First Shottie Decision

40CalGuy · March 29, 2005, 11:47 PM

Ok,here's the drill. I have decided to add a shottie to my list of must haves. I am trying to decide on a good pump. So far, I have liked the look and feel of the Remington 870 12ga in the marincoate finish, and the Mossberg mariner, with their marinecoate finish. I am open to suggestions. Would consider a good semi-auto as well. Round capacity isn't really an issue, will primarily be an HD gun. Would like the option of readily available aftermarket pistol grips, heat shields, optics and the like. Keep it under or around $500, if possible. All info welcome. Thanks.

Twycross · March 30, 2005, 01:02 AM

The Remington 870 and Winchester 1300 are both great pumps in my experience. I have also heard good things about the Mossberg 500. All these have HD/Police versions, and have a number of compatible toys to add on (870 has the most). And these should be in the $250-$350 range (I bought my 1300 for $200 on sale). Properly cared for, any of them should last a lifetime. For HD, either 12 or 20 ga is fine.

Dave McC · March 30, 2005, 10:17 AM

Once again....

Practically any reliable repeating shotgun will work well for HD/CD. The 870 has the most aftermarket bling, but a bone stock 870 right out of the box is an awesome weapon for CQ.

Pistol grips without a real stock are egregious in the real world. A PG on a full stock is not better, it hinders fast safety manipulation on some models and means no butt strokes if things are very hinky and close.

Heat shields? More Hollywierd stuff. The things can also shift while firing and block cycling on a pump.

Optics? Just how big is your house?

Take a box stock 870, 500/590, 37 or 1300. BA/UU/R until your weapon's smooth as old whiskey. Take note that you've become deadly in the process without the bells, whistles, fender skirts and fuzzy dice. At that point, decide if you really want addons and bling.....

litigator02 · March 30, 2005, 11:15 AM

"Show-my-ignorance" time. BA/UU/R?

Dave McC · March 30, 2005, 01:05 PM

Sorry, 02. Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat. Our Mantra.

The only silly questions are those that do not get asked....

sm · March 30, 2005, 05:11 PM

I agree with Dave on all counts.

I suggest try before you buy to see which gun FITS YOU. Good shooters have more money invested in training, which includes BA/UU/R , than they do the gun and any equipment .

rellascout · March 30, 2005, 05:38 PM

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976537741.htm

I got one of these. It is in great shape. 90% on the finish. I got 2 and he gave me a good deal. This thing is a rock solid platform for a HD shot gun. It was used so it is already silky smooth. The Police model is heavier and has a shorter pull. Much higher quality fit and finish then the current 870 express.

I agree 100% with Dave McC. A good HD shotgun only needs to be a good reliable pump gun with an 18" or 20" barrel.

Rellascout

Wraith · March 30, 2005, 09:06 PM

Under $500 huh? Mossberg 590 is all I can say. The 590 blows away the 500 and rem 870.

8 in the tube, 1 in the pipe, one extremely tough weapon.

Dave McC · March 31, 2005, 04:09 PM

Wraith, "Blows away the 500 and rem 870"....

Do you ever get down to MD?.....

sm · March 31, 2005, 05:13 PM

115grfmj · April 4, 2005, 09:17 AM

just don't call it a SHOTTIE, kinda like gangster talk, or maybe
makes it sound like a small poodle like creature. In any case
whatever you buy it won't like you if you call it a SHOTTIE. :barf:

40CalGuy · April 12, 2005, 03:43 PM

It is a damn shottie. End of Post.

Death from Afar · April 12, 2005, 03:51 PM

Pistol grip only shotguns have very limited use. As has been noted, they are rather hard to manipulate and being able to use the butt is useful in some situations.

I am very much in the 870 Camp. They are simply a superb gun, and being able to change barrels etc makes them very versitile- I have a barrel for sporting clays, one for rabbits, and one for pig shooting with buckshot. All good.

March 29, 2005, 11:47 PM	#1
40CalGuy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 179	First Shottie Decision Ok,here's the drill. I have decided to add a shottie to my list of must haves. I am trying to decide on a good pump. So far, I have liked the look and feel of the Remington 870 12ga in the marincoate finish, and the Mossberg mariner, with their marinecoate finish. I am open to suggestions. Would consider a good semi-auto as well. Round capacity isn't really an issue, will primarily be an HD gun. Would like the option of readily available aftermarket pistol grips, heat shields, optics and the like. Keep it under or around $500, if possible. All info welcome. Thanks. __________________ You only need as many guns as you want. I think I want them all! Walther p99 a/s .40 S&W OD green Walther G22 .22lr OD green w/ Barska 4x32 IR .22 scope, UTG Tactical Foregrip & Bipod H&R Model 732 .32S&W-L Remington 870 12ga Express 28" barrel Yugoslavian SKS 59/66A1 7.62x39mm w/nade launcher Mosin-Nagant Izhevsk 91/30 1931r Hex receiver 7.62x54R Last edited by 40CalGuy; March 30, 2005 at 12:57 AM.

March 30, 2005, 01:02 AM	#2
Twycross Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 1,188	The Remington 870 and Winchester 1300 are both great pumps in my experience. I have also heard good things about the Mossberg 500. All these have HD/Police versions, and have a number of compatible toys to add on (870 has the most). And these should be in the $250-$350 range (I bought my 1300 for $200 on sale). Properly cared for, any of them should last a lifetime. For HD, either 12 or 20 ga is fine. __________________ The test of character is not 'hanging in' when you expect light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty, and persistence of example when you know no light is coming. - Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (ret.)

March 30, 2005, 05:11 PM	#6
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2002 Posts: 1,771	I agree with Dave on all counts. I suggest try before you buy to see which gun FITS YOU. Good shooters have more money invested in training, which includes BA/UU/R , than they do the gun and any equipment . __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

March 30, 2005, 05:38 PM	#7
rellascout Junior member Join Date: September 2, 2004 Posts: 2,435	Used 870 Police Remington http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976537741.htm I got one of these. It is in great shape. 90% on the finish. I got 2 and he gave me a good deal. This thing is a rock solid platform for a HD shot gun. It was used so it is already silky smooth. The Police model is heavier and has a shorter pull. Much higher quality fit and finish then the current 870 express. I agree 100% with Dave McC. A good HD shotgun only needs to be a good reliable pump gun with an 18" or 20" barrel. Rellascout

March 30, 2005, 09:06 PM	#8
Wraith Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2004 Location: The Free State Posts: 505	Under $500 huh? Mossberg 590 is all I can say. The 590 blows away the 500 and rem 870. 8 in the tube, 1 in the pipe, one extremely tough weapon. __________________ June 23, 2003 GRATZ et al. v. BOLLINGER et al. The day America died. Never Forget 9/11. Cold dead hands...

March 30, 2005, 10:17 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	Once again.... Practically any reliable repeating shotgun will work well for HD/CD. The 870 has the most aftermarket bling, but a bone stock 870 right out of the box is an awesome weapon for CQ. Pistol grips without a real stock are egregious in the real world. A PG on a full stock is not better, it hinders fast safety manipulation on some models and means no butt strokes if things are very hinky and close. Heat shields? More Hollywierd stuff. The things can also shift while firing and block cycling on a pump. Optics? Just how big is your house? Take a box stock 870, 500/590, 37 or 1300. BA/UU/R until your weapon's smooth as old whiskey. Take note that you've become deadly in the process without the bells, whistles, fender skirts and fuzzy dice. At that point, decide if you really want addons and bling.....

March 30, 2005, 11:15 AM	#4
litigator02 Junior Member Join Date: March 24, 2005 Posts: 9	"Show-my-ignorance" time. BA/UU/R?

March 30, 2005, 01:05 PM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	Sorry, 02. Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat. Our Mantra. The only silly questions are those that do not get asked....

March 31, 2005, 04:09 PM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	Wraith, "Blows away the 500 and rem 870".... Do you ever get down to MD?.....

March 31, 2005, 05:13 PM	#10
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2002 Posts: 1,771	__________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

April 4, 2005, 09:17 AM	#11
115grfmj Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2001 Posts: 146	any of the 870's would serve you well but.... just don't call it a SHOTTIE, kinda like gangster talk, or maybe makes it sound like a small poodle like creature. In any case whatever you buy it won't like you if you call it a SHOTTIE. :barf:

April 12, 2005, 03:43 PM	#12
40CalGuy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 179	Ahem... It is a damn shottie. End of Post. __________________ You only need as many guns as you want. I think I want them all! Walther p99 a/s .40 S&W OD green Walther G22 .22lr OD green w/ Barska 4x32 IR .22 scope, UTG Tactical Foregrip & Bipod H&R Model 732 .32S&W-L Remington 870 12ga Express 28" barrel Yugoslavian SKS 59/66A1 7.62x39mm w/nade launcher Mosin-Nagant Izhevsk 91/30 1931r Hex receiver 7.62x54R

April 12, 2005, 03:51 PM	#13
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,602	Pistol grip only shotguns have very limited use. As has been noted, they are rather hard to manipulate and being able to use the butt is useful in some situations. I am very much in the 870 Camp. They are simply a superb gun, and being able to change barrels etc makes them very versitile- I have a barrel for sporting clays, one for rabbits, and one for pig shooting with buckshot. All good. __________________ Currently...Sako TRG 22, Model 29 .44 Magnum, Beretta M9 9mm, Beretta Neos, Colt AR 15 x 2, VQ 17 M2, Anchutze .22 hornet, the ultimate 10/22, LOTS of M1 Carbines. "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".