Suggestion for first shotgun?

Samson23

Samson23

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Hi folks. First post in the shotgun forum, be gentle.

Got my RPAL earlier this year after getting to learn and love shooting handguns, which I feel very educated on, but I now find myself needing a shotgun for home and fun, and I'm a total noob in this regard.

I'm basically looking for something in and around the $500ish mark, 12 gauge, reliable. Black is a must. If its ###y, even better. ;) Shot clays with my buddy's savage arms on the weekend and found it good but a little heavy, and the pump release notch (terminology?) was a little finicky.

Here are a couple that caught my eye on Wolverine:

http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/details/2003/Remington-Model-887-Nitro-Mag-Tactical-12-Guage.aspx
http://www.wolverinesupplies.com/de...Gauge-Pump-Shotgun-28-Barrel-Black-Stock.aspx

(Though I didn't notice at first that the Benelli had such a long barrel. The shorter the better.)

Any advice/insight appreciated. Cheers.
 
If you have a chance try a Remington Model 870 Wingmaster. She's a natural pointer, great balance a tried and true reliable pump shotgun.
Remove the furniture and build a tactical shotgun and if you decide to go for upland game birds change her back into a sporting unit.
It doesn't matter what the application is, sporting clays, upland wetland bird hunting or a tactical unit you can't go wrong with a 870 Wingmaster.
For your first shotgun don't cheap out on a $300.00 unit and it doesn't have to be a $1800.00 unit either. You will have her for a lifetime.
Personal preference plays a key role as well. If I was you - try the Wingmaster or a Browning BPS.
Your pump shot gun will be trouble free, fun and will cycle faster than an autoloader anyday.
 
Thanks guys. As far as use goes, home defends and general utility/fun such as clay shooting. Pretty general I know. The two I picked we're mostly for price point, and admittedly aesthetics.
 
Lol nothing wrong with aesthetics, gotta like what you own and you'll feel better about spending cash on it.
I'm not sure why DKCJ says not to go cheap like 300, hope he responds because I'm curious.
For around/below $500 you have a lot of good choices.
For at home I'd look into the Dominion Arms Grizzly because of the size, you may find a long barrel tricky. Get a measurement for something your looking at then grab a stick broom whatever and hold it at that length, I didn't like the feel of some things longer than the Grizzly. So that's what I plan on getting. That said for how likely it is you'll use it at home I wouldn't let that determine anything.
You could always get a second barrel for if you want longer/shorter too.
Try to find reviews on youtube you may learn about things you like or don't like from hearing others talk about them.
 
for effing around, any pump under $500 will win. The Maverick 88 is a clear winner for value @ $200 they cant be beat for reliability. You could even pick up a barrel combo w/ a 28" field barrel and 18.5" security barrel for under $300 and it'll last as long as anything else out there.
 
I went to several gun stores and tried out different models. Even though most had the same stock length, they all felt different. I ended up with a 870 Express, great gun. You need to get yourself something that feel's right in YOUR hands. We can only tell you our experiences with various makes and models. Don't shop by price tag or name brand, heck it does not even need to be new. Go to a gun store and ask if they have any used guns, you can find a great bargain that way.
 
As a follow up, any opinions on pump vs semi-auto? I've never actually fired a semi, but I see Wholesale Sports has some in a doable price range.
 
DKCJ said:
If you have a chance try a Remington Model 870 Wingmaster. She's a natural pointer, great balance a tried and true reliable pump shotgun.
Remove the furniture and build a tactical shotgun and if you decide to go for upland game birds change her back into a sporting unit.
It doesn't matter what the application is, sporting clays, upland wetland bird hunting or a tactical unit you can't go wrong with a 870 Wingmaster.
For your first shotgun don't cheap out on a $300.00 unit and it doesn't have to be a $1800.00 unit either. You will have her for a lifetime.
Personal preference plays a key role as well. If I was you - try the Wingmaster or a Browning BPS.
Your pump shot gun will be trouble free, fun and will cycle faster than an autoloader anyday.
Click to expand...
sound advice from DKCJ
if you get a chance, check out Fabarm. I have an 870, 500 and an old winchester defender. The Fabarms have a nice silky smooth action compared to some of the cheeper guns out there. I would concider one myself, but I ordered a UTS-15 as my next exotic import.
Cheers
 
Samson23 said:
As a follow up, any opinions on pump vs semi-auto? I've never actually fired a semi, but I see Wholesale Sports has some in a doable price range.
Click to expand...

I recently picked up a Hatsan MP-A.

So far, after a couple of hundred rounds, I am really liking it. Shoots reliably, not overly expensive and even kinda pretty to look at. What's not to like??
 
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