New to Trap, looking for advice on shotgun

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London22

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Calgary, Alberta
I just came back from shooting two rounds of trap for the first time and enjoyed it immensely. I'm thinking of taking this up but not sure whether I'll have the time to do it more than just recreationally (i.e. 3-4 times a month) so I'm not ready yet to make a big investment in equipment.

Right now, I have an 870 Police with an 18.5 inch barrel with a built in IC choke and rifle sights. I know this barrel probably won't cut it for trap and was wondering on whether I should invest in a new barrel (and if so, what?) or a good quality second hand shotgun (again, if so, what?)

I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts that you guys might have on this.

Thanks.
 
all you need is a new (used) barrel for your 870 28" with a mod. or full choke that is what I shot for a long time and was good enough for me for how much I shot.
 
I started with a similar gun. When I went shopping for a longer barrel I discovered an 870SPS on sale and bought it instead.

A used 870TB trap gun would be a good choice because it functions like your 870P but there is nothing wrong with getting a second barrel for the gun you have. Either way works.
 
London22.
I see you are from Calgary. If you havn't done so, you might go to the Calgary Firearms Center or a.h.e.i.a. range and try a few guns that the range has for rent. An extra barrel for your existing 870 is not a bad idea as there are lots of used ones around.
 
Covey,

Thanks for the suggestion. The Calgary Firearms Centre was where I shot the trap. I went on a Friday afternoon and Gert, the club manager, took me out and spent some time explaining Trap, skeet, etc. It's a pretty good facility and Gert and some of the other guys there were pretty friendly, which is why I'm thinking of joining up. I rented a 11-87, which worked pretty well for me but I should see what else they have for loan.

I'm not opposed to getting something used but I'm relatively new to shotguns and just wanted some advice. I may wait a month and head down to the Calgary gun show to see what I can find in the way of a used shotgun or barrel.
 
Ask/look around the club.

Everyone will have a different opinion of what works best (take this with a grain of salt). Very often there will be guns posted for sale at the club, or members will know of unposted guns for sale.

You may want to invest in a whole trap package rather than part by part.

Brad.
 
I prefer a 30" full choke on a pump or semi-auto personally.

The 870TB has started many a trap shooter out. Many never stop using them. At least you don't have to futz around as much to load/unload them and no shell catcher to worry about. They're harder to shoot on doubles though if you plan to do a lot of that. The trap models are stocked to shoot a little higher than the field models and have a longer length of pull, often with a Monte Carlo style stock.
 
There are some real trap guns on the Equip Exchange I beileve, and they're also easy to find on some of the Canadian used gun dealers pages. I seem to recall somebody selling an 1100 trap, an 870 trap, a Browning/Miroku BT-99 somewhere, all priced around $500 or so.
 
Somewhere between $ 400 and $ 600 should get you a decent used Trap gun. As others have mentioned an 870 TB or TC, an 1100 or 11-87 Trap or even one of the older Japanese made O/U Trap guns might all fall somewhere in this range. For 3-4 times a month and a couple of rounds at each outing, I'd be surprised if you didn't get a lot more use out of your "Trap" gun ( 7-10 flats a year, or more, once we really get you hooked ) than you will out of your 870P. You'll be spending thousands $$$$ on a P or K trap gun 'fore you know it pilgrim !!! :p
 
Beretta Boy,

I'm pretty sure that what you describe will probably happen, time permitting. Just to update you guys (by the way, thanks for all the advice), I just ordered a used 28' 870 barrel with modified and full chokes off of the EE. That'll allow me to continue to go out while waiting for that perfect used O/U to come along.

I'm a lefty shooter so if any of you guys have any suggestions for O/U that fit southpaws, I'm open to hearing your thoughts. My plan is to start with trap, but the place where I'm shooting also has skeet and sporting clays, both of which I'd like to try some day.
 
Just keep your eye out for an o/u trap model with an adjustable comb that someone is getting frustrated with, have 10 or 15 $100.00 bills on you at all times and wait for the right moment to make him a deal he can't refuse. The adjustable comb will allow you to move that poi wherever you need it, up-down-right-left, no one should buy a break-open gun without one!!!
 
Head for your local trap club on practice nights and take a bunch of shells. Try your own gun and talk it around that you are looking for a new gun and need some help. I would be very surprised if you don't get offered a couple of guns to try out, most trap shooters that I know are the salt of the earth and are willing to help out a new shooter. However, be warned that once you are hooked, it may cost you some money! Oh, and your buddies won't be giving you too many hard times when you are out hunting either. Trap, skeet, and all the other clay games will make you a much better shooter all around. And buy a loader, you will need one.
 
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i'm in your same shoes more or less... started trap last summer, and got adicted by the time it got cold... :)
the con of shooting the AHEIA guns is that every time you're shooting a different gun, even if they're all BT99's.
i decided to go for my first investment in this new road, a citori xt trap, which seems not too fancy like the K's and P's yet very good quality... next step would be an MX8 or a DT10 i guess...
 
Big Dune,

I was at AHEIA today and they had some BT99s out, which I used. I know that they also have a Remington 11-87 and some Citori over/unders, which I've also used. I love the BT99s but I'm interested in something with a little more versatility in case I want to try skeet or sporting clays. I don't want anything too fancy but I would like something that is good quality and good value.

Do you mind if I ask where you got your XT trap from? Thanks for the suggestion on the MX8 and DT10.
 
The 30" or even 32" XS Special, (with low rib/adjustable comb) IMHO, is a much more versatile clay sports gun than the XT ... which is purely a "Trap" gun.

Quite a jump from a barrel for your "shottie" to a DT10 or MX8 !!! :eek:
 
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