Best 12g Pump Shotgun Under $500???

T

thundermaker

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I am looking to buy my first shotgun to do some skeet shooting and bird hunting... I am set on a 12gauge pump with a 28" barrel and I am currently juggling between either a Remington 870 Express or a Benelli Supernova... I have heard all over the place that the 870s are extremely reliable but I am interested on input about the Supernova... Im still open to other brands or models as long as they are below that $500 mark... Thank you for any help with my first and most exciting firearm purchase... :D
 
shotty

Asa far as a pump scatter gun, the Remington 870 is a work horse and is a go to gun. The Benelli line would be a better consideration if you were looking at an auto.
 
The current production 870 Express does not, for sure, have a universal reputation for reliability. Just Google "870 Express Jam" or "870 Jamming" and spend a few hours reading. Most are decent enough but the fit and finish are not the best. Having said that I would buy an 870 Express but not because it was the "most reliable" as it is not. It is a great design and after market parts and accessories are second to none for shotguns as noted above. A used Wingmaster would better fit what you want. You can easily "upgrade" the 870 express with just a couple modifications and it would be close to the Police Grade part wise but not finish wise. Do a search here or on Google for Scattergun Bob for specific info - there was just a thread here about "Upgrading an 870 Express" or "How to Upgrade an Express" in the last few days with all the info. I plan on getting an 870 but it will not be a current production Express. New, I would get the Benelli over the current production Express if you don't plan on "cleaning it up."
 
Greetings thundermaker and welcome aboard.

As you're aware, with the holiday sales, there are quite a number of guns under $500. The best gun is hard to define. Between the Benelli and the Remington I'd go with a wood stocked Remmington (possibly a used Wingmaster over a new Express). But, it's just because I'm an old school Skeet shooter and shotguns are supposed to be blued steel with wood stocks. IMHO, even the black Benelli field model looks "tactical" -- I don't mind my AR being black (it's a mil-type gun), but I like my sporting shotguns guns with wood. YMMV

Since you seem to be over budgeted, spend some time and money getting in some trigger time before you make your decision. Please, don't get overly concerned, and lose any sleep, thinking that you must get the best gun. This is your first gun, and what's best for your present abilities may not be so as you gain experience. Unfortunately, like much of life, you can't really make an informed gun choice without shotgunning experience and you can't get the experience without a shotgun. I often tell new shooters to consider their first shotgun as their learning gun, with it you'll learn what you really need form a future best gun.
 
I will only add to all of the above, even though you said you were set on a pump, that for SKEET, a pump is a definite handicap for those four stations where doubles are part of the scenario.

Otherwise, there are numerous pumps in your budget that will suffice
 
Look at the New England Firearms Protector. It and the Norinco/IAC Hawk 982 are quality 870 clones, that actually surpass the Express and only cost $200-$250. That will leave a large chunk of your budget open for ammo and accessories, almost all of which will work without any fitting. I put a Brownell's SS follower and a Wolf XP mag spring in my 982.
 
Thanks Everyone

I really appreciate all of the input from everyone... I have shot trap with the Remington 870 and found the gun to work like a charm... I liked the feel of the slide and the swing felt natural to me... My only concern was that the barrel got frighteningly hot after about 15-20 rounds out of her... Being new to the shotgun world I must ask, is this normal??? I also would like to know if the camo print has a coating that reduces the barrels temperature??? Thanks again
 
"I have shot trap with the Remington 870 and found the gun to work like a charm."​
Many Trap shooters use pump guns for singles and handicap. Remington still lists the Wingmaster Classic Trap model for $1,039.00. However, I don't think I've ever seen a pump used in Trap Doubles. I concur with 1-oz, in Skeet a pump gun is a handicap when shooting the double targets. The last time I saw a pump gun used in Skeet competition was in the late 1960s.

About your heat question: Sustained firing can make the barrel too hot to touch. Shimmering heat waves, from a hot barrel, can distort your target view. You've probably run across the shotgun term "ventilated rib" or "vent rib" and wondered what it was -- the elevated, or vented, rib is to provide a sighting plane with a clear target view when a hot plain barrel would be distorted. I've never known anyone to comment about a camo finish effecting barrel heat. Perhaps one of our fast-pumping camo-shooting members can shed some light on your question.
 
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A used 870 Wingmaster, possibly with a new LC barrel that takes Remchokes will cover lots of territory, both clays and game. It'll fit into your budget and last for generations, not just decades.

Sorry, Zip. I can shuck them out pretty slick but nothing here wears camo full time.
 
i bought this win model 12 with 30 inch fullchoke at a public auction this last summer for 290.00, i shot sevel rounds of trap(did very good 21-23) and several rounds of 5 stand(not very good 13-15) and several rounds of sporting clays(did good 33-35). its not the perfect shotgun for me,but its not to bad. i,m takeing it hunting this month for small game. if you have time to shop around i think you will find what works for you at the shotgun games and hunting. eastbank.
 
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Sorry, Zip. I can shuck them out pretty slick but nothing here wears camo full time. ​
Dave, have you ever heard a camo finish vs. heat question before? In target shooting, guns are known to get plenty hot, especially in intense one-on-one shoot offs that go a couple of rounds. With a field camo gun, if target density justifies sustained fire, I'd hope to limit out before the gun gets too hot to touch. :)
 
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