First shotgun help

Polar Man

Polar Man

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I want to get my first shotgun soon, and I love getting the most bang for my buck, which right now looks like the maverick 88 security, just wondering if the mossburg 500 persuader is much better, if at all.

or, should I go a bit higher and get a remington 870? (I like the look of the express deer shotgun, but it's only chambered for 3'' I think)

I don't get to go out a lot, and money is a bit tight, but if its really worth it I can spend more maybe.
 
I bought an 870 express synthetic last year october and I have had absolutely no regrets. It's a solid gun, you can slap on remington's R3 recoil pad by limbsaver to take out some of the bite (or even take it a bit further and throw on something from Knoxx), and with all the other aftermarket parts available, is very versatile. You can turn an 870 into just about anything you want, or just leave it as it is and enjoy a good solid shotgun. I have seen the Maverick, and it's just about the last thing I would pull the trigger on. The 500/590 isn't bad though, but I prefer the 870.
 
Polar Man said:
I want to get my first shotgun soon, and I love getting the most bang for my buck, which right now looks like the maverick 88 security, just wondering if the mossburg 500 persuader is much better, if at all.

or, should I go a bit higher and get a remington 870? (I like the look of the express deer shotgun, but it's only chambered for 3'' I think)

I don't get to go out a lot, and money is a bit tight, but if its really worth it I can spend more maybe.
Click to expand...

The debate over the "best" shotgun will go on forever. There will always be a better or more expensive shotgun.

You have to decide how much you plan on using the gun and for what purpose while keeping in mind your spending limit.

The Maverick Security 88 is a decent shotgun at a reasonable price. Mine has never given me any problems. It just lacks the "bling" some other guns have. Of course you could always "dress it up".

The 870 may be a better gun, but the Maverick does the job. You can also get a 28" VR barrel with interchangeable chokes for it later on. I got one with one choke for around $120 including shipping and tax from Frontier.
This in essence makes it two shotguns for under $400.

The Maverick does give you quite a bit of "bang for the buck".

Here's mine with the 18" barrel and an ATI stock replacing the pistol grip it had. Definitely fun to shoot.
100_0403.jpg
 
IMO, the best pump shotgun in that style(i.e. 500 persuader/maverick 88 types) is the Mossberg 590A1(Heavy barrel, ghost-ring sights and ALL metal construction(NO PLASTIC, not even the trigger group housing).
 
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"...only chambered for 3''..." That's ok. You can shoot 2.75" ammo out of it with no fuss.
The 870 is the shotgun by which all others are compared. However, the Mossberg 500 series will do nicely. The Maverick 88 is a lower end Mossberg. It takes Model 500 barrels too.
 
1) What is is the primary use?
2) What is your budget?

If question # 1 is home/bear defence I always turn to see what North American LEO/Military uses because if stands up to their abuse and T&E it's good enough for me. In this case that is the Remington 870P and Mossberg 590A1, more often than not. The Mossberg is the less expensive of the 2 last I checked, but the 870P has more options in terms of accessories.
 
The Maverick 88 has a non-interchangeable pump grip, if that matters to you, and some earlier models only have one stamped sheet steel action bar. Otherwise, they are essentially an economy-grade Mossberg 500. The Mossberg 500 has an aluminum receiver and does nto take magazine extensions if that is important to you? Also, it has a tang safety that is great for lefties AND righties, but only if you use a fixed standard stock. If you want a folder or a PG stock, the Mossy safety is a detriment as you have to take your hand off the PG to work the safety.

The Mossy 500 and Maverick 88 both have plastic trigger groups whish I personally despise. The 590 series has an aluminum trigger guard which is more durable than plastic, but less so than steel. It's also built a little beefier than the other models.

The Remington 870 family of shotguns is all constructed of steel except for the trigger group which is either plastic or aluminum depending on the model and vintage. The safety is a trigger group mounted cross bolt set up for right handed people. There is a drop-in left-handed part that used to made by Uncle Mike's but they stopped making it a few years ago due to liability concerns out of a suit in the US where a righty used a lefty's shotgun and accidentally shot someone. I understand they are available again from a third party? Not too sure though. Remington also now makes a lefy version of the 870 that ejects to the left, but I would avoid it if you ever want to resell as lefty shotguns are hard to move on the used market.

These guns work great with pistol grips and are more easily accessorized than the mossbergs. Replacement barrels are more expensive though too.

Personally, I've had several Mossberg and several Remington 870's. I still have an 870 and the Mossys are all gone as in my view the Remmy is just a better gun. Period.

That being said, unless I need 3" capabilities, the Remmy stays home. My "go-to" shotgun is actually an all steel Ithaca Model 37. Now THAT's a shotgun. If my Ithaca (made in 1957) took 3" sheels, I'd have long since sold the Remington too. Modern 3" models do exist, but mostly only in the USA. they are rare as hen's teeth (and expensive) in Canada at this time (hopefully soon to change).
 
Thanks for all the comments.
I wont be doing much with the gun other then possible polar bear defence,
mostly I just want to try out a shotgun, shoot at pumpkins and tossing bottles up for "trap", which was why I was thinking get the cheaper one, if I really like it I can invest in a better one down the road.
I also like the handier size of the 88 security.
Well, looks like I made up my mind then, thanks again, folks.
 
I just bought a Stoeger P350 and I think for the price (Less then 350) it is an awsome gun. I have been to the range shooting Skeet and Trap with guys weilding $1500 shotguns and it has outproformed them. It handles up to 3 1/2 shells (deffinately overkill) However I just shoot 2 3/4 and it fires smoothly.
 
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