What should I look for in my first shotgun?

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Azz

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Never had a shotgun before, very little experience firing them. I get the idea that the Rem 870 is the mainstay of any Shotgun afficionado's collection, but there's so many different configurations!

I'd like to use it for the following purposes, ranked in order of importance:

1) Mainly, for fun. I'd like to just pick up some cheap shells and shoot the crap out of targets at the range or out in the wilderness.

2) Skeet/Trap shooting? I don't even know the difference. the dealie where you've got these clay frisbee-looking discs and you shoot.... at them. I heard that good shotguns for this purpose can be expensive, and that barrell length is a serious consideration? I'm not looking to be a world-class competitor, again I'm just looking to have some fun.

3)Hunting. I've never hunted before, I don't have a licence, and I don't have any plans for the immediate future, but what the hey? I'll probably give it a "shot" sooner or later.

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I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for in new and used shotguns, barrell length, etc. I'm pretty much leaning towards some kind of pump-action Remy 870.
 
I would suggest a mossberg combo. It comes with a stock, and a pistol grip, and it comes with 2 barrels. a long one for birds and a short one for camp defense etc.
Pump it a few times to make sure that the action is smooth.. some arent very smooth and are harder to cycle than others.
If you go autoloader.. you'll need to use hotter shells to wirk the action properly ( treid it before with regular 7 1/2's and the action failed to cycle properly.
Also look for the material the stock is made of.. some prefer wood.. while others prefer synthetics ( i prefer synthetics)
also look at the lenght of shells you can put in it .. longer is better ( if its 2 3/4 only.. choose something else)
Sights? different options out there too.. but thee can always be modified to suite your need later.
Find one that looks pretty, and is rugged.
for your first one, you can easily pick up a quality shotgun for under $400.

cheers,
have fun
 
well you see, we're gun nutz, I have a solution. You have 3 purposes, thus you should have 3 shotguns.

1) dirt cheap single shot 12 ga. I have a Rossi. They shoot crap really good and they are LOADS of FUN! oh and they kick like a mule!

2) For skeet and trap, I'm currently using my 870 the best I can, simply because I can't afford a good Over/Under shotgun yet. Otherwise, I think you can get a decent cheap one from Bakail or something... I'll let the others elaborate on this one.

3) For hunting, rem 870 express combo(it comes with a rifled barrel with sights and a 26" smoothbore), like I have, you can hunt anything with this gun and it's probably one of the most reliable shotguns out there.


Basically, why have 1 shotgun when you can have 3?
If I had to pick just one though, it would be my rem 870 express combo. By far the most versatile.
 
Id go with the Mossberg 535 combo. You can get the feild and deer combo for $400, that gives you a fully rifled barrel and a smoothbore 28" with removable chokes.

535.jpg
 
Which Shotgun?

I wouldn't buy an overunder unless you plan on doing some upland bird hunting or trap / skeet shooting. That said, I love mine, but they're costly and pretty.

Semi Auto's are nice if you have the cash. I've got a Beretta 391 that I love. I can shoot hundreds of rounds without even feeling mildly sore. Really nice for trap or skeet shooting.

If you're looking for low cost fun...nothing beats a pump. They are a little more forgiving than a semi auto if you let it get too dirty since they won't jam as easy, but they also kick a little more. I've got a winchester defender, lots of people love their 870's or even an old wingmaster.

Gauge, fit and price are the major determining factors once you get past the "does it look cool" needs.

You can never have too many shotguns, but if I could only have one, it would be a 12 gauge, 28" barrel, pump action with a good recoil pad. If you want some flexability in use, be sure it has changable choke tubes. I wouldn't worry about a rifled barrel for slug hunting deer in Western Canada with the above mentioned combo, unless you want to shoot slugs for bear defense.
 
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Azz said:
I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for in new and used shotguns, barrell length, etc. I'm pretty much leaning towards some kind of pump-action Remy 870.
Click to expand...
Excellent choice. The Remington 870 Express Combo with a 28" vent rib choke tube barrel and a 20" rifle sighted smoothbore barrel will do everything you want to do with a shotgun.

For skeet and trap, a pump gun will work well to start with. If you find yourself addicted to the games then you can then decide if you want another gun (dont be surprised if you do).

I started many years ago with an 870 pump. Other guns have come and gun but I still have my 870.
 
For my first shot gun I picked up a Mossberg88 combo came witha 181/2" barrell and a 28" barrell with accuchoke and a modified tube, the main reason was for bear protection (<- I really wanted a Marlin gs 45/70 but couldna afford it) for when ever I spent my weekends out in the bush around Quesnel. I'm glad now that I decided on the combo that came with the extra barrell instead of the one with the pistol grip cause now I've moved to Lethbridge and need not worry about the bears now. I've had it out a few times now and I'm happy with the purchase, but it is a cheaper shot gun than most, look and feel, but it keeps me happy, till I can afford to get my side by side or over under.
 
I'm a noob shot gun owner. Picked up a used 870...what a blast...literally:eek: !!! Be sure to pump that thing like you are trying to break it! I wasn't at first and I jammed it every 2 rounds. Buy a few snap caps so you can practice until you get right. I felt like a real tool running over to the shop and getting someone to come over to the range to fix my "boo boos":redface:
 
I think for you an 870 combo gun withthe 2 barrles.
But in your really wanted to use you shotguns for all of that
id go buy aused wingmaster with 28in barrle and buy a new 870 police magnum.
bbb
 
First of all, most shotguns fit the 'average' sized person. So if you're a gangly stringbean with a goose neck, or a short fat cannonball, you'll need some tailoring. Everybody probably has some issues that need a little tweaking, but if you're about 5'9", 170 lbs, you should be fine.

Any 12 ga. pump, with screw in chokes, 3" chamber, will do it all. You don't need a fancy gun to shoot trap/skeet, which you may find addictive. You do need a newer gun which can shoot steel safely, but you don't need a 3.5" chamber. Nor do you need combact-style grips & junk like that.

Where are you at?
 
Your original instincts regarding an 870 Remington are right on.

Go get yourself a new Remington 870 Express, 12 gauge, (chambered for
2-3/4" & 3" shells), with a 28" barrel. ( The newest ones have a laminated instead of plain hardwood stock) Should be around $ 375 plus tax. - While your at it, pick up another "Skeet" or "Improved Cylinder" Choke, a flat (10 boxes -250 rounds) of # 8 trap loads,(most promo target loads should be available for about five or six bucks a box) a hand target thrower ( MTM - about 10 bucks) , and a couple of cases of clay targets ( 135 to the case - something like ten or twelve bucks a case)

Find a capable assistant, ( preferably someone who may already be an accomplished scattergunner to guide you along the path)
and GO HAVE FUN.

ENJOY !!

Then buy more shells & targets & repeat ... often !
 
I asked the same question just over 1 month ago and based on the responses I received here ... I was shooting my new 870 Express for the first time on the weekend. Had lots of fun blowing the crap out of some improvised aluminum targets (emptied on another occasion of course). The Express operated flawlessly and restored my enthusiasm for shotguns. I contrast this to my previous exercise in frustration involving a Norinco Ithica M37 clone that could only be recommended for those intent on becoming Zombie food.

In addition to plinking and bear defense, I aspire to trying some trap/skeet (maybe even figuring out the difference between them), so I bought the Express combo with 20" IC slug and 28" VR barrels. The 'rifled' combo is a slightly more $ and seems geared more towards Deer & Upland bird hunting - it comes with a shorter 26" VR barrel. The store I bought mine at had some with solid and some with laminate hardwood stocks (I think the solid hardwood might have been older inventory).

The Mossberg slug/shot combo is about $100 less than the Remington... many suggested trying each for 'FEEL' before making a decision (I did and preferred the way the 870 shouldered).

Someone above refers to an 870 combo with the pistol grip - I believe that's a 'security' combo and it only comes with one (18.5") barrel w/ bead sight.

There were also significant numbers of people recommending that a used Wingmaster might be a better ROI. I've priced them in the EE for $150 less than the new 870 Express combo (including a 2nd slug barrel), although typically these are older and only capable of firing 2 3/4" shells.

Good luck - let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

/gc
 
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LeePeterson said:
There's only 1 thing I don't like about my 870 express, I find it heavy.
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You got that right. An all-day upland gun it's not. At least the 12, anyway. But it sure helps for ducks and geese, and clays.
 
Before you buy anything, find some friends with shotguns.. try their's out first. learn what it realy means when people say "man that fits me real well"..
because i didnt know, went out and baught an expensive shotgun and THEN i understood what it meant... (biiig mistake)...had to sell it and now am looking for the right one for ME.. and ME only!..
it has to fit you! you want to shoot sporting, skeet, trap.. go with a shotgun that can handle 2 3/4" - 3" shells... 28-30 inch barrels.. barrel length is all about ballance and swing.. some people like a longer barrel for the swing to chase the bird much easier.. as for me, I am 6'2 tall.. i realy feel the difference between a 28inch barrel and a 30-32 inch... its all preference...
if you want to shoot skeet, over/unders are for skeet.. they are expensive, but over/under is a skeet/sporting gun.. you will find people that shoot with pump, its awsome to see someone shoot perfect game with pump because it is hard to do.. possible, but hard.....im sure alot of others have ideas that can help you. this is my opinion.. you can take it or leave it, but please whatever you do, understand what it means to have a gun fit you.. and then buy your gun!
take care,
Be safe!
Elevenstar
 
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