Looking to buy a 12 gauge for fun,,,

[aarondhgraham]

I primarily shoot handguns for sport,,,
Some friends have lately been doing some clay busting,,,
Nothing serious mind you, just leisurely popping at the range on Saturday.

I have been thinking I might buy a 12 or 20 gauge single-shot,,,
Just so I have something I can participate with,,,
I'm simply clueless on what type to buy,,,
Or how long the barrel should be.

I really know very very little about shotguns.

I have several single-shot rifles,,,
I actually like the concept of a slow reload,,,
Makes me slow down and really think before shooting.

I don't want to spend a fortune,,,
but I don't want to waste money either,,,
Are the H&R or NEF single shots decent guns for the money?

I have 2 H&R rifles that have proven to be very nice,,,
Can I expect the same from their shotguns?

I would consider an over-under,,,
But I believe they are well over my budget,,,
I would like to spend no more than a 3-hundred dollar bill.

All I know is I do not want a pump or an automatic,,,
Nothing wrong with them I just don't like their aesthetics.

Any suggestions for a scattergun newbie?

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[oneounceload]

For your budget, and since you have ruled out a pump or semi, one of those single shots for some occasional backyard-style fun would fill the bill.

I have pumps, semis, O/U, and SxS - I never found a use for my style of shooting where a single shot in that genre would work. (High-end trap guns notwithstanding). As to barrel length, longer is better as it will allow you better swing dynamics. Making sure the stock fits is another thing; otherwise it can leave bruised and battered. There's more to fit than just LOP, and going to child's LOP stocks will be even worse. You don't just "put a recoil pad on it" and call it good, even though it might, MIGHT, get you somewhere in the ball park

Good luck and have some fun - when you get used to that, try going to a shotgun club and shoot some trap

[jmortimer]

For about $200.00 you can get a H&R Pardner Pump which is a good gun in every respect. It is a "Clone" of a 870 (all parts interchange except barrel)and is imported by Remington/Marlin/H&R. Actual owners of the Pardner pumps love them. The H&R single shots also good guns but are limited in the variety of application. I really like the looks of the single shot bull barrel Turkey gun.

[zippy13]

Don't know what kind of clay busting you have in mind. Of the conventional shotgun sports, American trap is the only one that doesn't require a repeater. The others have some sort of doubles. For a first gun for fun and clays, I highly recommend a 12-ga.

H&R's model SB130T is probably the least expensive trap specific gun made, but it's more than $300. Their SB1118 Topper Deluxe Classic is well within your budget. I don't believe any of the NEF single shots have a vent rib and that's something you want with a clays gun.

oneounceload is correct, get a gun that fits you properly, or can made to fit you. It's not uncommon to see a $10,000 comp gun with mole-skin on the stock. A top dollar custom fit stock may not fit perfectly after you gain/lose weight.

[aarondhgraham]

One of my buddies just bought a clay thrower,,,
The kind you clamp to your spare tire.

The three of them buy a couple of 90-packs at WalMart for $6.00,,,
and a 100 round pack of shells for around $20.00,,,
They head to the range for the afternoon.

I will never get into serious competition with a shotgun,,,
I just want to own one so if the mood strikes me,,,
I can go out and play with my friends.

Thanks for the advice Gentlemen,,,
I looked up the shotguns that you recommended,,,
The Topper Deluxe Classic looks like a good candidate,,,
I like my H&R rifles and was hoping their shotguns were nice as well.

This gun would probably get used 3-4 times a year,,,
I just can't justify buying an expensive one,,,
Thanks for the quick answers.

Aarond

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[plumbernater]

I use to have a remington 1100 that was a super skeet gun. Low recoil light and dependable. Up to 5 in the tube if you want. Of cource it was stolen a few tears back, and I want another. Ive been seeing some out there in gun stores, used of course they were replaced with the 1187s. but some look pretty good for 250.00 to 300.00 range

[xx78]

Why not look for a good used Remington 870? I have a Mossberg 500 too which I bought for $100. Both have served me well.

[xx78]

Forgot to mention that I paid $150 for the 870. Deals can be found if you look around.

[Deerhunter]

Have to agree with those that said....Buy Used. Your not going to use it all that often and you just want to have fun. Find a use Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 and have a good time.

[aarondhgraham]

My problem there is that I'm ignorant about shotguns,,,
I honestly wouldn't know what Model(s) to look for.

So you two gentlemen have mentioned Remington 870 and Mossberg 500,,,
Are these two shotguns considered to be classic models?

I buy a lot of used handguns,,,
Because I know them and trust my knowledge,,,
With shotguns I must rely (for now) on the knowledge of others.

What are some other "classic" shotguns I could be on the lookout for?,,,
Give me some make and models that are the equivalent,,,
Of say, a S&W Model 15 or Model 19 revolver,,,
Old school but very serviceable.

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[BigJimP]

Pump shotguns are always a good thing to start a collection with.

Personally, I prefer the Browning BPS - with a 28" barrel - the Hunter model. Its a very versatile gun / new they are selling for around $ 525 which is very inexpensive for a long term gun. Used - there are quite a few around ( maybe $ 325 - $ 400 ).

Remington 870 pump is another long standing gun. The 870's have a lot of different models - on the low end the Express and on the high end the Wingmaster.

I prefer the Browning BPS / it ejects out of the bottom / and the safety is on the tang on top and easy to reach even with gloves on. Its also cast neutral - so it doesn't favor a right or left handed shooter ( like a lot of guns do ). BPS is a long term gun / I still have the BPS Hunter models I purchases in the late 70's in both 12ga and a 20ga - even though I don't shoot them much anymore / they both killed a lot of birds and broke a lot of targets....and are guns I'll continue to keep until I get ready to pass them down to one of my boys....and they'll live for another generation or two ..( kind of like some of the S&W model 19's I have ...) ...

[zippy13]

aarondhgraham,

As you are now aware, there's a Catch-22 when buying your first shotgun (and it applies to many things acquired during one's lifetime): Without shooting experience, you don't know what you want in a new shotgun, and you can't get the experience without a lot of trigger time. Some folks rent or borrow guns others ask the opinions of others; yet, nothing equals the ownership experience. Time after time, at this forum, we get newbies agonizing over the selection of their first shotgun. It's like the world will come to an end if they buy the wrong gun. To them, I say, lighten up and don't take it so seriously.

Don't consider your first shotgun as a lifetime commitment, but as a learning experience. I bought my first shotgun for all the wrong reasons: I was young and eager with some bonus cash in my pocket and the Sear's sale flyer had a shotgun deeply discounted on the cover. So, I snatched up a 20-ga pump knowing nothing more than it was on sale and I usually had good results with Sears products. I tried Skeet shooting and was immediately hooked on the game. I soon learned the 20-ga pump with a fixed ribless barrel and poly-choke wasn't a great choice for the game. I shot it for a while and when my budget allowed, I traded it in on my first O/U Skeet gun. That was many ago, and I haven't missed that Sear's 20-ga even once.

IMHO, look for a decent deal on a non-entry level, used pump like a Wingmaster or BPS, as BigJimP suggested. Shoot it as a learning experience, if it suits your needs keep it. If it doesn't, trade up to a gun that fits your requirements. With a little luck, you may come out ahead trading in the pump.

[aarondhgraham]

Thanks Gentlemen,,,
I'll add the BPS to the list to look out for.

My Evil Pawn Shop Guy has a wall full of used shotguns,,,
I'll bet there is one on his rack right now.

This will almost certainly be my only shotgun,,,
I don't hunt anymore and just want a range toy for clays.

Time after time, at this forum, we get newbies agonizing over the selection of their first shotgun. It's like the world will come to an end if they buy the wrong gun. To them, I say, lighten up and don't take it so seriously.

I hear ya my friend,,,
That's why I'm asking what is the shotgun equivalent of the S&W Model 10,,,
The Model 10 may not be the best revolver ever made but it's still a very good choice for a newbie.

It's a shame that over-under models are so relatively expensive,,,
They are very pleasing to the aesthetic portion of me.

BTW,,, What does BPS stand for?,,,
Browning Pump Shotgun?

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