First shotgun

SkrillaMane · January 14, 2010, 04:12 AM

Hello all. I'm new to the forum and in the market for my first firearm. I'm sure this question is asked quite a bit but I would appreciate some feedback for my specific situation. My experience with shooting has so far been limited to my friends' arsenals: 12 gauge Mossberg turkey gun shooting some skeet, target shooting with Marlin .22, Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine. My question is: what are your recommendations for a good first shotgun? Primary function would be HD. I'm not a hunter, but could end up going for trips with said friends if I were up for it. I want to obviously be reasonable in spending, but realize that you get what you pay for. Most important to me is a SG that will be functional for HD, but would also be an adequate beginning hunting weapon. My research has led me to think that a Mossberg 500 (12 gauge) would be a good starting place. What are your recommendations? If more info is needed to formulate an opinion, let me know. I apologize for such a ridiculously open-ended, subjective question...guess I have to start somewhere. Thanks.

SM

Smitty in CT · January 14, 2010, 09:35 AM

Sounds like what you are looking for is this:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/49886

Bud's Gun Shop has them for $487 shipping included.

The Mossberg 930 is very soft shooting, extremely reliable and very easy to maintain...

zippy13 · January 14, 2010, 01:35 PM

Greetings SkrillaMane, and welcome aboard.

You're right, usually with a gun purchase there a lot of questions to be asked before we can narrow the field and develop a short list. Your situation is not unusual, you don't have enough experience to answer the typical questions. And shooting skeet with a turkey gun was probably more an exercise in shooting holes in the sky instead of breaking targets.

There are some general questions that do apply, are you: Left handed? Tall, short, or average size? Young (and still growing)? Any handicaps (blind in one eye, unbelievably clumsy)? Obviously, if you're a 6'-7" pro athlete, it will make a difference.

I second Smitty's recommendation to get a combo as a first gun, you won't be alone. Although not ideal for any one function, it's a great introductory gun and a gateway to future purchases of environment specific guns.

Please, don't jump at the first deeply discounted combo your area big-box gun store offers. Shop around and get to know what's available. Which gun fits you best (a very important aspect of gun buying)? Wood or synthetic stock? Do the local gun clubs have guns to rent/borrow… try them all. Talk to other shooters and they may lend you a gun for a trail round. The more you learn up front, the less likely you'll make a regrettable purchase. Set a realistic budget, all to frequently we see a new-B wanting a top dollar gun for a bottom dollar price (they frequently wind up with a used shout-out junker).

Smitty in CT · January 14, 2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy13

... it's a great introductory gun and a gateway to future (and more expensive) purchases of environment specific guns...

Zip,

I had to fix one thing that you left out (added in red)... it's funny how that works, the more I buy (even used ones) they just seem to get more and more expensive...

BigJimP · January 14, 2010, 03:14 PM

+1 to what Zippy said ....

A good all around pump gun ....maybe not a "tactical fighting shotgun" - but certainly could be a "defensive gun" is a pump gun with a 28" barrel. Its much better for any targets ....and personally I like the Browning BPS ( Browning Pump Shotgun ).... Look at the BPS Hunter model ...for around $ 500 but they are several models.

I like the BPS because its cast neutral / so stock does not favor a right or left handed shooter ( and most others do ), safety is on top of the tang so its easy to reach, and it ejects out of the bottom so good for leftie or right handed shooter again. Browning make tactical versions as well ....

If you have a knowledgeable shotgunning friend that can help you / there are a lot of good used guns on the market / but there is a lot of junk out there too. I just bought a nice Browning Over /Under 12ga, 28" barrels on Tue for $ 725 that was a very clean gun ....so there are deals out there to be found. That gun new is around $ 1,750 .....

oneounceload · January 14, 2010, 03:43 PM

In addition to all of the great advice above, remember that a well-made gun will not be necessarily cheap; however, it will hold resale value better - so if you decide it is not for you, or on the other hand, you decide this is great and are ready to move up, you will be able to get more of your initial expenditure back from a quality gun than a really cheap one. (Cheap as in cheaply made).

The above combo is a good place to start, and for the money, MUCH better than the cheap Chicom O/U imports.

Follow my sig line and you should never be disappointed.........

Welcome to the addiction!

SkrillaMane · January 14, 2010, 05:25 PM

I appreciate everyone's input. Zippy, you are absolutely right about not hitting a darn thing the day we shot skeet with my buddies turkey gun. To give a little more info, I'm young but done growing, I'm 5'6'' and wiry. My hands are smaller than average I'd say and I'm a righty. I had taken a look at the Mossbergs (500 and 590) and was impressed. Smitty, I'll definitely consider the combos for their versatility. Again, thanks for the input and the warm welcome.

SM

MagnumWill · January 15, 2010, 03:48 PM

I own a 590A1, and I think it's perfect for HD. I am a huge fan of it, but I think any other good pump (870's and Ithacas, to name a few) would be fine.

More importantly- how much are you planning on spending on one? that makes a huge difference on which one you can acquire.

LollerCopter · January 15, 2010, 11:48 PM

on my 14th birthday my dad walked into the kitchen with 2 small boxes about a foot and a half long. i have an identical twin, we opened them and found 20 guage remington 870 express mags ... excellent birthday. 22 inch barrel models

scored better at the trap range with this than anything else. even the 800 dollar remington 1100 semi auto 12 guage with hair trigger

LollerCopter · January 15, 2010, 11:53 PM

For a home defense shotgun.. well i gotta say anything that is a pump action in at least 20 or 12 guage should do the trick. never get birdshot for home defense, always use buckshot. if cost is a factor there are some u can get for less than 200 dollars now adays, only disadvantage is the pump and butt are black hollow plastic. but they work just fine

have yet to get a pump that doesnt work well

the rifleer · January 15, 2010, 11:54 PM

I vote mossberg 500. its a outstanding shotgun. the 870 is supposed to be pretty good and the one i shot worked well, but was significantly heavier and i didn't like it as much as my 500.

jborushko · January 16, 2010, 02:00 AM

Remington 870 magnum express.... 'nough said

fyi- mossberg 500 are known to break the forks off the fore end tube assembly ie. the part that pumps the gun. personally i've had to weld 5 different shotguns (EDIT: all 500s) back together because of THIS failure.

$$$$ a used 870 can be had for around 200-300 just be sure to get one what will shoot 3" shells (most if not all NEW 870s do) but many of the old ones where not, hence the Magnum Express.

$$$$ new 870s will run about 4-500 depending.

the rifleer · January 16, 2010, 02:16 AM

I don't want to start a debate here, but I have never heard of that happening to a mossberg 500.

and to counter that, there are numerous posts here from different people about their new 870's having roughly cut chambers and are difficult and in some cases nearly impossible to eject the spent shell.

Both are exceedingly well respected shotguns and both are well made. there is not shotgun out there that is the best, you just have to pick which one you like best.

jborushko · January 16, 2010, 02:30 AM

- you just have to pick which one you like best -

i'll agree with that

870 is still better

SkrillaMane · January 16, 2010, 02:49 AM

Gentlemen (and ladies)...this is exactly what I hoped to see in terms of replies. Your debates are bringing to light the true nuances of these different models of SGs. This is all invaluable information (in my book) because it is not something you will readily see on a manufacturer's website (i.e. watch out for this or that on our model such and such...tends to be sketchy

). By all means, please continue.

noyes · January 16, 2010, 09:17 AM

Shells, shells, shells, shells & more shotgun shells. Practice , practice , practice & more practice.

Otherwise it really does not make much difference what brand shotgun you choose.

hogdogs · January 16, 2010, 10:03 AM

I have to vote the 500 as well...

I have never experienced a failure of any type with any shotgun with the exception of a winchester autoloader jam-o-matic.

For me, the 500 has the controls in the right places for ideal use. The safety tab in the place where a hammer would be is perfect for me as I do not have to move either hand to operate it from any position I hold the gun.

The action release is easy to operate with my middle finger tip, also, from any position..
Brent

January 14, 2010, 04:12 AM	#1
SkrillaMane Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	First shotgun Hello all. I'm new to the forum and in the market for my first firearm. I'm sure this question is asked quite a bit but I would appreciate some feedback for my specific situation. My experience with shooting has so far been limited to my friends' arsenals: 12 gauge Mossberg turkey gun shooting some skeet, target shooting with Marlin .22, Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine. My question is: what are your recommendations for a good first shotgun? Primary function would be HD. I'm not a hunter, but could end up going for trips with said friends if I were up for it. I want to obviously be reasonable in spending, but realize that you get what you pay for. Most important to me is a SG that will be functional for HD, but would also be an adequate beginning hunting weapon. My research has led me to think that a Mossberg 500 (12 gauge) would be a good starting place. What are your recommendations? If more info is needed to formulate an opinion, let me know. I apologize for such a ridiculously open-ended, subjective question...guess I have to start somewhere. Thanks. SM

January 14, 2010, 09:35 AM	#2
Smitty in CT Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2006 Location: Moodus, CT Posts: 590	Sounds like what you are looking for is this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/49886 Bud's Gun Shop has them for $487 shipping included. The Mossberg 930 is very soft shooting, extremely reliable and very easy to maintain... __________________ Smitty "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his." -- Gen. George Patton

January 14, 2010, 05:25 PM	#7
SkrillaMane Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Thanks I appreciate everyone's input. Zippy, you are absolutely right about not hitting a darn thing the day we shot skeet with my buddies turkey gun. To give a little more info, I'm young but done growing, I'm 5'6'' and wiry. My hands are smaller than average I'd say and I'm a righty. I had taken a look at the Mossbergs (500 and 590) and was impressed. Smitty, I'll definitely consider the combos for their versatility. Again, thanks for the input and the warm welcome. SM

January 15, 2010, 03:48 PM	#8
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	I own a 590A1, and I think it's perfect for HD. I am a huge fan of it, but I think any other good pump (870's and Ithacas, to name a few) would be fine. More importantly- how much are you planning on spending on one? that makes a huge difference on which one you can acquire. __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

January 16, 2010, 02:00 AM	#12
jborushko Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2009 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 469	Remington 870 magnum express.... 'nough said fyi- mossberg 500 are known to break the forks off the fore end tube assembly ie. the part that pumps the gun. personally i've had to weld 5 different shotguns (EDIT: all 500s) back together because of THIS failure. $$$$ a used 870 can be had for around 200-300 just be sure to get one what will shoot 3" shells (most if not all NEW 870s do) but many of the old ones where not, hence the Magnum Express. $$$$ new 870s will run about 4-500 depending. __________________ EDIT: yeah i always "edit" my posts Last edited by jborushko; January 16, 2010 at 02:30 AM.

January 14, 2010, 01:35 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Greetings SkrillaMane, and welcome aboard. You're right, usually with a gun purchase there a lot of questions to be asked before we can narrow the field and develop a short list. Your situation is not unusual, you don't have enough experience to answer the typical questions. And shooting skeet with a turkey gun was probably more an exercise in shooting holes in the sky instead of breaking targets. There are some general questions that do apply, are you: Left handed? Tall, short, or average size? Young (and still growing)? Any handicaps (blind in one eye, unbelievably clumsy)? Obviously, if you're a 6'-7" pro athlete, it will make a difference. I second Smitty's recommendation to get a combo as a first gun, you won't be alone. Although not ideal for any one function, it's a great introductory gun and a gateway to future purchases of environment specific guns. Please, don't jump at the first deeply discounted combo your area big-box gun store offers. Shop around and get to know what's available. Which gun fits you best (a very important aspect of gun buying)? Wood or synthetic stock? Do the local gun clubs have guns to rent/borrow… try them all. Talk to other shooters and they may lend you a gun for a trail round. The more you learn up front, the less likely you'll make a regrettable purchase. Set a realistic budget, all to frequently we see a new-B wanting a top dollar gun for a bottom dollar price (they frequently wind up with a used shout-out junker).

January 14, 2010, 03:14 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	+1 to what Zippy said .... A good all around pump gun ....maybe not a "tactical fighting shotgun" - but certainly could be a "defensive gun" is a pump gun with a 28" barrel. Its much better for any targets ....and personally I like the Browning BPS ( Browning Pump Shotgun ).... Look at the BPS Hunter model ...for around $ 500 but they are several models. I like the BPS because its cast neutral / so stock does not favor a right or left handed shooter ( and most others do ), safety is on top of the tang so its easy to reach, and it ejects out of the bottom so good for leftie or right handed shooter again. Browning make tactical versions as well .... If you have a knowledgeable shotgunning friend that can help you / there are a lot of good used guns on the market / but there is a lot of junk out there too. I just bought a nice Browning Over /Under 12ga, 28" barrels on Tue for $ 725 that was a very clean gun ....so there are deals out there to be found. That gun new is around $ 1,750 .....

January 14, 2010, 03:43 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	In addition to all of the great advice above, remember that a well-made gun will not be necessarily cheap; however, it will hold resale value better - so if you decide it is not for you, or on the other hand, you decide this is great and are ready to move up, you will be able to get more of your initial expenditure back from a quality gun than a really cheap one. (Cheap as in cheaply made). The above combo is a good place to start, and for the money, MUCH better than the cheap Chicom O/U imports. Follow my sig line and you should never be disappointed......... Welcome to the addiction!

January 15, 2010, 11:48 PM	#9
LollerCopter Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Posts: 69	on my 14th birthday my dad walked into the kitchen with 2 small boxes about a foot and a half long. i have an identical twin, we opened them and found 20 guage remington 870 express mags ... excellent birthday. 22 inch barrel models scored better at the trap range with this than anything else. even the 800 dollar remington 1100 semi auto 12 guage with hair trigger

January 15, 2010, 11:53 PM	#10
LollerCopter Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Posts: 69	For a home defense shotgun.. well i gotta say anything that is a pump action in at least 20 or 12 guage should do the trick. never get birdshot for home defense, always use buckshot. if cost is a factor there are some u can get for less than 200 dollars now adays, only disadvantage is the pump and butt are black hollow plastic. but they work just fine have yet to get a pump that doesnt work well

January 15, 2010, 11:54 PM	#11
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	I vote mossberg 500. its a outstanding shotgun. the 870 is supposed to be pretty good and the one i shot worked well, but was significantly heavier and i didn't like it as much as my 500.

January 16, 2010, 02:16 AM	#13
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	I don't want to start a debate here, but I have never heard of that happening to a mossberg 500. and to counter that, there are numerous posts here from different people about their new 870's having roughly cut chambers and are difficult and in some cases nearly impossible to eject the spent shell. Both are exceedingly well respected shotguns and both are well made. there is not shotgun out there that is the best, you just have to pick which one you like best.

January 16, 2010, 02:30 AM	#14
jborushko Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2009 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 469	- you just have to pick which one you like best - i'll agree with that 870 is still better __________________ EDIT: yeah i always "edit" my posts

January 16, 2010, 02:49 AM	#15
SkrillaMane Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Gentlemen (and ladies)...this is exactly what I hoped to see in terms of replies. Your debates are bringing to light the true nuances of these different models of SGs. This is all invaluable information (in my book) because it is not something you will readily see on a manufacturer's website (i.e. watch out for this or that on our model such and such...tends to be sketchy ). By all means, please continue.

January 16, 2010, 09:17 AM	#16
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,032	Shells, shells, shells, shells & more shotgun shells. Practice , practice , practice & more practice. Otherwise it really does not make much difference what brand shotgun you choose.

January 16, 2010, 10:03 AM	#17
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I have to vote the 500 as well... I have never experienced a failure of any type with any shotgun with the exception of a winchester autoloader jam-o-matic. For me, the 500 has the controls in the right places for ideal use. The safety tab in the place where a hammer would be is perfect for me as I do not have to move either hand to operate it from any position I hold the gun. The action release is easy to operate with my middle finger tip, also, from any position.. Brent