what shotgun should i buy?

[Grouse Man]

Moose 308 said it best. Any pump out there will do the job for you. I can't think of any pump guns to stay away from. So what it comes down to is your personal preference with each gun. Do you like the feel, look, and balance of wood guns compared to synthetic. Where do you like the safety - front or rear of trigger guard or under your thumb? How do you like the feel of the pump foreend? Does the wrist feel comfortable to you? Does it fit you so that it is aiming where you are looking? Does it have the barrel length you need for balance and/or shooting style? Can you get a rifled slug barrel if you so choose?

This is your first gun, so you can either dream about which one is your perfect gun, and THEN learn about guns. OR you can try a bunch of different types in the store. OR you can just go and buy a pump, use it and shoot it a lot, and then get a feel for what you like/dislike about it and go from there.

 

[black ace]

There are basically only two types of 870. The Wingmaster, which is (supposed to be) the higher end version, which is all polished up and blued. Then there is the Express which is their economy platform which is not polished up, and just coated. Parts should work on both platforms, it is just the fit and finish. All the little variations you see in catalogues are all just using the same 870 platform, and just adding various parts and bells and whistles. So you don't need to worry too much about which one to get, as they are all 870's. Just set your budget, and decide which little features you want.

As you have said, you "just want to shoot" so don't worry too much about getting a high-end 870. Just a basic 870 express will do just fine. Your biggest decisions would be wood stock, laminate stock, or plastic stock. Further, what kind of barrel do you want? If you are just blasting out at a gravel pit, then barrel size/length really doesn't matter. If you are planning on hunting, then what are you planning to hunt? If it is ducks, then a 26-28" vented rib barrel is what you want. If it is deer, then likely a 20" fully rifled, or rifle-sighted/rifled choke-tube barrel is what you want.

And yes, you can just buy a barrel later on.

Awesome, Thanks.

 

[rci]

I would recommend a Browning bps. They may be expensive in the store but you can find them reasonably priced in the EE section.