The fit and finish is not as good, but a lot of glitches in the express models, especailly if it is the super-mag chambered for 3 1/2 inches.
Looking for best pump-shotgun for $400
- Thread starter Slipery
- Start date
The fit and finish is not as good, but a lot of glitches in the express models, especailly if it is the super-mag chambered for 3 1/2 inches.
How so? My buddy just bought one from WSS cause they did'nt have any Mossy's 535 in stock.
done deal as far as I'm concerned.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300172
The supermag chamber seems to be a touch sensitive when it comes to cheap alumnum hulled shells, such as the winchesters from CT. The hulls expand and get stuck in the chamber. As far as I can tell its really the only glitch as I've put flats and flats through mine without incident. In fact it works great and is tough as heck.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300172
The supermag chamber seems to be a touch sensitive when it comes to cheap alumnum hulled shells, such as the winchesters from CT. The hulls expand and get stuck in the chamber. As far as I can tell its really the only glitch as I've put flats and flats through mine without incident. In fact it works great and is tough as heck.
The express first came out to compete with the mossy 500. When they first came out I had and shot a few and they were really good and in my opinion as good as the wingmaster in every aspect except appearance. Since the first bunch was so successful I have seen a down hill slide in the quality. Since I retired I sell guns off and on and am a bit of a club rat and see many express guns with various problems at the ranges. Most of the guns that come back and that shooter have difficulty with have a lot to do with the finish or the parts and the quality of the chamber. I still think that the express is a good deal for the money and many shooters still buy them and never experience any difficulty, but there are a significant amount of problems to suggest that the quality is not as of old. Many of these problems can be solved by a lot of polish and/or shooting a couple thousand rounds and/or avoiding certain type of ammo. All that work! All that ammo! Just seems to make the original good deal, not quite as attractive. Pray that you get one that you can later write and say, I have never had a problem.
because if I was selling one, I would not guarantee that.
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
If you can help it and don't mind the drive try Gunmart in Brockville as the service there is awesome and prices are very similar to the bigger stores plus you can handle every gun he has in stock if you want.
Actions may not be tight, but those old wingmasters may have been made to a stricter tolerance
...agreed Covey, that's what exactly what I meant, the internals of a Wingmaster are much more pleasing to the eye vs. Express and it leads me to believe they travelled through a better Q.C. process
Mad Mikey
Hate to break the mold here,but, I would suggsest trying to find a Winchester Model 12 with a polychoke. I have one and have shot trap and sheet with it, and did quite well with it. I have never seen a good used one over $400. Never had any mechanical issues with it either.
As they sem to hang up with any type of ammo and especially the cheap stuff, I would polish the chamber and remove the rough spots.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
870 Express, just buy it
just bought my first shotgun, a mossberg 500 field model. got it new at cabela's in winnipeg for $370 after taxes. went pigeon hunting today and did a little bit of clay shooting a few days ago. great gun for the money. cycles well, feels comfortable, and shoots great. i'd recommend it to anyone if they're getting their first gun and on a budget.
Mossberg 500 in stainless steel marinekote.
Bought one used from the EE for $400.
The newer matte marinekote is nice looking for a bit over $400.
Remington 870 or Winchester Defenders are nice around the same price, but I've never shot one.
Bought one used from the EE for $400.
The newer matte marinekote is nice looking for a bit over $400.
Remington 870 or Winchester Defenders are nice around the same price, but I've never shot one.
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Today people that get 870s are getting them because their fathers, and grandfathers had them, It's a loyalty thing.
Give it 1 or 2 more generations and we'll all be fathers and grandfathers telling the kids to get mossbergs.
Who knows maybe one day it will be a Mossberg vs Norinco debate
Give it 1 or 2 more generations and we'll all be fathers and grandfathers telling the kids to get mossbergs.
Who knows maybe one day it will be a Mossberg vs Norinco debate
If I'd go new, the 870 would be my choice. Lots of barrels, mods, and parts galore for this pump. However, I really like my old model 12 Winchester take down. It has a super slick action and has proven to be jam free and reliable.
I guess I'll be the first to suggest an Ithaca M37. Great gun. Used ones are found for $200-300. They're light, fairly well built, reliable, and cheap. Otherwise I'd go BPS. Third would be a used 870 wingmaster. As someone who has just purchased 2 "cheap" guns, I'm kinda dissapointed. I'd rather have a used high quality gun than a new cheap one.
