What is a good first time shotgun to purchase?

[Isaac799]

Another vote for browning BPS. Mine fits me great. Great quality and very reliable.

 

[jjohnwm]

read it for yourself:
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=021C&mid=512273

notice it makes the distinction between the bore (hard chrome) vs the rest of the body (black chrome). It compares the SXP's black chrome with the useless blueing that every other company uses. If you google black chrome, you'll find it's an expensive process:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-black-chrome-plating.htm

I just read it, and it clearly states that the receiver is "aluminum alloy, matt black finish". The barrel is indeed described as having a black chrome finish, and I must admit that even that was a surprise to me, but the rest of the gun's exterior is not chromed...nor blued, since you can't "blue" aluminum. Maybe painted, maybe anodized, I don't know. So, yes, the barrel has the protection of black chrome (which is impressive), but the rest of the gun will look just as crappy after a few hard seasons as all the competition. Probably worse, actually, since painted or anodized alumimun starts to show scratches and wear much faster than actual blued steel in most cases.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Winchester pump, just that it's not all that different than anyone else's entry-level pump gun.

 

[hawkmp9]

Mossberg 500
Winchester sxp
Remington 870

In that order... Had em all

 

[blasted_saber]

A distinction needs to be made between the 870 Express and the 870 Wingmaster. They arent the same gun. Its like saying the car I can go buy at my local Chev dealer is the same car in NASCAR.

 

[FLYBYU44]

My first shotgun was a Browning BPS. It is a nice gun, and if it fits you even better. I now have a Remington 870 supermag. It is nearly 1 lb lighter and I can shot 3.5" shells. It isn't nearly as nicely finished as the Browning however. But at the end of the day they both take down birds the same.