Which first gun to buy

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MP1725

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I have a 20 gauge and an old beat up 12 gauge (broken right now) both old over unders from the 70s that were passed down (28in, fixed mod/full). Was looking to buy a nicer 12 gauge either pump or semi auto. Really like the remington 1100 and 870 wingmaster but also heard it can be hard to find parts if they ever break and im also having a hard time finding both of them being sold in general. Would it be better to get a brand new more modern gun instead of a used remington 1100 or 870? If so, what other models? Mainly turkey hunt and skeet shoot. Going to be hunting some big game eventually so need something that can also shoot slugs and buckshot.
 
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I have a 870 and can't complain.
Has thousands of rounds through it and will probably shoot thousands more without an issue.
Wouldn't hesitate to buy one
 
There are millions, probably 10's of millions of 1100's and 870's in circulation. Finding parts is not a considerable challenge compared to other options like Turkish made shotguns. I have a 1980's 1100LW in a less common .410 and have sourced basic wear parts like o rings and extractor fairly easy. Not much else to them to go terribly wrong.
 
For me, if parts may be of concern, and if I really like the firearm, I buy two, one shooter and one for parts if I ever needed them. I have a few old rimfire match rifle doubles. So far I never needed to take parts from one as donor to the other. But they get used and they are aging...like me :(. Too bad I can't have a double for my own parts :'(
 
MP1725 said:
I have a 20 gauge and an old beat up 12 gauge (broken right now) both old over unders from the 70s that were passed down (28in, fixed mod/full). Was looking to buy a nicer 12 gauge either pump or semi auto. Really like the remington 1100 and 870 wingmaster but also heard it can be hard to find parts if they ever break and im also having a hard time finding both of them being sold in general. Would it be better to get a brand new more modern gun instead of a used remington 1100 or 870? If so, what other models? Mainly turkey hunt and skeet shoot. Going to be hunting some big game eventually so need something that can also shoot slugs and buckshot.
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Remington 870 is what i'd get, in whatever configuration tickled my fancy. (The more premium ones with the nicer walnut like the Classic Trap gun are really nice for instance.) Can't go wrong with an 870. I can't see how you'd have too much trouble finding one either. I've looked at these on ####### time to time and there always seems to be some nice choices out there. I would look for an older used gun in good condition.
 
Jabol said:
For me, if parts may be of concern, and if I really like the firearm, I buy two, one shooter and one for parts if I ever needed them. I have a few old rimfire match rifle doubles. So far I never needed to take parts from one as donor to the other. But they get used and they are aging...like me :(. Too bad I can't have a double for my own parts :'(
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Sharing magazines is nice
 
Either the 870 or 1100 would be a good choice with lots of parts available but both guns are very reliable and lots of parts are out there.

I owned 870s for years for waterfowling. They are bullet proof and perfect for the task. After getting away from that I transitioned over to a couple 1100s for skeet and 5 stand. One is an old 25" Skeet gun and the other is a more recent 28" Sporting with extended factory tubes. Both have been flawless.

.
 
I would not buy a gun thinking of parts availability.
Buy a good brand name old or new you should be ok.
Think Browning Winchester beretta sako ruger ,older remington ,older savage, older Mossberg .
Yes the odd time these break too but you generally don't but these guns expecting to replace broken parts.
Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Keep versatility in mind... So...

Choke tubes
3.5" chamber
I'd go 26" or maybe a 28" barrel

Outside of that, how it fits is most important.

Then there's other features you may prefer. Tang safety, cross bolt safety? Etc etc etc

And you mentioned Skeet. I used my 12 ga Browning BPS Upland Special with a 22" barrel this past weekend and an IC choke. Fun!
 
I would buy something with screw in chokes, a 26-28" barrel, and learn about shotgun fit, before you buy. Then buy a shotgun that fits you. I would consider the SX3 and SX4, as they are reasonably priced, and very dependable, and they do well with light target loads, and heavy field loads.
 
Sounds like an 870 with an extra barrel or two is what you want. 28” smooth bore for skeet & bird hunting, 20” smooth with sights for turkey, rifled of some kind for sabot slugs.
Not many used 870’s for sale ‘cause people like them and tend to keep them around😉
 
Remington 11-87 will do everything an 1100 will do and more since they all come with choke tubes and 3" chamber. They will go thousands of rounds without a hiccup in my experience. I put 5,000 rounds through one of mine during 4 1/2 days in Argentina, as an example but also shot skeet and Sporting with it for years. IF you ever need a part then Gravel Agencies in Montreal has what you would need and they are easily fixed and cleaned.
 
MP1725 said:
I have a 20 gauge and an old beat up 12 gauge (broken right now) both old over unders from the 70s that were passed down (28in, fixed mod/full). Was looking to buy a nicer 12 gauge either pump or semi auto. Really like the remington 1100 and 870 wingmaster but also heard it can be hard to find parts if they ever break and im also having a hard time finding both of them being sold in general. Would it be better to get a brand new more modern gun instead of a used remington 1100 or 870? If so, what other models? Mainly turkey hunt and skeet shoot. Going to be hunting some big game eventually so need something that can also shoot slugs and buckshot.
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The rule of thumb for affordable shotguns is; If you're buying new, get a Mossberg. If you're buying vintage, get a Remington.

Modern Remington build quality is horrible compared to their past. Mossberg has everything you could want at a good price point.

On a tight budget? Maverick 88 12ga 3" combo is a great deal. Got a little more to spend? The Mossberg 500s are a good quality step above the Maverick.
 
Gumboots said:
The rule of thumb for affordable shotguns is; If you're buying new, get a Mossberg. If you're buying vintage, get a Remington.

Modern Remington build quality is horrible compared to their past. Mossberg has everything you could want at a good price point.

On a tight budget? Maverick 88 12ga 3" combo is a great deal. Got a little more to spend? The Mossberg 500s are a good quality step above the Maverick.
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The most important rule when purchasing a shotgun for wingshooting, is to choose a shotgun that fits you. The unfortunate part, is that many people have no clue what drop at comb and cast are, let alone how they effect shotgun fit.
 
stubblejumper said:
The most important rule when purchasing a shotgun for wingshooting, is to choose a shotgun that fits you. The unfortunate part, is that many people have no clue what drop at comb and cast are, let alone how they effect shotgun fit.
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That is so true. I learned that lesson the hard way and it was a bit expensive.

Learn what fits you and don't buy a shotgun online without trying it 1st.

.
 
MP1725 said:
I have a 20 gauge and an old beat up 12 gauge (broken right now) both old over unders from the 70s that were passed down (28in, fixed mod/full). Was looking to buy a nicer 12 gauge either pump or semi auto. Really like the remington 1100 and 870 wingmaster but also heard it can be hard to find parts if they ever break and im also having a hard time finding both of them being sold in general. Would it be better to get a brand new more modern gun instead of a used remington 1100 or 870? If so, what other models? Mainly turkey hunt and skeet shoot. Going to be hunting some big game eventually so need something that can also shoot slugs and buckshot.
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So many options available that it all comes down to preference. I bought a Browning Citori for bird hunting, but it was too nice (expensive) to drag through the brush that I never took it anywhere other than skeet shooting. Then I bought a Winchester SXP for $300 for that role and it has brought down hundreds of birds with zero issues. Then I picked up a Franchi Affinity that was on sale to replace the SXP, and ended up using it for trap and hunting. Now the Franchi is my to shotgun for everything. Point is, most North American manufactures are reliable and parts are abundant, a decent $300 shotgun can go thousands of rounds. The 870 can be a great choice for customization. Canadian Safety Source has almost every part that you could need to build it out to fit you perfectly.
 
Nicknicknick said:
So many options available that it all comes down to preference. I bought a Browning Citori for bird hunting, but it was too nice (expensive) to drag through the brush that I never took it anywhere other than skeet shooting. Then I bought a Winchester SXP for $300 for that role and it has brought down hundreds of birds with zero issues. Then I picked up a Franchi Affinity that was on sale to replace the SXP, and ended up using it for trap and hunting. Now the Franchi is my to shotgun for everything. Point is, most North American manufactures are reliable and parts are abundant, a decent $300 shotgun can go thousands of rounds. The 870 can be a great choice for customization. Canadian Safety Source has almost every part that you could need to build it out to fit you perfectly.
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A Citori too expensive to until with? I have no issues hunting with my Grulla SxS shotguns, and I could buy a few Citoris for the price of each Grulla. And neither Grulla is marked up, despite years of use in the field.
 
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