Need help picking a shotgun

T

TKE404

Inactive
First off I am new to this site and I would like to say Hi to everyone.

I just introduce to dove hunting by a friend of mine and just liked it alot. So i decided to buy me a shotgun ( my first ) so i have been looking around at different stores in my area and have found some in my price range. Since it's going to be a starters gun i was wondering if i could get some help from you all to make my decision.

1. Remington 870 Express
2. Mossberg 500
3. Mossberg Crown Bantan
4. Mossberg Maverick

Or if you have any other suggestion please feel free to include them

thanks alot

David
 
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Mossberg 500

David--

I don't own one, but I have shot them before. Strong, reliable, and affordable. They've made millions of them, so getting replacement parts if you ever need them shouldn't be a problem.

Now, onto another consideration. Which gauge do you want, 12 or 20? Both of my doubles are 12-gauge, but a good 20-gauge load is every bit as useful. Were I to do it all over again (my Itahacs are ~30 years old), I think I'd go with a 20-gauge. That's just my two cents worth.
 
good thinking going with a mossberg. the R870 is a bieutiful piece of workmanship and a shining example of the shotgun, but you have to pay for it. If this is your first, id stick with a mossberg. Im guessin you also want a selfdefence gun cause you mentioned the maverick, i dont know. maybe you just like the way it looks. Either way, my first gun was a 12ga mossberg 500
i use it for all kinds of hunting, you can still get a used one with an accu-choke (mucho-bueno){spanish for "much bueno"} for about 100 bucks. If you get a mossberg, get an old one, the new 500s are crap, no wormanship, if you get an 870, resist the urge to make it "tacticool". When you shoot a crackhead burglar, you look bad if you have a sidesaddle, 10 round mag extension, heat shield, and a folding stock with notches cut into it. Cops get jealous when your gun is more bitchin than thiers.:D :D
 
i am really looking at a shotgun mainly for bird hunting. i am not really familiar with gun so i don't know much of the different terms.

Whitedemon89: are you trying not to get a new mossberg 500?

i really appreciate it alot

This is alittle confusing, since being new to this sport.
 
Definatly go with the Mossberg 500. Best pump gun there is in my oppinion. Not exactly sure about the barrel combos you can get, but i'm sure there's a combo that not only includes the 28" accu-choke bbl, but also a 24" rifled slug barrel.
 


This is my Mossberg 500 Combo set I picked up when Big 5 Sporting Goods had a sale on them complete with an extra 18" barrel for $218.00 out the door. Pretty hard to beat. Here is a side by side report of the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870. The Mossberg 500 was the only one to pass the military 3,000 round buckshot tests. Bill T.

http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
 
so you all believe that mossberg 500 .410 is a good choice.

Academy has it for 199 on their website with a 24in barrel
 
Not the .410 for a "new" dove hunter. There is a great deal of proficency in shooting a .410. The 20 will have more forgiveness.

A lot depends on your pocketbook. Go with the Mossberg in a 20 ga. if $$$ are a concern. My first shotgun was a Moss 500. A dozen shotguns later (a lot of years) it was worth every penny. As your interest grows and hopefully you pocketbook, you can move up in quality and down in calibre.
Happy hunting!:)
 
20 ga

grow up and go for the 12
Get a used Mossberg 500 at a gun shop or even a pawn shop (shudder):eek:
i reccomend the accuchoke because it allows you to vary your choke for different applications and distances.
The accuchoke is a real simple device that sits on the muzzle, it is knurled for grip, you screw it out to close your choke, and screw it towards the reciever to open the choke
 
I would go with the 870. I have a Mossberg 500 20 gauge (my first and only shotgun), and my uncle has an 870 12 gauge. I find that the 870 points better, is much smoother, and has a better trigger than my mossberg. The 870 has also been a standard police shotgun for literally hundreds of departments across America since it was introduced in 1950. Remington has also sold well over 7 million 870's, it is a proven design. I'm not saying that the Mossberg isn't, it has also been used by many police departments, but not as many as the 870.
 
Oh yeah I forgot to mention gauge choices. Seriously stay away from the .410 bore. Lots of new shooters think that it's a good choice of shotshell to start with, but they are so wrong. As a new shooter the main thing you are going to be doing is practice, practice, and more practice. Sure the .410 may be easy on the shoulder, but it is murder on your wallet. If you feel a 12 gauge may be a little too much to start with then go down to a 20 gauge. I feel that a 20 gauge is the best gauge for a new shooter of pretty much everyone over the age of 8. My younger brother is 8 and handles my 12 gauge beautifully.
 
like i said on one of my earlier post that i am new to the shotgun terms what do the following mean:

1. accuchoke - do all of them come with them

2. .410 - (on the mossberg) what does this mean. is to much of gun or what

again thanks alot
David
 
"1. Remington 870 Express" would be the choice for me. In fact it was. I bought mine used though with no regrets.

I have since acquired several other 870's and this one, my first, will be going to a favorite nephew.
 
I bought a new 870 Express (12 ga 28" barrel) at Oshmans (now Sports Authority) for $219. At the time, there was a $25 rebate from Remington. I used the 870 and my $1300 Beretta 686 White Onyx 12ga this past weekend on a dove hunt. Both performed very well and I have a freezer full of dove breasts ready for the grill.
 
here it is and feel free to state your opinions. i am going to buy one sometime today.

at academy they have

Mossberg 500 .410 for $199
and the
Remington 870 express for $238 plus a $30 mail rebate

which one would you pick
 
The thing about the .410 is that it's an expert's gun.

It fires just a pinch of shot, so it's difficult to hit with it, especially for a new shotgunner.

There's nothing wrong with a good used shotgun, btw. You can find a good used shotgun for much less than a new one. That would definitely be worth looking into. If you stop by a pawn shop or gun shop, and see some shotguns you are interested in, we can advise you on whether they are charging a fair price or not as well.

If you are absolutely determined to buy your shotgun at Academy, get the 870 Express.
 
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