what to consider

J

jdmcx

Inactive
I am in the market for a pump shotgun this will be my first gun and will be using it for mostly hunting. I don't have allot of experience with shotguns and have been talking to allot of guys about what they prefer. The guns that seem to be most popular are the 500, 870 and 1300.
my girlfriend’s dad hunts allot and he told me to look at the 1300 Black Shadow Deer or the 870 express and to see which one "feels" better to me he said that he likes the 1300 because of the speed pump but another guy told me that the speed pump is something to get used to. I have not been able to locate a 1300 to hold but the 870 seems very nice I fond a deal with an 870 combo for around 370 is that a good deal or is the 1300 black shadow better.
I am just looking for some replies from people who have experience.
Thanks
ps or any other guns i should look into
 
Years ago (wow! Many years ago!) I went in to the store to buy an 870 and they had a Browning BPS on sale for the same price ... all it took was shouldering that BPS and I knew ... it went home with me that night and has been with me ever since. The best thing to do is try them on ... one will speak to you nicer than all the rest ... that will (or at least should) be your new shotgun.

Saands
 
870. The 1300 is a nice piece. The 870 is the standard all others are held to.

Personally, I've shot at least 60K rounds through various 870s, including neglected and abused agency weapons. Total malfs, two, both broken firing pin springs.
 
Also consider an older used 870 Wingmaster. The older models are of much better quality, fit and finish is superb on most. Although my new 870 has performed flawlessly.
 
I don't have one, but the 870 is a hard pump gun to beat! My boss has one, and his wife has no problem putting a few boxes through it.
 
I have an 870 with a 20" rifled barrel, with a red dot sight.

Its a hog killing machine. Have never had even one problem with it.
 
The 870 is a fine gun, but that price sounds a bit high to me.
The Mossberg 500 is also a good choice and Walmart sells the combo for around $275
The Mossberg 835 has a good reputation .
The Benelli Nova also gets high praise.

One thing you should be aware of unlike a rifle a shotgun needs to fit. IMHO a $2000 Browning is useless if it doesn't shoot where you point.
 
Allow me to pre-frame with the fact that I do not have the experience everyone else has with shotguns in this forum. A few months ago I was going through the same thing you are now, for me it was a fun project. I ended up with an 870 Express, then tricking the gun out. I am actually quite impressed with the gun.

Lately I have been examining many shotguns because I wanted another for trap shooting. I have handled, examined and shot most, if not all the different kind of actions from guns to the $20K range. A friend (a competition trap shooter) brought several guns for me to check out. One of them was a 15 year old wingmaster. The feel of the action and trigger of the wingmaster is much smoother then the 870 Express out of the box. Granted his Wingmaster has had around 100K rounds through it, but man it was smoooooth. If you want a pump, I would recommend looking for a used/mint or nice condition Wingmaster. One could probably be found for around $250 or so, maybe less if you look long enough. Try www.gunbroker.com or www.gunsamerica.com.

Just my 2 cents worth:)

Chris
 
so yesterday was my first time shopping for a shotgun couldn't find not one 1300 everyone had them sold out or don't carry them i must have held every 870 in every shop i went took me all day but in the end i think i am setteled on an 870 express combo comes with a 28" field barrel and a rifled slug barrel for $359.99 is that a good price.
 
jdmcx

I have a Mossberg 500 and I really like it. You might check them over. Dave McC, I really enjoy your posts, and respect what you have to say. Do you own any recently manufactured Mossberg 500's? What do you think?
 
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No recent experience,Ron, but.....

Long ago, late 70s or so, I picked up a much used 500, a former railroad security gun with much "Character". Paid $65 for it, IIRC. It did everything I wanted, worked every time, and I sold it only because I was working in an 870 equipped prison. Didn't want to have to swap chops.

That was the only reason I sold it. It was, like my short barrelled 870s, pure death on quail.

And, pump guns that function well in that exciting, short time frame sport oft do well for more crucial work.

500s are the Rodney Dangerfields of the pump gun world. They don't get the respect they should. While there's forearm rattle and the triggers run heavy, these are minor hinks.

I don't think, shot for shot, they'll last as long as an 870. I do think that it will take dedication for ONE shooter to wear one out. If an 500 needed parts or tightening before the 50K mark, I'd be surprised.

If all I had was a Mossberg, I'd consider myself and would be well armed.

HTH....
 
Thanks, Dave, for the info. I did get the fever and got a Topper Deluxe Classic single shot. I like them because they are simple--like me--ha ha. Now, I would really be satisfied if I could win a Remington 870 Wingmaster or Express somewhere.
 
I wouldn't get a gun from Walmart. They get their guns at a lower cost from Remington so they can sell them cheaper. Remington has to lighten up on the quality control so some of the guns come out with problems, some work fine though. Pay the extra at a real gun store
 
A local gun shop by me is selling used 870 Wingmasters for $199. They were trade-ins from a local LE department. Would there be any reason to avoid a shotgun that has been used by LE (i.e. wear and tear)? Also is $199 a good price? The wood is a bit dinged and scratched, but that just makes it a refinishing project. :)
 
Police turnins are a real bargain most of the time. Most look like heck outside, and are near new inside. Cruiser guns are carried much more than shot. The 870 I use for deer in the season and backup for HD the rest of the year was an Arlington Va cruiser.

$200 for a turnin WM is a decent price. I'd get at least one.

Ron, start saving up.
 
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