Suggest a first shotgun while I wait for another to ...

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paz

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..present itself to me.

The story is I want a Savage Milano O/U but nothing available at the moment. There was one listed used and I hemmed and hawed for too long, now it's gone.

I'd like to get some shooting in but I don't want to blow the budget because I'd like to be ready for when what I want shows up and that's gonna be pricey. So can anyone suggest a 12 gauge shotgun under $500 that I can get used to shooting some sporting clays with? I'm fine with looking at new but I think I'd prefer used. It's doesn't have to be O/U, it doesn't have to be fancy or carved out of ivory. Simple pump is just fine, looking for quality on a budget.
 
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, depending on where you like your controls and which fits you best (safety and action release are in different spots). Both should be easy to sell for minimal loss when you find your Milano.
 
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Suther said:
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, depending on where you like your controls (safety and action release are in different spots). Both should be easy to sell for minimal loss when you find your Milano.
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Nice. The 870 has been mentioned a few times in my reading on the topic. Good to see it fortified. I will check and compare on the Mossberg.
 
paz said:
Nice. The 870 has been mentioned a few times in my reading on the topic. Good to see it fortified. I will check and compare on the Mossberg.
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The Rem 870 is probably the most popular pump action shotgun in North America. Aftermarket support for the 870 is impressive, resale value is high, and they just work. Steel receivers mean they tend to be on the heavier side, which for clays shooting likely isn't a bad thing. One thing to keep in mind is there was a time where they made a cheaper version called the 870 Express, and they are not nearly as smooth as the more expensive Wingmaster line.

Mossberg 500 is less popular, but still probably the #2 pump gun in North America. Aftermarket is markedly less robust, but resale value is also high, and they also just work. I prefer the Mossberg myself due to the location/style of the controls (Action release is behind the trigger guard on the Mossberg, infront of it on the Remington, and the Mossberg uses a tang safety rather than the Rems crossbolt safety), but you can't really go wrong with either. Mossbergs use an aluminum receiver, so they're a bit lighter than the Remington.

Maverick 88 is another option to consider if you're looking to spend as little as possible. They're basically a cheapened Mossberg 500, they don't come drilled/tapped for a scope rail, and they have a crossbolt safety rather than the tang safety, but otherwise they are nearly identical to a Mossberg 500.


AlbertaJohn said:
Go handle a few shotguns at gun shops and see what feels and fits best.

Then you can shop when you figure out which one you want.
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This is a good point. Fit is massively important with shotguns in particular. I'm going to edit my first post to reflect this.
 
Sounds good, I'll see what fits best. In all honesty that's how I bought my recent 22, so I agree that fit matters.
 
paz said:
..present itself to me.

The story is I want a Savage Milano O/U but nothing available at the moment. There was one listed used and I hemmed and hawed for too long, now it's gone.

I'd like to get some shooting in but I don't want to blow the budget because I'd like to be ready for when what I want shows up and that's gonna be pricey. So can anyone suggest a 12 gauge shotgun under $500 that I can get used to shooting some sporting clays with? I'm fine with looking at new but I think I'd prefer used. It's doesn't have to be O/U, it doesn't have to be fancy or carved out of ivory. Simple pump is just fine, looking for quality on a budget.
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Perfect…
IMG-2592.jpg
 
A Pump-action shotgun like the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 is often recommended. They're reliable, versatile and relatively easy to use and maintain and lastly they are budget friendly.
 
Switching gears. What about something like this?

https://www.gun post. ca/firearms/shotguns/city-toronto/browning-liege-ou-28-barrels-made-belgium

It may be a little more than what I was going to spend on the Milano but it's close. Anyone have positives/negatives to say about Browning O/U? The Liege in this case.

Seller is farther than I want to travel and shipping is probably an option but he seems new and no reviews so I probably won't go for it but at least this can get the conversation going again.
 
Or maybe a used Citori.? I'm seeing a few pop up used in the last couple of days and the pricing just slightly more than my Milano budget. Maybe buy once and cry once instead of getting a pump now.

The Citori seems to be reviewed very well. O/U, ejectors, 3" chamber, choke system. Should serve for some clay and some hunting.
 
paz said:
Or maybe a used Citori.? I'm seeing a few pop up used in the last couple of days and the pricing just slightly more than my Milano budget. Maybe buy once and cry once instead of getting a pump now.

The Citori seems to be reviewed very well. O/U, ejectors, 3" chamber, choke system. Should serve for some clay and some hunting.
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Both brownings you've mentioned would be fine guns, buy whichever fits best.
 
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