Good shotgun for beginners?

capflyboy05 · December 12, 2011, 06:56 PM

I'm looking to spend between $250 and $500.

I want it to be a rugged gun, able to be carried around.
Beauty isnt a factor for this gun.
Rough, tough, and a hard hitter is the name of the game here.
Any suggestions?
Preferably a 12 ga.
A 20 ga. works just as well.
Just for fun, hiking, and some hunting if I decide to do so.

seansean1444 · December 12, 2011, 07:03 PM

remington 870 or mossberg 500, cant really go wrong with either

oregunner · December 12, 2011, 07:28 PM

Buying a shotgun is like buying a wrench. They aren't all the same and each is best for a certain function. First you need to figure out how you plan to use it, then research your options. You won't find any shotgun that is good for everything. Mark

jonnyc · December 12, 2011, 07:51 PM

Or you can spend under $200 and get a Maverick 88. Spend the savings on different barrels and lots of ammo.
I got a Maverick 12 ga. for HD, trap/skeet, and hunting if need be. I'm not a "shotgun guy", and I'm very happy with my versatile choice.

oregunner · December 12, 2011, 08:34 PM

The Maverick is like a Crescent wrench. It might work for many things and is what you get when you buy a homeowners beginner tool set. Mark

RedBowTies88 · December 12, 2011, 08:36 PM

mossberg 500

going for around $230 at walmart.

TheKlawMan · December 12, 2011, 08:59 PM

You will probably be fine with either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Perhaps your most important choice is what barrel to get with it, even though you can get other barrels to fit either gun.

upstate81 · December 12, 2011, 09:09 PM

Please whatever you do buy a used remington 870 wingmaster or a used ithaca 37 featherweight that's all you need and if your lucky enough a used 1300 winchester is amazing as well. If your set on a new gun get the winchestaer SXP or a browning BPS. those are the best pump economical guns you can buy.

zippy13 · December 12, 2011, 09:25 PM

For a first (or only) shotgun, a 12-ga may be a better choice than a 20-ga because of the much greater variety of 12-ga ammo available.

lsgunss · December 12, 2011, 10:46 PM

Hold the guns and see what feels good for you. Safeties are a big one for me, I dont like the thumb saftey on the new mossberg. I bought my 870 and LOVE it.

jonnyc · December 13, 2011, 05:31 PM

"Just for fun, hiking, and some hunting if I decide to do so." - OP

I'll stick with Maverick as the perfect starter shottie, for the uses stated above. No sense in spending more. I got one to get me into shooting shotguns. It currently works well for all my uses. I am now also casually looking for an O/U 20 for trap/skeet, but I'm in no rush and haven't blown my budget.

shortwave · December 13, 2011, 08:18 PM

My choice would also be either the Rem.870 or Moss. 500 in 12ga.

datboiryan · December 13, 2011, 09:27 PM

Try looking at the Maverick 88. I believe it's made by Mossberg and they are less than 200. I know of three people who have it and none have had problems with it so far.

Slugo · December 13, 2011, 10:06 PM

+1 what shortwave said...

ClydeFrog · December 13, 2011, 10:38 PM

For a new "room broom", I'd check out a used/LE trade in Remington 870 12ga or a new 887 Nitro Tactical, the Mossberg 590 or 500, the Browning All Weather BPS.
I'd get a Knoxx Spec Ops Stock for it too.
See www.Remington.com www.Browning.com www.Blackhawk.com www.GunsAmerica.com www.JGSales.com www.GilbertsGuns.com

ripnbst · December 13, 2011, 10:51 PM

I'd get a Winchester SXP if it fits you well. IMO its the best pump out there right now that is still not very expensive.

Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are also good options as there's lots of aftermarket for both. I just bought a Weatherby PA08 Pump gun and really like it. For the price I think its in a class of its own.

nogo · December 13, 2011, 11:40 PM

If you choose a Mossberg, pay a little more and get the 500. The wisdom of my old age says to buy a used but mint 870 Wingmaster. You won't regret it.

TxFlyFish · December 14, 2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Just for fun, hiking, and some hunting if I decide to do so.

Ah...how about a Savage 24c, 22LR and 20ga over and under, take down?

upstate81 · December 14, 2011, 07:24 AM

+1 RIPNBST the winchester SXP Blackshadow is an amazing shotgun. It uses the invector plus choke system (mine came with 3 chokes) also has a rotating bolt. The best part is it basically ejects the shell for you. You can hold the gun with one hand up to your shoulder and fire and the action will open and the shell comes right out! That's why the SXP and the semiauto SX3 are the fastest shot guns on the market. I paid 369 NIB at bass pro for mine. However it has been reported that they are hard to find in most local shops.

jaguarxk120 · December 14, 2011, 08:55 AM

Like other's have said, buy a Remington Wingmaster (used) or a Mossberg 500.
The 500 can be had with a extra slug barrel. A used Wingmaster is one of the nicest operating pump's out there.

The reason for a Wingmaster is everyone is buying the Express in black trim. The Express does't hold a candle to the Wingmaster.

A Maverick, check out where it's made!!

Enjoy your new shotgun when you get it.

WV_gunner · December 14, 2011, 09:24 AM

I suggest something from Stoeger, very high quality of guns and are reasonably priced. Another possibility is a used Winchester pump, they can be had for $200-$350 used. And if you would like a singleshot, your price range can buy pretty much anything used or new. Or if you are looking for something odd, look into Savage double barrel shotgun/rifle. Very nice guns but they are used and are on the higher end of your price range.

EdInk · December 14, 2011, 10:40 AM

Get an 870 or 500.

oregunner · December 14, 2011, 10:45 AM

We just went through a long 4 page discussion on Shotgunworld with a guy buying his first shotgun. He went out and got a 870 Wingmaster. After shooting it the first time, recoil is going to be an issue, so everyone starts telling him to sell it and buy a semi-auto.

Maybe it would be a good idea to try shooting a few different guns before buying one. Mark

zippy13 · December 14, 2011, 01:25 PM

Maybe it would be a good idea to try shooting a few different guns before buying one.

YES! It's the golden rule of shotgunning.

December 12, 2011, 06:56 PM	#1
capflyboy05 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 114	Good shotgun for beginners? I'm looking to spend between $250 and $500. I want it to be a rugged gun, able to be carried around. Beauty isnt a factor for this gun. Rough, tough, and a hard hitter is the name of the game here. Any suggestions? Preferably a 12 ga. A 20 ga. works just as well. Just for fun, hiking, and some hunting if I decide to do so. __________________ "The only people who should feel threatened by armed citizens are tyrants and criminals."

December 12, 2011, 08:36 PM	#6
RedBowTies88 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Location: 609 NJ Posts: 705	mossberg 500 going for around $230 at walmart. __________________ "...with liberty and justice for all." (Must be 21. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. Not available in all states.)

December 13, 2011, 10:38 PM	#15
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	My picks... For a new "room broom", I'd check out a used/LE trade in Remington 870 12ga or a new 887 Nitro Tactical, the Mossberg 590 or 500, the Browning All Weather BPS. I'd get a Knoxx Spec Ops Stock for it too. See www.Remington.com www.Browning.com www.Blackhawk.com www.GunsAmerica.com www.JGSales.com www.GilbertsGuns.com

December 14, 2011, 10:40 AM	#22
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	Get an 870 or 500. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

December 12, 2011, 07:03 PM	#2
seansean1444 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: ithaca, new york (home of the ithaca shotguns!) Posts: 395	remington 870 or mossberg 500, cant really go wrong with either

December 12, 2011, 07:28 PM	#3
oregunner Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: Oregon, of course Posts: 136	Buying a shotgun is like buying a wrench. They aren't all the same and each is best for a certain function. First you need to figure out how you plan to use it, then research your options. You won't find any shotgun that is good for everything. Mark

December 12, 2011, 07:51 PM	#4
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Or you can spend under $200 and get a Maverick 88. Spend the savings on different barrels and lots of ammo. I got a Maverick 12 ga. for HD, trap/skeet, and hunting if need be. I'm not a "shotgun guy", and I'm very happy with my versatile choice.

December 12, 2011, 08:34 PM	#5
oregunner Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: Oregon, of course Posts: 136	The Maverick is like a Crescent wrench. It might work for many things and is what you get when you buy a homeowners beginner tool set. Mark

December 12, 2011, 08:59 PM	#7
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	You will probably be fine with either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Perhaps your most important choice is what barrel to get with it, even though you can get other barrels to fit either gun.

December 12, 2011, 09:09 PM	#8
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Please whatever you do buy a used remington 870 wingmaster or a used ithaca 37 featherweight that's all you need and if your lucky enough a used 1300 winchester is amazing as well. If your set on a new gun get the winchestaer SXP or a browning BPS. those are the best pump economical guns you can buy.

December 12, 2011, 09:25 PM	#9
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	For a first (or only) shotgun, a 12-ga may be a better choice than a 20-ga because of the much greater variety of 12-ga ammo available.

December 12, 2011, 10:46 PM	#10
lsgunss Junior Member Join Date: December 12, 2011 Posts: 2	Hold the guns and see what feels good for you. Safeties are a big one for me, I dont like the thumb saftey on the new mossberg. I bought my 870 and LOVE it.

December 13, 2011, 05:31 PM	#11
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	"Just for fun, hiking, and some hunting if I decide to do so." - OP I'll stick with Maverick as the perfect starter shottie, for the uses stated above. No sense in spending more. I got one to get me into shooting shotguns. It currently works well for all my uses. I am now also casually looking for an O/U 20 for trap/skeet, but I'm in no rush and haven't blown my budget.

December 13, 2011, 08:18 PM	#12
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	My choice would also be either the Rem.870 or Moss. 500 in 12ga.

December 13, 2011, 09:27 PM	#13
datboiryan Member Join Date: July 31, 2011 Posts: 20	Try looking at the Maverick 88. I believe it's made by Mossberg and they are less than 200. I know of three people who have it and none have had problems with it so far.

December 13, 2011, 10:06 PM	#14
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	+1 what shortwave said...

December 13, 2011, 10:51 PM	#16
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	I'd get a Winchester SXP if it fits you well. IMO its the best pump out there right now that is still not very expensive. Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are also good options as there's lots of aftermarket for both. I just bought a Weatherby PA08 Pump gun and really like it. For the price I think its in a class of its own.

December 13, 2011, 11:40 PM	#17
nogo Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: central texas Posts: 215	If you choose a Mossberg, pay a little more and get the 500. The wisdom of my old age says to buy a used but mint 870 Wingmaster. You won't regret it.

December 14, 2011, 07:24 AM	#19
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	+1 RIPNBST the winchester SXP Blackshadow is an amazing shotgun. It uses the invector plus choke system (mine came with 3 chokes) also has a rotating bolt. The best part is it basically ejects the shell for you. You can hold the gun with one hand up to your shoulder and fire and the action will open and the shell comes right out! That's why the SXP and the semiauto SX3 are the fastest shot guns on the market. I paid 369 NIB at bass pro for mine. However it has been reported that they are hard to find in most local shops.

December 14, 2011, 08:55 AM	#20
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	Like other's have said, buy a Remington Wingmaster (used) or a Mossberg 500. The 500 can be had with a extra slug barrel. A used Wingmaster is one of the nicest operating pump's out there. The reason for a Wingmaster is everyone is buying the Express in black trim. The Express does't hold a candle to the Wingmaster. A Maverick, check out where it's made!! Enjoy your new shotgun when you get it.

December 14, 2011, 09:24 AM	#21
WV_gunner Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2011 Location: WV Posts: 938	I suggest something from Stoeger, very high quality of guns and are reasonably priced. Another possibility is a used Winchester pump, they can be had for $200-$350 used. And if you would like a singleshot, your price range can buy pretty much anything used or new. Or if you are looking for something odd, look into Savage double barrel shotgun/rifle. Very nice guns but they are used and are on the higher end of your price range.

December 14, 2011, 10:45 AM	#23
oregunner Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: Oregon, of course Posts: 136	We just went through a long 4 page discussion on Shotgunworld with a guy buying his first shotgun. He went out and got a 870 Wingmaster. After shooting it the first time, recoil is going to be an issue, so everyone starts telling him to sell it and buy a semi-auto. Maybe it would be a good idea to try shooting a few different guns before buying one. Mark

December 14, 2011, 01:25 PM	#24
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Maybe it would be a good idea to try shooting a few different guns before buying one. YES! It's the golden rule of shotgunning.