Cheap but Reliable Shotgun???
- Thread starter Rjeezie
- Start date
John L. Smith
New member
Mavrick Arms makes most all of Mossberg's shotguns except the O/U I beleive.
Walmart has Mavrick 88's for less than $ 190.00 + tx. I have had one for a couple of years, no problems. The only thing about it that I don't like is the cross bolt safety. I think they have 500's for around $ 240.00 + tx. My 12 year old grandson is taking it away from me so I just bought a Mossberg 535 from Dick's for under $ 300.00 + tx. Like the safety on it a lot better. The Maverick is a working man's gun, not fancy just gets the job done.
John
Walmart has Mavrick 88's for less than $ 190.00 + tx. I have had one for a couple of years, no problems. The only thing about it that I don't like is the cross bolt safety. I think they have 500's for around $ 240.00 + tx. My 12 year old grandson is taking it away from me so I just bought a Mossberg 535 from Dick's for under $ 300.00 + tx. Like the safety on it a lot better. The Maverick is a working man's gun, not fancy just gets the job done.
John
Actually, Maverick is JUST A NAME... Sort of like Rustler is to Wrangler...
Mossberg has a second plant located in Texas. That plant does assembly and repair work.
Some parts are built in Messy-Cola and brought into texas to be joined with parts from their Conn. plant and Texas plant.
Brent
For what purpose will the shotgun be used? If you're just wanting a sporting/fun gun then a NEF single-shot is about the most affordable and reliable shotgun you can get. If you're wanting a self-defense type gun, however, you may want more than one shot and thus would want to look into a repeater (pumps are going to be the most affordable repeaters).
In a pump, I've used both Remington 870's (both wingmaster and express) and Mossberg 500's and could see no problems with either. While I have no personal experience with them, I've heard nothing bad about the NEF Pardner Pump, Maverick 88, Winchester 1300 (discontinued), or Benelli Nova either.
In a pump, I've used both Remington 870's (both wingmaster and express) and Mossberg 500's and could see no problems with either. While I have no personal experience with them, I've heard nothing bad about the NEF Pardner Pump, Maverick 88, Winchester 1300 (discontinued), or Benelli Nova either.
Dr. Strangelove
New member
I've got both a Mossberg 500a and a Remington 870 Express here at the house, and have used both extensively. The only difference I can tell is the Mossberg holds one shell more in the magazine with the plug out, and I like the position of the Mossberg's safety better. Otherwise, flip a coin.
As has already been said, the Rem 870, Moss 500 or the Mav 88 would all be good reliable shotguns. Have owned all and put them through the mill.
There are other older reliable pumps out there like the old Smith and Wessons ( if you can find one ) that you can pickup fairly cheap but you should be informed enough to be able to inspect them before purchasing.
As far as the Ithaca 37, if you find one around here thats worth having, it won't be as cheap as a new 870 or 500. Also, I own 3 Ithaca 37's and they may be a better built gun with a much smoother action but by no means have I found them to be any more reliable than the Rem. or Moss.
Guess it would boil down to which one you like best for the purpose you're useing it for and which one you can get the cheapest. With Christmas coming up, you can be gaurantee'd of a lot of sales/rebates.
There are other older reliable pumps out there like the old Smith and Wessons ( if you can find one ) that you can pickup fairly cheap but you should be informed enough to be able to inspect them before purchasing.
As far as the Ithaca 37, if you find one around here thats worth having, it won't be as cheap as a new 870 or 500. Also, I own 3 Ithaca 37's and they may be a better built gun with a much smoother action but by no means have I found them to be any more reliable than the Rem. or Moss.
Guess it would boil down to which one you like best for the purpose you're useing it for and which one you can get the cheapest. With Christmas coming up, you can be gaurantee'd of a lot of sales/rebates.
silvercorvette
New member
TNN makes an excellent quality coach gun but it isn't cheap. You are better off with a pump for home defense but if you decide on double barrel THIS GUY SELLS THE TNN COACH GUNS FOR $399
I paid more than that for mine because I wanted the Case hardened finish.
I paid more than that for mine because I wanted the Case hardened finish.
bamaranger
New member
single barrrel
I have not read all posts, but shotguns do not come any cheaper or more reliable than a quality, USA made single barrel. Recoil may be an issue, but you can load down with trap or "low brass" and still do most of what a shotgun does, effectively. Or, you can grit your teeth and shoot full power stuff and do the same thing the repeaters do, only one shot at a time.
About a schazillion million old time country folks can't be wrong.
Next step up is one of the older Savage 311 doubles. The Russian double I bought a few years back is now where near the equal of the old savages.
Unfortunately, used 311's are no longer cheap.
I have not read all posts, but shotguns do not come any cheaper or more reliable than a quality, USA made single barrel. Recoil may be an issue, but you can load down with trap or "low brass" and still do most of what a shotgun does, effectively. Or, you can grit your teeth and shoot full power stuff and do the same thing the repeaters do, only one shot at a time.
About a schazillion million old time country folks can't be wrong.
Next step up is one of the older Savage 311 doubles. The Russian double I bought a few years back is now where near the equal of the old savages.
Unfortunately, used 311's are no longer cheap.
Reliable and cheap. Reliable has reputation and cheap is determined by the person buying.
Mossberg 500 and Rem 870 have earned their reputations for reliability and that at an affordable price.
Other shotguns can do the job for sure; but, for the money with a reputation- it's the 500 or the 870. Which ever one you find at the best price...good for you.
john
*shot my 870 yesterday- simply awesome; love the slug barrel
Mossberg 500 and Rem 870 have earned their reputations for reliability and that at an affordable price.
Other shotguns can do the job for sure; but, for the money with a reputation- it's the 500 or the 870. Which ever one you find at the best price...good for you.
john
*shot my 870 yesterday- simply awesome; love the slug barrel
xMINORxTHREATx
New member
Just going off of the original post, buying a reliable, affordable shotgun for a friend, not knowing if shooting for fun or defense or both, and, after shooting both, I would have to say the Mossberg 500.
The 870 is just as reliable, and some say built better, but your going to pay 50-100 extra bucks just for the name Remington to be stamped on it.
I carried a M590A1 (basically US Army issued Mossberg 500) and when I got out the first firearm I bought was a Mossberg 500 Special Purpose, which is a fine choice if you are a fan of synthetic furniture on firearms. I have fired over 1000 rounds through my 500. Everything from high-brass buck, slugs, field loads, flares, dragons breath, flechette, bean bag rounds, bird bombs, you name it, and have never, NEVER had a mis-feed.
Also, in my opinion, the Mossberg 500 is easier to reassemble after cleaning.
The 870 is just as reliable, and some say built better, but your going to pay 50-100 extra bucks just for the name Remington to be stamped on it.
I carried a M590A1 (basically US Army issued Mossberg 500) and when I got out the first firearm I bought was a Mossberg 500 Special Purpose, which is a fine choice if you are a fan of synthetic furniture on firearms. I have fired over 1000 rounds through my 500. Everything from high-brass buck, slugs, field loads, flares, dragons breath, flechette, bean bag rounds, bird bombs, you name it, and have never, NEVER had a mis-feed.
Also, in my opinion, the Mossberg 500 is easier to reassemble after cleaning.
When the "Wingmaster" Model 870 was originally introduced, with its stamped sheet metal parts, it was a smooth-shuckin' lower cost option to older guns like the Winchester Model-12 and the Ithaca Model-37. With 61 years of success, the R-870 has earned the title of the best selling pump shotgun in firearms history.mpd61 said:
After 37-years, remington down graded the Wingmaster's exterior finishes and introduced the "Model 870 Express" to compete in the entry level market. Like the original Wingmaster, the Express has been a very successful. Now, it seems the latest cost effective 870 is an imported version known as the H&R/NEF Pardner Pump.
To those who haven't been following the wild world of mergers and acquisitions, Remington Arms is part of the Freedom Group of Companies (FGC). Marlin is also part of FGC and H&R/NEF is part of Marlin. Perhaps the Pardner Pump is Remington's way of introducing a new imported version of the 870 via the back door.
seansean1444
New member
H&R single shot 20 guage. best gun you will ever get for 130 bucks new. the pardner pump 20 guage is 150 bucks, it isn't that pretty to look at but it is built like a tank
TheKlawMan
Moderator
FWIW I, and while I owned several guns many years past, am a relatvie newbie but after pretty well studying the market I like the Hawk 982, a Remington 870 clone with one major exception. It is basically the same as the H&R Pardner also from the same Chinese manufacturer.
The one big difference seems to be that in order to use a Remington barrel you need a spacer. One trucker made one out of a piece of pvc pipe and painted it black.
It holds 5 2-3/4" in the tube and 1 in the chamber but MAX100, a gunsmith that posts a lot here, sells a 2 round magazine tube extension. They go for just around $200 and come w Ghost Ring Sights.
Here is a link to a review by MAX100. http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f26/norinco-982-pardner-pump-protector-info-review-6488/
The one big difference seems to be that in order to use a Remington barrel you need a spacer. One trucker made one out of a piece of pvc pipe and painted it black.
It holds 5 2-3/4" in the tube and 1 in the chamber but MAX100, a gunsmith that posts a lot here, sells a 2 round magazine tube extension. They go for just around $200 and come w Ghost Ring Sights.
Here is a link to a review by MAX100. http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f26/norinco-982-pardner-pump-protector-info-review-6488/