Looking for first pump shotgun.

M

microman

New member
I am looking for some advice as I know very little about shotguns
but, have been really wanting to get a 12 gauge pump for sometime
now.

From what I have read online I have been leaning towards the
partner pump for price and due to it being close to the Remington
870 in some features. This will mostly be a fun range gun for myself.

Is this an ok starter shotgun or should I look into the Mossberg 500
or Remington 870? I read somewhere the 870 had some rust issues?
That spooked me a little. Just want something that will last me.

Open for any and all suggestions. I prefer to buy new rather than
used though.

Thanks micro
 
Maybe look into the maverick 88 by mossberg. It's basically the same exact gun as the 500 except for two things: about 250-300 bucks, and the 500 has two arms on the pump mechanism where the maverick has one. All of the after market accessories and barrells are compatible, and reliability is virtually the same.
 
I bought a Mossberg 500 at Dick's sporting goods came with 2 barrels 1 was smooth bore and the other one was rifled payed $350 for it. I hunt and trap shoot with it but now got a Saiga 12 that cost about $500. semi auto
 
I would get the mossberg 500, 535, or 835 for may reasons. IMO they are built to last better than the express 870. They shoot great and wont break the bank. If you want to go with a 870 id get the wingmaster model but it is slightly more pricey but worth it.
 
I have a Mossberg Maverick M88 and its great, the only difference between the 500 and M88 is the safety placement and forearm. The forearm does not have a slide action tube like the 500, but you can buy one and they are interchangeable. Dicks sells them for 209 (according to their book i looked yesterday) the NEF pardoner is the same price. I say pick the one that feels the best, and if you don't want to spend too much the M88 or Pardoner are great!! IDK if the Pardoner is interchangeable with aftermarket parts for the 870 but the M88 and 500 are the same with a different safety.
 
Like a pair of new shoes, the shotgunning experience is much nicer if the fit is correct. Don't base your shotgun selection on what you see in catalogs or read about on-line. Instead, get yourself out to a gun club and beg, borrow or rent some guns to get in some trigger time. There is a basic ergonomic difference between the Remingtons and Mossberg. The Mossberg's safety may be more conveniently located than the Remington's; but, one doesn't use a safety at the range (your intended use).

Realizing that a pump is at a disadvantage when shooting doubles, you'll want the fastest cycling pump available. Avoid a Super Mag with a 3-1/2" capacity, and to some extent a magnum with a 3" chamber. For a range pump gun, look for a gun with fast shucking 2-3/4" chamber. Sadly, these days pumps are marketed for general purpose work and there aren't any short chamber guns generally available. Many new gun buyers a sold a bill of goods that a gun pump with a longer chamber is better -- no one mentions that they are also slower.

I agree with pabuckslayer08 about the Model 870 Wingmaster being preferred. I'd choose a used Wingmaster (with a 2 3/4" chamber) over a new Express or Mossberg. If you decide to upgrade in the future, the Wingmaster will be worth much more than a Chinese imitation of the Express.
 
Welcome,Microman.

Try both the Mossberg and the Remington. Pick the one that feels best.

The Chinese clones may or may not be good choices, they haven't had time to get a track record going. The 500 and 870 do, and many used examples of both are out there for about the same money as a new clone.

HTH....
 
I love both the Remington 870 and Mossberg. I own the 590 Special Purpose Persuader and 870 Wingmaster. I sort of like the Mossberg better due to the location of the safety and the shell lifter sits flush with the bolt when the action is closed making it easier to reload. My Mossberg also holds 9 rounds while the 870 only holds 5! Both of them are proven designs, just comes down to what fits you better and certain features you may want.

IMGP0347.jpg


Mossberg 590

870Wingmaster.jpg


Remington 870 Wingmaster
 
Maverick 88 vs Mossberg 500

I have had a Maverick 88 for a couple of years. It does have double bars on the pump, some of the older models only had a single bar. The only difference between the 88 and the 500 is the safety. I just purchased a Mossberg 535 which like the 500 has the safety located on the stock where you grip it. To me this is a much more natural position for a safety especially if you are hunting. Also would work with either a right or left handed shooter. Either one is a good gun, not fancy, just a good workman's gun. The Mavrick has a 1 or 2 yr. warranty where the 500 has a 10 year warranty. As far as costs, Walmart where I live sells the Maverick for around $ 190.00 and the 500 for around $ 230.00

Good luck.
John
 
*cough*NEF Protector*cough*

The 500/590 is cool too. One thing not mentioned in the previous post is that the forend and action bars on the Maverick are one piece. They cannot be separated.
 
We have zero information about what the OP wants to do with this shotgun!!!!! So, what do you want to do with it? Put in the closet for home defense? Shoot clays? Hunt game? How much are you willing to spend on a shotgun?

I personally own a 870, have a 26" barrel for clays and a 18" barrel for home defense. My coworker made the mistake of buying a Mossberg 590A1 and tried taking it to the sporting clays club. They wouldn't even let him shoot a round with it. Because there are no "sporting barrels" for it, his $600 590A1 basically sits in the closet unused. That's something a much cheaper shotgun could have accomplished.

I'm a big fan of the 870. Its cheap, its reliable, and there is a ton of aftermarket for it. Mine is a joy to own and shoot. I'm not gonna sit here and say the 870 is the end all of shotguns, cause its not. For the price its a nice reliable and proven pump. Mossberg's 500's rub me the wrong way... they just feel cheap (cheaper than the 870). The 590A1 is built like a tank, but its a unitasker. If you are looking for a cheap used home defense pump, I would also keep an eye out for a Winchester 1300 Defender!
 
SirSloop. I may be wrong, but believe that Zippy13 indicated that a Maverick barrel will fit a Mossberg 590A1. Here is a link http://www.maverickarms.com/pages/barrels.htm

Scroll to the bottome and check out sku# 90241 for $133. My apologies to Zippy if I am wrong and misattributed this info to him. If it is correct, though, forget Zippy and your buddy owes me a beer.
 
Hey if that works, killer. I'll tell my coworker tomorrow at work and in a couple weeks we'll take it out to the sporting clay range ;)
 
Spyderdude,
IMHO, What you have is modern muskets, not shotguns. :rolleyes: Of course, there's hope for your Wingmaster with a different barrel. :)

SirSloop,
PM sent.
 
Mossberg 500 over the Remington 870 Because:

(1) Location of the saftey and slide release on the 500.
(2) 1 extra round in the 500 factory mag.
(3) 500 shell elevator does not get in the way when loading.
(4) Duel shell extractors on the 500.
(5) 500 quality is just as good or better than the 870 and costs less.
 
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