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Most Reliable Shotgun Type? Best Cartridge?

:thumbup:Mossberg 500, built to MILSPEC. Bought my 'Mariner' version in 89, was with my aboard my sailboat for 11 1'2 in the salt air environment of the FL Keys ['91-'03]- NO rust anywhere and never fails to perform - a real workhorse:thumbup:
 
Erasmus said:
The Lower 48 states? All you need is a nice SAK in your pocket. If you are on BLM land in California, you need a .22 rifle or pistol for some pleasant, informal plinking.

The bear threat is somewhat overstated in the Lower 48. I've been all over the Sierra Nevada, and haven't even seen the first mountain lion, and only a couple of black bears, which fled.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty broad brush you're using. While I would agree that in most places of the lower 48 that's true I certainly wouldn't say it applies everywhere. A lot of grizzlies have moved out of the areas where they were re-introduced and they are expanding their territory every year. Mountain lions are thick in some places and can be a danger. I consider both potential threats in some parts of my AO.
 
Joezilla said:
Ok Besides the 870 (only so I don't kick myself for selling mine),

what is the most economical 12 guage that has optional barrells. I want a super short barrell to keep around the house, and then something I can put a longer barrel on and pop 3 inch magnums in to shoot the skunks wood ducks, and turkeys down at the river.
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The Mossberg blued two-barrel set is often the most economical but for wilderness use I prefer to pay a few bucks more for the marine finish.

DancesWithknives
 
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I have used almost every brand of pump shotgun. They were all pretty darn reliable. However the Browning is my personal favorite. I have one with the choke tubes and the 26 inch field barrel.

For cheap and reliable, it is hard to beat the NEF's.
 
I've shot Remingtons on occassion, seems like a great gun. But I prefer the Mossbergs. I've had a Mossberg 500 for years with no problems.
 
Remington 870 , hands down. Very tough. Very simple to break down and clean.
Many barrels avilalible and very easy to change out. :thumbup:
 
Lemme 'splain....'The only problem there has ever been with a Mossberg 500.
Back in the late seventies some idiot got the bright idea that they could save three cents per gun by making the "tang" safety out of plastic.They failed constantly.NO. ALWAYS !
It had no effect on the performance of the gun.
The safety button " vanished/shattered"
I used to set up the Bridgeport and make 100 at a time out of mild steel.Problem solved/

Well....... The nitwits regrouped and went back to steel.
The " Maverick" uses a cross trigger type safety, like a 1022.
That is what is available here, and what I own. It's still a "500" ,other than that.
Best damn pump ever made.
 
Ford vs Chevy - Mossy vs Rem.

The Mossberg 590A1 is the only Mossy pump built to Mil-Spec. The 500 is not. HOWEVER NO shotgun, not even the 590A1, is drop safe. Which means if there is a shell in the chamber and it is dropped there is a possiblity it will discharge unlike other Mil Spec handguns and/or rifles/carbines. That is why there are three modes of carry for shotguns; storage mode, transport mode and action/ready mode. Law Enforcement (and the Military unless engaged in actual combat) are required to carry their shotguns in transport mode until they are on the scene and about to engage the suspect/thread/situation. In transport mode there is NO round in the chamber!

The problem with both Mossy and Rem is in recent years they've taken cuts to save a few $$. The only two I can suggest then is either the Mossy 590A1 or the Remington 870P Police Model for Home Defense or Wilderness Defense. A standard Mossy 500 is now made using a plastic fire control group and the safety is now in plastic. It isn't the end of the world but if you need a rugged hard core shotgun then you'd prefer to have all metal like the 590A1.

With the Remington 870 commerical model now has a plastic (PC) Integrated Safety System vis 'a vis cheezy Lockable Cross Bolt Safety which can and will engage while using it. For home or Wild Defense it is not bombproof reliable! Don't ask me how I know - I just do. I've had it happen to me and I've seen this happen to others about a half dozen times while training in simulated defensive situations. I find just a casual plinking mode it is fine but when they are used in simulated defensive sitautions they are more inclined to lock up the trigger. Not good!

I guess anything is better than nothing but if I'm intentionally shopping for a home defense or wilderness defense shotgun I'd stick with the 870P or 590A1. Also using a small arm for defense is different than hunting and I would strongly recommend a person seek out police level shotgun training from a qualified instructor or school.

But what the heck do I know...
 
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Well, it is North America, not Africa. It just isn't (usually) that dangerous. People are a WAY bigger threat than any animal, statistically.

I dunno. It's fun to talk about what shotgun for bears, but it is about as unlikely a threat as a meteor impact. So don't cook in your tent?

I think scaring and discouraging tourists with distant fears is pointless.

What's the best round for gypsies, tramps and thieves, anyways? :)
 
You are probably in more danger in certain parts of our cities than in the wilderness; assuming you use good sense. We seldom carry protection with bear, gator, coyote & hog just beyond the tree line. That said when we have a problem, human or critter, I grab my 12 ga. 870 with 20" or 28" barrel, loaded with slugs, #1 buck or # 6 bird depending on the problem. It has never failed me in over 25 years.
Enjoy our land, stick with someone who knows where to go & where not to & you will be welcome & safe.
 
As a lefty, the Browning BPS is my gun of choice due to the bottom eject. Sons have the Mossberg and Remington which have been treated like only an adolescent can treat a gun. They've never had a problem with jamming or other issue. We also have a couple of H&R break actions 20 GA and 16GA and they'd make a great pack gun.

Load with rock salt for gypsies, tramps, and thieves (4 and 2 legged)...

J-
 
i dont think anyone has mentioned the browning AUTO-5 , winchester model 12, and rem 1100. greatest shotguns ever made. nothing even comes close. well, ....i like em anyways. :D
 
Mossberg 590a1.

Sorry to dispel all the mythos around the 870 Remington, but 10 shots of double ott or slugs stacked any way you like with ghost sights, dog ears and a bayonet to boot ain't enuff to knock yogi's pecker in the mud, then it's time to start looking into a class 3.
 
coote said:
I have owned several shotguns, and none have impressed me as being particularly tough or reliable. I've never had a misfire or a jammed ejector or anything, it is just that the ones I've seen seem a bit flimsy. Dang, you cant even practically strip the action of my double for cleaning and lubrication.
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The most rugged shotguns I've seen are the H&R/NEF single shots. Poor folks in a variety of harsh climates, who don't take particularly good care of their shotgun, have dinged up and rusty 12 gauges that still shoot fine. The receiver is built like a tank and the mechanism is extremely simple. They seem practically indestructible.
 
If I was going to Alaska I would certainly grab my Mossberg 590 with out a doubt.

The 870 is also a good choice in its own right, but for me the 590 gets the win
 
870 Marine Magnum owner for years now. Can't complain about it and have put every type of round through it. I prefer the 2 3/4" rounds over the 3" so I can get another round in the mag tube. If I'm traveling and don't have a handgun on my side, the shotgun is usually with me.
 
Joezilla said:
Ok Besides the 870 (only so I don't kick myself for selling mine),

what is the most economical 12 guage that has optional barrells. I want a super short barrell to keep around the house, and then something I can put a longer barrel on and pop 3 inch magnums in to shoot the skunks wood ducks, and turkeys down at the river.
Click to expand...

You'd probably want the Mossberg Model # 54169.

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/54169.jpg

I have a Mossberg 500 Combo model. 28" bbl for ducks/geese, 24" rifled bbl for deer/bear, and I just got an additional 18.5" smoothbore bbl for it.

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/52264.jpg

I think the Remington 870 has similar combo models.
 
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