new to shotguns.

E

ECLIPSE45ACP

New member
Hey guys, been thinkin about getting my first one. Any suggestions?
I been thinking about doing some bird hunting so that will be its primary
use. Any input would be appreciated.
 
I speak for myself, and probably a lot of other guys here too when I say, the Remington 870 Express Super Magnum, or even just the Express, is the most "user-friendly" / versatile gun for everyone. I own one, and it is the only gun I have, because it is my slug gun, bird gun, trap gun... Shes my baby, and if you take good care of them, they will not only take good care of you, but it will outlast you as well.
 
$300 or less will put you into any of several good US made pumpguns that will serve a variety of functions and last for generations with care.

But, do not get one yet. Go to your local range and ask around. Oft a polite new shooter will get handed a shotgun for a couple shots by a total stranger.

You may get lessons there also. DO take advantage if they offer them. It'll shorten the learning curve tremendously.

When you get around to trying shotguns, there's few shotgun questions that an 870 is not a good answer for.....
 
birdshot is cheaper than buckshot or slugs.

I got a walmart 25rd box remingtin 12 ga for $4 bucks. whereas 4 bucks gets you just 5 buck shots at most places.
 
I have owned a rem 870 and shot a moss 500. You cant POSSIBLY go wrong with either. Plus if you ever get the tacticool bug there are TONS of nifty little add ons and parts for both. My .02

--Luke
 
if you want a semi-auto, i would highly recommend a Remington SPR453 (Spartan 453, Baikal MP153). they can be found for less than $400 new, 4+1 capacity, and the capability to shoot 2 3/4", 3", and 3.5" shells. they also come with an adjustable gas system (something not found in alot of guns 2-3 times the cost) that allows you to shoot the lighest 2 3/4" target loads to the heaviest 3.5" magnum loads you can find. i have used mine extensively for skeet and sporting clays, and a few times for bird hunting, and i have no complaints whatsoever. i usually shoot with a friend who has a Remington 11-87, and mine always performs as well or better than his. he also gets jealous that i can shoot 1 oz. shells as well as 3.5" shells and he can't, yet he paid almost $200 more for his gun.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/SPR_models/SPR453_autoloader.asp

if you have any doubt about how well this gun is built, check out this video. (the video is of a baikal mp153, but the SPR453 is exact same gun with a few updated parts):

http://www.svmag.com/test_baikal.wmv

:cool:
 
I would recommend you look over the Benelli line of shotguns - pumps and semi-autos are all good guns. A 3" chamber in a 12ga shotgun is enough - you don't need to go to a 3 1/2" chamber for magunum loads.

Fit of a shotgun is a big deal - so try and shoot some before you buy if you can. Another pump gun I like a lot is the Browning BPS for about $ 500.

There are a lot of used shotguns out there too - and even over unders - and I would recommend you look at Beretta or Browning. With Browning and Beretta you get a lot for your money - no matter which gun you like.

If you really like semi-autos then give the Benelli a real hard look - it's not a gas gun, so it shoots a lot cleaner. If you can afford one with the comfort tech stock - that absorbs a lot of the recoil it's a very nice gun ( super sport model, etc ). But $500 will get you a very nice pump gun, maybe $1,000 - $ 1500 for a good semi-auto, about $2,000 for a good over under. But shop around and have some fun with the process / try and go out to a trap or 5 stand club and see if you can rent / maybe borrow a few guns before you buy.
 
I have one locker full of shotguns. The only model I have two of is the Rem. 870 (one Wingmaster and one Express). That should give you some indication of how much I love and trust the gun. Also love my Mossberg 500. Also love my Franchi 48AL in 28g. Also love the Beretta 686 Silver Pidgeon Combo set with 20 and 28 g. barrel sets. Also love the Nova. The Franchi 620 auto is pretty reliable for a gas gun. Also love my beautiful Verona. My first shotgun was a pump. The bottom line is, shoot what feels good to you. Try a few out and see what you like. If upland game is gonna be your primary use, strongly consider wood furniture. It just looks a lot more "normal" in the hands of a pheasant, quail, grouse, chukar, etc. hunter. If there's a good chance this is gonna be your only shotgun for quite a while (or forever), then try and get a "finished" gun. Like get a Browning BPS or an 870 Wingmaster. Maybe a OU from Franchi, Beretta, Browning, etc. They look much prettier than synthetics and dressed-down models (express).
 
True, but you might get spoiled

Go to your local range and ask around. Oft a polite new shooter will get handed a shotgun for a couple shots by a total stranger.
Click to expand...

When I go trapshooting, I'll always let someone who admires my trapgun give it a try. Just be aware that after you've shot a double-barrel trapgun that's worth a couple of grand, it's hard to go back.

Either a Remmy 870 or Mossy 500 with a modified choke is a great starting point.
 
M'kay. I like both Mossbergs and Remingtons for different reasons. My mossberg 835 is one tough pump shotgun and patterns very well with either bird, buck or turkey shells. It is overbored to nearly 10 gauge dimensions so you've got a wide barrel that gradually tapers before entering the choke. Basically giving it a longer choke that produces a nice pattern.

I like my Remington 870 Express Magnum because it is a solidly built gun and handles and points like a dream. Much more naturally pointing than my Mossberg.

As someone has already said, accessories abound for both. I will say that if you get the tactical bug the Mossberg will be easier to update than the Remington. Standard sporting Remingtons have a couple of nasty dimples in the mag that have to be removed with a dremel or file if you ever want to add a mag extension (took me about 10 minutes to do but still). The stock forearm of the Rem 870 also extends back onto the reciever when it is racked preventing a full length sidesaddle being used unless you either cut the forearm back or replace it with an aftermarket. Again either is easy to do, but it's an extra step you wouldn't have to take with a Mossberg.

Either way, you really can't go wrong. They both have great features and are highly affordable.
 
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