I need a cheap Skeet/Trap shotgun

Remington 870 express for less than $400 you can change out the barrel or stocks cheap so the can can shoot trap/skeet or what ever.
 
That is a great deal at Bud's for the Beretta AL390 Very solid shotgun. It is a close-out special, too. So once they are gone, that's it.

And at $569, it is hard to argue getting anything else.

Now if you did not mind spending another $130, I know a dealer that has the very latest generation Beretta 391 Urika II shotgun on sale for only $699 That is an outstanding price for a state of the art shotgun. It is two generations newer than the AL390.

Here is a link to the dealer's ad for the shotgun:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=160712308

He has a bunch of these in stock.

.
 
I am liking the 870 more and more. I might buy that, and sell my Mossburg, and pick up the 18" barrel, and can use that as my home defense gun, but also have the longer barrel to sub in for Skeet/Trap.... That might be the all around best idea. But I loose the 9 shots or whatever my mossburg holds.
 
Can't you just get a different barrel for your Mossberg and call it good? Am I mistaken and they don't make any?

Don't get me wrong, I love my 870, but it seems like the gun you have could be modified pretty easily too. I don't know much about Mossbergs but I would think there would be options that way...
 
Since your already used to the Mossberg's controls.

Take a look at the Mossberg 930:

Walnut:

85110.jpg


Black:

85128.jpg


They even make a combo with two barrels that is still under $500...

85325.jpg


They are below $500 and are every bit as good as any of the autoloders metioned so far....
 
Last edited:
oneounceload no problem at all. Like it has been said if you can get a replacement barrel for your Mossberg that would probably be good. You will already be familiar with the gun and be very proficient with all the controls. I would not give my 870 up for anything and do not suggest Mossberg over Remington's very much. Not because of quality or anything like that it is just personal preference so Mossberg fans save your breath or should I say fingers in this situation. If you are looking for a reason to buy another gun than I would suggest a 870. PJR
I frequently read on the Internet about the guys who brag and boast how they humiliate guys with more expensive guns. Read about it often, rarely see it happen at the range.
I never said I humiliate guys with more expensive guns I was just saying that I will shoot as well or better than some guys with high end guns. I do not go out to the trap range and shoot better than everybody. A lot of the guys with high end shotguns are shooting many more clays than me. But there are some that are not. Yes expensive gear has its advantages but not enough to make you a great shooter by just owning it.
 
Bottom line is, you get what you pay for. A quality used over/under with screw in chokes will never lose value if well cared for. In most cases it will be worth more. Yes, the initial investment is more, but should your interests change, sell it and don't lose a dime. There are not alot of toys that hold their value as well as a quality used gun. Gotta warn you though, once you develop a taste for quality guns, its a hard habit to break. I know, I've been an addict for almost 30 years.
 
You're probably better spending some money on ammuntion and targets practicing than buying a new shotgun at this point.

At my range, most, if not all, members will gladly let you use their shotgun if you see one you may like. Try a few and see what tickles your fancy...
 
What is wrong with using a pump? I use a pump all the time and I can can smoke them just as good ( when I hit them) as the other guys... All I use is a Remington 870
 
If you're okay with a pump, try out the Browning BPS Trap. Reasonable price, Browning quality, 30" barrel, and nicely set up for trap.
 
GunsAreGood said:
I frequently read on the Internet about the guys who brag and boast how they humiliate guys with more expensive guns. Read about it often, rarely see it happen at the range.
I never said I humiliate guys with more expensive guns I was just saying that I will shoot as well or better than some guys with high end guns. I do not go out to the trap range and shoot better than everybody. A lot of the guys with high end shotguns are shooting many more clays than me. But there are some that are not. Yes expensive gear has its advantages but not enough to make you a great shooter by just owning it.
You didn't mention how your 870 skeet scores measure up. Most of the clay sports require a quick second shot, and pump guns are not well suited for a quick second shot. The OP wants to know about a skeet/trap gun. His experience is so limited he doesn't yet realize the two sports have different requirements typically calling for two different guns. He's going to be busy enough on the skeet field learning the fundamentals, unnecessarily shucking a pump shouldn't be part of the exercise. To recommend a pump gun for target work other than trap is a disservice.
 
A $300 gun that fits you is much more important than a $1000 gun that doesn't. Since a shotgun has no rear sight you must be able to get your eye to align along the barrel properly. Your size and how you mount the gun are deciding factors in this, so finding a gun you can sight down the barrel comfortably is important.

Some of the big name guns now have shims or adjustable stocks on even there lower grade guns so this isn't necessarily an expensive thing anymore. For example Mossberg makes shims for the 500/590 stock to change the angle of the stock and these are available from places like ebay and brownells for $5-$15

http://www.archerymarket.com/store/product/12684/Mossberg--Custom-Stock-Drop-Spacer-Systm/
 
Last edited:
Zippy makes excellent points about second shots. I have seen a few folks who can work a pump like it's a semi, but those folks are few and far between on the courses I frequent.

Trap singles notwithstanding, a pump CAN be used for skeet, trap doubles, and sporting, although it is, IMO, not the best choice for being successful.

IMO, for sporting, where the two targets tend to be different from each other, I prefer the O/U so I can utilize two different chokes as necessary.

As also mentioned earlier - try as many as you can to see what feels right to you
 
Some good advice here, but let me ask.....

What are your goals?

If it's to end up in the Hall of Fame of either Trap or Skeet, a mission specific shotgun would be the best choice. Most folks like autos or O/Us for this.

Or, if you just want to have fun while getting better as a shotgunner, using a shotgun similar to your defensive tool so the "Chops" are the same and practice with one is practice with the other makes an awful lot of sense.

If you can splatter a pair of clays moving on different trajectories at different speeds with a 500 in very short time frames, hitting larger, slower, closer things that are dangerous with your 590 WHEN IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO DO SO becomes easier.

I use 870s for defense here. I also use them for fun. I've shot thousands of rounds from them at sundry fast things from clays to landfill rats and know the platform like my tongue knows my teeth.

And I have out shot folks with high end shotguns using an 870, just not consistently. And my standard clay shooter these days is a well broken in Beretta O/U.

BTW, the folks with the high end, mission specific gamer guns are rarely snobs.

Mostly, the possession of same doesn't indicate snobbery but commitment...

In your shoes, I'd get a new or used 500 with choke tubes and go wear it out.

HTH....
 
buy a good semi-auto, 1100 have been proven, the 390's are nice and alot of shooters prefer them over the 391's (the real 390's), and the 391's are good guns. The 391's had a few bad years, but for the most part they are the standard in competition (as far as semi's)
Skeet is a game of perfection. there is alot to combine if your planning to be competetive, why complicate your learning process with shucking a pump. Some shooters are naturals but alot of us are not.
You'll be buying all kinds of guns once you start shooting more so you mine as well start with a semi. If you could get a 391 for $699 I'd buy it, ( I own 2 now).
 
Oneounceload

Zippy makes excellent points about second shots. I have seen a few folks who can work a pump like it's a semi, but those folks are few and far between on the courses I frequent.

Trap singles notwithstanding, a pump CAN be used for skeet, trap doubles, and sporting, although it is, IMO, not the best choice for being successful.

You and zippy are completely correct in saying this. I did not consider that he would be shooting skeet and Trap doubles. I only shoot trap with my 870 so that is why I can compete with some of the guys with high end shotguns because I do not need a second shot.

I prefer the O/U so I can utilize two different chokes as necessary.

I agree with this as well.
 
Back
Top