Seven shotguns, one choice. Help!

So, which one?

  • Browning Citori XT Trap

    Votes: 12 8.0%

  • Franchi Highlander

    Votes: 1 0.7%

  • Browning Gold 10 Ga

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Browning Silver 10 ga

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Remington 870 Express Synthetic

    Votes: 63 42.0%

  • Maverick 88 Security/Field

    Votes: 9 6.0%

  • Benelli M4 Super 90

    Votes: 43 28.7%

  • Hey! I thought you said you were going to get a pistol!

    Votes: 2 1.3%

  • Other (I will explain)

    Votes: 20 13.3%
  • Total voters
    150
D

Dave L.

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I suppose I'll be dropping my 'scary, immature, puberty-driven fan-of-excessive-firepower' persona and getting straight to what's important... for now.


I require some insight on this problem.

I'll try to outline everything as clearly as I can. Alright... where to start... Okay. I narrowed down my choices for a first gun to a shotgun, and from there managed to narrow my choices down to about seven very different shotguns, but all for the same purpose:
- for use as a 'camp' gun against bears and cougar
- waterfowl/duck hunting
- clay sporting
- general purpose hunting

Budget's about $2500 all things said n' done, although cheaper would be better, considering that something that expensive will also pretty much wreck my plans of getting a pistol or a cheap bolt-action rifle for this year. I'm willing to go for quality, and I'm willing to pay for it as well, but I'm not willing to go for something rediculous, so Holland & Holland are sadly not getting my buck.

My requirements are simple: first of all, it's got to be tough and able to stand up to nearly anything I or the elements can throw at it. This will no doubt be used in wet and cold environments. Second, it's got to be able to stand up to what I can throw into it, meaning slug loads, hot loads and heavy buck. Thirdly, if it's a semi, it has to be able to cycle lighter loads. Fourth, it's got to be able to eat reloaded ammunition. Since the journey to Al Flaherty's and back on foot takes the better part of a day I might as well reload to save myself time. Fifth, accuracy, which goes without saying. Last, it's got to be able to handle steel shot safely, and if it's a semiautomatic it has to be able to cycle steel loads.

This is what I've figured out:
- Remington 870 Express Synthetic 3" 12g.
- Benelli M4 Super 90 3" 12g.
- Browning Citori XT Trap 2 3/4" 12g.
- Browning Gold NWFT 3 1/2" 10g.
- Browning Silver NWFT 3 1/2" 10g.
- Franchi Highlander 3" 12g.
- Maverick 88 Security 8-shot 3" 12g.

Currently I'm leaning toward the 870. Cheap, tough, and the macho factor of a pump action appeals to an eager young pup like me, although I'm also split between that and the power of a 10g to offset the relative weakness of steel shot, and I'm also split between them and the Highlander and Citori because they're lighter and the Citori seems to point easier, and they've got the advantage of two barrels for two different chokes. On the other hand both of them seem like very delicate machines that I'd be afraid to take into the field. Then the M4 Super 90 adds another twist into the puzzle with its sleek lines, pistol grip and self-regulating action, although I don't know if it's everything it's cracked up to be.

The SPAS-12, SPAS-15, and M3 Super 90 didn't make the cut for obvious reasons, the biggest of which being that I'm not 12.5.

I will probably be buying some recoil reducing accessories, and I will begin by firing from a benchrest having a twenty-kilogram bag of sand placed between me and the stock, and gradually, over time, begin emptying the sand bags, one cup at a time so I don't develop a flinch.

Well, that's pretty much all I can think of for now. Your thoughts?

Thanks,

- Dave.

Edited to add: my PAL countdown has begun!
 
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Ok I voted for the Benelli because I think that will best serve your all around purpose thing and from what I have seen they are great shooters that can handle the field.

However consider this......I noticed one of your choices was a Citori Trap. I have one and they are awesome but not a field gun but if you like shooting trap, bird hunting and shooting pistols you could do the following.....

With your budget you could buy a trap gun like a BT99 or used Citori ( in fact there are a few one this board right now at good prices) AND you could probably buy a new 870 or even a used Benelli or Beretta semi for the field.

Now if you are patient and watch carefully you could probably get a used BT99 or other trap gun( $1000 +/-) , a used but not abused 870 ($600) for the field AND still have enough left over for a Norinco 40 cal or 9mm pistol.( $400)
Throw in a bit of shipping costs and I think you can do it all for under $2500.
This way you are shooting trap, hunting birds and target shooting with your pistol.....good times.

Jacky
 
Choices

Your new to shotguns so keep it simple to start. Can't go wrong with the 870 Express or dress that up a bit and get a Wingmaster. That will cover all your requirements and leave room to get a dedicated skeet or trap gun with lots of room for the pistol budget.

REM
 
As already stated, it would be prudent to divy up your funds and invest into a couple different shotguns to meet the needs specified. May I suggest that you take some time and explore the Used Gun racks and of course, the EE Forum......always good deals around.

IMHO, you can discount the 10ga straightway from your list......a field howitzer is not a actually a true requirement :)
 
First choice: Buy the Wingmaster I have in the EE :D
Second Choice: Buy the Norinco HP9 14", And with the $ you save buy two more barrels, a 20" rifled and a 24-26" with removeable chokes.

With that combo you have:
HP9: 349
Slug Bbl: 200
26" tube 200

749.00! Then you are equipped for Deer, ducks, geese, turkey, rabbits....and ZOMBIES!

The HP9 has proven to be of higher build quality than the new express, so you really can't lose.

***EDIT: As far as the bag of sand, etc....wrong way to go about it. It's impossible to get a good cheek weld when the stock is 6" away from your shoulder, and the cheeck weld is what makes a good /consistant shooter. If you want to "Work into" the recoil, start with light loads (trap loads) and move up...*or* remove the but pad from the synthetic stock, fill with #6 lead shot, and re-install the pad. Gradually remove the lead as you go. *or* do both! #8 trap loads + Stock full of lead = .22 recoil (ie "none")
 
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Any one shotgun to "do it all" will be a compromise.

Forget any of the over/unders. They are not good for "all round" purposes particularly as a camp gun for bears and cougars.

If your list of activities is ranked by priority then an 870 Express Combo with a vent-rib and a slug barrel will get everything done. Good camp gun, good waterfowler, just fine for general hunting and lots of money left over.

For beginning clay shooters however a pump gun isn't the best choice. If you are going to shoot clays casually they are fine but if you intend on every getting serious about the games a pump is a handicap.

An option you might consider and it would be within you budget is the Benelli M1 Super 90 with a vent-rib and then order an original equipment slug barrel. That would be the combo I'd look at if I wanted a gun to do it all.
 
Shotgun for all

I agree with and sort of disagree with Claybusters post. An over and under likely wont throw rifled slugs worth a crap. But it will do everything else fairly well. I own an old (1950) Browning o/u lightning that has shot partridge, pheasant, Deer, ducks, rabbits (nearly the dog). I still use it for Skeet, and its great on the trap field, but i admit it isn't like to throw slugs well.
As for the stand up to field use, what are you gonna do with it, dig the truck out ? Oh sorry forgot you mentioned you walk to Al's, then i suggest a USED one and invest in a used car as well :rolleyes: You in the FIELD are never gonna use it as much as someone at a range, how many shots does a hunter take a year, on a slow weekend i do 100 rds. on either trap or skeet. A shotgun to do all you ask would probably end up being , like claybuster said a Semi that has more barrells so you could switch em out to suit your purpose. Check the EE area and other local gun stores web sites near you , you could save a butt load of cash and invest it in other toys. And you don't want a pump for Skeet or 5 stand although fun they will be a handicap.

My 2 cents.
 
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Dave L. said:
Currently I'm leaning toward the 870. Cheap, tough, and the macho factor of a pump action appeals to an eager young pup like me
Click to expand...
Buy the 870 ......... Once you get past the "tough and macho" factor, you'll have a very reliable and versatile SG that will last a lifetime.

Get one with the nicer laminated stock and a 26" bbl for waterfowl, add an 18 or 20" bbl for upland and a FR cantelever bbl for slugs and you can hunt ANYTHING in Canada. That's what I did, except mine has a walnut/police stock.


.
 
Ice-Pick said:
I agree with and sort of disagree with Claybusters post. An over and under likely wont throw rifled slugs worth a crap. But it will do everything else fairly well.
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong. I love my two over/unders and agree they will do everything else but shoot slugs well. At one point in my life all I had was an o/u and a short pump gun. I used that o/u for everything except slug hunting. When it became scarred and battered I had it refinished and it looked like new.

The entire concept of only one gun for everything is foreign to me. I think a shotgunner needs at least 5 guns if he wants to do everything.
 
Any 10 ga. is a specialist gun. I do a LOT of waterfowl hunting and don't feel any need for one. I sold the only one I owned. I'd also vote for the Rem 870 12 ga, 3". You can't hardly wear them out, so buy a good used one and use the rest of you budget for accessories etc.
Shotguns are generally meant to be used on fast moving game, like birds. Why in the workd would you want to shoot from a benchrest? Best way I can think of to develop a flinch, not to avoid one. Find an experienced shooting coach if you can. Shoot some informal clay pigeons with some of the low recoil/low noise shells with hearing protection on, and you'll be off to a good start.
 
With an 870 you can get all the barrels you want, rifled, and a 28" with different chokes.
sure, it's not a Superposed, but it sure ain't a Maverick either!!
They are good guns, and will last you a lifetime.

Cat
 
Here is one thought.

Buy a mid/low priced gun that will get you through this summer doing all the things you plan on doing. this fall buy one of the top of the line Ithaca shotties that are coming into Canada this Fall. You can be the first on your block:)
 
BENELLI the inertia driven system is so easy to clean and service I could teach my 13 year old daughter how to do it and soft enough for her to shoot it. You have to shoot one!
 
$2500 for a first gun? Geez, put the crack pipe down already. I'd got for the Mav. 88 combo with 28" and 18.5" barrel for about $300, then grab a decent .22lr, probably a Savage mkII for another $300, then an m305 for $500, then the remaining $1400 on ammo and accessories, possibly including a reloading kit.
 
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