A new guy's poll

[Knownonscents]

You've probably seen this 1 before but I'm new so cut me some slack please.
I've got kindof a vague question but here it is anyways.

Looking for a backpackiing, security, fun shotgun in PUMP or SEMI 12 gauge and probably 18" but perhaps even 14".

From cheap to $1000ish. I like mossberg, btu here nothing but good things about benelli(which I am leaning towards).

FACTORS IN DECIDIN
1. reliablility and weatherability
2. Quality(in finish, components and all that jazz).
3. weight( not scared of packing a few extra pounds though)
4. cost
5. probably looking for a pistol grip or something kinda tactical.


The poll options are just a few that I know/heared of but I am defintely interested in hearing others.

P.S. for the diehards. dont take this poll tooooo seriously. just looking for some simple #'s.

 

[josh1976]

You described the purpose for your shotgun, to be for "fun, back-packing and security". I suggest saving possibly $700.00, and buying a Norinco HP9. "fun", usually describes lots of shooting and beating the crap out of it. "back-packing", usually means lot's of scrathes and tough handleing, and "security" usually means, letting it sit in a closet.
I have tried and tested the cheepy Norinco, and it's suited very well for all of these things. As a matter of fact, I own 3. I dont mind my friends beating the #### out of them either. They are built well, and built upon the Rem 870 design. Unfortunatly, my Benelli has never fed properly since new and jams 3" shells constantly. For me, this equalls...not fun.

 

[Vimy Ridge]

Go with the Grizzly.

 

[punkrockboy]

Remington 870!!!If 1000$ is your budget, for 4-500, you can get a brand-new 870, and it will last you forever. Despite what a lot of people will say, the Norinco guns are generall pretty good(I have quite a few Norincos), but if 1000 dollars is your budget, spend the 500 and get an 870! You wont regret it!!I have a 870 with a magazine extension to hold 7 rounds, with an 18 inch barrel. It is the first centerfire I bought, and I will have this gun forever!!!

 

[boomer271]

Do I have to choose just one?

I had a hard time answering your poll; I have an 870, an 870, an 870, a Norinco HP-9, and a Benelli M4. Plus the SxS's and singles . . .

My Benelli M4 is certainly the best shotgun I have ever had for all the other factors, including reliability/weatherability, quality overall and it is the ultimate in Tacti-cool, but the price means I am not going to be tossing it in the back of the truck without a case . . . and when my father and I were hunting this fall and he fell (carrying my M4! ) it was all I could do to make sure Dad was alright before I picked up the shotgun and checked it over . . . I honestly didn't hesitate to help Dad, but that little voice was crying out to grab the M$ . . . and I let him borrow a SxS coach gun now.
A semiauto will always get you the fastest and most accurate second shot and follow-up shots, as you never have to take the weapon out of line to rack the slide. With a little practice the Benelli can double-tap slugs with a 2" separation! (And it only cost me two boxes of slugs to find that out!) On the downside, Barrel length with any semi-auto is going to be at least 18.5" and your magazine capacity will be limited to 5, both by legislation.

The 870 is the ultimate tuner shotgun, you can accessorize it, hunt with it, get the gun and parts relatively cheap, buy a used one and make it your own . . . whatever you want. Resale is not hard as there's lots of 879 fans out there. No limits on barrel length or capacity. With practice you can rack it and take your second shot quickly and accurately -- if you need one! I currently have an 870 slug gun with a scoped, cantilevered 3" magnum rifled barrel, an old 870 Wingmaster I got for a hundred bucks years ago and still play with, and my shorty with the Dlask 8.5" barrel. And a Norinco HP-9 which can interchange parts, barrels and accessories with the other guns. Between these 870s and my box of parts and accessories, it is better than Lego: a new toy every day!

I have to agree with josh -- the Norinco HP-9 is the best value-for-money shotgun I have owned. If you start at cost and make allowances for your other factors then this is a clear choice for a first shotgun. It simply has all the advantages of the 870 pump and the cost is unbeatable. And by the way, it is the gun Dad would have been carrying if his shoulder let him rack the slide easier . . . like a good used car it is useful but I don't care what happens to it, even new out of the box.

I have owned Mossberg and Winchester pumps, nothing terrible to say about them, but I chose the 870 as my goto gun for all of the purposes you listed. It works for me.

All that being said, why would I limit myself? You are obviously choosing a first shotgun. Guarantee you it will not be the last one. I personally haven't tried a Fabarm yet but i have heard great things about them. Dominion Arms products look good for the price. The Browning pumps and autos I have seen have marvelous fit and finish and good features for the shooter. Hated the Maverick with the curving barrel that I didn't buy at a gun show, but they might have better QC now . . . damn, now I have to go fondle, I mean clean and maintain my shotguns and maybe go down to the local shop and see what they have there. Wouldn't want to get stuck in a limited mindset and deny myself another great shotgun . . . Now I'd like to look at a Fabarm, heard they had one in . . . need to start scheduling more overtime again!

 

[farmer47]

the factorsyou state reliable 870 .quality 870 wingmaster.weight 870 .cost used 870 wingmaster.pistol grips are available .i have owned a benelli . it was a quality gun but parts are costly .also have owned 590 a1 mossberg 14 inch . prefer the 870 . have fun with your shotgun and welcome to shotguning.ps. its addictive.

 

[OldRanger]

Try before you buy!

 

[krausb]

Based on the criteria you outline above, your only real choice is a 14" Fabarm. The apex of quality, extremely reliable, noticeably lighter than any 870 (or clone), and (other than a Griz or Norinco) your only choice in a factory 14" barrel. Also, it comes with a factory pistol grip for the tacticool appearance that you are looking for. And it fits within your price range. It is the only gun on the market that meets all of your criteria. Contact The Shooting Edge if you want more info.

 

[lone-wolf]

I wouldn't go with a Semi for the reasons boomer said, even with some of their benefits.
Pumps are fun, reliable, and are readily available in tactical(or tacticool) style.

 

[drvrage]

870 Marine Magnum. All nickel plated inside and out. Perfect all weather including sal####er. Perfect gun. 18", 6+1, plus all the benefits of 870 parts compatability for aftermarket mods and millions upon millions of 870's out there for spare parts in a pinch.

 

[Knownonscents]

Thanks for the great response guys. I've owned a mossberg in a past life down in texas and really enjoyed it. But from the sounds of it I might really enjoy the norinco. I'm in no rush as I'm still waiting for my PAL but when I get it........oh crap I'm excited!
thanks again and keep the feed back coming

 

[Hotwheels81]

Based on the criteria you outline above, your only real choice is a 14" Fabarm. The apex of quality, extremely reliable, noticeably lighter than any 870 (or clone), and (other than a Griz or Norinco) your only choice in a factory 14" barrel. Also, it comes with a factory pistol grip for the tacticool appearance that you are looking for. And it fits within your price range. It is the only gun on the market that meets all of your criteria. Contact The Shooting Edge if you want more info.

you missed one... the valtro PM5 comes in a 14" ported barrel

http://www.frontiertaxidermy.com/html/tactical_shotguns.html

nothing is more frustrating then pulling the trigger on a expensive semi-auto shotgun and it refuses to cycle the action cleanly ejecting the spent hull... your $1000 fabanellie is now a bolt action... it happens... its frustrating...

pump's most always cycle and the more you pay the better the chance it will always go BOOM when you pull that trigger and the less chance it will go BOOM when you dont...

my opinion on the matter is if you want a gun that will take a beating over time and still function flawlessly an 870 or mossberg 590 are hard to beat... the grizz's are fun toys as well but not a "first pick" for a long term investment.