Help me pick my first shotgun!

sphen

sphen

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Hey guys, looking for advice on my first shotgun. I’ve always been an archery guy but a couple of years ago I got pulled into plinking with some friends. Enjoyed it so much I immediately started saving up for a shotgun knowing that was the next step.

So long story short, I’ve got $2400 +/-, for a new (or used) shotgun . I know there are solid cheaper options but I have no problem paying more for higher quality, as long as the higher priced is justified in some sense. My shooting will be a mix of skeet and hunting, duck and turkey is what my buddies are promising to take me out on.

So I guess I have two questions.

1: O/U vs semiauto: The O/Us feel real nice…but I’m wondering if the semi-autos would make more sense for my needs? Especially as hunting becomes the primary purpose down the road? What do you guys think?

2: Which one: I know $2400 leaves me lots of options, I’d love to narrow it down. Shouldering the citroli, a400 and ethos they were all things of beauty…but wondering if I should be looking in that price point as my first? Part of me thinks I should pick up a cheap pump to start with….but I know I’ll be eyeing something else within a year. What would you guys recommend?

I’m in no hurry, perusing used in the GTA right now. Looking for suggestions to shoulder and try out as I can. Thanks guys.
 
Personally I'd go with a benelli m4, my buddy has one it's seen thousands of rounds not one hiccup its in your price range, and it has a tacticoool look if you're into that thing
 
In that price range you're into the Beretta A400 Xplor series. I've got my eye on the Xplor Unico. Wood furniture, very pretty gun, great engineering, great reviews. Good all-rounder for hunting and for breaking clays from the feedback I've gathered here & elsewhere from actual owners.
 
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I would say get a nice 1100 or an 870 wingmaster, which is a pump but reliable as hell. both will cost less than 1000, you can get different sized barrels of either, and removable chokes or fixed chokes.
 
Ha, i was waiting for that answer surplusshooter! Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind....the issue is I don't really have any use for a rifle right now, or anywhere to shoot it. I'm stuck in the north GTA and have a buddy's place I can shoot the .22 and shotgun at but I'd be leery of firing off a larger rifle. I do plan on picking one up one day but I'm in no hurry right now, moose and bear with a bow. I think I'd be fine putting the extra into a shotgun and then doing the rifle shopping in another year or two.
 
Benelli super black eagle with wood stock, the chrome plate it so it's so shiny you can't even look at it.
 
Go with the semi if those two categories are your only choices. When you get into the realm of Over/Under your budget will only get you a very nice but still a middle of the road field gun (IMO). The really high end O/U are ridiculous in terms of price but once you are hooked, those are the ones you want. I find semi's more versitle in both hunting and competition. You could keep the plug in for hunting and you could take it out for something like 3 guns.

Some semi's are very affortable. Two years ago, I purchased a Mossberg 930 with a 2 barrel combo (turkey and rifled) for $600. I bought it for no other reason then the fact that it was so cheap. I started my firearms life collecting expensive o/u's only to realize that I have been doing it all backwards. The 930 left me room to pick up a new Browning A5 and a used Ithica pump. I really wanted the Ithaca because I wanted to try out it's slam fire capability and I wanted the easy loading port and bottom eject for my left handed son. I say, spend your money on as many different types of shotguns as posible, have fun shooting them while saving up for a real nice O/U.
 
I am a huge fan of beretta, I have an a300 and an a391. Awesome guns, if you go for one make sure you get it with kickoff recoil reduction. You can shoot all day and not feel it later
 
If its your first shotgun, I wouldn't spend $2000+.

Instead, I would get a pump, a Mossberg 500 or Rem 870 (I prefer the mossberg due to the position of the release for the slide but whatever they are both good guns) and get a feel for shotgunning. Once you've put a few cases of shells through a cheaper pump, you'll have a much better idea of what it is you are looking for.
 
learn how to determine how a gun is supposed to fit first. My first one didn't fit me too good.

Remington is said to have a stock that fits just about everyone, and indeed my second gun was a used 11-87. I was also looking at the Wingmaster.

For an auto, if you buy a magnum, do your research and make certain it has a solid reputation for handling 1oz target loads as well
 
In your price range you can either get a lower-end o/u from a quality maker or a top of the line semiautomatic. Based on your intended use I'd lean toward the semi because an o/u isn't as convenient to handle in a duck blind. As you will also be shooting targets you need a gun that can handle a wider range of shell strength which favours the a gas-operated action instead of the recoil action of a Benelli.

So I'd suggest you look at the Beretta A400 series, the Browning Maxus and the Winchester SX3. Find the one that fits you best and buy it.
 
You're right to take your time. LOTS of great guns out there for that kind of money. Try and handle as many as you can. Some will just seem to fit you better. Semis generally have less recoil, but may require more maintenance.
If you do decide to stick with shotgunning, it can be awfully addictive, so this may not be the only SG you ever buy. (Or not, :)) Buy something that fits you and you like.

Good Luck
 
Claybuster said:
In your price range you can either get a lower-end o/u from a quality maker or a top of the line semiautomatic. Based on your intended use I'd lean toward the semi because an o/u isn't as convenient to handle in a duck blind. As you will also be shooting targets you need a gun that can handle a wider range of shell strength which favours the a gas-operated action instead of the recoil action of a Benelli.

So I'd suggest you look at the Beretta A400 series, the Browning Maxus and the Winchester SX3. Find the one that fits you best and buy it.
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I concur absolutely on the recommendation for a semi. Moreover, considering the weather condiitions that firearm may be exposed to (during Duck/Turkey hunts), a synthetic stocked shotgun will be the most appropriate. Depending on gun fit, I'd pick the A400 first (FYI, OP, now-a-days most semi-autos come with a shim kit for the stock designed generically to fit the individual via enabling some drop/cast adjustments).

Shotguns are kinda "sensitive" when it comes to scoring hits consistently on moving objects, therefore, as already mentioned by others, I'd first make sure that the product of choice, whichever that may be, offers the best possible fit.
 
paul792 said:
Check out the Browning Maxus Hunter. Its a real beauty.
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Great suggestion, I missed that one, it's on the short list now! Gonna have to visit the local shop and see how it feels in my hands.

Rolhammer said:
In that price range you're into the Beretta A400 Xplor series. I've got my eye on the Xplor Unico. Wood furniture, very pretty gun, great engineering, great reviews. Good all-rounder for hunting and for breaking clays from the feedback I've gathered here & elsewhere from actual owners.
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This guys is also on the short list. Of all the guns I've shouldered so far the a400 xplor felt the best, even next to the ehos. With that said I really like the action and feed of the ethos. Unfortunately I can't find these locally used and new just eats the entire budget.

Ik0m said:
Benelli super black eagle with wood stock, the chrome plate it so it's so shiny you can't even look at it.
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Yet another on the short list...haven't handled one of these yet.

Garaldtao said:
I say, spend your money on as many different types of shotguns as posible, have fun shooting them while saving up for a real nice O/U.
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That also crossed my mind...but right now I don't see myself getting out a ton, just because of life circumstances (young kids, 2 jobs, volunteer work etc...), for that reason I think I'm better off just having a couple of go to guns instead of a wide variety to choose from. Otherwise some will just sit in the cabinet unused. That would make me feel guilty....lol

Suther said:
If its your first shotgun, I wouldn't spend $2000+.

Instead, I would get a pump, a Mossberg 500 or Rem 870 (I prefer the mossberg due to the position of the release for the slide but whatever they are both good guns) and get a feel for shotgunning. Once you've put a few cases of shells through a cheaper pump, you'll have a much better idea of what it is you are looking for.
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That seems to be my ultimate debate...and sort of why I'm thinking of getting used. Should I find a groove other than what I'm shooting I figure I can flip it without much loss. I don't mind spending more on a higher end gun as I really have nothing else on my big ticket shopping list for the near future.

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm going to have to spend some more time at the local shops to try the fit on the above recommendations I haven't handled yet. I don't mind buying used and am in no hurry so I think once I figure out my favorite model I'll start shopping in earnest.
 
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