What is a good first time shotgun to purchase?
- Thread starter Ghost Tyler
- Start date
I just got a cheap one to start. I started with a $150 Stevens that I bought from a fellow CGNer. It had an adjustable choke and a muzzle brake and was definitely a shooter rather than a safe queen. You can buy a new gun after you figure what kind of shooting you want to do with it 
Also, spend some time at the range - most guys are more than willing to share their toys.
That's how I "discovered" I need a 686, hehe.....
Also, spend some time at the range - most guys are more than willing to share their toys.
That's how I "discovered" I need a 686, hehe.....
- Location
- Northern ontario
The 870 is a great starter shotgun but if you can afford to spend extra go with a good semi auto . The pump is slightly more reliable but the semi will reduce felt recoil . You won't be disappointed with a quality semi . Best thing to do is go to your local gun shop and choose the shotgun that fits you well and feels good in your hands .
Tarrantula
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Parts unknown
For my first I paid $300 for a Norinco HP9. If I could do it again, I would look for a lightly used older 870.
I would try and find a good used Remington 870 Wingmaster. Just make sure it's the "Magnum" receiver, meaning it can take 3" shells.
The new "Express" 870's can be OK, but some complain about the quality control in the last decade or so. I suspect if you get an older Wingmaster, it should be smooth and solid. Pretty hard to kill an 870.
The new "Express" 870's can be OK, but some complain about the quality control in the last decade or so. I suspect if you get an older Wingmaster, it should be smooth and solid. Pretty hard to kill an 870.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Unless you are shooting steel shot I think the 3 inch magnum chambering importance is often over emphasized.
I have several shotguns with 2 3/4 inch only receivers and they tend to handle better because the balance is better placed and the gun is slightly lighter as well.
This can add up to better instinctive shooting of birds in flight and less upper body muscle strain over a long day afoot in the field.
my 2 bits
I have several shotguns with 2 3/4 inch only receivers and they tend to handle better because the balance is better placed and the gun is slightly lighter as well.
This can add up to better instinctive shooting of birds in flight and less upper body muscle strain over a long day afoot in the field.
my 2 bits
Genrally speaking, you get more bang for the buck with a pump. Pumps are less picky about the ammo and less susceptible to failures.
You are the operating system on a pump. You work the slide to eject the fired shell chamber a fresh one but on a semi you rely on a gas system to do that for you, and the gas system operates within parameters - very light target loads do not always cycle the action. And if the gas system isn't cleaned well then it is more prone to malfunction. Some of the cheap bulk pack shells are dirty as heck and play hell with gas operated guns.
There are some very reliable semis on the market but they aren't cheap. If you're buying a semi buy a good one - look at spending $1500 to get the same reliability as a $400-$500 pump gun. Beretta and Beneli have very good reputations but they don't have entry level price tags.
You didn't say what you intend to use your shotgun for - hunting, plinking, clays, blowing up water-filled milk jugs.
If it's going to be an all-purpose do-everything gun then a pump is a very good choice. Pumps are not optimal for a serious target/clays shooter because working the pump can throw off your swing in doubles. If you are thinking mostly of shooting clay targets then I'd be more apt to suggest one of the higher quality semi over a pump but I'd suggest that you could do even better with a good over/under simply because they tend to have slightly better balance and are much easier to clean and maintain. I have semis and pumps. I like them both. But for an entry level shotgun I think it's hard to beat the simplicity and reliability of a decent pump.
AgentFoxMulder
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lindsay - ON
The Mossberg 500 vs the Remington 870 is a classic arguement. Almost like the Ford vs Chevy debate.
Truth is, they are both good guns. But they have a few small features that some prefer more then others. Hold both. Use the action and saftey on both. Feel the action and the weight. Load them. You will be able to see the difference for yourself and generate your own opinion.
Personally I like the mossberg 500. And my reccomendation to you would be a mossberg 500 two barrel combo.
Truth is, they are both good guns. But they have a few small features that some prefer more then others. Hold both. Use the action and saftey on both. Feel the action and the weight. Load them. You will be able to see the difference for yourself and generate your own opinion.
Personally I like the mossberg 500. And my reccomendation to you would be a mossberg 500 two barrel combo.
Simply based on sales, where I work, the 500 Mossberg and 870 Rem Express are still running neck in neck as THE starter shotgun.
As noted, the Maverick is less expensive, but not by enough that I would choose it to save 100 bucks - you do get what you pay for even in lower end shotguns.
I would stay away from the 887 Remington Nitro Mag's - they look mean but after assembling a half dozen of them the "theory" that a synthetic stock is better than wood because it won't warp etc in non-sense - these things are so "twisted" that it takes "great force" to get the barrel/forend/receiver together - at least on first assembly.
On the other hand, an 870 Wingmaster (costing at least twice as much as the 870 Express in most of it's various models) shows definite signs of "refinement" - the fit is awesome, so in my opinion, it's money well spent.
There is also the Mossberg 535's out there in a few different offerings - they are basically the 500 model with the super mag chamber (3 1/2") - so if you just have to have a "super mag" there is a Mossberg version to compete with the 870 supermags.
Likewise, for a first shotgun I would stay away from the Semi's. Cut your teeth on a "reasonably priced" pump and if you find you have a need for a semi, spend some bucks on a good one - you don't want to cheap out on a semi. A cheap pump will be functional, a cheap semi will be a potential nightmare.
Don't overlook some of the less common brands. Weatherby makes a pump (PA-08) in synthetic and hi-gloss (upland) stocks. The wood version looks every bit as nice as a Wingmaster, the fit/finish is excellent and it costs about the same as a 870 Express - so pretty, but economical.
There is also the Nova from Benelli but the price is starting to get up there on their "entry level" gun.
Of course Winchester and Browning also have shotguns. The relatively new SXP from Winchester is meant to compete with the 500/870's - never sold one and don't know anyone who owns one so can't say - but pricewise, they are in the running.
For just a few more bucks you could go with a BPS from Browning. Good fit/finish and have never heard significant complaints about the function.
I own a Rem 870 Express and Wby PA-08 Upland.
If I was buying a new utility shotgun today I would choose either another Weatherby or the BPS from Browning. After assembling dozens each year, those two just go together "properly" right out of the box which indicates they are just a little further up the quality control ladder than any of the other entry level shotguns.
(edit - neglected to mention)
If you have 600 bucks in the piggy bank you may want to take a look at the Mossberg 535 3 barrel combo gun.
It has the 3 1/2" chamber and three barrels - a 28" Vented rib, a fully rifled deer barrel with cantilever (so you can mount a scope) and a Turkey barrel, complete with extended choke tube and fiber optic sights (can't remember the length of the deer and turkey barrels - somewhere in the 22 to 24").
So for (about) 600 bucks you get a shotgun that will "do it all" and it's dressed in a pretty cool looking camo pattern to boot.
As noted, the Maverick is less expensive, but not by enough that I would choose it to save 100 bucks - you do get what you pay for even in lower end shotguns.
I would stay away from the 887 Remington Nitro Mag's - they look mean but after assembling a half dozen of them the "theory" that a synthetic stock is better than wood because it won't warp etc in non-sense - these things are so "twisted" that it takes "great force" to get the barrel/forend/receiver together - at least on first assembly.
On the other hand, an 870 Wingmaster (costing at least twice as much as the 870 Express in most of it's various models) shows definite signs of "refinement" - the fit is awesome, so in my opinion, it's money well spent.
There is also the Mossberg 535's out there in a few different offerings - they are basically the 500 model with the super mag chamber (3 1/2") - so if you just have to have a "super mag" there is a Mossberg version to compete with the 870 supermags.
Likewise, for a first shotgun I would stay away from the Semi's. Cut your teeth on a "reasonably priced" pump and if you find you have a need for a semi, spend some bucks on a good one - you don't want to cheap out on a semi. A cheap pump will be functional, a cheap semi will be a potential nightmare.
Don't overlook some of the less common brands. Weatherby makes a pump (PA-08) in synthetic and hi-gloss (upland) stocks. The wood version looks every bit as nice as a Wingmaster, the fit/finish is excellent and it costs about the same as a 870 Express - so pretty, but economical.
There is also the Nova from Benelli but the price is starting to get up there on their "entry level" gun.
Of course Winchester and Browning also have shotguns. The relatively new SXP from Winchester is meant to compete with the 500/870's - never sold one and don't know anyone who owns one so can't say - but pricewise, they are in the running.
For just a few more bucks you could go with a BPS from Browning. Good fit/finish and have never heard significant complaints about the function.
I own a Rem 870 Express and Wby PA-08 Upland.
If I was buying a new utility shotgun today I would choose either another Weatherby or the BPS from Browning. After assembling dozens each year, those two just go together "properly" right out of the box which indicates they are just a little further up the quality control ladder than any of the other entry level shotguns.
(edit - neglected to mention)
If you have 600 bucks in the piggy bank you may want to take a look at the Mossberg 535 3 barrel combo gun.
It has the 3 1/2" chamber and three barrels - a 28" Vented rib, a fully rifled deer barrel with cantilever (so you can mount a scope) and a Turkey barrel, complete with extended choke tube and fiber optic sights (can't remember the length of the deer and turkey barrels - somewhere in the 22 to 24").
So for (about) 600 bucks you get a shotgun that will "do it all" and it's dressed in a pretty cool looking camo pattern to boot.
Last edited:
