Something on another thread got me going....
Some of us have the fancy Euro shotguns, and some have classic American doubles. Some run into the tactical stuff, like that USAS 12, or the Benelli/Beretta autos. Some of us have all of the above(G), or equivalents. What none of us has is unlimited funds, to the best of my knowledge.
So, how about a thread about getting the most gun for your money? This can be both about those overlooked and underappreciated models that are bargains, and incredible deals you've gotten.
Here's a couple of models I've found to be lots of gun for the money....
H&R Single shots. Many of us old timers started off with these. Impossible to wear out,light in the field, reliable and rugged, they've made camp meat,provided sport on a budget,and fed and protected families for generations. Downsides include plenty of recoil and heavy triggers that are hard to get to. H&R uses one BIG hydraulic press to put in those action pins.
The Savage 311 series double barrel. While Savage liked to promote a connection between these and the wonderful AH Fox shotguns(acquired by Savage after bankruptcy), it's not a masterpiece of fine design and light weight like the Fox guns are, even the Sterlingworth. What it is, a reliable double that usually shoots both bbls to the same POI, takes heavy loads w/o a bobble,and hold up well. Lots of these are used and/or owned by cops, who appreciate the simple manual of arms and low cost. A couple of B-More Narco cops I knew loved these for serving warrants, bobbed off to 18", of course. Savage also made and still may make a Security model with those short bbls. Downside, it's not the prettiest double on the market,and some longer versions swing like railroad ties.Heavy,too, for a double.
And, the Remington 870 pumpgun, bought used. Of the 4 870s here at Casa McC, the only one bought new was the 20 ga I picked up for the kids, and I should have waited on that.
Two of mine were LE tradeins, and well used before I got them,and very well used now. The 870 can be taken apart like an erector set, lasts for generations even with heavy use, has parts availability if you ever need it, aftermarket goodies to gladden each heart,and is the little pink, drumbeating bunny of the shotgun world.It just keeps going,and going,and....
Shopping wisely,a couple of hundred dollars can get you a good 870 in decent shape,and maybe some change for ammo.
Downside, little on the used market. Remington has made some serious marketing and political mistakes, including that locking safety atrocity, plastic parts,and so on,but these haven't shown up in the used market much yet.
So,what are your choices?....
Some of us have the fancy Euro shotguns, and some have classic American doubles. Some run into the tactical stuff, like that USAS 12, or the Benelli/Beretta autos. Some of us have all of the above(G), or equivalents. What none of us has is unlimited funds, to the best of my knowledge.
So, how about a thread about getting the most gun for your money? This can be both about those overlooked and underappreciated models that are bargains, and incredible deals you've gotten.
Here's a couple of models I've found to be lots of gun for the money....
H&R Single shots. Many of us old timers started off with these. Impossible to wear out,light in the field, reliable and rugged, they've made camp meat,provided sport on a budget,and fed and protected families for generations. Downsides include plenty of recoil and heavy triggers that are hard to get to. H&R uses one BIG hydraulic press to put in those action pins.
The Savage 311 series double barrel. While Savage liked to promote a connection between these and the wonderful AH Fox shotguns(acquired by Savage after bankruptcy), it's not a masterpiece of fine design and light weight like the Fox guns are, even the Sterlingworth. What it is, a reliable double that usually shoots both bbls to the same POI, takes heavy loads w/o a bobble,and hold up well. Lots of these are used and/or owned by cops, who appreciate the simple manual of arms and low cost. A couple of B-More Narco cops I knew loved these for serving warrants, bobbed off to 18", of course. Savage also made and still may make a Security model with those short bbls. Downside, it's not the prettiest double on the market,and some longer versions swing like railroad ties.Heavy,too, for a double.
And, the Remington 870 pumpgun, bought used. Of the 4 870s here at Casa McC, the only one bought new was the 20 ga I picked up for the kids, and I should have waited on that.
Two of mine were LE tradeins, and well used before I got them,and very well used now. The 870 can be taken apart like an erector set, lasts for generations even with heavy use, has parts availability if you ever need it, aftermarket goodies to gladden each heart,and is the little pink, drumbeating bunny of the shotgun world.It just keeps going,and going,and....
Shopping wisely,a couple of hundred dollars can get you a good 870 in decent shape,and maybe some change for ammo.
Downside, little on the used market. Remington has made some serious marketing and political mistakes, including that locking safety atrocity, plastic parts,and so on,but these haven't shown up in the used market much yet.
So,what are your choices?....