Beginner's Shotgun

NiksaNovovic

NiksaNovovic

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hello everyone!

After some consideration I have decided that my second gun purchase will be a shotgun. And so I turn to you for advice as to what I should pick up. I will be using it for some skeet shooting and most definitely for upland bird and water fowl hunting. I would most definitely prefer a semi-auto or pump action over a break action SxS or O/U, and I would appreciate any and all advice that you could offer. As I am a poor student, price will most definitely be a consideration.

Niksa
 
Rem 870. Stay away from the Super Mags, they have well known issues. The 3" or shorter versions are good guns though.

Easy to maintain and clean, lots of aftermarket accessories. If you can afford it, get an 870 wingmaster. The fit and finish are vastly superior to the Express.
 
The guy says that he wants to shoot skeet. In that case, a semi will serve him a lot better than a pump. Hardly anyone shoots skeet with a pump, because pairs are nearly impossible.


So my suggestion is a used Beretta 390 or 391 with a 3 inch chamber. If I had to have just one shotrgun, that is what I would go for.
 
Remington 870 Wingmaster in a pump or a Remington 1100/11-87 in a semi.

I agree with Blasted Saber, avoid the Supermags. 2 3/4" have been killing geese for decades. No need for 3 1/2". Just learn good calling techniques and call them in close!

A good call is a lot less expensive than 3 1/2" shells!
 
Gde si brate, ja cu ti reci sta je dobro
I have a mossberg 535 in synthetic, its 28inch and has super mag, perfect for hunting and i love it never have any problems
remington 870 is also good basically the same thing, they are both same price around $400 and are 12ga pump actions
These two are the most common and the arguement never end between which one is better, but on average both are the top 2 best :)
 
Mossberg 930. Soft shooting so you can shoot lots of targets without getting your shoulder beat up from a pump gun. This is a GREAT advantage in learning how to wingshoot. Has screw in chokes to handle anything from skeet and grouse to trap or geese. Handles steel, and brand new for a little over $500. Well balanced, too.

(You do hear lots of chatter about new 870 Express guns having poor or spotty quality, just beware.)
 
All depends on the amount of cash you are willing to spend. My suggestion is either a used 870 (wingmaster or express). The new expresses seem to have some issues (mine included), but they dissappear with time as the gun wears in. The amount of parts and accessories available makes the 870 a good choice to grow with.
 
pacobillie said:
The guy says that he wants to shoot skeet. In that case, a semi will serve him a lot better than a pump. Hardly anyone shoots skeet with a pump, because pairs are nearly impossible.


So my suggestion is a used Beretta 390 or 391 with a 3 inch chamber. If I had to have just one shotrgun, that is what I would go for.
Click to expand...

The 390 and 391 are very good choices, but there is nothing "nearly impossible" about skeet doubles with an 870 wingmaster. In the not too distant past there were always more than a few 870s in the winners circle at the big shoots. Now there are fewer pumps in competition because more can afford autos and doubles, and because many share your opinion.
 
Keep in mind that the great 870 reputation was based on 870's produeced years ago, the modrn ones will do you fine if you break them in and shoot a reasonable amount yearly. If you want a pump get an Older 870 or a Wingmaster or a Winchester 1300, I would look at the Baikal m153 or a Mossberg 930 if you want a semiautomatic.
 
NiksaNovovic said:
Hello everyone!

After some consideration I have decided that my second gun purchase will be a shotgun. And so I turn to you for advice as to what I should pick up. I will be using it for some skeet shooting and most definitely for upland bird and water fowl hunting. I would most definitely prefer a semi-auto or pump action over a break action SxS or O/U, and I would appreciate any and all advice that you could offer. As I am a poor student, price will most definitely be a consideration.

Niksa
Click to expand...

My first ever shotgun (after the break down single shot 16 guage my grandfather left me) was a Mossberg 535 pump action.

Its more or less a Mossberg 500 (one of the big famous ones that eveyone knows about, and the police use) but it takes 3 1/2 (!) shells (and the smaller ones of course).

The Mossberg 535 All-Terrain Pump Action Shotgun

Made in America (not made in Mexico and assembled in America), very cheap, very reliable (Mossberg is known for their pump action shotguns). Full length barrel for bird hunting etc. You Can get shorter barrels or the rifled barels if you want them. Holds 5 + 1 rounds. Has the screw-in- chokes so you can no choke, half choke, or full choke.



~$300 new
htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=3968

$50 more for the deer barrel
htps://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=3969

* add a "t" to "https"
 
woolly said:
Remington 870 Wingmaster in a pump or a Remington 1100/11-87 in a semi.

I agree with Blasted Saber, avoid the Supermags. 2 3/4" have been killing geese for decades. No need for 3 1/2". Just learn good calling techniques and call them in close!

A good call is a lot less expensive than 3 1/2" shells!
Click to expand...

Are the "supermag" guns of less quality?

From my perspective I use 2 3/4 ammo (mostly) in my Mossberg 535 but I like the option of being able to use 3 1/2 ammo. Im not going to run out and buy this expensive ammo all the time but its nice to have the option, and it could be cheaper down the road.

Are the guns built with less quality control standards? Youd think theyd be built better, being able to hold the extra pressure etc.

Curious
 
I bought the 870 Express thinking, as many do, that it's the ideal "all purpose" shotgun. Turns out there's no such thing. The 870 positively excels at one thing (reliability) but is not as good at another (speed). Like any other firearm, even a shotgun it has its niche. So choose according to what you want to do with it. For clays, I'd recommend a good, basic semi. A Remington semi is a classic shotgun with almost the same versatility as their pump, but with the speed factor for clays. Rems are also easy to maintain with readily available parts. Then, if it turns out you really love the sport, down the road you can spend the big bucks on a nice O/U with engraved receiver, etc, etc, etc.

Go with the semi. My .02
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Keep in mind that the great 870 reputation was based on 870's produeced years ago, the modrn ones will do you fine if you break them in and shoot a reasonable amount yearly. If you want a pump get an Older 870 or a Wingmaster or a Winchester 1300, I would look at the Baikal m153 or a Mossberg 930 if you want a semiautomatic.
Click to expand...

You are right on about the older wingmasters and 1200s are much better. I just disagee with those who think skeet doubles are a big deal with a pump.
 
Covey Ridge said:
You are right on about the older wingmasters and 1200s are much better. I just disagee with those who think skeet doubles are a big deal with a pump.
Click to expand...
X2!
it's not as big a deal as some think, and here's the licker.
Practise at skeet and trap doubles with your pump, then take it into the blind with you after dusks and geese.
Your shell/kill ratio with increase noticeably, if you use a semi or O/U for skeet , then use the pump only for hunitng!
Cat
 
Covey Ridge said:
You are right on about the older wingmasters and 1200s are much better. I just disagee with those who think skeet doubles are a big deal with a pump.
Click to expand...
X2!
it's not as big a deal as some think, and here's the licker.
Practise at skeet and trap doubles with your pump, then take it into the blind with you after dusks and geese.
Your shell/kill ratio with increase noticeably, if you use a semi or O/U for skeet , then use the pump only for huntng!
Cat
 
I have both an 870 Express and a Mossberg 835 Ultra Mag... both are great shotguns. Since I got the Mossy though, I don't use the 870 very much anymore. The 835 is lighter, seems to come to the shoulder easier and, has a 3.5 inch chamber (although I have never shot 3.5 shells out of it yet).

Both, for me so far, have been utterly reliable. The finish on the 835 is nicer (Mossy Oak) but, either will serve you well for many years.

As far as skeet or trap or sporting clays, I haven't shot any of these sports competitively, so can't help you there. Good luck on your decision.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom