Need help picking a shotgun

TKE404 · October 5, 2006, 04:28 PM

First off I am new to this site and I would like to say Hi to everyone.

I just introduce to dove hunting by a friend of mine and just liked it alot. So i decided to buy me a shotgun ( my first ) so i have been looking around at different stores in my area and have found some in my price range. Since it's going to be a starters gun i was wondering if i could get some help from you all to make my decision.

1. Remington 870 Express
2. Mossberg 500
3. Mossberg Crown Bantan
4. Mossberg Maverick

Or if you have any other suggestion please feel free to include them

thanks alot

David

skeeter1 · October 5, 2006, 04:53 PM

David--

I don't own one, but I have shot them before. Strong, reliable, and affordable. They've made millions of them, so getting replacement parts if you ever need them shouldn't be a problem.

Now, onto another consideration. Which gauge do you want, 12 or 20? Both of my doubles are 12-gauge, but a good 20-gauge load is every bit as useful. Were I to do it all over again (my Itahacs are ~30 years old), I think I'd go with a 20-gauge. That's just my two cents worth.

whitedemon89 · October 5, 2006, 04:54 PM

good thinking going with a mossberg. the R870 is a bieutiful piece of workmanship and a shining example of the shotgun, but you have to pay for it. If this is your first, id stick with a mossberg. Im guessin you also want a selfdefence gun cause you mentioned the maverick, i dont know. maybe you just like the way it looks. Either way, my first gun was a 12ga mossberg 500
i use it for all kinds of hunting, you can still get a used one with an accu-choke (mucho-bueno){spanish for "much bueno"} for about 100 bucks. If you get a mossberg, get an old one, the new 500s are crap, no wormanship, if you get an 870, resist the urge to make it "tacticool". When you shoot a crackhead burglar, you look bad if you have a sidesaddle, 10 round mag extension, heat shield, and a folding stock with notches cut into it. Cops get jealous when your gun is more bitchin than thiers.

TKE404 · October 5, 2006, 05:08 PM

i am really looking at a shotgun mainly for bird hunting. i am not really familiar with gun so i don't know much of the different terms.

Whitedemon89: are you trying not to get a new mossberg 500?

i really appreciate it alot

This is alittle confusing, since being new to this sport.

Maser · October 5, 2006, 05:27 PM

Definatly go with the Mossberg 500. Best pump gun there is in my oppinion. Not exactly sure about the barrel combos you can get, but i'm sure there's a combo that not only includes the 28" accu-choke bbl, but also a 24" rifled slug barrel.

Bill T · October 5, 2006, 05:35 PM

This is my Mossberg 500 Combo set I picked up when Big 5 Sporting Goods had a sale on them complete with an extra 18" barrel for $218.00 out the door. Pretty hard to beat. Here is a side by side report of the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870. The Mossberg 500 was the only one to pass the military 3,000 round buckshot tests. Bill T.

http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html

TKE404 · October 5, 2006, 05:39 PM

so you all believe that mossberg 500 .410 is a good choice.

Academy has it for 199 on their website with a 24in barrel

ammo.crafter · October 5, 2006, 05:46 PM

Not the .410 for a "new" dove hunter. There is a great deal of proficency in shooting a .410. The 20 will have more forgiveness.

A lot depends on your pocketbook. Go with the Mossberg in a 20 ga. if $$$ are a concern. My first shotgun was a Moss 500. A dozen shotguns later (a lot of years) it was worth every penny. As your interest grows and hopefully you pocketbook, you can move up in quality and down in calibre.
Happy hunting!

whitedemon89 · October 5, 2006, 06:16 PM

grow up and go for the 12
Get a used Mossberg 500 at a gun shop or even a pawn shop (shudder)

i reccomend the accuchoke because it allows you to vary your choke for different applications and distances.
The accuchoke is a real simple device that sits on the muzzle, it is knurled for grip, you screw it out to close your choke, and screw it towards the reciever to open the choke

dave0520 · October 5, 2006, 07:24 PM

I would go with the 870. I have a Mossberg 500 20 gauge (my first and only shotgun), and my uncle has an 870 12 gauge. I find that the 870 points better, is much smoother, and has a better trigger than my mossberg. The 870 has also been a standard police shotgun for literally hundreds of departments across America since it was introduced in 1950. Remington has also sold well over 7 million 870's, it is a proven design. I'm not saying that the Mossberg isn't, it has also been used by many police departments, but not as many as the 870.

Maser · October 5, 2006, 08:37 PM

Oh yeah I forgot to mention gauge choices. Seriously stay away from the .410 bore. Lots of new shooters think that it's a good choice of shotshell to start with, but they are so wrong. As a new shooter the main thing you are going to be doing is practice, practice, and more practice. Sure the .410 may be easy on the shoulder, but it is murder on your wallet. If you feel a 12 gauge may be a little too much to start with then go down to a 20 gauge. I feel that a 20 gauge is the best gauge for a new shooter of pretty much everyone over the age of 8. My younger brother is 8 and handles my 12 gauge beautifully.

TKE404 · October 6, 2006, 09:56 AM

like i said on one of my earlier post that i am new to the shotgun terms what do the following mean:

1. accuchoke - do all of them come with them

2. .410 - (on the mossberg) what does this mean. is to much of gun or what

again thanks alot
David

Hoverboy26 · October 6, 2006, 10:25 AM

Get a Mossberg. Check out my response to another thread.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=224193

-RC

9mmMike · October 6, 2006, 10:46 AM

"1. Remington 870 Express" would be the choice for me. In fact it was. I bought mine used though with no regrets.

I have since acquired several other 870's and this one, my first, will be going to a favorite nephew.

gunslinger1911ACP · October 6, 2006, 11:12 AM

I bought a new 870 Express (12 ga 28" barrel) at Oshmans (now Sports Authority) for $219. At the time, there was a $25 rebate from Remington. I used the 870 and my $1300 Beretta 686 White Onyx 12ga this past weekend on a dove hunt. Both performed very well and I have a freezer full of dove breasts ready for the grill.

TKE404 · October 6, 2006, 11:27 AM

here it is and feel free to state your opinions. i am going to buy one sometime today.

at academy they have

Mossberg 500 .410 for $199
and the
Remington 870 express for $238 plus a $30 mail rebate

which one would you pick

Hoverboy26 · October 6, 2006, 11:30 AM

Get the Mossberg!

-RC

9mmMike · October 6, 2006, 12:11 PM

Express. 12 ga. I hope.....?

Mossberg in .410. Ewwwwww! :barf: Nothing against the Mossy but in .410?

IMHO

TKE404 · October 6, 2006, 02:13 PM

alright that's 1-1

as right now i am leaning towards the remington but still haven't decided

kozak6 · October 6, 2006, 02:51 PM

The thing about the .410 is that it's an expert's gun.

It fires just a pinch of shot, so it's difficult to hit with it, especially for a new shotgunner.

There's nothing wrong with a good used shotgun, btw. You can find a good used shotgun for much less than a new one. That would definitely be worth looking into. If you stop by a pawn shop or gun shop, and see some shotguns you are interested in, we can advise you on whether they are charging a fair price or not as well.

If you are absolutely determined to buy your shotgun at Academy, get the 870 Express.

bigghoss · October 6, 2006, 08:47 PM

you won't be disapointed by either the mossberg 500 or the 870. the 500 combo is nice because you have a 28" vent rib for birds and clays and the 18.5" for HD and it's right around $200. the 870 is alittle more flexible in that if you want you can just add a tube extension, wich you can't do with the mossberg.

liliysdad · October 6, 2006, 09:22 PM

Le tme deviate from the masses, and warn against the Mossberg. I have one, and its a serviceable gun. Serviceable. The 870 is a much smoother and well built gun, and the price difference in negligable. The Mossberg is loose, and feel like ten miles of dirt road shucking the forearm, whereas the 870 seems to glide.

The Mossberg will work, but the 870 will work better. Me, I am an autoloader guy for birds.

sparkysteve · October 6, 2006, 10:43 PM

While I like my 870 OK. I really like my Browning BPS. It costs a little more, but I think it's worth it.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...12&type_id=211

If you go with the 870, I recommend the Wingmaster. It's got nicer wood and a blued finish that's much easier to clean.

Hello123 · October 6, 2006, 10:46 PM

The .410 is not a humane hunting gone, except for tweeties. Either gun would be fine, but neither in a .410. In my mind, I would grab to 870 without doubt/hesitation.

WSM MAGNUM · October 7, 2006, 09:39 AM

Remington 870 Express 12ga.

October 5, 2006, 04:28 PM	#1
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	Need help picking a shotgun First off I am new to this site and I would like to say Hi to everyone. I just introduce to dove hunting by a friend of mine and just liked it alot. So i decided to buy me a shotgun ( my first ) so i have been looking around at different stores in my area and have found some in my price range. Since it's going to be a starters gun i was wondering if i could get some help from you all to make my decision. 1. Remington 870 Express 2. Mossberg 500 3. Mossberg Crown Bantan 4. Mossberg Maverick Or if you have any other suggestion please feel free to include them thanks alot David Last edited by TKE404; October 5, 2006 at 05:04 PM.

October 5, 2006, 04:53 PM	#2
skeeter1 Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 3,403	Mossberg 500 David-- I don't own one, but I have shot them before. Strong, reliable, and affordable. They've made millions of them, so getting replacement parts if you ever need them shouldn't be a problem. Now, onto another consideration. Which gauge do you want, 12 or 20? Both of my doubles are 12-gauge, but a good 20-gauge load is every bit as useful. Were I to do it all over again (my Itahacs are ~30 years old), I think I'd go with a 20-gauge. That's just my two cents worth.

October 5, 2006, 05:46 PM	#8
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	Not the .410 for a "new" dove hunter. There is a great deal of proficency in shooting a .410. The 20 will have more forgiveness. A lot depends on your pocketbook. Go with the Mossberg in a 20 ga. if $$$ are a concern. My first shotgun was a Moss 500. A dozen shotguns later (a lot of years) it was worth every penny. As your interest grows and hopefully you pocketbook, you can move up in quality and down in calibre. Happy hunting! __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

October 5, 2006, 06:16 PM	#9
whitedemon89 Member Join Date: September 25, 2006 Posts: 55	20 ga grow up and go for the 12 Get a used Mossberg 500 at a gun shop or even a pawn shop (shudder) i reccomend the accuchoke because it allows you to vary your choke for different applications and distances. The accuchoke is a real simple device that sits on the muzzle, it is knurled for grip, you screw it out to close your choke, and screw it towards the reciever to open the choke

October 5, 2006, 07:24 PM	#10
dave0520 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Philadelphia suburbs Posts: 394	I would go with the 870. I have a Mossberg 500 20 gauge (my first and only shotgun), and my uncle has an 870 12 gauge. I find that the 870 points better, is much smoother, and has a better trigger than my mossberg. The 870 has also been a standard police shotgun for literally hundreds of departments across America since it was introduced in 1950. Remington has also sold well over 7 million 870's, it is a proven design. I'm not saying that the Mossberg isn't, it has also been used by many police departments, but not as many as the 870. __________________ si vis pacem, parabellum

October 5, 2006, 04:54 PM	#3
whitedemon89 Member Join Date: September 25, 2006 Posts: 55	good thinking going with a mossberg. the R870 is a bieutiful piece of workmanship and a shining example of the shotgun, but you have to pay for it. If this is your first, id stick with a mossberg. Im guessin you also want a selfdefence gun cause you mentioned the maverick, i dont know. maybe you just like the way it looks. Either way, my first gun was a 12ga mossberg 500 i use it for all kinds of hunting, you can still get a used one with an accu-choke (mucho-bueno){spanish for "much bueno"} for about 100 bucks. If you get a mossberg, get an old one, the new 500s are crap, no wormanship, if you get an 870, resist the urge to make it "tacticool". When you shoot a crackhead burglar, you look bad if you have a sidesaddle, 10 round mag extension, heat shield, and a folding stock with notches cut into it. Cops get jealous when your gun is more bitchin than thiers.

October 5, 2006, 05:08 PM	#4
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	i am really looking at a shotgun mainly for bird hunting. i am not really familiar with gun so i don't know much of the different terms. Whitedemon89: are you trying not to get a new mossberg 500? i really appreciate it alot This is alittle confusing, since being new to this sport.

October 5, 2006, 05:27 PM	#5
Maser Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2006 Location: Mysterious Cities of Gold Posts: 920	Definatly go with the Mossberg 500. Best pump gun there is in my oppinion. Not exactly sure about the barrel combos you can get, but i'm sure there's a combo that not only includes the 28" accu-choke bbl, but also a 24" rifled slug barrel.

October 5, 2006, 05:35 PM	#6
Bill T Junior member Join Date: September 19, 2006 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 298	This is my Mossberg 500 Combo set I picked up when Big 5 Sporting Goods had a sale on them complete with an extra 18" barrel for $218.00 out the door. Pretty hard to beat. Here is a side by side report of the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870. The Mossberg 500 was the only one to pass the military 3,000 round buckshot tests. Bill T. http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html

October 5, 2006, 05:39 PM	#7
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	so you all believe that mossberg 500 .410 is a good choice. Academy has it for 199 on their website with a 24in barrel

October 5, 2006, 08:37 PM	#11
Maser Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2006 Location: Mysterious Cities of Gold Posts: 920	Oh yeah I forgot to mention gauge choices. Seriously stay away from the .410 bore. Lots of new shooters think that it's a good choice of shotshell to start with, but they are so wrong. As a new shooter the main thing you are going to be doing is practice, practice, and more practice. Sure the .410 may be easy on the shoulder, but it is murder on your wallet. If you feel a 12 gauge may be a little too much to start with then go down to a 20 gauge. I feel that a 20 gauge is the best gauge for a new shooter of pretty much everyone over the age of 8. My younger brother is 8 and handles my 12 gauge beautifully.

October 6, 2006, 09:56 AM	#12
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	like i said on one of my earlier post that i am new to the shotgun terms what do the following mean: 1. accuchoke - do all of them come with them 2. .410 - (on the mossberg) what does this mean. is to much of gun or what again thanks alot David

October 6, 2006, 10:25 AM	#13
Hoverboy26 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 116	Get a Mossberg. Check out my response to another thread. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=224193 -RC

October 6, 2006, 10:46 AM	#14
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	"1. Remington 870 Express" would be the choice for me. In fact it was. I bought mine used though with no regrets. I have since acquired several other 870's and this one, my first, will be going to a favorite nephew. __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

October 6, 2006, 11:12 AM	#15
gunslinger1911ACP Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 131	I bought a new 870 Express (12 ga 28" barrel) at Oshmans (now Sports Authority) for $219. At the time, there was a $25 rebate from Remington. I used the 870 and my $1300 Beretta 686 White Onyx 12ga this past weekend on a dove hunt. Both performed very well and I have a freezer full of dove breasts ready for the grill.

October 6, 2006, 11:27 AM	#16
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	here it is and feel free to state your opinions. i am going to buy one sometime today. at academy they have Mossberg 500 .410 for $199 and the Remington 870 express for $238 plus a $30 mail rebate which one would you pick

October 6, 2006, 11:30 AM	#17
Hoverboy26 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 116	Get the Mossberg! -RC

October 6, 2006, 12:11 PM	#18
9mmMike Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: SE PA Posts: 1,049	Express. 12 ga. I hope.....? Mossberg in .410. Ewwwwww! :barf: Nothing against the Mossy but in .410? IMHO __________________ "Freedom is not free" Visit TheRallyPoint.org TheRallyPoint at LRGC- Saturday August 26th IF YOU LIVE IN PA AND DID NOT VOTE, YOU DESERVE TO LOSE YOUR GUNS!

October 6, 2006, 02:13 PM	#19
TKE404 Junior Member Join Date: October 5, 2006 Posts: 8	alright that's 1-1 as right now i am leaning towards the remington but still haven't decided

October 6, 2006, 02:51 PM	#20
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	The thing about the .410 is that it's an expert's gun. It fires just a pinch of shot, so it's difficult to hit with it, especially for a new shotgunner. There's nothing wrong with a good used shotgun, btw. You can find a good used shotgun for much less than a new one. That would definitely be worth looking into. If you stop by a pawn shop or gun shop, and see some shotguns you are interested in, we can advise you on whether they are charging a fair price or not as well. If you are absolutely determined to buy your shotgun at Academy, get the 870 Express.

October 6, 2006, 08:47 PM	#21
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	you won't be disapointed by either the mossberg 500 or the 870. the 500 combo is nice because you have a 28" vent rib for birds and clays and the 18.5" for HD and it's right around $200. the 870 is alittle more flexible in that if you want you can just add a tube extension, wich you can't do with the mossberg.

October 6, 2006, 09:22 PM	#22
liliysdad Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2004 Posts: 1,145	Le tme deviate from the masses, and warn against the Mossberg. I have one, and its a serviceable gun. Serviceable. The 870 is a much smoother and well built gun, and the price difference in negligable. The Mossberg is loose, and feel like ten miles of dirt road shucking the forearm, whereas the 870 seems to glide. The Mossberg will work, but the 870 will work better. Me, I am an autoloader guy for birds.

October 6, 2006, 10:43 PM	#23
sparkysteve Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Location: Byron Center, Michigan Posts: 418	While I like my 870 OK. I really like my Browning BPS. It costs a little more, but I think it's worth it. http://www.browning.com/products/cat...12&type_id=211 If you go with the 870, I recommend the Wingmaster. It's got nicer wood and a blued finish that's much easier to clean. __________________ I have ADHD........Attention, Defficit, Hey there goes a squirrel! Dont tread on me.

October 6, 2006, 10:46 PM	#24
Hello123 Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Posts: 571	The .410 is not a humane hunting gone, except for tweeties. Either gun would be fine, but neither in a .410. In my mind, I would grab to 870 without doubt/hesitation.

October 7, 2006, 09:39 AM	#25
WSM MAGNUM Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 750	Remington 870 Express 12ga. __________________ Henry - Life NRA Member, USCCA Shield Member If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?