Bargain guns? - Page 2

BigJimP · November 16, 2009, 12:03 PM

Price is an interesting debate ....

But you have to first break the conversation down by action style: Pumps, Semi-Autos, Over Unders and Side by Sides .....then it might mean something.

Pump guns: $ 150 - $ 800 new today. Are the less expensive guns dangerous - No. Will they break or have warranty issues - probably. Will some of the more expensive pump guns have issues - maybe. For me, the best pump gun on the market is Browning BPS hunter model retailing for around $ 500. But picking a gun is also about Fit - not just price. But when you go up in price - you will probably get more durable internal parts, better steel, better quality of machining, better quality chokes.... I have no need or use for a Tactical shotgun / but if I did want one - I'd go to Wilson Combat and order something or a Benelli M-4 (which is a semi-auto).

Semi-autos $ 300 - $ 2,000. Same issues. for me Benelli Super Sport is a good solid gun - retails new for about $ 1,875.

O/U's: $ 500 - $ 1,000 - guns with a lot of problems / $ 1,000 - $3,000 some good long term guns / $ 3k - $5K some upper end quality "Target" grade shotguns / $ 5K - $ 30 K some of the better guns made ( Kolar, Krieghoff, etc ). Personally, Browning XS Skeet with an adjustable comb / parallel comb is a very good overall gun, lots of adjustabilty to fit many shooters - listing for around
$ 3K today ( and its the gun I use for hunting birds, sporting clays and Skeet ).

SXS's same issues

Buy what Fits you first ( so it hits where you look ), buy the action type you like, buy what you can afford, buy what you think is a gun you will enjoy for many years - and you can't really go wrong.

I will also tell you my first shotgun was a 16ga bolt action / when I was about 8 yrs old .... My first "grown up" gun was a Browning BPS 12ga pump - and I used that gun for hunting and for Trap for many years - until I made the choice that I wanted a "long term - Target grade gun" and went to the Browning O/U's ......... so sometimes it takes a few years for things to settle out in your life ( high quality guns are expensive ..).

zippy13 · November 16, 2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

BigJimP
…high quality guns are expensive…

+1

You get what you pay for.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.

JimL · November 16, 2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Actually I was more interested in guns when I posted!

JimL · November 16, 2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

But you have to first break the conversation down by action style

Of course a glance at my OP will indicate that I specified "generally." The $300 to "Thousands" were as general as you can get. I did think this was a shotgun sub-forum, so all the other categories are beside the point.

I'll start over with the points in my OP.

1. Generally speaking...
2. Cheap shotguns...
3. House guns...
4. Safety...

Now I'll add this. I don't think a long shotgun fits my original reference to house gun, because they are unwieldy. Now my last point.

5. Are these cheap short shotguns that they make to look like they belong with a SWAT team (assumedly they are supposed to scare a BG to death) worth having?

jaguarxk120 · November 16, 2009, 08:49 PM

Are they worth having? Don't now as I've never been in a situation where a gun of that type would be needed.

With all the verbage we've had on shotguns you would think someone out there has first hand knowledge in using a home defense shotgun.

All the posts I've read are about the guns, black plastic stocks black non reflective finishes, laser sights, mounted lighting, extended magazines, and even a bayonet mounted.

Not one time where someone said he/she fought off the barbaric herds of evel doers with their trusty Red Ryder Carbine (you'll shoot your eye out!!).

oneounceload · November 16, 2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Now I'll add this. I don't think a long shotgun fits my original reference to house gun, because they are unwieldy. Now my last point.

5. Are these cheap short shotguns that they make to look like they belong with a SWAT team (assumedly they are supposed to scare a BG to death) worth having?

Long answer short - yes

From your original post, what "house guns" are you seeing for thousands of dollars? Typically, shotguns for home defense use tend to gravitate mostly to pump action guns. (When I first read your post, I was thinking house guns as in Sears, etc. branded guns from a major maker, not home defense per se)

Some folks also use semi's and coach guns for this purpose, but on this forum, the 870 and 500 seem to rule supreme.

BigJimP · November 17, 2009, 07:09 AM

Ok, so by " House Guns " --- you meant guns to use in " the house " ... the term most of us would use is Tactical ......so at least now we know what you are talking about.

But my point is still the same - you get what you pay for. The Rem 870 is a good tactical shotgun / so is the Benelli M-4 .....

http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php

If you really think you need a Tactical Shotgun - the M-4 would be my choice, retailing for around $ 1,500 .....

hogdogs · November 17, 2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

the term most of us would use is Tactical ......so at least now we know what you are talking about

I am trying my best to get folks away from the term "tactical" as that is a verb IMHO... I prefer to class the shorter shot guns simply as "home defense shotguns"...

Tactical sounds so ICKY

Brent

JimL · November 17, 2009, 10:30 AM

OK, just skimming the posts since my last one:

Nobody uses a shotgun to fight off hoards of BG's, so they are probably not worth having.

Home defense shotguns tend to be pump guns and they are worth having.

You should refer to home defense shotguns as Tactical, which puts you in the $1500 range.

Tactical isn't really the right word for facing BG's in your living room.

In my opinion some of the above have merit.

Thanks guys

BigJimP · November 17, 2009, 11:14 AM

Come back again, glad we could help ........

oneounceload · November 17, 2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

You should refer to home defense shotguns as Tactical, which puts you in the $1500 range.

More like the $500 range

As to using a shotgun to fight off hordes of zombies? I don't live in that type of neighborhood, so - no, I don't personally. Maybe someone else can address zombies better.....

You SHOULD refer to guns used for HD, no matter the type as HD guns, then everyone IS clear.......

JimL · November 18, 2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Come back again, glad we could help ........

Don't laugh. One thing was made perfectly clear in this thread. As on every forum I've ever visited, there is no such thing as a consensus.

zombieslayer · November 18, 2009, 03:15 AM

As one of the very few fans of pistol grip shotguns on here, I have to say my Pg mossberg was inexpensive and very handy. With a bit of practice, I'm happy to have a compact, powerful HD gun. My 2cents

oneounceload · November 18, 2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Don't laugh. One thing was made perfectly clear in this thread. As on every forum I've ever visited, there is no such thing as a consensus

If there was, they'd be no need for the forum! A little dissent now and then is a healthy thing.......

cwb · November 22, 2009, 06:49 PM

i just bought a brand new 870 exspress with 28in barrel and laminate stock for $300 otd

and the 870 is a work horse its a shotgun that i know i can pass down to my kids

219er · November 30, 2009, 04:35 PM

Shotguns are like cars. There will never be a consensus. If we only had one choice, what would be the fun in that. Jim

SAIGAFISH · November 30, 2009, 09:15 PM

i heard an interesting thing the other day,'remember after you defend
your write or wrong the police will be taking your gun for awhile
or longer,sticking evidense tape lockers lots of other poeple
messing with the gun.so do the sieze 1200dollars or
300dollars home defense should be done with a gun that is
firmiliar and reliable.my 870 wont freeze fail or any other problems
goes boom no mater what

Huntergirl · November 30, 2009, 10:05 PM

Yeah, reliable would be #1 priority. #2 though for me is that the shotgun have multiple purposes.

SAIGAFISH · December 3, 2009, 12:54 PM

i have one 870 .you can get different barrels much cheaper
than other shot guns,when your going bird hunting put
on the long barrel when you get home put your 18in er
on want a slug gun put on the slug barrel.one thing i
would suggest is get the magnum reciever so you
have all the options of combos

November 16, 2009, 12:03 PM	#26
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Price is an interesting debate .... But you have to first break the conversation down by action style: Pumps, Semi-Autos, Over Unders and Side by Sides .....then it might mean something. Pump guns: $ 150 - $ 800 new today. Are the less expensive guns dangerous - No. Will they break or have warranty issues - probably. Will some of the more expensive pump guns have issues - maybe. For me, the best pump gun on the market is Browning BPS hunter model retailing for around $ 500. But picking a gun is also about Fit - not just price. But when you go up in price - you will probably get more durable internal parts, better steel, better quality of machining, better quality chokes.... I have no need or use for a Tactical shotgun / but if I did want one - I'd go to Wilson Combat and order something or a Benelli M-4 (which is a semi-auto). Semi-autos $ 300 - $ 2,000. Same issues. for me Benelli Super Sport is a good solid gun - retails new for about $ 1,875. O/U's: $ 500 - $ 1,000 - guns with a lot of problems / $ 1,000 - $3,000 some good long term guns / $ 3k - $5K some upper end quality "Target" grade shotguns / $ 5K - $ 30 K some of the better guns made ( Kolar, Krieghoff, etc ). Personally, Browning XS Skeet with an adjustable comb / parallel comb is a very good overall gun, lots of adjustabilty to fit many shooters - listing for around $ 3K today ( and its the gun I use for hunting birds, sporting clays and Skeet ). SXS's same issues Buy what Fits you first ( so it hits where you look ), buy the action type you like, buy what you can afford, buy what you think is a gun you will enjoy for many years - and you can't really go wrong. I will also tell you my first shotgun was a 16ga bolt action / when I was about 8 yrs old .... My first "grown up" gun was a Browning BPS 12ga pump - and I used that gun for hunting and for Trap for many years - until I made the choice that I wanted a "long term - Target grade gun" and went to the Browning O/U's ......... so sometimes it takes a few years for things to settle out in your life ( high quality guns are expensive ..). Last edited by BigJimP; November 16, 2009 at 01:33 PM.

November 17, 2009, 10:30 AM	#34
JimL Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Posts: 276	OK, just skimming the posts since my last one: Nobody uses a shotgun to fight off hoards of BG's, so they are probably not worth having. Home defense shotguns tend to be pump guns and they are worth having. You should refer to home defense shotguns as Tactical, which puts you in the $1500 range. Tactical isn't really the right word for facing BG's in your living room. In my opinion some of the above have merit. Thanks guys __________________ Thanks Sue Walmart and Kmart for selling millions of inferior brains. JimL

November 17, 2009, 11:14 AM	#35
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Come back again, glad we could help ........ Last edited by BigJimP; November 17, 2009 at 11:33 AM.

November 18, 2009, 03:15 AM	#38
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	As one of the very few fans of pistol grip shotguns on here, I have to say my Pg mossberg was inexpensive and very handy. With a bit of practice, I'm happy to have a compact, powerful HD gun. My 2cents __________________ "An angry prophet, denouncing the hypocrisies of our time"

November 30, 2009, 09:15 PM	#42
SAIGAFISH Junior member Join Date: June 14, 2009 Location: portland oregon Posts: 308	money does matter i heard an interesting thing the other day,'remember after you defend your write or wrong the police will be taking your gun for awhile or longer,sticking evidense tape lockers lots of other poeple messing with the gun.so do the sieze 1200dollars or 300dollars home defense should be done with a gun that is firmiliar and reliable.my 870 wont freeze fail or any other problems goes boom no mater what

November 16, 2009, 08:49 PM	#30
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Are they worth having? Don't now as I've never been in a situation where a gun of that type would be needed. With all the verbage we've had on shotguns you would think someone out there has first hand knowledge in using a home defense shotgun. All the posts I've read are about the guns, black plastic stocks black non reflective finishes, laser sights, mounted lighting, extended magazines, and even a bayonet mounted. Not one time where someone said he/she fought off the barbaric herds of evel doers with their trusty Red Ryder Carbine (you'll shoot your eye out!!).

November 17, 2009, 07:09 AM	#32
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Ok, so by " House Guns " --- you meant guns to use in " the house " ... the term most of us would use is Tactical ......so at least now we know what you are talking about. But my point is still the same - you get what you pay for. The Rem 870 is a good tactical shotgun / so is the Benelli M-4 ..... http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_m4.php If you really think you need a Tactical Shotgun - the M-4 would be my choice, retailing for around $ 1,500 .....

November 22, 2009, 06:49 PM	#40
cwb Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: jax fl Posts: 482	i just bought a brand new 870 exspress with 28in barrel and laminate stock for $300 otd and the 870 is a work horse its a shotgun that i know i can pass down to my kids

November 30, 2009, 04:35 PM	#41
219er Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Eastern Nebraska Posts: 26	Shotguns are like cars. There will never be a consensus. If we only had one choice, what would be the fun in that. Jim

November 30, 2009, 10:05 PM	#43
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	Yeah, reliable would be #1 priority. #2 though for me is that the shotgun have multiple purposes.

December 3, 2009, 12:54 PM	#44
SAIGAFISH Junior member Join Date: June 14, 2009 Location: portland oregon Posts: 308	one for all i have one 870 .you can get different barrels much cheaper than other shot guns,when your going bird hunting put on the long barrel when you get home put your 18in er on want a slug gun put on the slug barrel.one thing i would suggest is get the magnum reciever so you have all the options of combos