First Shotgun

[Vile Shadow]

Shotties are like AR's, or rabbits. They always multiply.

 

[Archeryrob]

I think people send you what they think, but we never really heard what you want.

If you plan on keeping this shotgun for a long time and the 870 interests you, buy the regular gun, not the express. I bought an 870 magnum back around 1990 and paid almost $300 for it then. What does that say about the cheap price of 870 express now? My action is tight and smooth, not like the express shotguns.

Gander has the 870 Wingmaster for $729 and the Express for $250. But for $729 you can buy an auto loader. Just beware what you are buying first and how much you plan to invest and what you want out of it.

I bought the Baikal MP-153 Autoloader 4 or 5 years ago and for the price you can't beat it. There is an import problem with them right now and they are hard to find. But can be found for $375 to $500 some times.
Look $299 and waiting for your bid!!

A 26" barrel is all you need now for skeet or hunting. Chokes have got better over the years, but I still like hunting with a 28" barrel. 18.5" to 20" barrel are HD choices but I like the pattern my Modified choke at 15', as its like cutting a 2" hole. People argue maneuverability, if you want true maneuverability, get a hand gun and learn to shoot it.

Skeet shooter like the over and under. It's only two shoots, but I used to shoot a single shot as a kid and carried an extra shell between my pinkie and 4th finger and could almost load the second shat as fast as my cousin with a pump. So, like just stated, one shotgun, WILL NOT be enough!

People that don't shoot a lot think you can't miss with a shotgun. I hunt geese with a full choke and aim for the head and know what I am doing. I had one last week slip right over us after a buddy missed and I put two rounds right past his head @ 20'. He was too close and my pattern was like a big rifle bullet. So, yes you can miss with a shotgun at close range. Always know your gun.

 

[max111]

Thanks everyone for the great responses and advice. I think I lean towards a pump for the de facto "warning" in the home defense situations.

thanks for starting this thread, we are in the same boat now and shopping. Have you decided on which brand/model?

 

[senetor24]

I bought an older 12GA Remington 870 express with a 30" barrel . I feel like the wood furniture and other components were built with better integrity than the new Express models. They $ I saved allowed buying used would allow me to get another barrel, but I used it on ammo.

Going with a Rem 870 or Mossy 500 will open up a lot of mod options so you can customize to your liking.

 

[Philoctete]

Try out the Mossberg 500 and Rem 870. See which you like better. As a first-time shotgun buyer, the main thing you will probably notice is the difference in the safety design/location. Which one seems more natural to your hand? They are both good guns with lots of options for accessories and barrels.

The Mossberg is cheaper, so you could get more (extra barrels, case, sling, light for HD, etc.) and still be within your budget. It is a very solid, user-friendly, reliable gun. Made in the USA.

The 870 wingmaster is a well-made classic that feels great to use and has endless accessories easily available at shops and online. They also have various versions that come already set up in 'tactical' styles. I have heard bad things about the 'express' model of the 870. Not up to the level of craftsmanship of the wingmaster.

As for HD ammo. Read around online. You will find endless arguments about what is best, or whether one should load a mix of ammo for HD. You will have to make your own decision based on the evidence and arguments out there.

Good luck!

 

[DutchV]

I recently made the same choice, and ended up with a Mossberg 930 (autoloader, not pump) combo with 2 barrels - a short one for home defense, and a longer barrel for target games.

The Mossberg site doesn't say a ton about this shotgun, so I'll ask:

- did it come with three choke tubes ?

- did it include a longer magazine tube for the tactical barrel ?

I might have to score one for myself for Christmas.

Thanks, Dutch

 

[Half-cocked]

I would like to piggy-back a question on this thread, since its very similar to SoMD_Gen4's question...

What would you recommend for a good "all purpose" semi-auto shotgun primarily for trap shooting, that would also make a good goose/duck shotgun? This would be a gift for a newbie who has never done any of these, but expressed an interest in trap shooting and possibly one day waterfowl hunting. Are the parameters for an ideal trap gun, the same as for an ideal waterfowl gun?

 

[Selene]

I would like to piggy-back a question on this thread, since its very similar to SoMD_Gen4's question...

What would you recommend for a good "all purpose" semi-auto shotgun primarily for trap shooting, that would also make a good goose/duck shotgun? This would be a gift for a newbie who has never done any of these, but expressed an interest in trap shooting and possibly one day waterfowl hunting. Are the parameters for an ideal trap gun, the same as for an ideal waterfowl gun?

A pump is fine for a trap gun, especially for someone who hasn't shot and might not like shooting shotguns. As for a "go to" semi, you cant beat a benelli M2. I have shot thousands of clays with mine. Cleaning it is a dream and recoil isnt bad or any worse gas gun, just different. It would also make a fine duck gun. It can't handle 3.5 like the SBE for goose, but unless you are primarily using the gun for goose the extra weight and price of a 3.5 is not worth it. People have been taking down geese with 3 in for years without a problem.

 

[fabsroman]

I would like to piggy-back a question on this thread, since its very similar to SoMD_Gen4's question...

What would you recommend for a good "all purpose" semi-auto shotgun primarily for trap shooting, that would also make a good goose/duck shotgun? This would be a gift for a newbie who has never done any of these, but expressed an interest in trap shooting and possibly one day waterfowl hunting. Are the parameters for an ideal trap gun, the same as for an ideal waterfowl gun?

An ideal trap gun would allow the target to be floated above the barrel, since trap targets are rising targets. Shooting trap is nothing like waterfowl hunting. Trap simulates upland hunting, where there are flushing birds, than it does waterfowl hunting.

A sporting clays gun or a skeet gun could be used rather easily for hunting. Dedicated trap guns usually have a raised rib that allows the clay to float, which does not lend itself to hunting. With that said, my brothers have broken 25 straight in trap with a Browning pump and with a Benelli SBE.

A 3.5" shell isn't necessary for goose hunting. In fact, all a 3.5" shell does is give a longer shot string, which allows more room for error. It does NOT give a denser pattern like a 10 gauge. It would take me the rest of the night to explain how a shot string works.

Just like in the other thread regarding a shotgun for clays shooting, I would recommend the Beretta A300 Outlander or the Benelli Vinci as a clays/hunting gun. I have had my Benelli SBE for 17 years now and it still works just fine. As already mentioned, the Benelli is extremely simple to clean. The Vinci is even easier than the SBE to clean.

 

[Vile Shadow]

I was always told it's better to go the other way, which is target shooting with a hunting gun rather than vice versa.

 

[Pinecone]

I was always told it's better to go the other way, which is target shooting with a hunting gun rather than vice versa.

To me, it would depend on the target shooting.

A sporting clays gun is a pretty good all around field gun.

But a trap gun, or even a serious skeet gun are not really good field guns.

 

[TheRealJimDavis]

Remington 870.

 

[Biggfoot44]

As a general philosophy, I'm with Sling. Trap/ skeet/ other games with clay birds can be enjoyed by a rookie with a field gun, and to a point help[ develope all around skills with their all around gun. If they Really Like a particular game , they will also want a dedicated gun for said same, and know what they want at that point.

 

[wtwcs]

A lot of useful information! You guys are great!

 

[fabsroman]

As a general philosophy, I'm with Sling. Trap/ skeet/ other games with clay birds can be enjoyed by a rookie with a field gun, and to a point help[ develope all around skills with their all around gun. If they Really Like a particular game , they will also want a dedicated gun for said same, and know what they want at that point.

Been shooting clays for 20 years now and I still don't know what new gun I want. lol I am so confused that I will probably keep shooting what I have.

 

[sxs]

Been shooting clays for 20 years now and I still don't know what new gun I want. lol I am so confused that I will probably keep shooting what I have.

Decisions, decisions! Do I wanna shoot my Citori or my Guerini? Or perhaps my A-5 Light 12 or even my Mossberg 500? What about one of my side-by-sides? Heck maybe I'll wanna shoot my Thompson Contender with the 45 Colt/ .410 barrel....oh wait, my club won't let me shoot clays with such'a short barrel!

As you well know, Fabs, a lot of the fun of shooting is the joy of owning and shooting multiple guns...or sometimes even just thinking about what you might want to shoot.

But Bigfoot has it right...especially when you are starting out....maybe you just shoot what you have until you know enough to make a decision on something else. Many dedicated clays guns are heavy, shorter chambers (many are 2-3/4 chambers...while you might want 3" or more for Waterfowl). They also tend toward longer barrels giving smoother swings for clays, when a shorter barrel will point quicker on slow moving or stationary game. I've shot clays for years now with a Field Citori. Only issue is I occasionally lose a straight away when I 'blot' the clay whereas a Trap gun forces you to 'float' the target just so you won't lose them so easily. On the other hand, I just bought a field Guerini a few months back that you have to 'just float' a target and it's not, so far, too much transition between my Citori and the Guerini.

Pincone was hitting on this when pointing out that dedicated trap guns are not necessarily all around guns.

 

[Wynter]

Mossberg 500. Clandestine did a whole long break down and comparison. He is a well respected member her and gunsmith.

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=66035

 

[Turbohugh]

Main difference between the Mossberg and Remingtons are the safety location. I think the choice will boil down to that. Do you prefer a cross bolt style or a safety mounted on the rear of the receiver ? The Mossberg safety is naturally accessible for leftys and can be easily visually verified without taking your cheek off the gun.

Mossberg makes good guns.
I have a 500 for HD with a 18.5 barrel and pistol grip, however you can easily change the grip to a stock and change the barrel when going clay shooting.

I have never owned a Remington, have shot them however and they shoot just as nice.

 

[Mr.Blue]

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. I have both and don't really have a preference. I shot my first few rounds of sporting clays with a Remington pump and did pretty well compared to my friends who had hunting shotguns.

You won't be able to afford a decent O/U for $500. Save another $500 and get a Ruger Red Label. That said, I wouldn't want a double barrel for home defense. I'd rather shoot clays with a home defense gun than protect my loved ones with a O/U.

 

[JoeRinMD]

As a general philosophy, I'm with Sling. Trap/ skeet/ other games with clay birds can be enjoyed by a rookie with a field gun, and to a point help[ develope all around skills with their all around gun. If they Really Like a particular game , they will also want a dedicated gun for said same, and know what they want at that point.

I agree with this basic thought. My suggestion would be to buy a combo Rossberg (or is it a Mossington?) first. Spend some time shooting the various games until you decide whether you enjoy them or not...and if so, which one(s) you want to continue. Then buy a specialized gun for that game, allowing you to swap out the barrel on the pump gun and leave it in a dedicated home-defense configuration.

JoeR