Beginner Shotgun

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Mike_Porter

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Greeting my fellow Gun nutz!

I come to you with a question, but first some back context to make this questions a bit more easier to answer.

I have had my license for about 3 months now i currently own a .22 handgun and an old .303 lee enfield rifle. i have interest in getting into the IPSC handgun divison. I have a wife who has soon interest in shooting as well i have younger children that i would like to get into shooting eventually, so i more or less looking for a teaching shotgun for myself and for the wife and at some point in the kids. i would like to begun at least decent with all the types of firearms. so the question is what shotgun do i invest in? model, gauge, action type etc? I have little experience with shotguns so any help would be greatly apprenticed!
 
For ease of use and safety plus the capability to have manual repeating capability I would opt for a proven design pump shotgun. If it’s just for shooting stationary or clay targets, upland birds or small game hunting not including waterfowl hunting you can pick up an older fixed choke gun like a Winchester model 12 in 12 gauge for a very reasonable price, in fact for less money than many sub-quality offerings available new.
 
Proper fit is critical. Expecting one shotgun to serve you, and your wife, and your children, is realistic only if all of you are the same size (physically). So that's the first issue you'll have to decide upon. Who is it for, really?

Different shotguns are designed to do different jobs well. Sure, you can use anything for anything, but it won't be ideal. So that's the next question. Hunting? Trap? Skeet? Clays? What is it for, really?

Look at semi-automatic shotguns, and over and under shotguns, and - if you wish - look at pump and single-barrel shotguns. Consider the questions (i.e.: 'Who is it for?', and; 'What is it for?'). Let that guide your search.

The next question is price: 'How much can I afford to spend?' You'll find prices ranging from $150. right through $50 000. (and up). Ulltimately, your budget will dictate your choice(s).
 
All fair questions Wendell,
The shotgun is ultimately for me. The current use of the shotgun will be normal stationary targets and getting familiar with the shotgun family. As for budget i would like to keep it in the sub 500 dollar region if possible. The Club i belong to has Clay and skeet fields so if able i wouldn't mind giving them a try
 
Go to your local club. Bring some ears and safety glasses. Ask what shotgun they are shooting 9/10. Fudd factor in the or 10/10. Lol
Hit a range and ask questions, yes like everyday life you will run into #######s...just move on and ask more .
 
If you have a sub $500 budget you will get better value from a pump action, good over unders and side by sides will be more than that. You can’t go wrong with a Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 series of pump action 12g shotguns, aftermarket bits are plenty and they are proven designs. Nothing says shotgun than racking a pump action and you will learn the ins and outs of operating a shotgun with a pump action.

Lots of lightly used examples for n the ee.
 
With the Rem 870 or Mozzie 500 you could add a magpull or similar tactical style stock. This would allow you to adjust the LOP fairly easily and fit the different people shooting it a bit better.
But you will probably get some looks from the Fudds at the local range.
 
Mike_Porter said:
...The shotgun is ultimately for me. The current use of the shotgun will be normal stationary targets and getting familiar with the shotgun family. As for budget i would like to keep it in the sub 500 dollar region if possible. The Club I belong to has Clay and skeet fields so if able i wouldn't mind giving them a try
Click to expand...

That said, I'd suggest that you consider a 20 gauge youth-model Mossberg, either a 500 Bantam (13" LOP) or a 500 Super Bantam (12-13" LOP). They'll fit your family, and your budget, and if a 13" LOP isn't long enough for you, you can easily buy an additional (500) buttstock that'll fix it.

<http://www.mossberg.com/category/series/specialty-series/youth-firearms/>

Related post: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ting-with-a-short-20g?p=15116951#post15116951
 
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my first gun was an H&r Pardner Pump turkey 22" 12ga. with real tree camo,,, it's a remington 870 clone licensed to manufacture in china, I put about 800 shells through it since march, and she's flawless; amazing deal from Sail for $220+tax (little heavy weight) **Image and video linking functions will be enabled after you have contributed more to the forum**

get a 12ga. you will kick yourself if you go smaller.

-ebay barrel clamp
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-tactical ordnance +2 w/ spring and sling mount
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-this is the last incarnation of my pardner I have unsoldered the vent rib stripped the barrel buffed and used a propane torch for a case hardened look, polished the bolt and a full action job.
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Get thee a 12 ga. pump. I'd look at a Mossberg 500 or an older (pre 1992) Remington 870 Wingmaster, even a BPS. Go for a 3-inch chamber in whatever you pick. Hold them, cycle them, figure out which controls feel best to you and look for a deal on a used one in good condition. You're set for the rest of your life.
 
Butcherbill said:
If you have a sub $500 budget you will get better value from a pump action, good over unders and side by sides will be more than that. You can’t go wrong with a Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 series of pump action 12g shotguns, aftermarket bits are plenty and they are proven designs. Nothing says shotgun than racking a pump action and you will learn the ins and outs of operating a shotgun with a pump action.

Lots of lightly used examples for n the ee.
Click to expand...

This is the advise I would follow. Either the 870 or 500 are very versatile and useful entry level shotguns that will do everything you need.
 
Nothing wrong with a Cooey 84. My kids learned on one. They're around $100. Pumps are also a good choice. Older pumps such as an Ithaca 37 is well build and has neat features such as the ability to slam fire and has bottom ejection so it is lefty friendly. These older shotguns are only a couple hundred dollars.
 
I started with a Mossberg 500 for skeet and also had a Browning BPS 12 gauge. Both worked well for me. Their are advantages and disadvantages for both. If you want to shoot Trap with a pump action you may want the Browning with the bottom eject so you aren't hitting the guy beside you with the empties.
 
Mossberg 500 would likely be my pick. For $500 you can find a 2-barrel set, one around 28" and the other around 18.5". That'll cover all your bases.

I like Mossbergs over Remingtons for a few reasons. The Mossbergs tend to be a bit lighter (Aluminum receiver instead of steel), I prefer their safety particularly because I shoot shotguns left handed (tang mounted, rather than a cross bolt on the trigger guard, a right handed cross bolt safety is a real pain if you shoot left), and on the off chance that you break the ejector, you can put a new one into a Mossberg much easier than a Remington.

You could also get a Mossberg Maverick 88. Its basically a 500, with a different trigger group that has a cross bolt safety. They can be had for under $300 on sale. That is what I bought for my first pump, and its been perfectly reliable. I would rather a 500 now, because I have since switched to shooting left handed so the safety would be better, but function wise I have zero complaints.
 
Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 both are proven designs. However, shotgun fit is critical. Go to your local gun store and throw a few them up to shoulder see what you like. Shotguns should be an almost natural extension of your body as shotgunning is a more instinctive shooting style. You point rather than aim. As it has been said Mossberg and Remington are easy to find parts for including chokes.
 
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