Decisions for an all-around shotgun.

[PoFF]

First, I have to tell you guys that I know alot of things about rifles, pistols and revolvers, but close to nothing about shotguns, lack of interest I guess, but I think it is now time to get an all-purpose shotty.

I have my eyes on a Win 1300 Defender 18", and also on a Remmy 870 Express 18".

Now after some reading I've learned that the Rem Express were the 'entry-level' (read cheaply made) model of the 870, but on the other side, Win 1300s are discontinued. That's about everything I know aside they're both 18" barrelled with 3" chambers.

Anyone could guide me please?

Thanks
PoFF

 

[phronq]

I was considering both of those, and ended up going with the Stoeger P-350. There's no wood on it anywhere, it's all synthetic... but it's nice and light, fires nicely and comes with 5 chokes.

 

[Jay]

Okay... All round right... If it's gotta do everything... Then here are the "must have's"...

(1) 12 gauge
(2) Pump
(3) 24 or 26 inch barrel, shorter than that and it's not as good for hunting, longer and it's ungainly for non-hunting scenario's...
(4) 3.5 inch chamber, so it takes ALL lengths of shells...

IF you have all these features, you can use the gun for everything from Ducks to Deer to Bear to Self Defense...

Cheers
Jay

 

[Waterfowler]

I agree with Jay, but I would go with a 26" barrel and a 3" chamber.

 

[gth]

I agree with Jay, but I would go with a 26" barrel and a 3" chamber.

I agree with that....but for a do-all gun I would go with an auto.

 

[Rich]

I ended up with a Benelli Nova pump 5 months ago and just love it check it out.

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/nova.tpl

Rich

 

[m12man]

all around shotgun

There is no such animal, everything is a tradeoff!!!

 

[gth]

There is no such animal, everything is a tradeoff!!!

Agreed,

but what cant a guy do with a good 3"auto with tube chokes and a 26" barrel. (Beretta 391 for example)

 

[straightshooter]

I think what m12man is getting at is you can:

a) have an all around gun that's pretty good for lots of different types of shooting, or

b) have a few or several shotguns, each specialized to be full featured for a particular sport

Neither approach is better than the other. It depends on whether you can only afford or only want one shotgun, or whether you'd like a bunch of 'em.

For me, I can't have enough shotguns. They're like girlfriends - some guys only want one all-purpose one, some guys can afford several and have every intention of doing so.

SS

 

[mjcurry]

i would definatly not get a shorter barrel becasue youll see rabbits more then intruders unless u live in a crappy neighbor hood.. i would go with a plain jane pump shotgun. a wingmaster

 

[Claybuster]

If you want a shotgun to do everything a Remington Express Combo with a 20" rifle sighted barrel and a 28" vent rib barrel with choke tubes comes the closest. But like any compromise it will be the jack of all trades and master of none.

 

[haggisbasher]

If you want a shotgun to do everything a Remington Express Combo with a 20" rifle sighted barrel and a 28" vent rib barrel with choke tubes comes the closest. But like any compromise it will be the jack of all trades and master of none.

YUP

Why would you want to buy ONLY ONE shotgun to try and do everything (which it may come close) but not as well as owning say, 2 or 3 different shotguns that are for the varied types of shooting that you are intending to do

BESIDES, you have the enjoyment of doing this several times over, asking all these questions about different shotguns everytime you want another one, and then, you have the fun of going out and buying another one

This way, you get to have a collection

It's boreing owning just one

 

[BigUglyMan]

It's boreing owning just one

The man speaketh the truth.

 

[Grouse Man]

"All around shotgun" means different things to different people.

What exactly does it mean to you?

 

[haggisbasher]

"All around shotgun" means different things to different people.

What exactly does it mean to you?

Probably the closest all round gun ( to me anyways ) would be something like a Beretta 391.
It's capable of any load,the gas operated system reduces the felt recoil so as you can shoot it all day, it's light and fast, swings well and can be used for geese to grouse,sporting clays, trap and skeet and anything else that you may wish to put thro the barrel.
A second barrel is also not expensive, that should cover it

 

[PoFF]

"All around shotgun" means different things to different people.

What exactly does it mean to you?

At first, I meant something I could easily carry in the woods, thus the shorter barrel, but after reading your comments, realised that I was plain wrong because an 18 incher would be quite useless for pretty much anything I was planning to do with a shotgun.

I think that a 26 inch 870 Express or Wingmaster would be my best bet.

Thanks for your help guys, it was really appreciated

PoFF

 

[beretta boy]

" All around Shotgun " is a myth - just a bunch of words coined by a magazine gun-writer - there is no shuch thing.

Agree with Claybuster ... the Remington Combo is good value.
Forget about an 18" bbl. unless you're gonna wear it over your shoulder while fly-fishing in the west. Get a 26" or 28" shotgun barrel, the 20" rifle sighted fully-rifled barrel will work just fine for slugs.