Looking for my first Shotgun

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AB_in_Sask

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Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to the hunting world. Last year was really my first season and we hunt ducks and geese mainly, with the option for pheasants and grouse. I'm wondering what peoples opinions are on some of the 12 gauges currently on the market. My brother has a Remington 870 Express Super Mag, which in all honesty I've never found to have a problem. However, I've been told that the newer ones jam easily and are made more cheaply than his.
I think currently I am looking at a Winchester SXP Black Shadow (not sure if thats just the colour scheme or what), Stoeger P-350, Remington 870 Express or Mossberg 835. I'm a little cautious of the Mossberg as I haven't heard too many good things about them, and it seem like the 835 is heavy and long.
Would love to hear peoples opinions on options. Right now, I'm leaning more towards the SXP (even though it apparently doesn't handle light rounds well, I could always borrow for the rare time I go for smaller game).
 
The Mossberg is a good gun, just picky about the ammo...I have never cycled a faster pump than the Winchester...follow up shots, or multiple target shots are a breeze...and it's lighter and less picky than the Mossberg...I have no experience with a new Remmy.
 
If you go rem make sure its used older model.... the new ones are like tinkertoys.... I like the sxp and am not a mossberg fan.... that being said, I have never heard of a pump action being finicky on ammo....
 
Superbrad said:
If you go rem make sure its used older model.... the new ones are like tinkertoys.... I like the sxp and am not a mossberg fan.... that being said, I have never heard of a pump action being finicky on ammo....
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I had always thought the same thing...until we had the mossberg out at the range a couple months back...a buddy had just bought it...we had 6 shells fail to eject out of 25 in a box of Winchester target loads. Put another 100 rounds of Federal through it, no problems and no one else had any issues with the Winchester shells, so have to assume there was something about the shells it didn't like.
 
The new 870s are cheaply made hence the term express
Winchester low brass target ammo just sucks. I've had it jam up in almost all of my shotguns at one point or another.
The sxp isn't bad but I personally prefer the mossberg
I have a 400 500 and two 535s synthetic and wood versions

Shotgunning is all about fit and feel. If it doesn't fit don't buy it. If it fits and functions don't worry about who built it
 
Thanks guys! I went to look at some at Bass Pro yesterday but all they had was the Stoeger. It felt really cheap. Very light, but there was something about it that made it feel more like a kids toy than a gun. Gonna see if wholesale sports has some others, that or wait until I can get to Cabelas back in sask.
 
My first shotgun was a Wingmaster 870 12ga in 1965. The damn things are pretty much bulletproof. I slipped in a swamp and jammed up the bolt (it was open at the time) with marsh grass and muck. A flock of ducks came by at the moment and without thinking I cycled it and fired. Not a single hickup. Plus I found that its about the easiest 12ga pump to disassemble in the field (swamp). Swirled it around in swamp water and hunted it the rest of the day. I have had several since then and the only reason I still dont have one is I am a leftie and actually prefer the Browning BPS because its a tang safety and bottom feed/eject. That said I would glady use either for anything that flies. The Wingmaster is easily changed around as there is a profusion of barrels for them that just slide in. The Wingmaster is an excellent gun. Ask any riot cop. If it HAS to work......I have never heard of a Wingmaster with an issue, ever in 50yrs. That said I dont care for its cheaper cousin, the Express. Had one and got rid of it.
 
I have owned several Remington 870 shotguns over the years,both the wing master and express never had one problem,and I don't know anyone who has.I have owned two mossberg shot guns and never liked either one of them..
 
The 870 has been around for decades and is really the yardstick the other's are measured by. I'm not sure around what year or serial number the problems started showing up, nor have I ever experienced them first hand. Both of my 870s run perfectly. I have a Youth model from 1990 and another that I bought used in about 2007.
 
Semi auto, reliable quality at a great price: Weatherby's Turkish imports. Pump action: Remington 870, Wingmaster if you can afford it, or you'll need to polish a new Express internally.
 
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