I am set on buying a pump shotgun. I've been looking at Remingtons and Mossbergs online, but am open to other brands as well. This would be a home defense, trap, SHTF, and all-purpose gun. What is a good compromise length for me? I wouldn't want to have to be swinging a 28" barrel around indoors. Would I be able to hit a trap clay pigeon with an 18" or 20" barrel? I would like to have decent capacity like 5+1 or more. I prefer, but am not stuck on, wood furniture on the gun (just for aesthetics). Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Looking for a first pump shotgun
- Thread starter Lunker
- Start date
Benelli Nova punp
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_nova_pump.php
click around. its got a lot of options. and its got swappable barrelsshort for HD, long for clay.
and yes, provided you have the right choke on, you can hit clay with 18" and 20" barrels
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_nova_pump.php
click around. its got a lot of options. and its got swappable barrelsshort for HD, long for clay.
and yes, provided you have the right choke on, you can hit clay with 18" and 20" barrels
Shpadoinkel
Inactive
I recommend you look at the H&R Pardner Pump brand as well.* I recently purchased a Pardner Protector for HD ($200) and couldn't be happier. It's an 18.5" barrel, fixed I/C choke. I can't answer your skeet/trap question, and I actually wouldn't mind knowing myself, but for my situation (dedicated HD gun), the Protector was the perfect answer for me. For the price, you can actually get the Pardner HD gun AND a Pardner field gun for the same price as a Rem 870 with an extra barrel.
Mossberg has a pretty good combo set with a short HD barrel and longer field barrel. And you can always get a Remington 870 and purchase a second barrel so it can do double duty as well. Just depends on how much you want to spend. I believe the Mossberg combo is considerably cheaper than the Rem 870 option, but I could be wrong on that.
Try all the brands you're considering if at all possible. See what works best for you. Good luck and have fun.
*If your a "Buy Amerkin'!" type, don't bother even looking into this option. Some of the parts are machined in China and then shipped back here and assembled in the US and sold from a well-known American gun manufacturer. This upsets some, to the point of calling it junk. Despite the 1,000's of positive hands-on performance reviews and the lack of any notable performance negatives (no matter how hard I try to find them).
Mossberg has a pretty good combo set with a short HD barrel and longer field barrel. And you can always get a Remington 870 and purchase a second barrel so it can do double duty as well. Just depends on how much you want to spend. I believe the Mossberg combo is considerably cheaper than the Rem 870 option, but I could be wrong on that.
Try all the brands you're considering if at all possible. See what works best for you. Good luck and have fun.
*If your a "Buy Amerkin'!" type, don't bother even looking into this option. Some of the parts are machined in China and then shipped back here and assembled in the US and sold from a well-known American gun manufacturer. This upsets some, to the point of calling it junk. Despite the 1,000's of positive hands-on performance reviews and the lack of any notable performance negatives (no matter how hard I try to find them).
Evan Thomas
Inactive
You don't have to compromise...
Both Mossberg and Remington offer combo packages with two barrels, e.g. an 18.5" (suitable for HD), and a 28" (suitable for trap, etc.). These are a much better deal than buying the second barrel separately. And it's absurdly easy to swap barrels.
There's not much to choose, IMHO, between the Moss. 500 and Rem. 870, which are sort of the standard basic pump guns. (Which doesn't prevent endless arguments, of course.
) The overall quality of the 870 is maybe a tad better -- at least it feels tighter to me -- but the locations of the safety and slide release are, I think, better on on the 500.
Wood furniture on either will likely be a better deal than synthetic, 'cause everything "tactical" is ever so fashionable right now...
Both Mossberg and Remington offer combo packages with two barrels, e.g. an 18.5" (suitable for HD), and a 28" (suitable for trap, etc.). These are a much better deal than buying the second barrel separately. And it's absurdly easy to swap barrels.
There's not much to choose, IMHO, between the Moss. 500 and Rem. 870, which are sort of the standard basic pump guns. (Which doesn't prevent endless arguments, of course.
) The overall quality of the 870 is maybe a tad better -- at least it feels tighter to me -- but the locations of the safety and slide release are, I think, better on on the 500.Wood furniture on either will likely be a better deal than synthetic, 'cause everything "tactical" is ever so fashionable right now...
The combos are probably your least expensive option - and on the lower price end I would go with the 870.
But a better pump gun, in my opinion, is the Browning BPS - its cast neutral so ok for lefties or right handed shooters, ejects out of the bottom, safety is on top of receiver - easy to reach. I would not suggest you shoot Trap with anything shorter than a 28" barrel - if you want any kind of consistency in your scores.
I like the Browning BPS Hunter model with a 28" barrel.
Its my opinion that the need for a pure "fighting" weapon is overblown / and that any good pump gun could be used for "defense" if it was needed. My first line of defense is a handgun - not a shotgun / but I wouldn't hesitate to grab a 28" pump gun if I needed it for home defense. I think you'll get more use for your money with a good pump gun and a 28" barrel and screw in chokes than any kind of a pure "fighting" shotgun - but you should buy what you want .
But a better pump gun, in my opinion, is the Browning BPS - its cast neutral so ok for lefties or right handed shooters, ejects out of the bottom, safety is on top of receiver - easy to reach. I would not suggest you shoot Trap with anything shorter than a 28" barrel - if you want any kind of consistency in your scores.
I like the Browning BPS Hunter model with a 28" barrel.
Its my opinion that the need for a pure "fighting" weapon is overblown / and that any good pump gun could be used for "defense" if it was needed. My first line of defense is a handgun - not a shotgun / but I wouldn't hesitate to grab a 28" pump gun if I needed it for home defense. I think you'll get more use for your money with a good pump gun and a 28" barrel and screw in chokes than any kind of a pure "fighting" shotgun - but you should buy what you want .
the rifleer
New member
Ive said it before and i'll say it again, get a Mossberg 500 with a combo. I got a 20 gauge with a 18'' barrel and a 26'' barrel for $219 at big 5.
Its a fantastic shotgun and will work when you need it to. It also has a higher stock magazine capacity that the 870.
Its a fantastic shotgun and will work when you need it to. It also has a higher stock magazine capacity that the 870.
oneounceload
Moderator
Capacity isn't an issue for clay target shooting - max of two in the gun. Federal birds like ducks and dove max three in the gun SHTF - no magazine is big enough. I second BigJim - 28" minimum for trap/skeet to get consistent scores. Both Remington and Mossberg offer either combos or extra barrels so you can get a short one for HD and use the longer one for targets and birds
Mossberg or reminton on the lower end... Look at where the gun was made...
Why buy a chinese knockoff that costs as much or more than an american gun? The barrels don't inter change with the model they ripped off so you are limited. The chinese have never made any thing BETTER and if it ain't half the price it ain't worth risking it. I wouldn't spend 50 dollars for a chinese gun of any variety... INCLUDING AIR RIFLES!
Brent
Why buy a chinese knockoff that costs as much or more than an american gun? The barrels don't inter change with the model they ripped off so you are limited. The chinese have never made any thing BETTER and if it ain't half the price it ain't worth risking it. I wouldn't spend 50 dollars for a chinese gun of any variety... INCLUDING AIR RIFLES!
Brent
COYOTE JLR
New member
I would say go with a Mossberg combo set up. My first shotgun was a Mossberg 500 and I loved and still love that gun. Its been replaced out in the field, but I still love taking it out occasionally and I can shoot clays just as well as my buddies with SBEIIs. They're great guns and I've never had a problem with them.
I would caution you about choosing a Benelli Nova or Supernova. They're awesome guns, but far pricier and the barrels run for a few hundred bucks or more. If you've got the money then I would say you couldn't go wrong with either one. I love and use my Supernova all the time and I would say (for me at least) its the best pump currently on the market. And the recoil is definitely lighter than on a Mossberg or Remington.
I'll admit that I've never been a big fan of Remington shotguns, but I know plenty of people who are. You should give those a try too.
I think the most important thing to consider is how each gun fits you. If you have the chance try and shoot all of the shotguns you're interested in and see which one you shoot better and feels more natural to you. If you can't do that then go to a gun store and at least shoulder them to find which you like best. Fit will be the most important thing for you. Everyone here can give their opinions and personal experiences, but only you know which one will feel right.
I would caution you about choosing a Benelli Nova or Supernova. They're awesome guns, but far pricier and the barrels run for a few hundred bucks or more. If you've got the money then I would say you couldn't go wrong with either one. I love and use my Supernova all the time and I would say (for me at least) its the best pump currently on the market. And the recoil is definitely lighter than on a Mossberg or Remington.
I'll admit that I've never been a big fan of Remington shotguns, but I know plenty of people who are. You should give those a try too.
I think the most important thing to consider is how each gun fits you. If you have the chance try and shoot all of the shotguns you're interested in and see which one you shoot better and feels more natural to you. If you can't do that then go to a gun store and at least shoulder them to find which you like best. Fit will be the most important thing for you. Everyone here can give their opinions and personal experiences, but only you know which one will feel right.
Shpadoinkel
Inactive
Don't mind hogdogs, he ate a bad eggroll.
But in all seriousness... buy what fits you, as well as your budget, the best. Try as many as you can. And don't be so close-minded as to reject a brand because of the origin of some of it's parts (Benelli's are great guns and they aren't made here). Read as many hands-on reviews as you can. If it's an option, ask your friends and family what they like best.
But in all seriousness... buy what fits you, as well as your budget, the best. Try as many as you can. And don't be so close-minded as to reject a brand because of the origin of some of it's parts (Benelli's are great guns and they aren't made here). Read as many hands-on reviews as you can. If it's an option, ask your friends and family what they like best.
I am under the impression that the pardner is 100% chinese made. May be put together here (I doubt that tho) but still chinese guns. Italian and high end turkish are much more likely to be good compared to any thing made by an $.08 per hour 13 year old girl...
Specially after her shift is in the 12th hour or more.
Brent
Specially after her shift is in the 12th hour or more.
Brent
Shpadoinkel
Inactive
This will be my last post in this topic as Lunker was simply asking for opinions on what pump shotgun to purchase, not asking where everyone stands on the pro-US/anti-Chinese front. I only have myself to blame, it's my fault for suggesting a well-made gun when he/she mentioned being open to brands other than Moss and Rem.
hogdogs:
Max100 would be a better person to answer the origin questions you have about the Pardner line. I have a feeling we're both a bit wrong.
And I'd love to know where you can get a NIB "American" gun (apples to apples) for the same or less than a Pardner. And I'm not be sarcastic at all.
hogdogs:
Max100 would be a better person to answer the origin questions you have about the Pardner line. I have a feeling we're both a bit wrong.
And I'd love to know where you can get a NIB "American" gun (apples to apples) for the same or less than a Pardner. And I'm not be sarcastic at all.
Bad egg rolls or not - HogDogs is right .... if its made in China its crap / and that goes for shotguns, tools and auto parts .....in my opinion.
I'm not a big fan of Italian craftmanship - but comparing a Benelli, made in Italy, to that junk made in China is like comparing a good steak to cheap smelly cat food ...
When it comes to guns, I think you get what you pay for / you might find plastic trigger guards on cheaper models, poor steel, etc - a Benelli Nova isn't overpriced / anymore than the top of the line Rem 870 Wingmaster is overpriced - they're both good values. $ 500 - $ 600 is not much money to pay for a decent shotgun .....but buy what you like, what feels good to you and what you can afford.
In a pump gun - for me, its a BPS Hunter like I said - list price right now is $ 579 / its a great deal for a classic pump gun.....
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=211
I'm not a big fan of Italian craftmanship - but comparing a Benelli, made in Italy, to that junk made in China is like comparing a good steak to cheap smelly cat food ...
When it comes to guns, I think you get what you pay for / you might find plastic trigger guards on cheaper models, poor steel, etc - a Benelli Nova isn't overpriced / anymore than the top of the line Rem 870 Wingmaster is overpriced - they're both good values. $ 500 - $ 600 is not much money to pay for a decent shotgun .....but buy what you like, what feels good to you and what you can afford.
In a pump gun - for me, its a BPS Hunter like I said - list price right now is $ 579 / its a great deal for a classic pump gun.....
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=211
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_350/products_id/89140
$203
Chinese with limited barrel selection.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46019
$270 Mossberg american made.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_64/products_id/95569
$316 for the wood american made.
Both the Mossberg and Remington have threaded barrels for chokes.
Maverick 88...
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42608
$193 for a threaded barrel. Synthetic. But for 40 bucks you can buy new walnut stocks.
These prices at buds are higher than walmart for both the Maverick and Mossberg...
I am not going to tell anyone what to buy but will share the knowledge I have. The chinese have a horrid reputation in manufacturing quality products...
Brent
$203
Chinese with limited barrel selection.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/46019
$270 Mossberg american made.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_64/products_id/95569
$316 for the wood american made.
Both the Mossberg and Remington have threaded barrels for chokes.
Maverick 88...
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/42608
$193 for a threaded barrel. Synthetic. But for 40 bucks you can buy new walnut stocks.
These prices at buds are higher than walmart for both the Maverick and Mossberg...
I am not going to tell anyone what to buy but will share the knowledge I have. The chinese have a horrid reputation in manufacturing quality products...
Brent
My personal choices in order of preference
870
Nova
Browning BPS
Mossberg
While I like the 870 best, I could live with any of the others. Winchester, Ithica and others made good guns but since they are no longer in production I would not recommend them. I don't see where the Chinese made guns offer any advantages over the 4 above.
870
Nova
Browning BPS
Mossberg
While I like the 870 best, I could live with any of the others. Winchester, Ithica and others made good guns but since they are no longer in production I would not recommend them. I don't see where the Chinese made guns offer any advantages over the 4 above.
Evan Thomas
Inactive
Mmm-hmm...
My father (who wasn't a tool guy) bought a made-in-China hammer at one point. I tried to use it once, and the head of the nail dented the face of the hammer...
I'd stay away from Chinese-made guns, m'self.
COYOTE JLR
New member
I'm not going to get into the American vs non-American made argument. I would however strongly caution you against the Pardner pump. My friend purchased one and the internals bent and made the gun inoperable when he tried to eject a shell. I was standing right there with him and he didn't do anything wrong to warrant such a thing.