new shot gun

I own several rifles, from heavy barreled varmint rigs, to the venerable 30/30, and yet, one of my favorite guns is my H&R .308, the H&R forum at "Greybeards Outdoors" is a wealth of info. for H&R addicts. The next H&R I plan to get is the USHD, but $$$ prohibits right now. You may look into these combos as possibilities:
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Combos/handislug.asp
 
I'm looking to buy a new shotgun as well.
Right now i have an old Savage/Stevens 311 SXS 12 ga.
I used to have an Winchester 1300 Defender and a Remington 870.
I sold off most of my guns to raise funds a few years back.
I preferred the safety location on the Winchester (on the trigger guard forward of the trigger). The Winchester was also much lighter than the Remington.

The Winchesters are out of production but you might be able to score one used.

However the Remington 870 is a very solid exceptionally good firearm as well.
And as others have said if you want to accessorize the Remington has the most after-market goodies.
AND you can buy barrels separately as well.

Personally i've been tempted by the Mossberg 500 combo (18 inch Cyl Bore barrel and 28 waterfowl barrel).
Up here i can get the Mossberg 500 combo for under 300$ new!
I have never tried a Mossberg but from the pics it seems to have the most sensible safety placement of any pump shotgun.
 
The Rem 870 with an 18" Factory Barrel only weighs 5 pounds 12 ounces;
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My first thought was that doesn't sound correct. This sight says 7 1/4 pounds, and that's unloaded. http://www.remington.com/products/f...70/model_870_express_synthetic_deer_specs.asp. Then I realized we were talking 20 gauge and it is much lighter apparently (different receiver as I recall): http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_deer.asp

The Mossberg (Browning and Benelli too) is still lighter due to its alloy receiver. Here are the 20s http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=22&display=specs

I've carried both 870 and 500. Both are excellent (as are almost all other major brand pumps) but I prefer the 500 due to the lighter weight and better safety location. However, this combo looks nice: http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_combos.asp. and it has a shorter rifle barrel. I dislike Mossy for only offering it's deer barrels in 24". Too long IMO.

I really do like carbines and smaller shotguns. If I'm going to be carrying the thing all day, a pound or two is noticeable. I like to hunt with my weapon in my hands, not on my shoulder. I've gotten several shots that if I carried my weapon shouldered, I would have never had the time to get my rifle or shotgun off my shoulder.

I think you are correct in looking for a 20 (or 12) over a 410. 410 doesn't put much lead on target and costs twice as much as 20 or 12.

I do have a single shot Rossi combo that is an EXCELLENT value. Got 22/410 but I wish I had gotten 22/20 instead.

Stevens 24 is kinda heavy for what you get, unless you can find the super rare campers model. Baikal/Remington makes a combo gun too, but not in 20. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/combination_shotgun-Rifle/SPR94_specs.asp

Riley, I'd just look at everything in person and get the one that shoulders best and feels best IN YOUR HANDS. There really isn't a correct answer.
 
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zenheretic said:
I've had two Mossbergs for about 20 years now. :eek: Don't shoot them much anymore but was always happy with the package.

You can change the barrel in under 30 seconds, easily.

I like the safety on top instead of on the trigger guard (like on the Remington). Having it up there allows easy operation for right and left handers and an easy verification of the safety status.

Now if you are one of those types that just has to add a ton of do-dads on a shotgun, then the Remington is the way to go. There are many more do-dads avail for the Remington. Things like adding the number of rounds held is difficult on a Mossberg and fairly easy on a Remington. If you add a pistol grip, having the safety on the trigger guard puts the Remington in much better light than the Mossberg as well. You almost have to take you hand all the way off the pistol grip to activate the safety on a Mossberg.
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I agree 100%. Ive owned and shot, and hunted with both. Zen brings up alot of good points.

If anyone has owned one of the NEF singleshots Please give us your feedback. For less then 100.00 I would like one in 20gauge.:thumbup:
 
I have 5 NEF/H&R's (2 shot, 1 slug, 1 muzzleloader, 1 rifle) I guess you could say I was a fan. :) These single-shots just suit me better. Lightweight, compact, simple, safe, lefty friendly. I use them to hunt not for battle and years of bow hunting have made me very patient with setting up and waiting for the right shot. You can also get off a second shot faster than you might think, with a little practice and forethought. ;)

Sending a receiver in for a new barrel is really no big deal, and the up side is that you can then request a free trigger job, and it will come back much better (around 3 pounds from what I've heard.) Factory, they are a little heavy. Do it in the off-season, I think it takes about 6-8 weeks depending on whether they have the barrels in stock. Call and ask, they are very helpful on the phone. Some models come with interchangeable chokes now, so just adding a rifled choke tube is also an option. There are some H&R specific forums out there with lots of info. If that interests you, let me know and I'll get you the link.
 
If you want a beater gun for camp, then I would go with H&R or NEF single shot. I've got an old H&R 410 that I leave out at camp, and I love it.

If you want to spend some more coin, and think you may want to get into hunting, I think a TC encore is the way to go. You can switch out barrels between various shotgun sizes and centerfire rifle cartridges (huge variety avaliable now). I've got one and I love it for deer hunting. From Nov 15-30 I've got my .308 barrel on and then when Dec 1 rolls around the .50 cal muzzleloader barrel goes onto it. Its served me well for years now.
 
zenheretic said:
I like the safety on top instead of on the trigger guard (like on the Remington). Having it up there allows easy operation for right and left handers and an easy verification of the safety status.
Click to expand...

This was one of the deciding factors going for the Mossberg when I got it. I'm left-handed and this was one of the few guns that had a safety that was really convenient, apart from looking for lefty guns. Didn't want to spend the money for a left-handed gun so I ended up with the Mossberg. Haven't been disappointed.
 
Rocketbomb,

I am not tying to hiJack the thread but most older 870's can be changed over to left handed safety pretty easy. I also have a Browning Gold Hunter that the safety was switched for a left handed shooter. This is merely for information only.

Paul
 
Blue Sky said:
I have 5 NEF/H&R's (2 shot, 1 slug, 1 muzzleloader, 1 rifle) I guess you could say I was a fan. :) These single-shots just suit me better. Lightweight, compact, simple, safe, lefty friendly. I use them to hunt not for battle and years of bow hunting have made me very patient with setting up and waiting for the right shot. You can also get off a second shot faster than you might think, with a little practice and forethought. ;)

Sending a receiver in for a new barrel is really no big deal, and the up side is that you can then request a free trigger job, and it will come back much better (around 3 pounds from what I've heard.) Factory, they are a little heavy. Do it in the off-season, I think it takes about 6-8 weeks depending on whether they have the barrels in stock. Call and ask, they are very helpful on the phone. Some models come with interchangeable chokes now, so just adding a rifled choke tube is also an option. There are some H&R specific forums out there with lots of info. If that interests you, let me know and I'll get you the link.
Click to expand...

I have a 20 ga w/ modified choke and the Ultra Slug Hunter. It is a great 2-barrel setup for not much money. I've used the smooth bore for rabbits, squirrels and turkey, and shot 5 deer with the slug barrel this fall.
 
nemoaz said:
My first thought was that doesn't sound correct. This sight says 7 1/4 pounds, and that's unloaded.

Riley, I'd just look at everything in person and get the one that shoulders best and feels best IN YOUR HANDS. There really isn't a correct answer.
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Serious, it is the 12 GA with the 3" chamber. The barrel is the Mossberg manufactured 18" barrel mentioned earlier in the thread. At Christmas, I will break down the component weight.

In fact, I am even hoping to make this configuration lighter with a straight grip stock with a slightly shorter length of pull. Or, a synthetic stock if they are lighter (the synthetic stocks are usually hollow).

I really want to corroborate what nemoaz is saying about the feel of the weapon one selects. No matter what the internet / magazine reviews say about any sort of weapon, kinematics will define the usage of any one persons' weapon. The dimensions of the grip, sights, length of pull, and the manual of arms need to be "just right".

Lastly, I chased every 24C available on gunbroker last year; I lost every auction. When I finally weighed my 870 I realized what a good thing I had on hand. The next step is to find a great way to pack my 870; I am too frugal to pay full price for an Erbelstock pack.
 
mogwai said:
I have a 20 ga w/ modified choke and the Ultra Slug Hunter. It is a great 2-barrel setup for not much money. I've used the smooth bore for rabbits, squirrels and turkey, and shot 5 deer with the slug barrel this fall.
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5, excellent! I don't think I even saw 5 this year. My area is going through a tough time the last few years. The population numbers seem to be down (coyotes are up, hmmm) and what is left out there have become mostly nocturnal. We have a few trail cams set up that helped us reach that conclusion. Oh well, spring turkey is only a few months away...:)
 
My daughter ran across a Rossi single shot .243 in a gun shop and fell in love with it, so I bought it and stuck a fixed 4x Nikon scope on it. Now I am enamored with it, also. What a neat little gun! It also is available with a 20 gauge barrel. If I wanted a single shot shotgun for the purposes you describe, I would go for the Rossi, and would also have the option of adding .243 and .22 LR barrels.
In fact, these can be purchased as a stock and receiver with a three barrel set. The only negative I have found so far is that the trigger is a little heavy for my taste.
 
I bought my son the Mossberg 20 gauge pump bantam (junior) model a few years ago on sale.

This model came with a second rifled barrel for deer as well.

Short, light, and swings like a dream.

Very versatile, reliable, and as some have said I too prefer this safety location over the Remington.

Well the boy is now 6' 2", graduated to a rifle for deer but when in the heavy brush for grouse or walking any distance for small game the shorter barrel and weight is tough to beat.

Loaded with a sling it makes for a great fun camp gun! :thumbup:

It is also the one under the bed for home defense.
Loaded with alternate slugs and number 6. ;)

I grew up on the H & R single 20.
The hammer is tough to pull back when cold or moving.
Recommending the pump.

Good luck! :)
 
rocketbomb said:
This was one of the deciding factors going for the Mossberg when I got it. I'm left-handed and this was one of the few guns that had a safety that was really convenient, apart from looking for lefty guns. Didn't want to spend the money for a left-handed gun so I ended up with the Mossberg. Haven't been disappointed.
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For us lefty's, the Ithaca Model 37 is the way to go.:)
 
The 870 is like the 10/22 of shotguns. I have one set up with a 26" barrel with 3 1/2 inch chamber for turkey and deer, and a 18 " barrel with a cylinder bore and 3" chamber for camping, home and the boat. You can tailor the one gun to just about any need with all the accessories for it. Not that you can't with a Mossy, just seems easier to find what you want with the 870.
 
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