Shotgun Recommendation

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
Looking to buy my first firearm for recreation (skeet shooting) and possibly home defense. What would you recommend? I'd like to keep the price reasonable, but still get a quality shotgun.
 

JasonSix78

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2005
2,020
1
0
If you've got the cash, definitely go for a Benelli. And if you're on a budget, like John said, go for a Remington.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Remington 870. It'll work just as well as a Benelli.

Mossberg 500 if you're on a very tight budget.
 

JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
1
0
I find myself coming back to Mossberg time and again, and have yet to be disappointed. My son has a Mossberg Maverick 20 guage (Academy Sports - ~$150), and I have a Mossberg 500, 835 and 935. For the price, you can't beat them. I have abused the heck out of mine in dove fields and duck blinds and they just work. Yes, the Remingtons and Benellis may have a little more polish and prestige than the Mossberg, but the birds are just as dead with my Mossbergs and I still have some extra cash in my pocket. :)
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Originally posted by: JLee
Remington 870. It'll work just as well as a Benelli.

Mossberg 500 if you're on a very tight budget.

I have owned both of these and never had a problem with either. I love the safety design of the Mossberg but hate cleaning them. The 870 was probably my favorit gun. If you are a hunter, the 870 combo is the best bang for the buck out there.


Of course, that's IMHO.
 

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
Originally posted by: JLee
Remington 870. It'll work just as well as a Benelli.

Mossberg 500 if you're on a very tight budget.

You can't go wrong with either of these. I wasn't so concerned about the additional cost of the 870 but I like the way the 500 felt in my hands better so that is what I got. Definitely happy with it. Go to a shop and see which one you like better in person.
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Remington 870

I got a new one for like $250.

You might knock $100 off for used, maybe.
 

pstylesss

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
2,914
0
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I made a thread on it not too long ago, you can see it here.

I got a Remington 870 Express synthetic. I highly recommend it. Got my brother one also, great guns. A few co-workers recommended it also.

Good luck!


Oh, and I've put around 500 shells through it so far, no problems.

Originally posted by: robphelan
Originally posted by: edro
For a first gun?
Get a used 870 from a gun show.

as far as price, what does a used 870 go far?

Got both of them for around $300 each. Bought one in WA and the other one in Montana.
 

GRIFFIN1

Golden Member
Nov 10, 1999
1,403
6
81
Remington 870 with a long barrel for skeet and a short barrel for zombies. A magazine extension is also a good idea.

If you have some extra cash, then look at the semi-auto Remington 11-87.
 

slsmnaz

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2005
4,016
1
0
I have been shooting my 870 for years and absolutely love it. I've tried others but none made me want to give up the 870
 

Jadow

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2003
5,962
2
0
honestly, I don't even think this is debatable.

Remington 870.

In fact, a gun I've shot hundreds of times over 18 years is a good ol Wal Mart Remington 870 Express.

Never had a single issue with it.
 

l0cke

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2005
3,790
0
0
FN SLP is a great all around gun. The only real problems with it is that it doesn't take light loads (it's meant for police use). But, something with more availability would be recommended.
 

rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
0
0
Bought a Beretta 686 series "Blackwing" 12ga 28in O/U a couple months ago and love it... of course, it wasn't cheap. I would suggest spending a little extra money if you have it or can save for it. If you get bit by the shooting bug, then you will finding yourself wanting something more. If not, you will still have a nice gun... I would look in to a basic semi-auto with a 26in or 28in barrel for skeet/trap/sporting clays. You could find a good Remington, Browning, Benelli, or Beretta for less than $600 in the semi-automatic catagory. Beretta makes an AL390 "Citizen" shotgun available in 26in or 28in barrel with a black, synthetic stock for right at $600. I almost bought that gun, and it wouldn't have been a bad choice, but I decided I wanted an over/under. I put off my decision on a gun for a few months to save up some extra money to get the gun I wanted.

This being said, there is nothing wrong with going with a Remington 870 or 1100. Very good guns.

R