Good 1st shotgun
- Thread starter aharpe
- Start date
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Ah yes, the what can I get that will do everything question. The tool that does all things adequately will probably do nothing superbly. Having said that a pump or an inertia operated auto are the best bets. They are both cheaper and more rugged than a good quality SXS or OU.
Barrel length is personal preference, and pumps can be bought with replacement barrels for specific duties. I believe a more practical solution is to choose a barrel length suitable for a wide range of applications, and to my eye 24"-26" is very close to perfect in that they provide a decent sighting plane for pass shooting yet are quick handling for upland or big game hunting in thick cover. Choke options are limited to the choke tubes you wish to have, but an IC and modified would be a minimum requirement, (some guns shoot steel shot better with modified rather than full). If the model of gun you decide on doesn't have a barrel length that works, have a gunsmith shorten it and thread the muzzle for a set of choke tubes
Don't over look the importance of stock shape and fit. If you can get the advice of someone who understands shotgun fit that the best solution. This tends to escape me as the shotgun artists tend to like stocks that I consider too long, but thats why I shoot rifles I guess.
When it comes to slug shooting be sure to get proper sights for your gun. Rifle sights would tend to spoil the gun for other duties, so a scope or reflex sight that can be easily removed is the best answer. Because the gun is going to be used for a wide variety of applications, a good sling should be acquired, not only for use as a carry strap, but also as a shooting aid when slug shooting. In this respect the solid forend of the auto is more stable than the slide of a pump gun.
Barrel length is personal preference, and pumps can be bought with replacement barrels for specific duties. I believe a more practical solution is to choose a barrel length suitable for a wide range of applications, and to my eye 24"-26" is very close to perfect in that they provide a decent sighting plane for pass shooting yet are quick handling for upland or big game hunting in thick cover. Choke options are limited to the choke tubes you wish to have, but an IC and modified would be a minimum requirement, (some guns shoot steel shot better with modified rather than full). If the model of gun you decide on doesn't have a barrel length that works, have a gunsmith shorten it and thread the muzzle for a set of choke tubes
Don't over look the importance of stock shape and fit. If you can get the advice of someone who understands shotgun fit that the best solution. This tends to escape me as the shotgun artists tend to like stocks that I consider too long, but thats why I shoot rifles I guess.
When it comes to slug shooting be sure to get proper sights for your gun. Rifle sights would tend to spoil the gun for other duties, so a scope or reflex sight that can be easily removed is the best answer. Because the gun is going to be used for a wide variety of applications, a good sling should be acquired, not only for use as a carry strap, but also as a shooting aid when slug shooting. In this respect the solid forend of the auto is more stable than the slide of a pump gun.
870 combo or 500/535 combo.
I have never shot either of the mossbergs, but own a few 870s and a Nova.
If I were to do it again I would save some money and buy an 870 instead of the Nova, they are a good gun, reliable and easy to clean. But they are heavy, the for end rattles and the triggers are terrible (which I have partially fixed).
I have never shot either of the mossbergs, but own a few 870s and a Nova.
If I were to do it again I would save some money and buy an 870 instead of the Nova, they are a good gun, reliable and easy to clean. But they are heavy, the for end rattles and the triggers are terrible (which I have partially fixed).
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I have an old 870 in the rack, nestled in amongst a whole bunch of expensive doubles and rifles. It's my "go to" gun for waterfowling, and has won me a bunch of cash, a couple of guns and other merchandise in "Pump Gun Only Shoots". It's been used in 3 countries, half a dozen provinces and several states, in freshwater, brackish tidal marshes and sal####er, the prairies, uplands and lowlands, from -35 to +40.
Like a Timex, it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.
Like a Timex, it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.
- Location
- North Vancouver
Get something to scare the Libs with.
- Location
- Thunder Bay ON Canada
winchester 1300, fastest pump going, and about 225 bucks used. Tradex canada also has a number of used double barrels for 200 bucks or so.
1300_stainless
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
These are a great gun as well. Ive got 2. Much smoother operating than my 870, but from my personal experiance not quite as reliable. (It's not a bad gun, one of mine just had a few issues and I've yet to have a hickup with the 870) The alloy reciever makes it nice and light too.
