only one shotgun, which style?

bullfrog99 · July 17, 2001, 08:44 PM

if you were to own only one shotgun(12 ga) , which style would you get, a semi auto, pump, sxs, over under or whatever. I am stuck between a sxs and a pump mossberg, which style would you get?

Mikey · July 17, 2001, 09:46 PM

Recoil operated semi-auto (no gas ports to clog), high capacity, great tactical features (load select etc), accessories out the kazoo, every barrel and choke option you could want. Plus it makes a nice light weight field gun.

Mikey

fed168 · July 17, 2001, 10:16 PM

I have gone through several shotguns over the years, and keep coming back to one: the 870. I am partial to pumps, although I like some of the semis.
Giving an example, mine fits all the roles it may need: slug gun, bird gun, social shotgun. The only thing I need to do is switch parts and put others back on and there you go.
My experiences with Mossy's are not the best. Too many parts in the break down of the weapon IMO, but the thing going for it to me is the safety. I like to see where it is at.
Don't opt out the 870, or any Remington for that matter.

Coronach · July 17, 2001, 10:42 PM

Why?

1. Robust/reliable. The police use them, and while this usually means 'made by lowest bidder,' in this case it means 'able to take 20 years of crippling abuse and still go BOOM on demand.'

2. Economical. The police use them. This means that if its not made by the lowest bidder, its damn well close.

3. Smoooooooooooth Action. Yes, semis are faster, but not by a whole heck of a lot.

4. Accessories out the arse.

5. Simple manual of arms.

I would go with a pump over a semi. I don't care how reliable the semi is, it is FAR more likely to hiccup than a decent pump, especially if you use non-standard ammo, are not keeping it clean, or- in the case of recoil operated guns- doing things that affect recoil.

I would go with a pump over a sxs. sxs's are nice, but by definition you get 2 tries before you need to reload.

I would go with the 870 over the Mossberg, but this is personal preference. I think the 870 is exceeded by the Mossy in no area except maybe economy, and the 870 is (IMHO) more durable. JMO. The mossy isn't bad, though...if I had to use one in lieu of an 870 I would not feel poorly armed.

Mike

k77/22rp · July 18, 2001, 12:04 AM

UH OH! please dont say bad things about mossberg, I just bought a mossbeg 500 and have not had the chance to shoot it

o well it sure was cheap!!!

July 18, 2001, 12:09 AM

Call me old fashioned, but I don't think there's much that can't be accomplished with a pump action shotgun. It is what I am comfortable with anyway. A lot has to do with preference.

Ewok_Guy · July 18, 2001, 12:32 AM

Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag

PJR · July 18, 2001, 08:10 AM

Yikes, a terrible propostion. But my choice would depend on the gun's intended purposes. If clay shooting were a priority I would opt for a semi automatic. Although pump guns are fun, for the average shooter (that would be me) a semi is better for clays. My first choice as a clays-only semi would be a Beretta 391 but it's limited magazine and no provision for a magazine extension does not recommend it for HD. Therefore, for one shotgun only it would be an 11-87 with a 28" choke-tubed barrel for targets and a rifle-sighted smooth barrel for HD and a mag extension.

If I didn't shoot clays or didn't care about my score I would get an 870 with two barrels and a mag extension.

Dave McC · July 18, 2001, 08:27 AM

Whatever the mission calls for. As a generic, all purpose shotgun, the 870 shines. For Mossy and Winchester lovers, those are good second place winners also.

If an 870 has ever worn out, I haven't seen it. With accessories proliferating like weeds, one can set up an 870 for everything from clay games to WIHTF, and be WELL prepared for all of it.

While other shotgun styles have their good points, a case can be made that any shotgun battery w/o an 870 is sadly hampered and incomplete...

DAVID NANCARROW · July 18, 2001, 09:32 AM

Remington 870 12 gauge. Accept no substitutes unless absolutely necessary!

Marko Kloos · July 18, 2001, 11:06 AM

For an "only" shotgun, a good pump is hard to beat. Make mine a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. I'd even be content with a Benelli Nova. I don't like the Winchester 1300 series too much, but that's just personal preference.

BigG · July 18, 2001, 11:14 AM

Methinks I would go with a SxS or an O/U. They handle so much better than repeaters. YMMV

Bam Bam · July 18, 2001, 05:32 PM

I would choose a Win 1300. Maybe a Nova or Fabarm pump if I had a chance to shoot one of them. It would be nice to shoot a Win Model 21 for comparison too. Basically I would go with a pump for reliability, ease of cleaning, etc. I have an O/U which I "luv" but don't fancy using it on "home defense" patrol. If you have a pump you can still bluff the BG one more time after the last shot.

STEVE M · July 18, 2001, 08:06 PM

a Perazzi O/U. Then I could sell it and buy enough other shotguns to over all my needs

Ala Dan · July 18, 2001, 10:10 PM

Pump

In particular a Remington 870 Marine Magnum!!!

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

NINE · July 19, 2001, 02:26 AM

I have had a REM 870 Marine Magnum for 4 years now... it has no noticable signs of wear. I shoot light #6 shot, up to heavy 3 inch slugs with not a single problem. I've used it to shoot ducks and prairie chicken, to wild dogs. If I had to choose ONE gun... it would be this one.

Cat · July 19, 2001, 06:12 AM

You mean some of you have more than one?

I'll stick with my Remington 1100.

Herr Walther · July 19, 2001, 07:22 AM

Ithaca M37 12ga.

huntsman · July 19, 2001, 08:28 AM

A SxS if you can only have one ,might as well go in style

AdrenalineJunky · July 19, 2001, 04:11 PM

Browning B-25 custom

CWL · July 19, 2001, 04:31 PM

I love my Remington 870 Marine Magnum as well!

Having said that, my Beretta 1201fp is more fun to shoot though.

OkieCruffler · July 21, 2001, 09:27 PM

If I could only have one it would have to be a Stevens model 311. Right now I have 8 of them and wouldn't part with any of them.

BUt then again I have a really old friend of mine (he actually changed my nappies a few times) who only owns one gun, an 870, with a 28'' barrel with choke tubes and a 20 rifled slug barrel. He says why get a whole buncha guns when he can do anything he wants, in OKlahoma anyway, with that one shotgun.

Spectre · July 26, 2001, 12:27 AM

I have an 870 Express that I am selling to a friend in a few months.

Yes, it's a wonderful piece (with the smoothest action I think I've felt), but the safety is wrong...compared to my 3 Mossbergs!

orangutan · July 26, 2001, 12:53 AM

one gun, why not many. one for trap.one for skeet, one for sporting. i like over and unders and am in the midst of buying a beretta DT 10 X.

well for all round use, home defence, field, clay. it has to be a pump remmie 870 militarised or mossie 590. any home intruder crazy enough to continue when facing the business end of a 870 or 590 pump deserves to be shot to maintain the intelligence of the general human gene pool.

AMHsix · July 26, 2001, 12:24 PM

I like "combat guns"(home defense) so I'm going to say a Mossberg 590A1 w/ speedfeed stock.

Sporting shotgun: I don't know.

July 17, 2001, 08:44 PM	#1
bullfrog99 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2000 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 811	only one shotgun, which style? if you were to own only one shotgun(12 ga) , which style would you get, a semi auto, pump, sxs, over under or whatever. I am stuck between a sxs and a pump mossberg, which style would you get? __________________ Are you a gamer? Try Fortress Forever, It is a free HL2 Mod. http://www.fortress-forever.com/?a=media

July 17, 2001, 09:46 PM	#2
Mikey Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1998 Location: Tennessee Posts: 885	I chose the Benelli M1 Super 90 Recoil operated semi-auto (no gas ports to clog), high capacity, great tactical features (load select etc), accessories out the kazoo, every barrel and choke option you could want. Plus it makes a nice light weight field gun. Mikey

July 17, 2001, 10:42 PM	#4
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	Remington 870 Why? 1. Robust/reliable. The police use them, and while this usually means 'made by lowest bidder,' in this case it means 'able to take 20 years of crippling abuse and still go BOOM on demand.' 2. Economical. The police use them. This means that if its not made by the lowest bidder, its damn well close. 3. Smoooooooooooth Action. Yes, semis are faster, but not by a whole heck of a lot. 4. Accessories out the arse. 5. Simple manual of arms. I would go with a pump over a semi. I don't care how reliable the semi is, it is FAR more likely to hiccup than a decent pump, especially if you use non-standard ammo, are not keeping it clean, or- in the case of recoil operated guns- doing things that affect recoil. I would go with a pump over a sxs. sxs's are nice, but by definition you get 2 tries before you need to reload. I would go with the 870 over the Mossberg, but this is personal preference. I think the 870 is exceeded by the Mossy in no area except maybe economy, and the 870 is (IMHO) more durable. JMO. The mossy isn't bad, though...if I had to use one in lieu of an 870 I would not feel poorly armed. Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

July 18, 2001, 12:04 AM	#5
k77/22rp Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 577	UH OH! please dont say bad things about mossberg, I just bought a mossbeg 500 and have not had the chance to shoot it o well it sure was cheap!!! __________________ JeFF D on The High Road

July 18, 2001, 08:10 AM	#8
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	One gun and one gun only? Yikes, a terrible propostion. But my choice would depend on the gun's intended purposes. If clay shooting were a priority I would opt for a semi automatic. Although pump guns are fun, for the average shooter (that would be me) a semi is better for clays. My first choice as a clays-only semi would be a Beretta 391 but it's limited magazine and no provision for a magazine extension does not recommend it for HD. Therefore, for one shotgun only it would be an 11-87 with a 28" choke-tubed barrel for targets and a rifle-sighted smooth barrel for HD and a mag extension. If I didn't shoot clays or didn't care about my score I would get an 870 with two barrels and a mag extension.

July 17, 2001, 10:16 PM	#3
fed168 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2000 Posts: 1,040	I have gone through several shotguns over the years, and keep coming back to one: the 870. I am partial to pumps, although I like some of the semis. Giving an example, mine fits all the roles it may need: slug gun, bird gun, social shotgun. The only thing I need to do is switch parts and put others back on and there you go. My experiences with Mossy's are not the best. Too many parts in the break down of the weapon IMO, but the thing going for it to me is the safety. I like to see where it is at. Don't opt out the 870, or any Remington for that matter.

July 18, 2001, 12:09 AM	#6
PreserveFreedom Guest Posts: n/a	Call me old fashioned, but I don't think there's much that can't be accomplished with a pump action shotgun. It is what I am comfortable with anyway. A lot has to do with preference.

July 18, 2001, 12:32 AM	#7
Ewok_Guy Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2001 Location: Endor Posts: 1,664	Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag

July 18, 2001, 08:27 AM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Whatever the mission calls for. As a generic, all purpose shotgun, the 870 shines. For Mossy and Winchester lovers, those are good second place winners also. If an 870 has ever worn out, I haven't seen it. With accessories proliferating like weeds, one can set up an 870 for everything from clay games to WIHTF, and be WELL prepared for all of it. While other shotgun styles have their good points, a case can be made that any shotgun battery w/o an 870 is sadly hampered and incomplete...

July 18, 2001, 09:32 AM	#10
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	Remington 870 12 gauge. Accept no substitutes unless absolutely necessary!

July 18, 2001, 11:06 AM	#11
Marko Kloos Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2000 Location: Enfield, NH Posts: 5,521	For an "only" shotgun, a good pump is hard to beat. Make mine a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. I'd even be content with a Benelli Nova. I don't like the Winchester 1300 series too much, but that's just personal preference. __________________ "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." --A.E. Van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher the munchkin wrangler.

July 18, 2001, 11:14 AM	#12
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	Methinks I would go with a SxS or an O/U. They handle so much better than repeaters. YMMV __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

July 18, 2001, 05:32 PM	#13
Bam Bam Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 842	I would choose a Win 1300. Maybe a Nova or Fabarm pump if I had a chance to shoot one of them. It would be nice to shoot a Win Model 21 for comparison too. Basically I would go with a pump for reliability, ease of cleaning, etc. I have an O/U which I "luv" but don't fancy using it on "home defense" patrol. If you have a pump you can still bluff the BG one more time after the last shot.

July 18, 2001, 08:06 PM	#14
STEVE M Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: TN. USA Posts: 607	a Perazzi O/U. Then I could sell it and buy enough other shotguns to over all my needs __________________ MOLON LABE! I've joined the 300.

July 18, 2001, 10:10 PM	#15
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	Pump In particular a Remington 870 Marine Magnum!!! Regards, Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

July 19, 2001, 02:26 AM	#16
NINE Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 431	I have had a REM 870 Marine Magnum for 4 years now... it has no noticable signs of wear. I shoot light #6 shot, up to heavy 3 inch slugs with not a single problem. I've used it to shoot ducks and prairie chicken, to wild dogs. If I had to choose ONE gun... it would be this one.

July 19, 2001, 06:12 AM	#17
Cat Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 467	You mean some of you have more than one? I'll stick with my Remington 1100. __________________ Neil Casper "I AM my brothers keeper."

July 19, 2001, 07:22 AM	#18
Herr Walther Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2001 Location: A Place Worse than California Posts: 782	PUMPUMPUMP Ithaca M37 12ga. __________________ "It was people who upheld their duties to their office, the constitution, and the public by opposing Hitler who were called traitors" ------------------------------------- "...a historian asked what had happened to the German people for them to accept a criminal government. Unfortunately, nothing needed to happen. In nations across the world people accept government crime." ------------------------------------- "In democracies as well as dictatorships, subordinates illegally obey their rulers. Subordinates who remain true to their oaths of office by opposing their rulers are rare."

July 19, 2001, 08:28 AM	#19
huntsman Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2000 Location: ohio Posts: 121	one shotgun ,which style? A SxS if you can only have one ,might as well go in style __________________ cause he liked the quiet clean country livin and 20 more years slipped away -JB

July 19, 2001, 04:11 PM	#20
AdrenalineJunky Member Join Date: July 16, 2001 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 47	What the h e l l ... Browning B-25 custom __________________ Work the ditches, beat the brush...and bang'em down!

July 19, 2001, 04:31 PM	#21
CWL Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,576	I love my Remington 870 Marine Magnum as well! Having said that, my Beretta 1201fp is more fun to shoot though.

July 21, 2001, 09:27 PM	#22
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	If I could only have one it would have to be a Stevens model 311. Right now I have 8 of them and wouldn't part with any of them. BUt then again I have a really old friend of mine (he actually changed my nappies a few times) who only owns one gun, an 870, with a 28'' barrel with choke tubes and a 20 rifled slug barrel. He says why get a whole buncha guns when he can do anything he wants, in OKlahoma anyway, with that one shotgun.

July 26, 2001, 12:27 AM	#23
Spectre Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 23, 1998 Location: ATL Posts: 3,277	I have an 870 Express that I am selling to a friend in a few months. Yes, it's a wonderful piece (with the smoothest action I think I've felt), but the safety is wrong...compared to my 3 Mossbergs!

July 26, 2001, 12:53 AM	#24
orangutan Junior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Sunny Singapore Posts: 3	one gun, why not many. one for trap.one for skeet, one for sporting. i like over and unders and am in the midst of buying a beretta DT 10 X. well for all round use, home defence, field, clay. it has to be a pump remmie 870 militarised or mossie 590. any home intruder crazy enough to continue when facing the business end of a 870 or 590 pump deserves to be shot to maintain the intelligence of the general human gene pool. __________________ Orangutans go Oook!

July 26, 2001, 12:24 PM	#25
AMHsix Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 74	I like "combat guns"(home defense) so I'm going to say a Mossberg 590A1 w/ speedfeed stock. Sporting shotgun: I don't know.