Help picking my first shotgun.

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NedwardFlanders

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Saskatoon, SK
I've started shooting trap recently and have really been enjoying it. So, I figure it's time I buy a shotgun instead of borrowing from friends.

Ideally I would buy a Benelli O/U but I don't have that in my budget right now. I'm thinking pump is the way to go as it seems people like ≈$500 pumps a lot more than cheap O/Us.

Screw in chokes (oic be damned) are something I am looking for as I would like the shotgun to be versatile as possible and would also like to take it hunting. It would also be nice if it was commonly available on the EE or carried by NorthProSports (my LGS). And $750 would be a hard limit.

So far I have the Benelli Nova $630
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/289/benelli-nova-3-12-12-gauge-pump-action-shotguns
Which has the Benelli name, IC, Mod, and full choke tubes but is the most expensive one I'm looking at

The Mossberg 500 Field $500
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/3967/mossberg-500-12-gauge-field-pump-shotgun
Which is a classic and has the same 3 choke tubes

And the Remington 870 Express $480 (on sale)
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/4667/remington-870-express-3-12-gauge-mag-pump-action-shotgun
Which people also recommend a lot but only has a mod choke tube meaning I would eventually spend more on choke tubes.

I would say I'm currently leaning towards the Benelli Nova. But if anyone more knowledgable than me has a better suggestion I appreciate it.

Edit: Prairie Gun Trader has a Mossberg 500 for $550 with "12ga, 3" Pump, 28" Field Barrel, 24" Slug Barrel With 2.5x scope, Black Synthetic stocks"
 
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If you are happy with a pump I would recommend upgrading from the Remington Express to the Wingmaster, even a good clean used one. The others will do fine for a starter on trap but you want at least a 28" barrel in a pump or auto. As a beginner, you will likely only use Modified choke for awhile, maybe Improved Cylinder. As your skill increases you will find yourself considering Improved Modified and then Full choke more but really, Modified will be near perfect at 16 yards and will carry you back past 20 yards as well, so you really don't need a lot of different chokes to start with.
While a pump works fine for singles, if you decide to shoot trap doubles eventually you will face a longer and steeper learning curve with a pump than with a double or autoloader. Don't discount a good quality used over/under field gun with 28" or 30" barrels, they make a great casual or beginner trap gun. Look for Browning, Beretta, Ithaca/SKB, Franchi, etc with low mileage and hammer away. Fixed chokes such as Mod/Full guns work great for club level trap, will last for years and retain most or all of their value if you decide someday to upgrade.double or an auto loader. Have fun.
 
The best thing to do is shoulder as many as possible. Different guns fit differently. Not to many ppl can contort to various styles and makes of guns. Some can do it better than others. Ive won a few local tournments and many meat shoots with a mossberg 535ats and have broken a 100 straight on a 16 yard line with it. If it fits you a pump will do just fine. Even in skeet
As mentioned above fixed choked older quality ou guns do come up for ubder a grand. Winchester 101 anx its charles daly copy is a great gun on the used market.
I agree that a big name pump is more durable than an equal priced double gun
Other considerations are winchester model 12. Older beretta gas guns in the a300/301/302/303 version and even the new beretta a300 outlander. Ive seen them sell for 800 used

If youve been shooting at a club the best way to handle a variety of guns is to politely ask other owners. Be honest with your intent and youll likely find many owners whobwill let you try their personal guns. Its quite common at my club as i run the skeet program. I cant think of any regular shooters who would refuse to let you shoulder or even shoot their gun to try it. Best of luck
 
The Benelli will serve you well, I put 11,000 rounds through my first one without a hitch. The Remington 870 Trap and Browning BPS should also be on your list to shoulder. Don't buy a semi to shoot trap unless you plan to put a shell catcher on it.
 
Handle all the choices, shoot them if you can. As stated, many club members will let you try their guns.
You'll do fine with a pump as a versatile first gun for recreational clay bird shooting and hunting.

I'm more a Winchester Model 12 guy for a pump gun, but it is a vintage shotgun without choke tubes. I own a Camo Benelli Nova. Mine is utterly reliable with any cartridge that I feed it.

I also think that a Remington 870 is a proven good shotgun, although the finishing on an Express is definitely down to a low price.

I find the Mossberg a little less refined build, but many people have been happy with theirs.

Shotgunning is all about fit and follow through. Try before you buy is a really good mantra.
 
I wouldn't call the Franchi from Tradeex low- mileage, more like rode hard.
Benelli comb riser and different LOP pads are extra cost options, which will make it an expensive pump.
 
If you can get a combo gun with choke, turkey and slug barrels it will be even better for future use. Picking a shotgun is like a relationship, it should feel right and be what your looking for. I had bought my Winchester 120 combo new and we have been happily together for over 30 years, never once thought of getting rid of her. I can even take the new sxp out for a go once and awhile, so it's all good and everyone is happy.
 
NedwardFlanders said:
I've started shooting trap recently and have really been enjoying it. So, I figure it's time I buy a shotgun instead of borrowing from friends.

Ideally I would buy a Benelli O/U but I don't have that in my budget right now. I'm thinking pump is the way to go as it seems people like ≈$500 pumps a lot more than cheap O/Us.

Screw in chokes (oic be damned) are something I am looking for as I would like the shotgun to be versatile as possible and would also like to take it hunting. It would also be nice if it was commonly available on the EE or carried by NorthProSports (my LGS). And $750 would be a hard limit.

So far I have the Benelli Nova $630
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/289/benelli-nova-3-12-12-gauge-pump-action-shotguns
Which has the Benelli name, IC, Mod, and full choke tubes but is the most expensive one I'm looking at

The Mossberg 500 Field $500
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/3967/mossberg-500-12-gauge-field-pump-shotgun
Which is a classic and has the same 3 choke tubes

And the Remington 870 Express $480 (on sale)
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/4667/remington-870-express-3-12-gauge-mag-pump-action-shotgun
Which people also recommend a lot but only has a mod choke tube meaning I would eventually spend more on choke tubes.

I would say I'm currently leaning towards the Benelli Nova. But if anyone more knowledgable than me has a better suggestion I appreciate it.

Edit: Prairie Gun Trader has a Mossberg 500 for $550 with "12ga, 3" Pump, 28" Field Barrel, 24" Slug Barrel With 2.5x scope, Black Synthetic stocks"
Click to expand...

You can't go wrong with a good used 870 Wingmaster trap grade.
 
If you don't hunt and the only plans you have for a 12 gauge is to shoot trap then buy an inexpensive over under. Buy used if you can but new o/u's in around the $500 are your Stoegers and Maverics and some Turkish guns. You could find something decent on the used market in that price range such as a Beretta s55 or s65 but I would stay away from Biakal o/u.
 
NedwardFlanders said:
I've started shooting trap recently and have really been enjoying it.

Ideally I would buy a Benelli O/U but I don't have that in my budget right now. I'm thinking pump is the way to go as it seems people like ≈$500 pumps a lot more than cheap O/Us.

Screw in chokes (oic be damned) are something I am looking for as I would like the shotgun to be versatile as possible and would also like to take it hunting. It would also be nice if it was commonly available on the EE or carried by NorthProSports (my LGS). And $750 would be a hard limit.

So far I have the Benelli Nova $630
The Mossberg 500 Field $500
And the Remington 870 Express $480 (on sale)

I would say I'm currently leaning towards the Benelli Nova. But if anyone more knowledgable than me has a better suggestion I appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Either of the choices you listed would work for shooting a bit of trap & also using the shotgun for hunting.

Here's my take.

IMHO the Nova is rock solid from my experience.

I don't have any experience with the Mossberg 500 field, but the two barrels & choke tubes help round out your intended trap/hunting activities. I assume the other barrel has rifle sights on it for deer hunting? Bonus if you intend to hunt deer in a shotgun only zone.

Remington 870 Express. I have seen these have corrosion issues & would suggest that a step up to the Wingmaster.

Cheers
Jay
P.S. The $150 price difference between your cheapest option @ $480 to the most expensive @ $630, is insignificant over the life of a firearm seeing as how the ammunition you put through it will far exceed that...
 
I would look seriously at the Remington Model 870 Express Trap. Take a squint at their website. A purpose built "entry level" Trap Gun.

870's are easy enough to modify ( cast, drop) with a minimum of hand tools.
 
I'd try the used market, although fit is everything, as stated. You can make some assumptions though if you know the LOP and you can see the general shape of a gun from a photo. In the low $ range you have the Feg and Brno, excellent for the money. A bit more can get you a Miroku(Browning) or a Simson or Rizzini
 
+1 for benelli. I have owned all 3 of the mentioned shotguns over the years and I am now a huge benelli fan. From clays to ducks my benelli hammers them all!
 
I started shooting trap with a mossberg 535 with the 20? 22? Inch turkey barrel. All of your choices will break birds. Shoot what fits.

Just a tip. When using a pump.. make sure you rack that slide while doing your follow through. No sense using it as a single shot and developing bad habits.
 
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"Just a tip. When using a pump.. make sure you rack that slide while doing your follow through. No sense using it as a single shot and developing bad habits."

Not a competitive trap shooter I take it?
 
Nope, just the weekly meet at the local club. I just found that first time shooting doubles I didn't have the habit of pumping. Was just holding the empty gun watching that second bird. Once I got the habit doubles werent hard.

Is this faux pas on the trap field? Noone said anything? Was i secretly offending the old boys? Haha. Maybe I'm more new than I thought.

*Edit* Oh, maybe the one shell at a time thing. Yes I only had one in the gun
 
Unless you're shooting a BPS or Ithaca 37, racking the slide while your doing follow through throws an empty hull at the guy next to you, which is a faux pas on a trap field.
 
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