New to shotguns, need help deciding...

For an Auto, you can't go wrong with a Remington 1100 IMO. And when you are ready to sell it off it will still have value.

I shoot Browning Citori O/U's and have for 25 years. Love them. Never had one jam like an auto!
 
zippy

Get some actual trigger time with each gun on your short list before you make your decision. Borrow or rent as many different guns as possible. Spend some time at a trap and skeet club. You'll be surprised how many folks will let you borrow their gun if you express a genuine interest and don't come on like a mall ninja wannabe.
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While I agree this can help, I have to side w/the advice earlier about not making this first shotgun purchase a very complicated decision. If beef does take this advice, I think it will be prudent for him to do more than just to try and borrow everyone else's shotgun to make his decision. I am not saying you were saying this exactly, and there are good people who can help out whether at a club, on the internet, in a gun store, and so-on.

Some years ago one of my business partners bought a M-500 a ran a few boxes through it at club. A few years later I got a call from him asking about rust removal. His M-500 had been lingering in a closet.
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I have to say that your buddy's issue so many yrs ago is one example only and the rust issue was probably his own fault and/or due to his own inexperience. I would also have to say here that the mossberg is a Good, Quality shotgun in my opinion. I want to make that clear to beef so he gets some more opinions before thinking that the mossberg 500 is junk because of your post.

All of this said, I do admit that I was speaking more of HD and a new shotgun rather than trap shooting. I should've mentioned that with my posting. You guys would be the ones to talk about for that advice - the wingmaster seems like a good firearm too. Depending on how much shooting beef does depend on doing, I guess maybe two wouldn't be a bad option and if less shooting but versatility important, then one really good choice might be the answer.

all the best
 
I didn't say the Mossberg was junk, it offers a lot value; but, it's far from an ideal choice for those looking to get into trap shooting.
 
It seems pretty clear that all Zippy was saying was that his partner's Mossberg 500 grew rusty in the closet because it was purchased for shooting clays and its owner didn't find it was appropriate for its intended purpose. Heck, I bought an 870 for home defense and that led me into shooting clays. I really like my 870, but would be the first to admit that it is low on a list of shotguns for shooting clays. The same would be true of the Mossberg 500 or most any pump.

My vote is for the OP do just as Zippy13 and others suggest, which is what most experienced shooters recommend, and shoot as many guns as possible until he is ready to make a decision.
 
The issues with pumps is that they are a compromise gun - while they can be used for a lot of activities, they are not the best choice for too many, if any, at all.

Clay games that require a second shot especially show the disadvantage that a pump offers - O/U wins that hands down, semi in distant 2nd.
Waterfowl with the uber-loads? Semi wins hands down

CAN a pump be used? Sure, and for a very few folks, it works well - however, it seems the folks always recommending the 500 or 870 have never owned or shot a serious semi or O/U in competition, where one missed bird can relegate you from first to worst

So it will come down to what the OP's desire is - personally, as has been mentioned, get a good semi for targets and a used pump for HD
 
Why limit yourself to one gun? Shotguns are so fun and I found that you can pick up older used ones for a song. Now I have three of them, a 18 1/2" HD pistol griped pump 12, a O/U target clay/ skeet 12, and a good old pump 12 for whatever else I need it for. It also makes a good loaner gun as I only have $60 into it and I picked it up a few weeks ago. I think overall, I have less than $500 into all three of them and they are all great shooters and lots of fun. I'm working on another that I might be able to pick up for less than $50 if I really want it.
 
BrittB, what kind of guns are we talking about here, those are some ridiculously low prices!

Regarding earlier advice, I will try to be patient and try out more guns in my future visits to the range.

However, I did go handle a few guns at a local sporting goods store recently. I tried out a few 870 variants and the Benelli Nova. I have to say I prefer the look and feel of the Nova. The feeling I got when shouldering the gun and looking through the sights reminded me a bit of the SBE II, although it did feel more clumpsy on the swing compared to the SBE II. The pump action was nice and smooth, and I did notice a little rattling on the pump that I've read about, but it was pretty minor. One potentially negative thing is that the gun just might be a tad too big & heavy for me. I think I handled the 28" version and it just looked and felt really big (perhaps b/c I'm still not used to shotguns). The gun with tax would be about $410. If I do find a better deal, I may pull the trigger on the Nova.
 
Major Beef, I have very little experience but you said that the Nova feels big. I looked at it and the Mossberg and ended up getting an 870 and it felt big to me. In fact, after about 3 months of ownership I was about to get a stock with a shorter LOP (iIt comes standard with a 14" LOP), but it feels smaller now and I am even considering going to a longer LOP.

As for checking out guns in a store, that might be adequate for experienced shooters who know what to look for, but I think it is much better to shoot a gun before buying.

Some advocate not complicating a purchase by trying a lot of guns, but say just buy and get rid of a gun you don't like. That is fine if you have money to throw away.

Just my thoughts.
 
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The only new one I have is a Stoeger Condor O/U 12 gauge which I've put around 100-150 rounds through so far and it works great, $329. The second one is a JC Higgins model 20 12 gauge pump that been shortend to 18 1/2" and has a pistol grip on the butt. It's my HD special and shoots like a dream, $25 but required a deep cleaning. My last one is a High Standard model 200 12 gauge pump that is all original but needed trigger block repair. Great shotgun that is smooth as butter, $60.
I really like finding the parts guns and bring them back to life. The Dept. store guns can be a great find at $40-$50 in need of repair or a good deep clean. If it's over my head as far as what I'm able to do, I pass on them. I bought a Remington 581s .22lr that was a bit rough for $50. I cleaned it up, redid the stock, and added some extras like a scope to it for a total cost of $90. Now it's my favorite rifle. You don't have to spend a mint on a gun if you don't want to but you do need to pass on the junk and pounce on the diamonds in the rough.
I have no problems spending money on guns I like and if I have the money, will drop a dime in a hurry but there's something really fun about bringing one back from near death.
 
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