12 Ga. Pump Advice

sly

sly

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I am more of a semi auto guy but want a smaller pump action for hiking in the bush. I did not care for my buddy's Benelli Super Nova (didn't feel right for me) and another friend got rid of his 870 after a few months because hated it. I have been looking at Mossberg but they feel so cheap I wondered:

1 - Mossberg - they seem to be everywhere: I am wondering if my impression of them is incorrect?? Are they reliable?
2- If you guys have any recommendations on other brands that would be reliable and good value for $$$.

Any advice is appreciated.
 
The cheap feel you describe is maybe just a loose action on the slide that is like that for a reason. All mossbergs are like that. They are THE most reliable pump. The 590A1 and its variations are your first pick followed by the 500 series. The differences being the finish, trigger guard material and safety. The barrel on the 590's are also heavier I believe.
I have a persuader, I opted with the 500 because I prefer the glossy finish. I like the tang safety also.

Value for the money the winchester SXP defender is nice but doesnt have as many available upgrades etc...
You can pick up both the sxp and persuader from dealers on here around 350$ and the 590's are over 500$
 
I'd trust my 590 over a semi any day. Its never not gone boom! And im approaching 1000 or so rounds through my kel tec ksg with no failures either so its quickly earning my trust, i was weary of trusting it for the first couple years. If u want for hiking one of the short barreled norinco grizzlys would b a good option or if u want a semi auto there's that la-k12 norinco 12 gauge bullpup that came in a few weeks back
 
A Mossberg pump is hard to beat. I have owned a few 500 and 590A1's over the years (and a couple of 870's).
For hiking in the woods get a 500. Lighter than the 590's and just as reliable. The ergos of the Mossberg controls are the best….IMO.
 
Can't go wrong with a mossberg.

I'd also recommend looking at Hatsan shotguns. They are amazing value and based off the Fabarm design.
 
Depends what you want to spend and what "feels good" to you.

They are all "sound/functional" or they wouldn't be on the market, some have nicer fit/finish.

In the 2015 line-up (reflecting the current wholesale prices) you have:

H&R Pardner pumps - just over 300 bucks

Maverick M88's listing at about $350

Tristar Cobra's just under 500 bucks

Weatherby PA-08's - mid 500 buck range

Mossberg 500's - sythetic, wood or camo patterns for $500 to just over $600

Rem 870 Express (3") syn or wood in the 500-600 range

Rem 887 Nitro Mags - synthetic for just on 6 bills

Mossberg 835's in black, camo, multi-barrel etc in the 600-800 range

Rem 870 Super Mags are now listing in the mid 700 to mid 800 dollar range in various finishes

Rem 870 Wingmaster will now list close to 1K

Browning BPS is probably going to go on the shelves for about $800 (haven't seen the "final wholesale pricing yet")

Win SX3 will probably list a little over 1K and

Win SXP will be the "budget Winchester" probably selling for about 600'ish bucks

Benelli Super Nova's - $800 - $1000 depending on finish

Benelli Nova's - 650-750 bucks

Stoeger P350's - high 500 buck range

I left out the lesser known Webley's and a couple others like that but there should be "something" out there that fits you well and is easy on your wallet :)

If you shop around you might find prices upwards of 25% LESS than what I threw up there. The prices I note are going to be the rough ticket price for shotguns sourced NOW with our crappy buck. Last years stock may or may not still be selling at last years prices.

We do sell probably more Mossberg 500's than anything else. It's probably a blend of cost plus quality. I assemble them for the showcase and much prefer the fit of the 870's, but they also went for "more money - (but the 500's have gone up/caught the 870 price this year) so for the guy who is looking for a "starter shotgun" they are a sound choice. The Maverick's are junky feeling which is probably why they are "cheap".

In the lower cost line I like the 870 Express in 3" and the PA-08 Weatherby's for fit/finish/ease of assembly/tear down etc in the $500-$600 range.

Last note - there is a Mossberg 535 (3 1/2") three barrel combo model out there right now. Has a 28" VR, 24" Turkey Choked and 24" fully rifled (with cantilever) barrel selling for about 600 bucks. If I was looking for a (first/only) shotgun, that would be high on my "take a look" list.
 
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I have a Mossberg maverick 88.

It's extremely reliable. Over 1000 rounds, zero issues. One failure to fire, but that was due to the ammo, asit had a good primer strike, just didn't go off.

And i paid $250+tax from wanstalls for it last year. Can't beat that price for a Mossberg pump gun.

It also takes most parts from a 500 so customizing it is very possible, if that's your thing
 
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