Buying my first shotgun

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onedayaway

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Hey guys need some advice. Looking for my first shotgun.

Went down to WSS today and took a look at the maverick 88 security and the remington 870 syn 18".

I couldn't believe the difference in feel. Quite honestly the maverick felt like a toy, it just felt extemely cheap.

The only other one I'm interested in is the norc hp9 however I don't have the chance to handle one in person. I'd prefer the 14'' however if it's anything in feel to the 88 I won't even consider it.

Could I go wrong with the hp9?
Could I go wrong with the Rem 870?
Is there something else I should be looking at?

I just want a 12g that could serve duty as a HD, camp gun, and something I could carry hiking/fishing. Not take intentional abuse, but something I can depend on and take some neglect.

Thanks guys.
 
I was fully ready to pull the trigger on it tonight untill WSS pulled there it's too late bull####.
They had them for $379 with double the gst off. So it would have been $342. I emailed WSS tonight so I guess we'll have to see what the say. If they do honor it I'll be picking one up, the 870 felt great and extremely solid.
 
The 14" barrel HP9-1 would be my first choice, unless a 14" 870 Police was available.
 
The Norc is even heavier than an 870. Other than that identical. But I also have a Maverick 88 field and love it. It has an aluminum reciever and that is why it feels so much lighter, but this is a huge positive when walkin through the bush for birds. I have put probably a couple thousand rounds(prolly more) through mine without a single issue. Not pretty but for 219 prolly one of the best deals ive ever had.
 
The "HP9" and the "HP9-1" are different.

It is the HP9-1 that shares commonality of parts with the Remington 870.

The HATSAN 14" 12GAX3" SHOT GUN is not an HP9-1. (Don't buy it!)

This, on the other hand, is a genuine Norinco HP9-1.
 
Its the same as that one except it doesn't come with both barrels.
Our site sponsor frontier is also selling the norinco hp9's for a good price.

I loved the feel of the 870 and the shorter barrel would be a plus so maybe I should grab the norc.
 
I just bought 2 HP9 14" Rem 870 copy guns... I have to say, after cleaning them up and racking them a bit, I was impressed with the feel.

The machining inside was surprisingly clean, no burrs or anything. For a cheap gun I was expecting some roughness and whatever, but Im more then impressed.

As for the Mav 88, it definitely isnt a toy and would put up with whatever you put it through.
 
IMHO you need to first determine the reason you are getting a shotgun?
is it for personal protection in the wilderness. (get the lightes thin you can) 20 gauge possibly?
is it for hunting? what are you hunting? birds, such as grouse a .410 will work.
is it a turkey, ducks or geese. 12ga w/ minimum 3" load.
or is it just to look cool. then get the coolest looking thing you can afford.
which brings up a whole new topic. you can spend from $100 for an old cooey to $6,000 for a nice OU trap gun?
IMHO get what you think will be the best shooting and feels right when you shoulder it.
I have a safe full of Remingtons because I perfer them over a mossy. I dont like where there safety is. But that is just my personal preference?
Good luck and enjoy your first shotgun
 
GSXRMyers said:
IMHO you need to first determine the reason you are getting a shotgun?
is it for personal protection in the wilderness. (get the lightes thin you can) 20 gauge possibly?
is it for hunting? what are you hunting? birds, such as grouse a .410 will work.
is it a turkey, ducks or geese. 12ga w/ minimum 3" load.
or is it just to look cool. then get the coolest looking thing you can afford.
which brings up a whole new topic. you can spend from $100 for an old cooey to $6,000 for a nice OU trap gun?
IMHO get what you think will be the best shooting and feels right when you shoulder it.
I have a safe full of Remingtons because I perfer them over a mossy. I dont like where there safety is. But that is just my personal preference?
Good luck and enjoy your first shotgun
Click to expand...

....what he said.

My 2 cents is this...go pump for reliability, they will never let you down.

If you're looking for a quick purchase that will go bang for s--ts and giggles, then buy a Norc.
If you want a quality gun that you will keep forever, and will always need to be reliable, and keep its value, then go 870.

Both are equally easy to accesorize and get parts for, and there is a market out there flooded with 870 parts.

The beauty of the 870 is that it will take birds, bucks, paper targets, clay, and, if needed, bad dudes, and you can always use the same receiver. Just swap out barrels/sights/stocks/mag tubes mand you are set.
 
GSXRMyers said:
IMHO you need to first determine the reason you are getting a shotgun?
is it for personal protection in the wilderness. (get the lightes thin you can) 20 gauge possibly?
is it for hunting? what are you hunting? birds, such as grouse a .410 will work.
is it a turkey, ducks or geese. 12ga w/ minimum 3" load.
or is it just to look cool. then get the coolest looking thing you can afford.
which brings up a whole new topic. you can spend from $100 for an old cooey to $6,000 for a nice OU trap gun?
IMHO get what you think will be the best shooting and feels right when you shoulder it.
I have a safe full of Remingtons because I perfer them over a mossy. I dont like where there safety is. But that is just my personal preference?
Good luck and enjoy your first shotgun
Click to expand...

Home defense, wilderness carry (including grizzly), camp gun, range time. I'm basicly looking for a work horse that I can count on. It has to be reliable and may have to deal with a bit of neglect. At this time there's no hunting plan although I suppose the need could come up down the road.

I found a mossberg 500 combo with an 18" security barrel and a 28" field barrel for $299. At least you wouldn't feel bad if it got a little beat up in the outdoors, and from the ones I've seen they're alot lighter than the 870's.
It won't be my one and only shotgun. For now I just don't want something I have to feel bad about getting a little beat up.
 
Well guys I went out the door this morning planning to buy an 870 express and came home with a mossberg.


Brand new, 18" security barrel and a 28" field barrel

I still plan to get a nice 870 though when funds allow, but I think this should make a great beater.
 
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+1 on the Mossberg. I have the 590 and it is built like a tank. It eats everything I have put in it and feels solid and reassuring on the shoulder. As for reliability I think you are okay with any of the big names mentioned above.

Enjoy your new purchase.

Jeff
 
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