Firearms Rookie Looking to Buy a Shotgun...

[darkgael]

multi

been looking at the mossberg 500s. This won't just be for home defense, I enjoy shooting clays as well.

Get a shotgun that you can use for more than HD.......in fact, even though you may train for the "tactical" use, chances are very strong that you will never use the gun for that purpose. Don't get me wrong....I'm not devaluing HD and training (right now, there's a shotgun next to the door, loaded and ready) but you are more apt to use the gun for hunting or for the clay games than HD (with any luck at all).
All my shotguns are sporting guns, no tactical, because that is what I do most - hunt and shoot at clay pigeons. If I ever do need to defend my home, I have no doubt that the guns that I own will serve me well. ( that SG by the door....it's an O/U).
Pete

 

[adauria]

I am a complete newbie (is this my first post? I think so). I went through a similar decision process, looking for a gun for HD. In the end, I went with the Mossberg 500. So far so good, but I have yet to do much with it.

I've scheduled for some training next month (NRA Shotgun Basics course), and I'll see where I go from there. I think I'd like to try some target shooting or similar. I don't expect it to become a major hobby, but if the time comes when I need it, it's there and I know how to use it.

Why did I go Mossberg 500 instead of Remington 870? I just asked a lot of folks, and Mossberg came back more often. In the end, I don't think it is huge issue to go either way. Both are time-tested, reliable, widely available, and affordable. Both have lots of options and accessories. I think you can't go wrong here.

But then again, what do I know?

-Andrew

 

[JNewell]

It is actually not possible to make a bad decision among those three. People should choose the one that has ergos they like and a price they can live with. Personally, I've owned Mossbergs and hated the safety because I had to break my grip to use it. Maybe I'm a klutz, maybe you'll love it? Too many electrons are wasted and yarns spun on the Remington/Mossberg issue. The truth is, you'd have to work hard to find an American pump action shotgun design that wasn't at least very good, and nearly all of them are actually excellent.

I'm actually in a similar position. I'm a long-time gun enthusiast, but have limited my shooting to pistols and rifles. I'm only recently getting interested in shotguns, and looking to purchase one of my very own here in a week or two.

From what I can tell, there are a number of "entry level" shotguns that each have their own (fiercly loyal) following. The three I narrowed my search down to are:

Mossberg 500
Remington 870
Benelli Nova

I've shot all three, and personally I really like the Remington and the Benelli. In the end, I have chosen the Benelli Nova pump, 12ga with a 28" barrel in matte black. It is under $400 and accepts multiple cartridge sizes up to 3-1/2", can be fitted with a smoothbore or a rifled slug barrel, and there's five different choke profiles provided by Benelli to get you exactly the pattern you desire. There are also a variety of affordable accessories available, including a +2 tube extension, recoil pads, and rifle-esque ghost ring rear, blade front sight.

The Remington is a fine gun, but the Benelli just handles better for me, just like the Remington 700 handles better for me than most .30-06 rifles. Check 'em out and see what works for you.

From what I've read guys who shoot autoloaders generally prefer 24"-26" barrels, as they have a longer receiver. But you should handle multiple barrel lengths to see which you are able to swing better.

To stir the pot, however, over/under (O/U) shotguns are a lot of fun!

 

[oneounceload]

For a basic jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none gun, the American pump stands alone. It will do an adequate job in a variety of scenarios, but there are better guns in each scenario. However, if budgets are tight (and most of ours are these days), and only one gun is on the menu at the moment that has to cover the HD/SD, hunting, clays role, a pump will do. Of the several (??5??) major players, get the one that fits you the closest and best.

 

[Smallgame2100]

My maverick 88 (mossberg 500) feels best in MY hands for home defense. Hold both, get a feel for both. Whatever you think feels better is what you should get.

 

[noyes]

The extra fore-end lenght may be useful

 

[LanceOregon]

The CZ Utility easily beat out the more expensive Mossberg 930 in a comparative review of the two shotguns in just about every way imaginable. Check it out here:

http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/21_9/features/Self-Defense-Semiatomatic-Shotguns5747-1.html

The CZ 712 Utility is quite affordable: Only $432 at Bud's Gunshop.com:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_871/products_id/59707
.

You can find them for even less on gunbroker.com This dealer is selling the shotgun for only $399:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=179861927

It is a quality gun, despite the low price. The chamber and barrel are both chrome plated, and the bolt is chromed as well.

.

The gun comes with a full set of 5 different stainless choke tubes too, unlike some self-defense shotguns that just have a fixed cylinder choke.

.

So for just a little more money than what a pump gun will cost, you can get a reliable semiauto shotgun that will have far less recoil. You will be able to fire much faster and with better accuracy than you could with a pump, due to the slower speed and heavier recoil of a pump action shotgun.

 

[Hoskins]

Remington, Benneli, or Mossberg, either one is a great choice. The USMC for the longest time had both the Rem 870 & the Moss 500 in 12 ga. We currently use the Benneli M1014 semi Auto as well. The 870's are still around the Corps in some units, but the main shotguns we use are the Benneli's & Mossberg 500. I fancy a Mossberg myself in pump action. I own a Mossberg 835, 535, & 88 maveric in 12 ga. I also own (2) 500 20 gauges...one is standard & the other is a youth model.

Pumps to me offer that distinctive racking noise that in itself would scare the crap out of any bad guy...plus it is a bit more reliable being that it is manually operated...just personal prefrence.

Any shot gun that fires will serve you right, my suggestion is to look around, pick em up, paly around with em, work the actions, & pick out what feels good to you.

Ammo, well 00 or 000 Buckshot will definately bring em down...but most any shotgun round at close range is gonna be devistating! I preferr 00 or 000 Buck for defense. All my shotguns are your typical "hunting" shotguns...but they kill \/defend just as good as a "Tac'd out" shotgun. Whatever is comfortable in your hands is what I suggest you get.

 

[booker_t]

I executed on my decision.. purchased a Benelli Nova Pump. It has a 28" barrel, 4+1 capacity, and is the black synthetic model. Bright red front sight with a bead on the spine. It points quite well, but is heavy. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone under 170lbs or shorter than 5'8".

The one I got was used, but I don't know where. It's nearly pristine. No dirt or signs of outdoor exposure. There is some very minor surface rust in a couple spots on the barrel and rib that I need to address, but it's hardly a concern. The bore is mirror smooth and clean, not a single scratch or scuff. The bolt face is nearly new, it doesn't even have the beginnings of the ring that shotgun shell hulls will create after 100-200 rounds have been fired. The trigger is crisp to break, but I'm not used to the weight or length of travel, so that'll take a bit of practice.

MSRP as of this writing is in the $400-425 range. Got this one out the door for $318 including tax, and the seller provided a very nice sock with drawstring to carry it out in although it'll go in a hard Pelican case soon. I'm very happy with the transaction.

Hopefully get to the range this weekend and shoot some standard Remington target loads I picked up last week. Once I do, I'll try to write a shotgun-newcommer oriented range review.

 

[zippy13]

booker_t, congratulations on your purchase, it should give you many years of enjoyable service. Not to worry, the weight issue is relative and you'll soon appreciate the smoother swing and reduced kick it delivers.