First shotgun recommendations?

Mugsander

Mugsander

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New to hunting, looking for a good do it all shotgun. Budget under $800. Friend said to just get the Mossberg that Bass Pro has on sale for $320, but a part of me feels like it’s cheap for a reason right?
 
A mossberg maverick 88 is cheap but it works. Trigger is a bit heavy, safety and components don’t feel amazing, but it works 100% of the time.
If you want something a bit nicer feeling, an 870 or 500 will do good in/near that price range. Parts are all over too.
Don’t bother with Turkish, very hit and miss, with a lot of misses.
 
What does "do it all" mean to you?

I assume one of the multi barrel combos is what you are looking for. The Mossbergs and Winchester can be had with 2 barrels for less than $800.
 
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 in a 20 gauge.
Combo barrel.

Your shoulder will thank you and no empty shelves in stores when looking for ammo durning or before hunting season.
 
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A quality 870 or Browning Bps with changeable chokes will last a lifetime and then some. Should be under your $800 budjet as well. Go handle both and buy what feels and fits you better. Best of luck
 
Mossberg Maverick 88 with 2 barrels (28” and 18”) and a removable mod choke can be had for around $400.
Like others have said it’s a solid shotgun that does the same job as the other suggestions, just not as refined and half the price.
“The working man’s pump”.

12ga is probably the better choice for affordability/availability of shells. Not too much kick.
 
the maverick is of very poor quality and will fail if you plan on shooting it often forends break action arms break
buy the new rem field master a bit more money maybe 1000$ ish for a new and you are set for life
or a used bps if you could find a older winchester 1200 with screw in chokes they are good guns
the nova is a great gun no issues feels like a log in your hands but durable
stay away from the stoeger copy
 
struff55 said:
the maverick is of very poor quality and will fail if you plan on shooting it often forends break action arms break
buy the new rem field master a bit more money maybe 1000$ ish for a new and you are set for life
or a used bps if you could find a older winchester 1200 with screw in chokes they are good guns
the nova is a great gun no issues feels like a log in your hands but durable
stay away from the stoeger copy
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Ever watched the 500 round burndown from TFB TV?
A new Maverick 88 is the best 12ga you can get for the money. They're on sale for $300 at Cabela's right now. Probably even cheaper for Black Friday or Boxing Day.
You can often find a used one with the 28" barrel for $250--an even better buy.

I've owned several and have given FIVE of them to friends or family as their first shotgun over the years. They're still shooting birds and deer with them, as far as I am aware.

I use a 500 for turkey, grouse, and deer simply because I have a matching camo three barrel set that I picked up years ago, but if it were an 88 I'd never notice.

There are a few differences between the 500, 590, 590A1, and Maverick 88.
None of them matter to hunters, except the heavier weight barrel of the 590/590A1 which is more annoying to schlep around.
 
struff55 said:
the maverick is of very poor quality and will fail if you plan on shooting it often forends break action arms break
buy the new rem field master a bit more money maybe 1000$ ish for a new and you are set for life
or a used bps if you could find a older winchester 1200 with screw in chokes they are good guns
the nova is a great gun no issues feels like a log in your hands but durable
stay away from the stoeger copy
Click to expand...

+1. The extra money spent on a Remington 870 Fieldmaster is money well spent. The Nova isn't a bad alternative in the OP's price range. I won a Maverick 88 at a DU dinner. Took it to the range, fired it a few times and got rid of it the next day. Complete POS.
 
Never had an 870 or a Mossy 500, But I hear a lot of good things on 870. 7 yrs ago, I had a deal for a Win SXP defender, plus a 28" barrel for little over $500. Never had any issue with my SXP. Then came my BPS Hunter. Solid build, but on the heavy side. A Remi 1187 premier with 26 and 28 barrel to which I am still looking for a shorter barrel 20" max. For Trap, I use a Canuck over and under where I got a deal for a blemished unit, 50% off SRP. My suggestion, go to your LGS to check some. Make sure the LOP and drop fits. With 12 ga, you can go for a lighter load, but beware if you are getting a semi auto. a 1oz load might be your best bet for a lower recoil but keeping the action to cycle reliably. NO issue whatever with Pump and Break Action like 870, BPS, 500/590, SXPs. Find a friend who has one, buy a box of ammo, and try the gun/s. 12 ga is my go to, but 16 and 20 ga is nicer and shoulder friendly. Your $800 budget will get you a decent used unit regardless of the action and caliber.
 
misterplinker1 said:
Ever watched the 500 round burndown from TFB TV?
A new Maverick 88 is the best 12ga you can get for the money. They're on sale for $300 at Cabela's right now. Probably even cheaper for Black Friday or Boxing Day.
You can often find a used one with the 28" barrel for $250--an even better buy.

I've owned several and have given FIVE of them to friends or family as their first shotgun over the years. They're still shooting birds and deer with them, as far as I am aware.

I use a 500 for turkey, grouse, and deer simply because I have a matching camo three barrel set that I picked up years ago, but if it were an 88 I'd never notice.

There are a few differences between the 500, 590, 590A1, and Maverick 88.
None of them matter to hunters, except the heavier weight barrel of the 590/590A1 which is more annoying to schlep around.
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good on you i work in the firearm industry and see how many come back for repairs your math 5 my math many times that
 
I don’t know how prices are as I only buy/use sxs’s, however, if it were me looking within your criteria (and had no affliction for sxs’s) I would look at good used as opposed to new. There are plenty of Guns with a good general reputation (there are haters for every brand/model) to look at. 870 rem, model 12 or 1200 Winchester, if looking for a pump, Winchester SX(pick your number) or rem 1100 if you want an auto. Sxs’s and O/U are plentiful at good prices at intersurplus if you want to go that way. LOTS of good used options out there.
 
True Shadows said:
Or... save up some more cash. Move straight to a Beretta 1301... never look back 😁
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From what I have been hearing (mostly on this forum) you better hope you don’t get a lemon if you buy beretta as many here have shared horror stories of zero service/warranty should you have an issue. They may be the largest gun maker in the world snd they may make a good product but if they won’t stand behind their stuff if anything goes sideways, it might be wise to find another maker, one that stands behind what they build.
 
Licensed to kill said:
From what I have been hearing (mostly on this forum) you better hope you don’t get a lemon if you buy beretta as many here have shared horror stories of zero service/warranty should you have an issue. They may be the largest gun maker in the world snd they may make a good product but if they won’t stand behind their stuff if anything goes sideways, it might be wise to find another maker, one that stands behind what they build.
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I've never come across any of those stories. I'm sure they exist but I'm sure all manufacturers could say the same.

Almost every single review I've ever come across has people gushing over how awesome this platform is. I'm sure lemons exist... they always do but it's extremely rare.

In my experience and most others the 1301 is nearly flawless and highly reliable.
 
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