YAGT: first shotgun: for clay shooting, some hunting, and lastly for home defense

[andylawcc]

so, what are my choices?
Mossenberg 500, Benelli Nova, Remington ???, Winchestor ???.

My friend just took me to clay shooting last week and boy it was fun. Earlier that day I took the hunter safety course and ready for some hunting next week. I will use my friend's, but if later on down the road I want one for myself, primarily for sporting needs and not so much for home defense, which one would you recommend?

 

[OdiN]

Remington 870

Well under $500.

Very serviceable.

Just works...very reliable gun.

 

[Kelvrick]

Either a remington 870 model or a mossberg 500 model.

I personally think you should go to Big5 and pick up their mossberg 500 2 barrel combo. It comes with a 28" smoothbore barrel that you put on for when you head out for some clays. Come home, throw a couple patches through to clean and swap the 18.5" barrel on for some buckshot. Personally, I use #1 buckshot, but use at least #4. #4, 1, 0, 00, or 000. Don't listen to anyone that recommends birdshot.

EDIT: I personally have a benelli supernova, but for the starter, get the mossberg. Don't make too big of an investment before you really know what you want. Also, if you ever have to use it on a person, you'll be happy they're not taking away your 1k+ benelli m4.

Oh yea, and I don't believe in using the pump as a deterrent. If you have your firearm out, that means you're ready to use it, don't warn a potentially armed intruder that you're awake.

 

[OdiN]

Birdshot is fine for....birds. Also does fine for clay.

 

[jlee]

Remington 870.

 

[andylawcc]

well, I just missed the Big5 deal (Mossberg 500, 2 barrel, $250) just a few days ago.

but I really think it's just an itch / impulse buy, given my previous purchase pattern, it will probably dust after this hunting season is over.
so, I think I will go through this season using my friend and see how deep my commitment is.

so far, I shot my friend's Benelli Nova and his Beretta over-under. I liked the Nova more BASED on principle (reload after 2 shots? blah) and not experience (to me they both shot equally well, except the Beretta has a noticable larger recoil).

 

[Kelvrick]

Well, the beretta, being the over-under doesn't have that extra action to absorb some of the force. Also, it was probably a wood stock compared to the synthetic of the nova, although the nova has the rep for having more recoil then other pumps.

Don't worry about missing big5, it comes by every other week, it seems.

 

[andylawcc]

okay, thanks guys.
I just checked with one retailer http://www.impactguns.com/store/ and using it as a reference (obviously flawed since it is the only source). the Remington 870 is about a $100 more than Mossberg 500; and with the Big5 combo deal I get TWO barrels, so to a noob it's like getting two shotguns for the price of one. I guess I will settle for that, unless I find a Remington 870 much cheaper in like Bass Pro or Turners.

 

[jlee]

I bought my 870 used for 175 bucks- are you set on getting a new one?

 

[Darwin333]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
okay, thanks guys.
I just checked with one retailer http://www.impactguns.com/store/ and using it as a reference (obviously flawed since it is the only source). the Remington 870 is about a $100 more than Mossberg 500; and with the Big5 combo deal I get TWO barrels, so to a noob it's like getting two shotguns for the price of one. I guess I will settle for that, unless I find a Remington 870 much cheaper in like Bass Pro or Turners.

The Mossy is a damn fine gun. I am a bit biased towards the 870 simply because thats what I own but I have shot tons of 500's and it will serve your purpose just fine.

 

[edro]

Derringer

 

[JohnCU]

find a good used remington 1100

 

[Joony]

Benelli M3?

 

[KB]

I don't like pump guns for anything but show. Pumping between shots on doubles in skeet is possible, but not recommended. When hunting pumping gives away your location.

Get the Stoeger 2000 http://www.stoegerindustries.c...stoeger_model_2000.php which is semi-auto and has the inertia driven tech like the expensive Benellis. The black synthetic is $479.

 

[KB]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
find a good used remington 1100

Also a good recommendation, just make sure it has interchangeable chokes.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: KB
I don't like pump guns for anything but show. Pumping between shots on doubles in skeet is possible and but recommended. When hunting pumping gives away your location.

Actually, I find that it is the first shot that gives away your location, not working the slide on a pump-action shotgun.

And to the OP - go with the Mossberg and spend the extra $100+ that the 870 would cost you on shells and time at your local trap/skeet range. Seeing as how they both meet your requirements, unless the Remington just feels enough better to you to justify spending the extra cash on it, don't.

 

[KMc]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: KB
I don't like pump guns for anything but show. Pumping between shots on doubles in skeet is possible and but recommended. When hunting pumping gives away your location.

Actually, I find that it is the first shot that gives away your location, not working the slide on a pump-action shotgun.

QFT!

And whatever you just shot at should now be dead!

 

[adairusmc]

Browning Citori

 

[DrPizza]

My 870 came with two barrels as well; but with a $100 difference, get the Mossy

 

[OdiN]

I got my 870 new from Big5 for $250.

 

[andylawcc]

choice choice choices... I will do some more clay shooting this Saturday, and my other friend will bring his Mossy 500. I will see how that goes.

 

[JakwoW]

Many good guns mentioned in this thread. I went with the Nova and have two of them. They are relatively light and don't have too much recoil. I use them with clays and dove/quail several times a year.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Browning Citori

Generally speaking, this is not exactly attainable for under $500, which is one of OPs requirements.

 

[jtvang125]

I have a Remington Premier 1100. I got it with the 30" barrel and used exclusively for hunting only. I've gotten numerous compliants on the shotgun while in the field. Very nice shotgun but $$$.

Also I'm sure you're already aware of this but CA hunting regulations with a shotgun only permits the loading of 3 shells. Be sure to install that rod to prevent loading more than 3 shells if you're out in the field.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Siaga-12???

I want one sooo bad, but whenever I have the money I can't find any, and when I don't have the money they're everywhere.