what shotgun should i buy?

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krazeone

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i'm new to the site, and i'm going for my courses in 2 weeks, and after i get my licenses my 1st gun is going to be a pump action shotgun. i've procrastinated years on getting my license, i've shot many guns in the states at ranges, in shotguns i've shot a benelli m4 and nova, remington 870, and a couple others cant remember name/model. the reason i'm coming on here is mainly because the guys at my gun store didnt feel like talking to me or answering any of my questions

almost everyone recommends a benelli nova/supernova, mossberg 500, remington 870.

to start i'll probably just do target practice, as i dont know anyone else that shoots, but as soon as i start going to a gun range i'm sure i'll get into clays, and i would love to go hunting but again i dont know anyone who hunts

which gun will be best for evolving in my shooting? from just shooting for ####s n giggles to getting more serious in either clays and/or hunting?(prefer bucks but possibly birds) or is there other guns i should be looking at.

personally i am leaning towards a benelli nova just because that is the 1 i've shot the most whenever i go down south. but any input would be MUCH appreciated
 
Welcome to the nuthouse!
Lot's of good pumps out there....did you prefer any of the ones you've tried? What's your budget?
 
i really liked the nova but i really dont know anything about them, everytime i've shot them i've rented from the gun range and just target practice so didnt really care was just fun as hell

but when buying one i want one thats going to last, and like i said to start it'll just be target practice, but after going to gun ranges i'm hoping to get involved in skeet or hunting (i'm assuming i'll meet people who will get me into either)

as for a budget, under 1000 but it's not really an issue, i'm more than willing to pay for quality
 
If you like and appreciate quality and nice things, then the logical answer is Benelli. If you want a basic yet proven combat shotgun, Remington 870 is your choice. I personally recommend Benelli M4 for semi-auto (out of your price range) and Remington 870 Police for pump (barely in your price range).
 
Another possible contender is a Mossberg 590, decent shotgun for less than $600 with a VERY well placed safety and metal trigger guard (not that cheap plastic crap). As for possibilities with a semi auto I've never had the opportunity to fire one so can't really help you out there. If you stick to the under $1000 then finding a really good semi will be tough, but you can find an amazing pump plus ammo and any add ons you want for under a 1000.
 
You will probably end up with a few shotguns eventually! I haven't tried a Nova but My favorite pumps are older Ithaca 37's and older 870's.
 
I've seen here on gunnutz EE they have Browning Auto 5 Semi Auto for about $350.00
to about $450.00 or more. If your on a budget I think this type of gun would suit your
needs since it is a good gun for hunting, target shooting clays etc. Your Quote "just shooting for
####s n giggles to getting more serious in either clays and/or hunting?(prefer bucks but possibly birds)"
 
I won't doubt benellis quality. I traded my super nova for a mossberg 590A1SPX. But since you mentioned you would probably get into skeet or hunting later down the road, think of replacement barrels, and as I always point out, replacement parts. You can find both with ease for an 870, same with mossberg, except I don't know if they make replacement barrels for the 590 model. If you want anything for a benelli your going to have one of the following outcomes. You'll never find spare parts, or if you do, your going to be paying at least 65% more than the same part for its rem/moss counterpart. I spent a year looking for different barrels for my super nova, and when I finally found the one I was looking for, they wanted 600 plus for it (the cost of a new gun).
Many will say buy once cry once with benelli, but I didn't see the over whelming quality change between my then benelli and my now mossberg. I'll take my 590 over any pump gun, any day.
 
The Remington 870 is a great choice
The Mossberg 500 is a great choice
The Benelli Nova is a great choice

It is actually pretty hard to go wrong with a decent pump-action shotgun. You aren't going to make a bad decision, so long as you stick to the major manufacturers.

That said, I would recommend a Remington 870. I own a few, and they have worked very well for me. My 870 Express works just as well, as my 870 Wingmaster. I don't baby them, in fact I treat them poorly, and they keep working regardless. What I really like about the 870 platform is that if there is an accessory out there, it will be made to work with an 870. Even Mossberg makes 870 parts.

You might want to look around for an used 870, especailly a used 870 Wingmaster. It is pretty hard to abuse one, so a used one will likely be in ugly, but workable condition. Try and get a 3" (magnum) receiver if you do.

If you want to buy new, I would suggest buying an 870 Combo, where you get 2 barrels, typically a 26" vented rib (waterfoul) barrel, some chokes, and usually a 20" rifle sighed (deer) barrel. This would give you the versatility of swapping out barrels as you feel the need.
 
I'm n the same situation. Got my PAL about a year ago and am finally looking to buy a few. We use the 870 at work (once a year) so it was an easy choice for a shotgun but how do i decide which 870 to get ? Am I wrong in thinking that the 870 express is the most basic then you can move to the 870 express tactical etc ? I basically want a cheap shotgun I can take out 5-6 times a year and shoot. The 870 express I am looking at is $370. If I really get into it then I would likely buy another more expensive higher end shotgun later. Am I wrong in this thinking ?

And barrel length. The 870 express I am leaning towards has a 18" barrel. Should I go longer or is 18" fine for shooting short distances. At this point I am not going to be hunting mostly just shooting.

Thanks

edit: I can always just add a longer barrel couldn't I ?
 
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There are basically only two types of 870. The Wingmaster, which is (supposed to be) the higher end version, which is all polished up and blued. Then there is the Express which is their economy platform which is not polished up, and just coated. Parts should work on both platforms, it is just the fit and finish. All the little variations you see in catalogues are all just using the same 870 platform, and just adding various parts and bells and whistles. So you don't need to worry too much about which one to get, as they are all 870's. Just set your budget, and decide which little features you want.

As you have said, you "just want to shoot" so don't worry too much about getting a high-end 870. Just a basic 870 express will do just fine. Your biggest decisions would be wood stock, laminate stock, or plastic stock. Further, what kind of barrel do you want? If you are just blasting out at a gravel pit, then barrel size/length really doesn't matter. If you are planning on hunting, then what are you planning to hunt? If it is ducks, then a 26-28" vented rib barrel is what you want. If it is deer, then likely a 20" fully rifled, or rifle-sighted/rifled choke-tube barrel is what you want.

And yes, you can just buy a barrel later on.
 
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