Help.. First all-purpose shotgun purchase

defox · December 31, 2002, 06:39 PM

Hi Guys, time going so I will be quick!!

Please advise on first shotgun (12 gauge)..will be required to hunt, self-defense, clay traps and skeet..

Need advise on barrel length, semi-auto or bolt etc.

Denny Hansen · December 31, 2002, 06:58 PM

First choice would have to be a Remington 870 with a full-length barrel with screw-in chokes to tailor it to what you will be doing at the time.

Buy an extra barrel, 18-20 inches long for home/self-defense.

It doesn't have to be new as most 870's run like freight trains for a long time. Using the same gun for many purposes will breed familiarity and develop musclel memory if you ever (God forbid) need it to defend your life and those of your loved ones. Purchase ammo as much as your budget will allow and practice, practice, practice. And have fun!

Good shooting,

Denny

sm · December 31, 2002, 07:02 PM

Yup
what Denny said

blades67 · December 31, 2002, 08:41 PM

A Mossberg 500 might be another good option for you.

RCH · December 31, 2002, 09:46 PM

For an all-purpose, it's hard to beat the 870. Barrels are commonly available, parts can be found just about anywhere.

Most of the chain stores sell the 870 Express combo deal- which comes with an 18 inch deer barrel and a 26(?) inch field barrel. I think that you can buy it for around $350.00.

mikey357 · December 31, 2002, 10:09 PM

Remington 870
Mossberg 500
Remington 1187 or 1100...those'd be my recommendations...FWIW....mikey357

caffer · May 19, 2004, 10:31 AM

Rem 870 w/extra 18" barrel for social work. Get Vang to re-bore the short barrel when you can afford it. Next put proper sights on it and shorten stock to 12.5" pull (unless you have arms like an ape).

Caffer

ruger357 · May 19, 2004, 11:00 AM

Another for the 870.

s002cjs · May 19, 2004, 01:32 PM

I picked up a Mossberg 500 combo which came with 2 barrels (I think 18.5" and 28" barrel). Tough to beat for $219, and I figure it will hold me for most purposes for a while.

K80Geoff · May 20, 2004, 06:57 AM

Buy the Rem 870 combo, they are cheap enough and reliable. Don't bother with all the uber remakes from Vang and others, wasted money. Buy several boxes of shells and go shoot.

Buy more shells and keep shooting till you are familiar with the gun, than shoot some more.

Don't waste money on mag extensions, sidesaddles, tactical stocks, attached lights, porting etc.

Buy shells and shoot. OK you may want to take a lesson in Skeet or Trap or Sporting, often worth it to learn proper technique. But the best investment in shotguns is more shells and more shooting.

Forget the Mossbergs, they are problems. You won't find them at money shoots because they just don't work properly. Whenever I have taken a new shooter out on the clays course and they show up with a Mossberg I know I am in for a long afternoon, and they usually end up shooting my gun.

My bloviated opinion as usual

PJR · May 22, 2004, 07:48 AM

Another vote for the 12 gauge Remington 870 combo however with a caveat. If you are truly serious about shooting clay targets the pump gun can be a disadvantage for a beginner. You have enough to learn about foot position, stance, eye placement and many other issues without having to remember to pump on a quick pair. New clayshooters are better served with a semi-auto.

However, if you are going out just for fun and want to become intimately familiar with the workings of your gun a pump is a very good choice for clays. I shoot o/u for target but every so often I like to take the pump gun out just to keep myself in tune.

I'd also second Geoff's comments on the Mossberg 500. I won a 500 in a draw a few years ago and it did not compare well to my 870. It was sold very soon thereafter.

Paul

December 31, 2002, 06:39 PM	#1
defox Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2001 Posts: 242	Help.. First all-purpose shotgun purchase Hi Guys, time going so I will be quick!! Please advise on first shotgun (12 gauge)..will be required to hunt, self-defense, clay traps and skeet.. Need advise on barrel length, semi-auto or bolt etc.

December 31, 2002, 06:58 PM	#2
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	First choice would have to be a Remington 870 with a full-length barrel with screw-in chokes to tailor it to what you will be doing at the time. Buy an extra barrel, 18-20 inches long for home/self-defense. It doesn't have to be new as most 870's run like freight trains for a long time. Using the same gun for many purposes will breed familiarity and develop musclel memory if you ever (God forbid) need it to defend your life and those of your loved ones. Purchase ammo as much as your budget will allow and practice, practice, practice. And have fun! Good shooting, Denny __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

December 31, 2002, 07:02 PM	#3
sm Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2002 Posts: 1,819	Yup what Denny said __________________ Use Enough Gun TFL Alumni

December 31, 2002, 08:41 PM	#4
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	A Mossberg 500 might be another good option for you. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

December 31, 2002, 10:09 PM	#6
mikey357 Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2000 Location: Griffin, GA, USA Posts: 743	Remington 870 Mossberg 500 Remington 1187 or 1100...those'd be my recommendations...FWIW....mikey357 __________________ mikey357, TFL Member # 7556

December 31, 2002, 09:46 PM	#5
RCH Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 1999 Posts: 103	For an all-purpose, it's hard to beat the 870. Barrels are commonly available, parts can be found just about anywhere. Most of the chain stores sell the 870 Express combo deal- which comes with an 18 inch deer barrel and a 26(?) inch field barrel. I think that you can buy it for around $350.00.

May 19, 2004, 10:31 AM	#7
caffer Registration in progress Join Date: February 16, 2002 Posts: 10	Rem 870 w/extra 18" barrel for social work. Get Vang to re-bore the short barrel when you can afford it. Next put proper sights on it and shorten stock to 12.5" pull (unless you have arms like an ape). Caffer

May 19, 2004, 11:00 AM	#8
ruger357 Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 300	Another for the 870.

May 19, 2004, 01:32 PM	#9
s002cjs Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 27	I picked up a Mossberg 500 combo which came with 2 barrels (I think 18.5" and 28" barrel). Tough to beat for $219, and I figure it will hold me for most purposes for a while.

May 20, 2004, 06:57 AM	#10
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	Buy the Rem 870 combo, they are cheap enough and reliable. Don't bother with all the uber remakes from Vang and others, wasted money. Buy several boxes of shells and go shoot. Buy more shells and keep shooting till you are familiar with the gun, than shoot some more. Don't waste money on mag extensions, sidesaddles, tactical stocks, attached lights, porting etc. Buy shells and shoot. OK you may want to take a lesson in Skeet or Trap or Sporting, often worth it to learn proper technique. But the best investment in shotguns is more shells and more shooting. Forget the Mossbergs, they are problems. You won't find them at money shoots because they just don't work properly. Whenever I have taken a new shooter out on the clays course and they show up with a Mossberg I know I am in for a long afternoon, and they usually end up shooting my gun. My bloviated opinion as usual __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

May 22, 2004, 07:48 AM	#11
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	Another vote for the 12 gauge Remington 870 combo however with a caveat. If you are truly serious about shooting clay targets the pump gun can be a disadvantage for a beginner. You have enough to learn about foot position, stance, eye placement and many other issues without having to remember to pump on a quick pair. New clayshooters are better served with a semi-auto. However, if you are going out just for fun and want to become intimately familiar with the workings of your gun a pump is a very good choice for clays. I shoot o/u for target but every so often I like to take the pump gun out just to keep myself in tune. I'd also second Geoff's comments on the Mossberg 500. I won a 500 in a draw a few years ago and it did not compare well to my 870. It was sold very soon thereafter. Paul