Where can I learn more about which shotgun to purchase?

jcrusselljr · Jul 20, 2012

I've googled around and just managed to get myself more overwhelmed by options.

I understand that mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are the Ford vs. Chevy competitors in the pump category, and sort of the "standard" that many people choose to start with. The price point is certainly attractive.

I think I want a semi-auto. I do recognize the significant expense of moving to this option.

Interested in shooting trap, but also consider it as a home defense option. I guess I am looking for versatility as a second to reliability.

I'm sorta dialed into the Remington versamax and benelli m4......but found my way to those options accidentally.

Is there is good resource, or local IP that specializes in shotguns and can lend some guidance?

I've always thought is would be nice for AGC (or some other entity) to host a show and tell, (shoot and tell?), where members could bring out their shotguns, people show up and peruse them, ask their owners about them, maybe test fire them, and get more informed and generally become more familiar with them. Even a holster show and tell would be beneficial so that people could get more educated on the options out there, rather than ending up with a box of trial and error. Surprised no one is throwing pizza parties and doing this already.....I would think it would draw a ton of people (and create sales opportunities for the host).

I went down the same road with my handgun.....my ultimate desire is a single handgun, single carbine, and a single shotgun.....and to become deeply proficient with each. It took me 3 handguns to finally settle in to the right one for me. Now I'm going through the same thing with night sight options for it.....

Thanks in advance for the guidance. This has been a very helpful site.

dist1646 · Jul 20, 2012

I think that show and tell idea is a good one. I'll bring it up to the powers that be at the AGC and see what happens. I know some of the clubs have done that in the past but it would be nice to have an event as a whole at the AGC.

ProShooter · Jul 20, 2012

Study what is out there.
Ask many questions
Go to a gun show and fondle every shotgun you see
Visit a local range and test fire a few........

Then go and buy yourself an 870 and kick yourself for wasting so much time.

grb · Jul 20, 2012

Where do you live? I have a Remington 870, a Remington 1100, a Mossberg 500 and a Browning Citori. Welcome to come to our club any Thursday evening and shoot trap with any or all of them and see what trips your trigger.

tdt91 · Jul 20, 2012

ProShooter said:
Study what is out there.
Ask many questions
Go to a gun show and fondle every shotgun you see
Visit a local range and test fire a few........

Then go and buy yourself an 870 and kick yourself for wasting so much time.

Safetech · Jul 20, 2012

jcrusselljr said:
Interested in shooting trap, but also consider it as a home defense option. I guess I am looking for versatility as a second to reliability.

I'm no expert by any means. That said, here's my opinion, FWIW.

You're talking about two different tools for two different purposes.

I have a Mossberg 500 for HD. I bought it specifically for that purpose. It's shorter than a shotgun made for hunting and competition. That makes it easier to handle in close quarters. (Moving around corners, down hallways, on stairs, etc.)

It's like an insurance policy, in that I pray that I NEVER have to use it for it's intended purpose.

OTOH, I have a Remington Model 11 (1929) that was my dad's. (Avid hunter in his younger years) I would love to really try my hand at trap and skeet, (tried it a little bit and liked it), and maybe even duck or goose hunting, some day - when I get the time. And that would be a great gun for it.

For the little that I've shot it, it's never given me a problem.

jcrusselljr · Jul 20, 2012

grb said:
Where do you live? I have a Remington 870, a Remington 1100, a Mossberg 500 and a Browning Citori. Welcome to come to our club any Thursday evening and shoot trap with any or all of them and see what trips your trigger.

I am in Ellicott city.

PapiBarcelona · Jul 20, 2012

You surely wont enjoy yourself shooting trap or any clay sports with a Benelli M4, all of it's 18" barrel, and pistol grip. I've tried it with something else, along with those big tall goofy ghost ring sights; it doesn't happen.

tdt91 · Jul 20, 2012

870 two barrels

PapiBarcelona · Jul 20, 2012

You know I was thinking about that, used Wingmaster would be a great starter.

mcbruzdzinski · Jul 20, 2012

I would suggest hitting up the public trap event at the AGC on Sat/Sun noon-4pm! When I used to volunteer there, we always had a lot of new shooters who stopped in and the guys let them try their shotguns!

Or, as was said before, get the Remington 870 and never look back!

jcrusselljr · Jul 20, 2012

mcbruzdzinski said:
I would suggest hitting up the public trap event at the AGC on Sat/Sun noon-4pm! When I used to volunteer there, we always had a lot of new shooters who stopped in and the guys let them try their shotguns!

Or, as was said before, get the Remington 870 and never look back!

The 870 and mossberg 500 would be easy to pick up, since they're not very expensive......I just fear having "extra" shotguns laying around once I buy the "right" one.

I think I should try and stop by and nose around to see what people are shooting.....

I read somewhere, and agree with, the philosophy of "buy the best, and cry only once". ;-)

Now I just need to figure out what "best" means for me.......

BlueHeeler · Jul 20, 2012

As said there is a show and tell, it is called MDShooters. In my experience members have been over generous to meet me at the range to shoot their high dollar guns. I pay for their ticket which IIRC is $6. Does AGC do rentals? That is another option. I do not always shoot clays, but when I do I shoot at PG.

Honestly after trying some very fine firearms, I am sticking with my 870. Most of the higher end guns are arguably better in ALL possible ways, but they are only marginally better. IMHO that does not make up for the price gap. With the 870 there are significantly more options to fit the gun to you for a reasonable price. In example my 870 has the fore end I want, under $10, recoil absorbing stock $100, sights $20, and it is absolutely perfect for me to learn on. At the end of the day my buddies are hurting in the shoulder. I am fine, for another 5 rounds, thank you recoil reducing stock. Benelli has something very similar in their shotguns. Doubles on sporting clay do pose a challenge, but not impossible.

The other factor is the difference in my scores has very little to do with the gun, rather the loose nut behind the butt needs more practice.

Good luck. You are doing your research and will find your shotgun. :thumbsup:

Vision · Jul 20, 2012

ProShooter said:
Study what is out there.
Ask many questions
Go to a gun show and fondle every shotgun you see
Visit a local range and test fire a few........

Then go and buy yourself an 870 and kick yourself for wasting so much time.

tdt91 · Jul 20, 2012

ONE GUN, TWO BARRELS, 870

t0tln00b · Jul 20, 2012

Not sure where you are located but PG county Trap and Skeet facility rents shotguns. There is also a "learn to shoot" class every other Saturday. Don't over look the NRA classes either - at the basic shotgun I went to, they had about 20 different ones. And they stressed that HD shotguns (with shorter barrels) make poor trap/skeet guns. Heck,when you get good enough, trap guns suck for skeet too...or so I hear, since I will probably never get that good lol

grb · Jul 20, 2012

jcrusselljr said:
I am in Ellicott city.

You are only 20 minutes away. Send me a pm if interested in coming out any Thursday. If I know you are coming, we can have a dozen shotguns for you to try.

tdt91 · Jul 20, 2012

to copy K31

Rem 870

Redcobra · Jul 20, 2012

jcrusselljr said:
I've googled around and just managed to get myself more overwhelmed by options.

I understand that mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are the Ford vs. Chevy competitors in the pump category, and sort of the "standard" that many people choose to start with. The price point is certainly attractive.

I think I want a semi-auto. I do recognize the significant expense of moving to this option.

Interested in shooting trap, but also consider it as a home defense option. I guess I am looking for versatility as a second to reliability.

I'm sorta dialed into the Remington versamax and benelli m4......but found my way to those options accidentally.

Is there is good resource, or local IP that specializes in shotguns and can lend some guidance?

I've always thought is would be nice for AGC (or some other entity) to host a show and tell, (shoot and tell?), where members could bring out their shotguns, people show up and peruse them, ask their owners about them, maybe test fire them, and get more informed and generally become more familiar with them. Even a holster show and tell would be beneficial so that people could get more educated on the options out there, rather than ending up with a box of trial and error. Surprised no one is throwing pizza parties and doing this already.....I would think it would draw a ton of people (and create sales opportunities for the host).

I went down the same road with my handgun.....my ultimate desire is a single handgun, single carbine, and a single shotgun.....and to become deeply proficient with each. It took me 3 handguns to finally settle in to the right one for me. Now I'm going through the same thing with night sight options for it.....

Thanks in advance for the guidance. This has been a very helpful site.

Trap and home defense are really mutually exclusive. A good auto such as a Beretta 391 is good for all the clay games, especially it you get one with an adjustable comb and rib and a 30"-34" barrel. Another option is the Fabarms XLR.
The above guns however, are not HD guns. The longer barrels make them unweildy among other things. And it may be just me, but I would not fire buckshot or HD rounds out of my trap/clays gun.
That being said, you can certainly shoot trap/clays with a shorter Benelli or Remington semi-auto although it is not an ideal situation.
As far as pumps go, shooting doubles in the clay sports is pretty tough with a pump if you go that route, although again it can be done.

Maybe another option is an Over/Under. A 30" Beretta Silver Pigeon would not be that bad a HD gun.

It really depends on how serious you are going to be about clays. They are addictive. If you want to meet a Loch Raven sometime I can let you shoot some O/Us. I got rid of my semi-autos and pumps. I keep a 26" barrel skeet gun with 1-1/4oz of 7-1/2 shot handy for HD. May not be ideal, but it'll do the job at close range.

the Javid · Jul 20, 2012

Siaga for semi or remington 870 for pump

Where can I learn more about which shotgun to purchase?

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