Best 12ga. under (or close-ish to) $500.00?

TheRaskalKing · March 14, 2012, 07:46 PM

Hey all,

I'll get right to it: I'm in the market for a 12 ga., under or close to $500.00. What's the best gun for my money? The gun would mostly be used for shooting clays, but my buddy and I want to start shooting some ducks this fall as well. I'm not necessarily opposed to spending more money, I understand that spending more money often (not always) gets you better quality, but I'm not looking for anything super fancy. I love my Browning Superposed O/U, but hate taking it places as it's a bit of a family heirloom. Please advise!

Jo6pak · March 14, 2012, 08:07 PM

Are you adverse to buying a used gun, or are you looking at new?

What action types do you prefer?

Noonan · March 14, 2012, 08:14 PM

I think I paid $375 for it new.

oneounceload · March 14, 2012, 08:26 PM

The Beretta 3901 is available for around 600 or so at walmart, Cabela's and a few other places. On sale, you might get it closer to your 500 mark

Ricklin · March 14, 2012, 08:29 PM

A Winchester Model 12. Lots of good used guns. You can use modern no-tox loads for ducks. While expensive, how many shells do you shoot at ducks?
There are loads of nice used Model 12's. Included are some nice trap and skeet guns. The Model 12 ruled both of those disciplines until the early 60's. A full choke Model 12 makes a great duck gun when used with Bismuth or nice shot.

TheRaskalKing · March 15, 2012, 12:34 AM

I'm not necessarily opposed to used if it's the right gun and the right price. And of course as long as I know the gun hasn't been mistreated. I really like pump action, but I'm not terribly picky. I'm just starting my research on this one and it won't be a hasty decision. Getting some hands on time shooting the gun will be tricky as my LGS/range neither rents shotguns nor allows them to be shot at the range. Always better to buy once than twice, right?

PoorRichRichard · March 15, 2012, 12:48 AM

+1 on the Nova. Great gun for the $ and the ducks.

Cluck Me · March 15, 2012, 08:14 AM

At $500 you should be able to find a good pump shotgun. Asa duck hunter I'd recommended a synthetic stock gun and a barrel that isn't blued. They're just easier to care for.

I forgot to add that the Stoger 3500 has won some awards and one for you to check out.

Smitty in CT · March 15, 2012, 12:45 PM

Mossberg 930

Walnut stock, very reliable, safety right where it's supposed to be....

R & R Arms has them for $481.34, plus shipping
http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G85110

Noreaster · March 15, 2012, 12:58 PM

My NEF pardner pump out performs my 870 and 500. I bought mine for $189.00 and I'd take it over most other pumps.

Dave McC · March 15, 2012, 02:21 PM

Don't buy one yet. Try different guns and see what feels best and shoots where you look.

Then get an 870, heh,heh,heh.....

oneounceload · March 15, 2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

The gun would mostly be used for shooting clays

Since that is the goal of the OP, I'll stand behind getting a semi auto gas gun, and the Beretta is far and away the best made one today

BigJimP · March 15, 2012, 02:41 PM

Browning silver series -( in semi-auto ) is a pretty good gun for the money too..along with the options from Beretta. I think the Browning Hunter model is around $ 700 or so ....on sale at a lot of places..and you can get it in a 3" chamber and a 28" barrel. But Beretta's semi-autos are priced very attractively ..and have a lot of configurations.

In pump guns ...I personally like the Browning BPS Hunter model in a 28" as well ...but I agree with OneOunce - if you want a long term gun for clays..a semi-auto is probably a better choice on a budget. BPS Hunter is around
$ 600 or so in my area new...but they're on sale off and on as well...

Benelli Nova and Rem 870's are decent pump guns as well ...just not my personal favorite.

Remember Fit - is the most important issue ...so it hits, where you look !!! Shoot as many guns as you can before you buy ...

radom · March 16, 2012, 06:36 AM

Go check out the used racks at the pawn shops. Shotties go cheep used unless its a snob gun as in decent pumps 150 to 200 bucks. You want a good Ithica double box lock around 700 bucks. 500 will get you a nice used auto 5.

bsg1 · March 16, 2012, 10:25 PM

you mentioned you like pump shotguns; consider including the older Remington 870 Wingmaster with your candidates for purchase. of the shotguns i own... my old (1965) Remington 870 Brushmaster Wingmaster is by far my favorite, and the one i would never part with.

March 14, 2012, 07:46 PM	#1
TheRaskalKing Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2012 Location: The Hometown of JMB Posts: 212	Best 12ga. under (or close-ish to) $500.00? Hey all, I'll get right to it: I'm in the market for a 12 ga., under or close to $500.00. What's the best gun for my money? The gun would mostly be used for shooting clays, but my buddy and I want to start shooting some ducks this fall as well. I'm not necessarily opposed to spending more money, I understand that spending more money often (not always) gets you better quality, but I'm not looking for anything super fancy. I love my Browning Superposed O/U, but hate taking it places as it's a bit of a family heirloom. Please advise! __________________ "Freedom and reason make us men; take these away, what are we then?" -Sometimes your best defense is a good reminder of your common sense- Springfield Loaded 1911 - HK USP Compact 9mm - SA XDM 4.5 .45 - Browning Medalist .22 - Ruger 10/22 - Browning Superposed O/U - Remington 1100 - Remington 720 .270

March 14, 2012, 08:07 PM	#2
Jo6pak Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: West Coast...of WI Posts: 1,663	Are you adverse to buying a used gun, or are you looking at new? What action types do you prefer? __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.

March 14, 2012, 08:14 PM	#3
Noonan Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 155	I love my Benelli Nova I think I paid $375 for it new.

March 14, 2012, 08:29 PM	#5
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	Go used A Winchester Model 12. Lots of good used guns. You can use modern no-tox loads for ducks. While expensive, how many shells do you shoot at ducks? There are loads of nice used Model 12's. Included are some nice trap and skeet guns. The Model 12 ruled both of those disciplines until the early 60's. A full choke Model 12 makes a great duck gun when used with Bismuth or nice shot. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

March 15, 2012, 12:34 AM	#6
TheRaskalKing Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2012 Location: The Hometown of JMB Posts: 212	I'm not necessarily opposed to used if it's the right gun and the right price. And of course as long as I know the gun hasn't been mistreated. I really like pump action, but I'm not terribly picky. I'm just starting my research on this one and it won't be a hasty decision. Getting some hands on time shooting the gun will be tricky as my LGS/range neither rents shotguns nor allows them to be shot at the range. Always better to buy once than twice, right? __________________ "Freedom and reason make us men; take these away, what are we then?" -Sometimes your best defense is a good reminder of your common sense- Springfield Loaded 1911 - HK USP Compact 9mm - SA XDM 4.5 .45 - Browning Medalist .22 - Ruger 10/22 - Browning Superposed O/U - Remington 1100 - Remington 720 .270

March 14, 2012, 08:26 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	The Beretta 3901 is available for around 600 or so at walmart, Cabela's and a few other places. On sale, you might get it closer to your 500 mark

March 15, 2012, 12:48 AM	#7
PoorRichRichard Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2011 Location: San Berdoo Posts: 269	+1 on the Nova. Great gun for the $ and the ducks.

March 15, 2012, 08:14 AM	#8
Cluck Me Member Join Date: March 12, 2012 Posts: 37	At $500 you should be able to find a good pump shotgun. Asa duck hunter I'd recommended a synthetic stock gun and a barrel that isn't blued. They're just easier to care for. I forgot to add that the Stoger 3500 has won some awards and one for you to check out.

March 15, 2012, 12:45 PM	#9
Smitty in CT Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2006 Location: Moodus, CT Posts: 590	Mossberg 930 Walnut stock, very reliable, safety right where it's supposed to be.... R & R Arms has them for $481.34, plus shipping http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G85110 __________________ Smitty "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his." -- Gen. George Patton

March 15, 2012, 12:58 PM	#10
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	My NEF pardner pump out performs my 870 and 500. I bought mine for $189.00 and I'd take it over most other pumps.

March 15, 2012, 02:21 PM	#11
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Don't buy one yet. Try different guns and see what feels best and shoots where you look. Then get an 870, heh,heh,heh.....

March 15, 2012, 02:41 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Browning silver series -( in semi-auto ) is a pretty good gun for the money too..along with the options from Beretta. I think the Browning Hunter model is around $ 700 or so ....on sale at a lot of places..and you can get it in a 3" chamber and a 28" barrel. But Beretta's semi-autos are priced very attractively ..and have a lot of configurations. In pump guns ...I personally like the Browning BPS Hunter model in a 28" as well ...but I agree with OneOunce - if you want a long term gun for clays..a semi-auto is probably a better choice on a budget. BPS Hunter is around $ 600 or so in my area new...but they're on sale off and on as well... Benelli Nova and Rem 870's are decent pump guns as well ...just not my personal favorite. Remember Fit - is the most important issue ...so it hits, where you look !!! Shoot as many guns as you can before you buy ...

March 16, 2012, 06:36 AM	#14
radom Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 1,357	Go check out the used racks at the pawn shops. Shotties go cheep used unless its a snob gun as in decent pumps 150 to 200 bucks. You want a good Ithica double box lock around 700 bucks. 500 will get you a nice used auto 5.

March 16, 2012, 10:25 PM	#15
bsg1 Member Join Date: September 19, 2010 Posts: 44	you mentioned you like pump shotguns; consider including the older Remington 870 Wingmaster with your candidates for purchase. of the shotguns i own... my old (1965) Remington 870 Brushmaster Wingmaster is by far my favorite, and the one i would never part with.