best shotgun buy around $250 or less?

O

old fart

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i am in need of a shotgun by november, i'm saving now and by then will have around $250 or so, i have about $160 now if that will get one. i will be using it as a deer gun in thick woods with shots 50-75yds at most, also it will double as a home gun along with my lcr 9mm. i am wanting a 12 gauge as i have lots of ammo saved up and don't want another gauge. since it's been several years since i bought a shotgun, i thought i would ask what models can i get and the best bang for the dollar? thanks for any help
 
I've not had a lot of shotgun experience.. and I don't hunt.. so keep all this in mind.

But I've been happy with my maverick 88's.. They're not wingmasters but they are a reliable gun.

You can get the field/security combo (18.5 & 28in) model for about 220 online shipped..
https://www.gunbuyer.com/maverick-8...o-pump-action-12ga-28-18-5-barrels-31014.html
I've bought from gunbuyer before, Infact that's where I got my mavericks from, no complaints.

If you're not interested in the shorter security barrel you can save 20-30 dollars, I think the barrels come in 24,26,28(vent rib)

Then again you might be able to pick up an even cheaper used one at the lgs or pawn.
Or if not cheaper then just simply nicer quality gun.

There is nothing wrong with the mavericks but they do have plastic stocks rather than wood and the finish is not great.

so depends on how important aesthetics are.
 
Used will be your best bet. The Maverick from Mossberg will be about your best bet if new. Used, maybe a Remington 870 can be in the mix
 
You can find many an old reliable pump gun on the used racks for that money. Find one you like then google it. Can't go wrong with the old 870's, Moss 500's, Winchesters etc. Some hidden gems are the old Sears Ted Williams models. Many were made by Winchester, Savage etc and can be found cheap.
 
I 2nd the Mossberg Maverick 88 or Mossberg m500. The Maverick is cheaper, but if you watch sales, the m500 can be found for only a little more. These are both available in a variety of combos with interchangeable barrels, depending on your wants and needs.
 
Suspect 'used' will be your only bet. Mind you, 'used' is not an ugly word in Firearm's Land. Takes a lot of abuse to damage a modern firearm.
There's a BNIB Maverick 88 with a bead sight and 18 1/2" barrel(actually a lower end Mossberg M500) on Gunbroker(in RI. Dealer has 5 of 'em.) for $189.99 with no bids and 18 days left. Mavericks use the exact same extra barrels(and all the other daft stuff too) as M500's too.
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/677469484
 
Ya but he wants a gun for both hunting and home defense.
That's why I suggested the field & security model, It could fill both roles.

If you just want one for home defense I'd recommend the 7+1 model, it's a tad longer at 20 inch tough.
 
I have a Maverick 88 and it has been great so far. I would also take a look at the CZ612(I think I have the model number right?)
 
I went to Walmart to get the $188 Maverick 88 but they were out of stock on the 12 gauge (they had the 20) so I found the Mossberg 500 for $259 with 3 choke tubes. I started to buy it but saw the Field/Deer combo with 2 barrels for $298. I bought the combo one and have been very happy with it. The Maverick 88 has a 1 year warranty and the Mossberg 500 has a 10 year warranty.

The maverick has one choke tube and Mossberg has 3.
 
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they make a maverick 88 with the 24" rifle sight slug barrel I think its the smooth bore for like $200
 
Will the thickness of these woods make it difficult to use a typical 28" field barrel? Removable chokes enable you to use the same barrel for different applications and some get a rifled barrel for slugs, but many shoot slugs in a smooth bore.

Some of the two barrel combination guns cheap out and have fixed choke barrels. TB9's suggestion just above sounds like it could be a good fit. An even shorter barrel may be better for home defense, but 24" will get the job done and you have the lc9 for tight quarters.
 
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My Maverick 88 field 20 gauge has solid accuracy with rifled slugs and an improved cylinder choke. 12oclock hold @ 60-70 yards with the bead sight gets me flirting with the center of the bullseye. It was enough to impress me anyway.
 
End of hunting season, Christmas, tax day bring down prices on common guns. You might could make a private purchase, but be wary of want ad sellers.
 
Was in Walmart earlier today, a standard Mossbeg 500 was $250 and change. But that was with a standard barrel. If you're going to deer hunt that wouldn't be ideal, but most folks would be surprised at how accurate slugs can be out to 50 yards from a standard barrel. A dedicated slug barrel will make it a 100 yard gun if the shooter is good enough.
 
Maverick

We had a Maverick 88 here in the house for a while, 'till I sold it to help pay for hunting club dues !!!!!!!!!!

We shot it a bit , bamaboy found the location of the safety odd since he was used to the tang safety on the Moss 835 already present. I was a little better off, being an Wingmaster guy, but not by much, as the safety on the 870 is rearward on the triggerguard, while on the Maverich it is forward. But if you are not accustomed to a certain safety location, I do not see it being a real problem, as you'll simply learn it sooner or later anyhow.

Bamaboy took the Maverick to his academy where it was shot for qualification by him and his squad....for some reason, there were not pump shotguns too be had for trainees, , and the recruits had to provide one. Reports from the boy is that the gun ran fine for him and everybody else, and shot exactly to point of aim with both buck and slugs.

He was not happy when he brought it home and I sold it!!!!!!!!!
 
how good is the savage 320?, my local store has a sale for $139. i called savage and they don't have any parts, not even small ones if i have a problem i would have to send the whole gun in for just the firing pin or ejector under warranty. thanks
 
No experience with them, Is it threaded for chokes? you'll want that for hunting.. otherwise you're stuck with cylinder bore.

All the 320's I've ever seen was setup for security.
Good price though I think the cheapest I've ever seen them was 159

Really sucks about the parts.. They don't have them? or won't sell them?
If they just flat don't have them how are they gonna repair the gun if it comes in for work?

Reason I never bought a 320 was I didn't think there was much aftermarket support.
 
they have parts at their gunsmith and its up to him whether to ship parts, they said they would rather have the gun returned to make sure work was done right but may send a part but it would be up to him and he rarely does that.
 
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