used for self defense and duck hunting. So interchangeable barrels would be nice.

I want it to be supremely reliable and durable. I want to be able to pass it down to my grandkids.

Unfortunately, I've had enough bad experience with several Remington 870's that I really don't want one, even though I like their steel receiver.

I was also looking at the Mossberg 500, the only thing that makes me hesitant is an aluminum receiver. How long do those last?

 

[jmr40]

I've had nothing but good luck with 870's and it would be my top pick. If not an 870 I like the Benelli Nova right well. Extra barrels are not really an option. It is possible to get one, but you'll pay as much for a barrel as a whole new gun.

I've had a 500 and wasn't impressed. If I were buying a Mossberg for SD it would be the 590, but it is a dedicated SD gun with no real option for hunting barrels either.

 

[mooner]

I have a Nova and like it. The biggest downfall is the interchangeable barrel price. Make me wish I would have purchased an 870. I also like the Browning BPS, but I think they may have the same problem with extra barrels being hard to get and expensive (correct me if I'm wrong).

Mossberg and Remington barrels are everywhere and cheap. I you really are opposed to an 870, the Mossberg will last just fine. So will an 870. For either one I would look at getting something that is used. For the prices you can find them at, extra barrels are probably not needed - just buy two.

 

[joed]

I wouldn't worry about the aluminum receiver on the Mossberg. That was one of my concerns too at one time. I've owned Mossbergs for over 30 years with no problems. Have you heard of anyone wearing one out?

 

[One_Jackal]

I actually have worn out a Mossberg 500. I have no idea how many rounds it took. You can rest assured it was more rounds than an average shooter shoots in lifetime. My latest Mossberg 500 is a combo model that came with a 28" vent rib barrel and a 20" rifled barrel. They also make a security combo that has 20" smooth bore barrel.

If you every hunt deer the rifled barrel is the way to go. They can hold their own with a 30/30 out to 100 yards. I got mine because we got a new law in many counties stating you have to be at least 8' off the ground to fire a centerfire rifle.

 

[kcshooter]

I'm more of a fan of my Mossbergs over my Remington.

The 500 is a very versatile gun, and a 28" barrel for outdoors and an 18.5" for indoors is a good set up and takes abotu 30 seonds to swap out.

I would say you're going to be 25,000-50,000 rounds deep to start to wear one out.

 

[jonnyc]

I have a Maverick 88 that I got for home and trap. Over 400 rounds through it to date and it's just barely broken in. Essentially the same as the Moss. 500, uses the same barrels, but less expensive. Way to go for me.

 

[tnxdshooter]

I am partial to the mossberg 500. Mine has the following add ons.

Ghost ring front and rear sight
Choate black synthetic forend
Tacstar 6 shot side saddle
Black heat shield
Blackhawk knoxx spec ops stock
Blackhawk powerpak shell carrier
Hogue hand all rubber grip
Limbsaver buttpad
Od green cerakote paint job
Vang comp systems metal safety
Quake Industries "The Claw" od green sling
I plan on having more done to it at a later date.







Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rcmodel]

makes me hesitant is an aluminum receiver. How long do those last?

Probably longer then you will.

The receiver on a modern pump shotgun is not a stressed part.

The steel bolt locks into the steel barrel extension and takes all the force of firing.

The receivers main function is just a housing to hold the barrel, mag tube, stock, and trigger housing in place.

rc

 

[evan price]

You could make the Mossberg receiver out of plastic and it would work just as well. It bears no force of firing and only holds the pieces of the gun together. I've put tens of thousands of rounds through Mossbergs and they only get better. What it comes down to is personal preference and whch one you shoot better.

 

[snooperman]

In fact there are shotguns made today with synthetic or plastic receivers and there is no problem with them. The bolt locks into a steel barrel and a modern Aluminum receiver is plenty strong for the job. The Mossberg and Remington 870 are both very reliable and with interchangeable barrels would be hard to beat for the gun you want.

 

[MCgunner]

Duck hunting, you want a standard stock and NOTHING SHINY! Ducks will see the glint.

Here, sell the pistol grip off this thing and get a little of your money back and you'll have a fine rig. I have been duck hunting with a camo 500 for 20 years and sold an old 60s Revelation branded 500 (Revelation 310) to buy it that was smooth as silk and never gave me problems. Mossbergs are strong guns and I prefer them to 870s for multiple reasons, ergos being an important one to me.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/46907

 

[One_Jackal]

McGunner found a very nice weapon for duck and self defense. The pistol grip will likely bring at least $25. Mossberg has pistol grips in their catalog for $25 but they are seldom in stock. If someone really wants a factory pistol grip, right now, you can name your price.

 

[jmr40]

In fact there are shotguns made today with synthetic or plastic receivers and there is no problem with them.

Which shotgun has a plastic receiver. The Nova is steel, with a weather resistant plastic coating.

I would say you're going to be 25,000-50,000 rounds deep to start to wear one out.

That is about right, the number I see is around 35,000 rounds life expenctancy for aluminum receiver guns. More than most of us can afford to shoot in a lifetime. But there are many 870's with documented round counts in the 250,000- 300,000 range.

I confess I prefer the 870, but wouldn't let the aluminum receivers influence me too much. I own other guns with aluminum receivers and trust them.

Another option not brought up is the Browning BPS. It offers a lot for the money. I'd at least look at one before deciding.

 

[kcshooter]

That is about right, the number I see is around 35,000 rounds life expenctancy for aluminum receiver guns. More than most of us can afford to shoot in a lifetime. But there are many 870's with documented round counts in the 250,000- 300,000 range.

And there are Mossberg with round counts like that too.
As stated, a receiver isnt a wearing part, and to imply that because of the steel receiver Remingtons will outlast Mossbergs 7 fold is just doodoo.

 

[gpb]

The OP stated:
"Unfortunately, I've had enough bad experience with several Remington 870's that I really don't want one, even though I like their steel receiver."

Were the 870's in question Wingmasters or Expresses? There is a big difference. The Wingmasters are typically very good guns. The Expresses are typically not so good.

It really is too bad that Remington has sullied the reputation of the Wingmaster 870 with the Express 870. They really should have given the Express a different model number.

 

[eastbank]

to see what eats the most and lasts longest,just go to a regular trap-five stand-skeet or sporting clays shoot and watch the shooters get their shotguns out and then go to the wailing wall and look at the scores that will make your choice alot easier. eastbank.

 

[snooperman]

I know an old gunsmith who has been working his craft for about 50 years and at 82 still does it part time. He states that he rarely had to repair a Mossberg 500 but saw plenty of Winchesters and Remingtons. The design of the gun has far more to do with wear and tear than does materials according to him. I do not own a Mossberg but he most often recommends them.

 

[snooperman]

I stand corrected, the Benelli Nova and Remington 887 receivers are not completely made of synthetic material.

 

[Victor1Echo]

New Mossberg Flex. Just read about it in Field and Stream. Made for You!
Here http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/a-pump-for-every-purpose-mossberg-flex-review/

 

[eastbank]

mossberg made a trap version pump 35 years ago or so and it did not hold up to the amount of shooting a dedicated clay bird shooter put threw them.where i do most of my clay bird shooting,for every mossberg there is 40-50 other brands(check it out for your self). for a hunting gun that only gets 4-5 boxes shot out of it a year it will last a life time, start shooting 12-15 boxes a week and its a different story, flame if you want to,but the truth is the truth. i am going trap shooting tonight, if it does not rain and there will not be a mossberg involved. eastbank.

 

[Naterater]

around 5,000 handloaded rounds through my 20 ga. youth Mossberg 500 and no signs of giving up at all. Handloads seem to kick more for me while still being safe. The 500 action is good to go for you. There's no way that you'll wear it out IMO!

 

[Dave McCracken]

JMR40, I've put that many shells downrange since 2000.

I like the 500 a lot. I prefer 870s, but regard the 500 as a very good pumpgun.

I do NOT see folks running up high round counts with them. They're more of a GP shotgun than a dedicated clays crusher.

As for alloy receivers, I wonder how many who bash these on shotguns with their 13K PSI limits on ammo pressures have ARs with their 55K PSI limits and find nothing alarming in that....

 

[eastbank]

Buy what works for you. I just find for me steel on steel is what i want and use in high volume shooting games. eastbank.