Help choosing first shotgun

aroundpg

aroundpg

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Looking to buy my first long barrel shotgun. Want to shoot skeet and eventually or if need be birds.
Looking for entry level price and reliable. For fun I would love a semi, but I guess pump is a more wise choice? Hoping to spend around 400-600
Looked here for 870, 500, pa-08, also curious about the m3000, and sa-08, or even the girsan mc312.
Any advice or opinions would be welcome. I'm newer to firearms.
So far I have bought
Howa 1500
Marlin 795
DA grizzly


Thanks in advance!
 
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Well you already have a DA Grizzly, if it’s not a 8.5” barreled version just buy a 28” vent rib barrel from an 870 and put it on your Grizzly when you want to shoot clays or birds. If it has ghost ring sights unscrew the rear sight base.
 
I went with the 870 based on parts and mods availability, the 500 is in the same category. I also liked the safety being on the trigger group instead of the top of the receiver, but that's just personal preference.

I've used mine plenty for sporting clays & trap, its got about 1600rds down the barrel. I've had 2 FTEs over the course of that and I'd venture to say it was the specific rounds and not the gun. I have not upgraded the extractor as highly suggested, no complaints she throws em. The one thing I will say though is the action is still tight. My friend bought a matching 870 as well and his is slick with maybe 150rds down it.
 
Older wing masters come up. Ive sold off all of mine to buddies for below market value.
Dont over look an ithaca 37 for a pump gun.
For a semi id look for a beretta a303 with a 2.75" barrel and mod choke. They come in around the top of your budget but are much better built guns than new semis
 
I'd go for an 870. That was my first shogun years ago and I put thousands of rounds through it without a single issue.
 
If you want to shoot skeet, a pump is not a better choice than an autoloader. Find a good Remington 1100. There is an 1100 Skeet gun in the EE for $495.
 
Looks like Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 have been mentioned few times...

Winchester SXP isnt so bad from personal experience. Their inertia-assisted action thingy majiggy is a bit weird at first but could come in handy if you practice enough.

If you are leaning towards semi-auto, Remington 1100 and Beretta A300 might be a good place to start.

I am not huge fan of pump for clay shooting. Yes, practice makes perfect but after that first shot, your barrel movement from pumping can really throw you off.
 
I would put my vote towards Mossberg. My 535 is a rugged reliable pump action that has no problem shooting clay's or birds. Wide range of ammo choice up to 3-1/2" and you dont have to worry about it cycling.
 
Butcherbill said:
Well you already have a DA Grizzly, if it’s not a 8.5” barreled version just buy a 28” vent rib barrel from an 870 and put it on your Grizzly when you want to shoot clays or birds. If it has ghost ring sights unscrew the rear sight base.
Click to expand...

This isn't bad advice and will let you dedicated budget to other areas like ammo, club memberships and optics if you need or want to upgrade.

If you want new and a semi the SA-08 has earned a solid reputation for a budget option. The pumps you listed the 870 and Mossberg 500 have the best aftermarket and parts support so I would lean towards them.I'd add the Winchester SXP as being worth a consideration.
The advice to check the used market certainly isn't a mistake and better dollar value can be found there.
 
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