First Shotgun - Your Opinion on 4 Options

T

trimore

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Well after looking all over Tampa and getting down to the wire as I need a shotgun by mid next week....
I have been looking for a deal on used Remington 870 Express, Wingmaster, 1100 or Mossberg 500. I will be using it for skeet, trap, turkey, deer, etc. Needs to be a "jack of most trades".

I have found that most Pawn and gun shops want too much for used when I can buy a new 870 Express for $290 from Walmart. Many places are asking more than new for used. I was hoping to find a used 870 Express or Mossberg 500 for under $200 but no dice.

My rule is generally no more than 60% of new price for a used item and even then it needs to be in good shape.

I am willing to go up to $400 but only if it is a really good value. I don't see the purpose of going up to $400 for a pump though. It does not need to be fancy. The 870 or 500 will obviosly fit the purpose. The $400 limit was really just in case I found a good deal on a semi-auto.

Anyway, this is where I am at

1. New Remington 870 Express from Walmart for $290
2. Used Remington 1100 from a Pawn shop for $399 asking. I would not pay over $350. good to very good condition from the surface. (no testing from the shop)
3. Used Winchester 1300 Ranger Gloss - Used from a gun shop - $240 with a case. Has been test fired and is in very good condition.
4. Used Remington 870 Wingmaster (2 3/4) - Used from a gun shop - $230 - Has been test fired and is in good condition. I think the 2 3/4 limit may be an issue with this gun.

I like spending less money but can be swayed by a good value in the used. Seems alot of people do like the 1100 but it is going to be a little more maintenance and can be an issue with lighter loads. The Winchester seems like a good deal but with the stated MSRP on their site as of $2006 of $391, I am not sure it really is. If they sold for $350, 60% would be $210 + $20 for the case. So it is not too far off. I got excited when I saw the wingmaster at that price but the 2 3/4 limit makes me shy away.

What do you think?
 
You listed a lot of uses - what do you think your PRIMARY use will be? The reason I ask is that if the primary use was targets, the 1100 would be the choice hands-down......if it is HD, or something similar where you're talking about 1 or 2 shots at most, then that opens a different can of worms..........

As to limits of 2-3/4, unless you're talking about a lot of waterfowl hunting, the 2-3/4 will do anything you need it to do
 
For a first gun / versatile gun - I would recommend you stay with a pump gun.

Of the ones you list - I would go with the used Wingmaster. 2 3/4" chamber is not really a problem - you will find a number of magnum shells that are 2 3/4" length ( you don't need a 3" or 3 1/2" gun these days ) with the exception of doing a lot of goose hunting maybe - and then a 3" chamber would be nice to have for a few more shell options.

If you take care of the wingmaster - it'll give you 20 yrs of service with no problems / although personally my pump gun of choice is the Browning BPS hunter model - there is nothing wrong with the Rem Wingmasters. The wingmaster is a lot better gun than the express or mossberg in my opinion.
 
I am somewhat guessing but.

1. skeet, trap, sporting clays
2. bird, duck
3. Turkey
4. Deer (I will probably get a rifle at some soon so this lessens the need for deer use) although that may not be till next year and I could get a chance to deer hunt this year.

As far as HD. I am not going to get a short barrel at this point for HD use. I have 5 kids at home too....
 
OneOunce is right - the 1100 is a good gun / they've been very strong for many years - but I still don't think you will go wrong with a good pump gun.

But the 1100 / or any semi-auto will give you a little better edge for Skeet and Sporting Clays ( for those 2 shot pairs ) over a pump gun.

I can cycle my pump guns as fast as a semi-auto / but the trick is you have to be able to hold the gun on your shoulder / and cycle the action without bringing the gun down from your face ...... if you shoot, drop the gun down, cycle it, remount the gun, you'll be a little slow ( not impossible to do it ) but not the optimum.

Pump gun is no disadvantage for Trap of course ...( unless you shoot continental - where you can take 2 shots / or doubles ).
 
Well, I just got a little more info on the 1100. It is 2 3/4 only and not threaded for chokes. That make it less of an appeal at the asking for $399
 
The 1100 that the pawn shop has can probably be had for $275, or thereabouts. The shop will still make over $100 at that price. The usual formula for a pawned item is 1/3 of the retail tag price, or less. Do a bit of haggling and you'll have a good gun.

A 2 3/4" chambered gun will do pertnear anything you need done. A plus for the Remington is that any gunsmith will have parts for it. I have several 3" guns but have never fired a 3" load in any of them.
 
To be really versatile - for what you need for Trap I'd recommend a Mod choke, for Skeet a Skeet or IC choke, for sporting clays you can get by with an IC or Mod but every course is different...

Depending on what choke is in the 1100 - if its Mod / leave it as is. Or you could have someone hone it out to something between an IC and Mod and maybe get away with it ( by altering your shells from 1 oz of 9's - to 1 1/8 oz of 7 1/2's ) and loosen up or tighten up the pattern a little that way.

Screw in chokes would be better - and you can get another barrel for around $ 300 probably / or send it to someone like Briley to have chokes cut into it. But that is why the 1100 was such a good deal..

If the Wingmaster is the same issue / same thing there ... so maybe a new gun with screw in chokes is where you need to be ...
 
Thanks for all the help.

I think I am starting to lean toward the Wingmaster. The shop put its time around '90 but it does not show it.

The wingmaster is a modified barrel. I can get a new barrel if need be but the price for this one seems really good.

I like the price at $232. Better than a 870 express and it is a Wingmaster. Much research has said the older ones are better anyway.

At that price, I have some money left over for a case, lock and ammo. :)
 
In my opinion, the Rem 1100 would be my first choice . those shotguns are the standard by which other semi autos are measured as far as i'm concerned.
 
I recomend the Wing Master. I bought mine over 14 years ago and it has not failed me once. It is easy to maintain. Can be taken complely apart with the minimal of tool. Acessories are plentiful. They come with replacement chokes. Barrel changes are quick and easy. Few other shotguns offer as much versatility as the 870 at the price it is offed at. Mine is as good as many that cost 4 times what it does. It does the job and does it well. I have hunted deer, turkey, dove, phesant, quail, hogs, and ducks all with the same shotgun. I shoot traps with mine and have no trouble with shooting doubles at all. It sights quickly and has very managable recoil due to the factory recoil pad. It is hard to go wrong with one.
 
I also forgot to mention that the Wing Master has interchangable choke tubes, and comes with a choke wrench. There are tons of offerings for chokes for it.
 
I wish I had found a Wingmaster for that price when I was looking for a shotgun!

I killed my first shotgun (Mossy 500) with heavy loads.... it goes bang most of the time when the trigger is pulled, making it unsuitable for trap, HD or hunting.

I have an 870 and a Win 1200 now..... they work.
 
If this wingmaster had interchangable chokes I would have bought it today. At the moment, I am hesitant for this reason and that it is limited to 2 3/4.

Once I buy a new barrel with chokes, I think i would be up to the price that i might be able to get one that already has chokes.
 
BPS

While your at it add Browning BPS to your lineup. I just picked one up from GB for $256 + shipping. It rivals the guns you've mentioned and some would say surpasses them.
 
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Modified will work for trap, most upland hunting, will work for slugs, even for non-tox for waterfowl. It will be a tad tight for skeet. It MIGHT be a tad tight for some or most 5-stand/sporting clays but is still very usable.

Personally, I believe the goods outweigh the bads in this case, YMMV
 
For all the things you want to do with one shotgun. If it was me I would go with an 1100 with 28" barrel and choke tubes. For 16 yard trap you need a mod. or full choke,for skeet Imp cly or skeet choke, Turkey full, deer Imp cly. You can shoot skeet with a pump but you will be severely handicapped on the doubles:)
 
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