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NorthernCdnGunner

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Hey everyone,

After 6 months I finally got my pal in the mail and am actually able to buy my first gun. The problem is the more research I do the less confident I am about my decision. I started out looking at the Remington 870 express because my dad's wingmaster works like a dream and even though I know the internals are different I thought it would be a good place to start. But, with all the terrible reviews out there I'm worried I'll buy it and it won't even fire out of the box. Should I be looking at Mossberg 500 or 535? Is there a big difference? Obviously price is an issue otherwise I would just buy a wingmaster of my own. I'm going to start out at the range skeet shooting but would like to get into hunting in the spring. Any ideas? Thanks for the help!
 
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There's nothing wrong with the Mossbergs but there isn't really much wrong with the express either. Sure it isn't the wingmaster but there have been thousands of them sold. I think the biggest thing with the express is that it wouldn't cycle certain brands of shells. Usually this was caused by a chamber needing to be polished which is no biggie. I know people who own expresses and they have had no problems. Same with Mossberg so it is a personal choice.
 
Buy a used Wingmaster. Great gun and good value for money. Don't buy new. I've got one from the early 1980's and it has never failed no matter what I do to it.

Or, class it up and get a M12. Greatest! Pump! Ever!

Brian, do you and I have nothing better to do than lurk on the shotgun threads? LOL
 
What type of hunting? If you'll only be shooting lead, then a gently used true Wingmaster should be affordable, and very, very smooth.
 
canvasback said:
Don't buy new.
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x2

Buy a quality gun and one with some character….consider the Ithaca Model 37. They are great quality and proven for many years. You can find them in the EE for very reasonable prices. I believe the Ithaca Model 37 is to only bottom eject shotguns made and if you get an older one they are even able to slam fire (hold the trigger and pump all three shots down the tube).:ar15:

The first hunt will be the hunt for your first gun….make it an enjoyable experience.:D

Anyone can walk up to a counter and ask for a new gun and then pay for it, or even worse order it online and then watch for the mail to arrive at your door. When it arrives you know what it is, its the same as every other one on the shelf....boring:(
 
Just a few years ago I was in your shoes. Mossberg, 870, used wingmaster, weatherby PA 08... I chose a mossberg 535 ATS and it gets the most use outside a range to this day. For your first shotgun you want reliability and versatility IMO so choose which one fits best and you can do the most with. This would include lead, slugs, and steel. My only regret as I've said before is I should've bought the field/rifled barrel combo.
 
gunsaholic said:
There's nothing wrong with the Mossbergs but there isn't really much wrong with the express either. Sure it isn't the wingmaster but there have been thousands of them sold. I think the biggest thing with the express is that it wouldn't cycle certain brands of shells. Usually this was caused by a chamber needing to be polished which is no biggie. I know people who own expresses and they have had no problems. Same with Mossberg so it is a personal choice.
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To the Op I have Moss 535 and Rem 870 and both work fine, just a matter of what one you like and fits you best.

Gunsaholic. I know you are a SXS man would you believe rem sold not thousands but as of april, 2009, 10 million 870's. That shocked me when it was announced
I have been trying to locate on of the special comm run since then for my collection. I am sure it is more than 10. take care;)
http://www.gunsamerica.com/91757002...ump/Hunting/870_10_000_000th_commemorativ.htm
 
3macs1 said:
To the Op I have Moss 535 and Rem 870 and both work fine, just a matter of what one you like and fits you best.

Gunsaholic. I know you are a SXS man would you believe rem sold not thousands but as of april, 2009, 10 million 870's. That shocked me when it was announcedI have been trying to locate on of the special comm run since then for my collection. I am sure it is more than 10. take care;)
http://www.gunsamerica.com/91757002...ump/Hunting/870_10_000_000th_commemorativ.htm
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Yes, I knew the 870 sales were in the millions but I didn't know it was 10 million-WOW. I was meaning just the express models but they are probably over a million as well.--Have a good one!
 
canvasback said:
Buy a used Wingmaster. Great gun and good value for money. Don't buy new. I've got one from the early 1980's and it has never failed no matter what I do to it.

Or, class it up and get a M12. Greatest! Pump! Ever!

Brian, do you and I have nothing better to do than lurk on the shotgun threads? LOL
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Yeah, I never thought to mention used--figured he wanted something new. But I too would go for a nice used example of the Wingmaster or M12. I have an 870 special field from the late 80's and I have the model 12. Both great guns.

James, I think my fingers are stuck to the keyboard on shotguns!!:rolleyes:
 
gunsaholic said:
Yeah, I never thought to mention used--figured he wanted something new. But I too would go for a nice used example of the Wingmaster or M12. I have an 870 special field from the late 80's and I have the model 12. Both great guns.

James, I think my fingers are stuck to the keyboard on shotguns!!:rolleyes:
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Brian, I still love my Wingmaster despite the SxS afflction and I sold my M12 16 gauge to my brother a couple years ago so he could give it to his son. Only time in 35 years I have been without an M12 and am on the look out for another.
 
I apologize for 'hijacking' the thread..but I too am going to be buying a shotgun for the first time. With deer hunting in the near future, I would like to know more about barrel choice. So I ask;

is a slug barrel with rifled slugs just as good as a rifled barrel with sabots?

I heard sabots are more expensive so I was thinking about just getting a slug barrel. I'm assuming of course that a slug barrel is smooth bore. I don't even know.
 
NorthernCdnGunner said:
I'm probably going to stick to something new, mainly because I don't know enough about firearms yet to tell the condition of something used.
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Pretty hard to mess up the internals on a Wingmaster. Most of the variation in condition will be external. And in the rare event that you got one with issues, changing parts yourself will usually fix it. Parts are relatively inexpensive and most good gunsmiths should have some in stock. I wouldn't count out used if I were you.
 
Yep, ditto on used. Lots of guys bought a shotgun for one hunt, and then never used it again. There are many old guns out there in brand-new condition, which can be bought for very good prices.
 
sprayfoam said:
I apologize for 'hijacking' the thread..but I too am going to be buying a shotgun for the first time. With deer hunting in the near future, I would like to know more about barrel choice. So I ask;

is a slug barrel with rifled slugs just as good as a rifled barrel with sabots?

I heard sabots are more expensive so I was thinking about just getting a slug barrel. I'm assuming of course that a slug barrel is smooth bore. I don't even know.
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Slug barrel= rifled for sabot slugs
Rifled slug= use in a smooth bore
A smooth bore is capable of shooting slugs within 100yds easy, but a rifled barrel and sabot slugs will reach out a bit more with greater accuracy for sure. Another thing to consider is most rifled barrels are better set up for sights and/or a low power scope. Buy a field/rifled combo IMO.
 
you cannot go wrong with a used wingmaster. I picked one up for $150 a few months back. it was beat up outside, but functions flawless!

I would also seriously consider a dominion arms grizzly which is an chinese 870 copy, better quality than a new express
 
sprayfoam said:
I apologize for 'hijacking' the thread..but I too am going to be buying a shotgun for the first time. With deer hunting in the near future, I would like to know more about barrel choice. So I ask;

is a slug barrel with rifled slugs just as good as a rifled barrel with sabots?

I heard sabots are more expensive so I was thinking about just getting a slug barrel. I'm assuming of course that a slug barrel is smooth bore. I don't even know.
Click to expand...

Slug barrel with sabots is better. Sabots are more expensive but once you the sight the gun they have better range and only need one shot. Get a gun with a smooth and slug barrel.
 
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