Another newbie needs help - Too many choices

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Nikuser

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Hello to all you SG experts.

I have scoured this wonderful forums for weeks and have gathered so many opinions from various "first purchase" posts. My SG needs seem to be pretty universal.

1. reliable (who wants to buy a piece of crap up front)
2. affordable (because most can't drop 2k$+ for a SBE III at first or at all)
3. versatile (because we don't know what we'll end up enjoying)

Here's what I have learnt so far:

1. "Try on for size"
Not all SG are created equal. LOP, Drop, Comb, Cast, etc. All vary slightly, so it's important to visit shops and try different models on for size.

2. Buy with repairs in mind
I hadn't thought of the availability of repair service and parts. Buying an inexpensive Turkish semi auto or Italian pump may not work out in the long run. Parts and service are hard to come by. Hence the recommendation for the American made SG.

3. Buy once, cry once
Spend a little up front and you won't need to have to make another purchase down the road.

4. "Buy a Wingmaster"
The one comment I have seens most often, is: many ppl, given the opportunity, would go back and choose a Rem 870 Wingmaster for there first SG. I have never seen one, so I can't attest to that, but only time will tell.


The most common models recommended, if I'm not mistaken, is the Rem 870 and Moss 500/535. every so often, someone will mention a Stoeger M3500.

Like most newbies, I stress over making the right choice. Choosing a first SG is a decision I don't take lightly. In fact, I obsess over making decisions. It's one of many of my faults.

Here what I'm thinking after all this:

I will get a Mossberg 500 Combo.
It's reliable, parts and mods are readily available, it's affordable, the combo gives options to hunt small game to deer and even shoot sporting clays for practice and learning how my gun likes to shoot. I've seen the three barrel combo (not pictured bellow) at a place nearby. They seems to have it for under 700$. But I can't find it elsewhere.



I know most, will still recommend the 870, but IMHO, it doesn't satisfy one requirement: Affordable. The value/price is swayed towards the 500. Multiple barrels and chokes included. I know the action and trigger guard/assembly isn't as tough. However, from what I can tell it's still very reliable.

Insert wrench here

I recently handled a Win SXP. It fit real well and was nice to carry. I haven't seen many comments about it. Is that a good thing? Ppl don't gripe about the things they like. Or is it not a popular choice (for a reason that I ignore). Can anyone enlighten me?



Is it...

1. reliable?
2. affordable?
3. versatile?

Thanks for your help.
 
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Another cheap alternative can be found on the used market. It's the Ithaca 37 pump with a factory mod choke. They run around $300 in decent shape

The mossbergs are good option for a do it all. The wood version is a better option then the synthetic in my experience. I have both. Rarely do I pick up my synthetic. Both mine are 535 models. Rarely do I ever use 3.5" in 12 ga

An old wing master is a safe bet. I don't like the express models. They've cheaped out

I grew up on a pump and shoot them well. I find the Ithaca 37 to be one of the best

I've found berettas to have the better semi auto guns. A used 391 can be had for a decent price and is a great gun
 
if you are looking for a Versitle shotgun to hunt all sorts of game animals the Mossberg 500 3 barrel combo is about as good as it gets. It is a proven platform and been around for many years. The overall fit and finish leaves a little to be desired but aftermarket parts are everywhere it is made in the USA. It comes with 24" cantilever slug barrel, 24" fibre optic turkey barrel and a 28" waterfowl barrel it comes with 4 chokes...full, mod , IC and the extra full turkey choke. It hammers turkeys and I can get 3 SST slugs into a 4" circle out to 100yrds with the slug barrel. the 28" and 24" turkey barrels are both ported to reduce recoil.
 
All good advice to which I will add: If you go to the used market watch your choke size as steel shot does not like the more restrictive chokes like full. Lots of excellent used shotguns out there and you are starting in plenty of time for the fall. If you can find a gun show it will give you the opportunity to play with a variety of different models. Mossberg are reliable shotguns, have three (all bolts) and they are solid tough guns. Money well spent.
 
The Winchester spx is a solid platform. It has nice ergonomics, nice fit and finish, you will spend some hefty coin to make it as versitle as the the Mossberg....for the price you will find the Mossberg a better value. Ultimately the decision will be yours, my suggestion is go pick up each gun and shoulder them. See how they fit you let that guide your decision.

As for the wingmaster it is an excellent platform, but again will be pricey to make it a versitle as the Mossberg combo guns.

One more tip you don't need 3 1/2" capability particularly in a pump gun platform. If you were a dedicated waterfowler and were spending some coin to get a recoil absorbing semi auto gun then the 31/2" capability may be utilized.
 
You're a newbie. People on here are giving you advice who have owned dozens of different shotguns over many decades. Buy a Wingmaster.....not an "870".....a "870 Wingmaster". Be smart....buy a high condition used one. You will have it for as long as you shoot. And it will easily fit into your budget right now.
 
My first new shotgun was an 870 Express. I should have bought the Wingmaster. At the time it wasn't that much more money. I still have the Express but wish it was a Wingmaster......

FYI The new Wingmaster's have been cheapened with the Express extractor.
 
Ranger Dave said:
Pump action is just fine for sporting clays.
Click to expand...

Are you serious? Why not to offer a muzzleloader then? Of course you can hit the clay or two shooting the pump at the range. But if you seriously consider the sport or would like to get more less good results shooting clays, o/u is the way to go.
 
I have a Winchester SXP Trap, and it's been good so far after 400-500 rounds through it during trap. It is reliable, affordable, and in the combo model (18" and 28" barrel combo) versatile. As a "starting" shotgun I don't see anything wrong with it, though you do not get the customization options of something like a 870 or Mossberg 500. The speed pump (inertia assist) is interesting and does speed up the pumping action, and so far it's eaten everything I've thrown into it without complaint. Challenger, Winchester, Federal, Remington, low brass, high brass, 2 3/4", 3", target load, magnum... no problems.

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The Winchester SXP is all three things you describe. I have the older walnut model, but essentially the same gun. Nothing wrong with it.
 
mockba77 said:
Are you serious? Why not to offer a muzzleloader then? Of course you can hit the clay or two shooting the pump at the range. But if you seriously consider the sport or would like to get more less good results shooting clays, o/u is the way to go.
Click to expand...

A pump action would not be my choice for skeet or sporting clays, but I have shot clean rounds of skeet with a 20 gauge Wingmaster, and I have seen some impressive sporting clays shooting with a pump action. I have also seen some very good sporting clays shooters using semi autos, even though I prefer an O/U.
 
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