first shotgun...for fun range, recreational use?

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

Over this last summer, I got into the hobby of the shooting sports. NEVER
had I shot before in my life. Now, I completed the NRA Basic Pistol course
and have purchased 2 revolvers and 1 9mm semi auto.

Now, I got the but to purchase my first shotgun. This shotgun, along with
my handguns, is strictly for fun range shooting and maybe I will get into some
fun competion on day.

The shotgun WILL NOT be used for hunting....just the range and worst case
for self defense, although I live in a condo, so my handguns would seem to
be the more practical choice for self defense.

Anyway, which shotgun would be appropriate for me as a beginner?? The two
that come mind immediately are the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500.

By the way, I am a LEFTY shooter and I know Remington has a 870 model
designed for LEFTY shooters.

I would appreciate your thoughts and advice.


Thanks
 
You say fun shooting, are you talking about trap/skeet/sporting clays? How many rounds a year. How much $$ do you want to spend.
 
Go with a Remington Wingmaster, they can be found on the used market for just a little more than a Express model. The Wingmaster a far better gun.

I am also left handed but the shells comming from my Browning A5 or the Franchi AL48 don't bother me.

If you think ejection from the right side will bother you then look at a Browning BPS or a Ithaca Model 37. Bottom eject and bottom load.

As far as safety's go there are left hand safety's that can be fitted t the gun of choice.
The Mossberg has the safety mounted on to of the grip, for me it is a unatural movement as your grip on the gun is changed.

And some people install the pistol grips on the Mossberg, how does one operate the safety then?

It is easier to just move the trigger finger a half inch from safety to trigger.
 
theres nothing really wrong with the pumps you mention but if you do much clay shooting you will probably want a semi auto might look at the mossberg 930 , stoeger 2000 , weatherby sa-08 are around that price range if you can spend a little more maybe look at beretta.
 
With a $500 budget, you will be looking at a used gun. You can buy a lot of gun for $500 on the used market, just have to look for a good deal.
 
nodule said:
Are Remington, Mossberg and Stoeger shotguns still all made in the USA?
Click to expand...
Remington - Yes
Mossberg - Yes
Mossberg International - No
Stoeger - No (Brazil or Turkey, depending on the model)


Take a look at the Mossberg 930, too...
 
Stouger seems to be good. I've read mixed reviews on the Internet, but my personal experience has been good. The over and unders are great. Another option is a used Winchester pump. They can be had for around $250-$350. Another option would be a Marlin Goosegun. They can be had used for $200-$300. They are great guns too.
 
Check out the newer model winchester sxp black shadow pump gun. They can be had for under 400 NIB and are amazing shotguns. They come with 3 chokes. The gun uses the invector plus choke system. Highly reccomended gun.

Only down fall.....made in turkey....:mad:
 
BPS pump works well for LH shooters as it shucks out the bottom. Pumps are a handicap for any clay game with double targets, as working the pump tends to pull you off the target line, whereas a semi, (used), might work for you
 
I would go along with those who suggested a Mossberg 930. It can be had new around your budget.

It's true that there are good used guns out there, but if you're new to shotguns, it can be hard to know what to look for.

As a gas-operated semi-auto, the 930 will tend to have less felt recoil than a pump or an inertia-based semi-auto like the Stoegers.

I shoot lefty and I prefer the ambidextrous safety on Mossbergs over those on other guns. Shells ejecting to the right have never bothered me, if you're focused on the target like you should be, you won't even notice the hulls.

Remington 11-87s are worth considering too, but I wouldn't say they're any better than the 930 and they cost a bit more.

If you can, try some different guns if you know some people who will let you shoot them. Some guns will fit you better than others and you may find you have more success with one type or another.
 
I concur with my friend, 1-oz. For anything other trap singles, a pump gun will quickly become a burden. I was in your shoes almost 50-years and bought a 20-ga pump, as my first shotgun, and soon regretted it -- wrong gun, wrong gauge.
 
Weatherby PA-08

Just bought one at Dick's Sporting Goods for $289.97 and the MSRP is now $449. It swings surprisingly well and balances better than the current 870 Rem and 500 Mossberg. 6.5 pounds with chrome bolt and barrel
:cool:
 

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You mentioned Home Defense and that you have pistols. Ask the more experienced guys about whether you want to use a shotgun or a pistol for home defense. I believe that if you live in a condo you may wish to go with a shotgun so as to avoid overpenetration.

If you are going to use a shotgun for HD, some want a short barrel, but you need a long barrel for clay sports. For a year I went with a Remington 870 with a short and a long barrel.

Some feel a long barrel shotgun is fine for HD as long as your plan is to hole up in a safe room or bedroom until police arrive. A long barrel is a poor choice for clearing a house, but I think clearing a house is a poor choice as it is something best left up to law enforcement.

As for clays, like Zippy says, a pump is a poor choice for anything but singles trap.

If you go with a used 1100, get one with screw in chokes. You will also find that semis have less felt recoil.
 
There's one that no one mentioned yet, the Ithaca Model 37 pump. The Browning BPS is a copy of the Ithaca.

Itaca's can be had on the used market in the $300 to $500 range depending on condition and grade of stocks.
 
The Browning BPS is a copy of the Ithaca.
Click to expand...

Close, but not totally correct. They do share the same basic design of a bottom shucker, but typically the 37 will weigh upwards of a pound less, therefore recoil will be more severe. Up until, IIRC, 1973 or so, the barrels were not interchangeable as they were hand-fitted to each receiver. Spare parts for some of the older might be iffy if the reborn company doesn't have them in stock and has to make them to fit. The lightweight will work great for hunting, but will pound you for clays. The BPS weighs more, is current production, and, IMO, better made
 
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