OT: Shotguns

SPAS is fine if you are planning on shooting a movie or don't mind jams & other problems. Otherwise, get yerself a 870 or 590
 
I like Remington 870s. However, I'd go with a gas operated gun for skeet simply because of the reduced recoil. The action simply drains a lot of the felt recoil, and when you're pounding clays for a while, the recoil from a pump can wear down your shoulder. I like the Remington 1100 for lots of rounds; I shoot mine mainly for dove hunting though. Nothing wrong with the Benelli, Browning, or Beretta guns though.

You want a LOT more opinions. Go here: http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=7

It's the Shotgun forum over at The High Road (same crowd as the now defunct TFL). You'll get a bunch of opinions about the best first gun.

As for the 870 being a HD gun: sure, it can be. But it's been around a long time as a hunting gun in the minds of most folks. I hunt turkey with an 870 Express Magnum.
 
What do you guys think about the Franchi SPAS 12?
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I had a friend at work that owned one of these. He loved it. He used it everywhere too. He did get a lot of strange looks though on the trap field but, it did work in that role. Certainly not the best but, adequate in a marginal way.

The Benelli M3 Convertible has the optional pump action or semi-auto modes. Don't know too much else.
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This is not a model that most folks would pick for the skeet, trap or, sporting clays fields. It is more purpose built for the tactical role. From the Benelli line, I would stick with the "standard" models if you want a "sporting" model.

Based on your posts and the model suggestions, it appears you are not really looking for a shotgun setup specifically for skeet or other competition. That being the case, you may be better served by a more general purpose sporting model.

A Remington 1187 or Beretta 391 from the hunting line up, could be a very flexible solution that would give you a good model for the trap, skeet, sporting clays, hunting and, the general plinking role. The gas operated models soften the recoil of hard kicking loads in the hunting field and, still function with the reduced recoil target loads. You will have a little extra length and weight over an O/U model but, retain the multiple follow up shots without reloading you desire. I would encourage you to go to a good firearms retailer and pickup and shoulder several different models to find one that fits your frame. Some models have adjustable stocks (like the Beretta 391) but, others don't and they may not fit you.

Regarding customer serice problems posted on the 'net, sometimes a single instance or issue is taken out of context and given too much weight. No company is perfect and, not every customer can be satisfied. There are instances of bad customer serive as well. My experience with Benelli was when they were a part of the H&K group in the USA, not in the post H&K Benelli USA days. I was underwhelmed by H&K but, got what I needed.

Remington is probably the most widely supported shotgun line in the USA with good aftermarket support in the accessories and upgrades area. Beretta is pretty good too and certainly worth a look. If you stick with a mainstream model and brand, you should have no trouble getting good service from local gunsmiths. Some of the more specialized models and smaller manufactureres will not have the broad range of support and service options.
 
Originally posted by Sid Post
I had a friend at work that owned one of these. He loved it. He used it everywhere too. He did get a lot of strange looks though on the trap field but, it did work in that role. Certainly not the best but, adequate in a marginal way.


This is not a model that most folks would pick for the skeet, trap or, sporting clays fields. It is more purpose built for the tactical role. From the Benelli line, I would stick with the "standard" models if you want a "sporting" model.

Based on your posts and the model suggestions, it appears you are not really looking for a shotgun setup specifically for skeet or other competition. That being the case, you may be better served by a more general purpose sporting model.

A Remington 1187 or Beretta 391 from the hunting line up, could be a very flexible solution that would give you a good model for the trap, skeet, sporting clays, hunting and, the general plinking role. The gas operated models soften the recoil of hard kicking loads in the hunting field and, still function with the reduced recoil target loads. You will have a little extra length and weight over an O/U model but, retain the multiple follow up shots without reloading you desire. I would encourage you to go to a good firearms retailer and pickup and shoulder several different models to find one that fits your frame. Some models have adjustable stocks (like the Beretta 391) but, others don't and they may not fit you.

Regarding customer serice problems posted on the 'net, sometimes a single instance or issue is taken out of context and given too much weight. No company is perfect and, not every customer can be satisfied. There are instances of bad customer serive as well. My experience with Benelli was when they were a part of the H&K group in the USA, not in the post H&K Benelli USA days. I was underwhelmed by H&K but, got what I needed.

Remington is probably the most widely supported shotgun line in the USA with good aftermarket support in the accessories and upgrades area. Beretta is pretty good too and certainly worth a look. If you stick with a mainstream model and brand, you should have no trouble getting good service from local gunsmiths. Some of the more specialized models and smaller manufactureres will not have the broad range of support and service options.
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Sid,
That is the best and most comprehensive post on this subject thus far.

C Wilkins
 
So is the Remington 1100 not good for hunting and such? Is it because the 2 3/4 shells are weaker?
 
Originally posted by Sundsvall
So is the Remington 1100 not good for hunting and such? Is it because the 2 3/4 shells are weaker?
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There is nothing wrong at all with a Remington 1100 for hunting, there are a few better guns out there, its not as well balanced as say, a Browning or Benelli. I shot nothing but a 2 3/4" load for goose hunting over decoys for years and was not really outgunned. If pass shooting geese then the 2 3/4" load is a bit light. For everything from doves and quail to ducks, the 2 3/4" load is fine.

There has been some discussion concerning over and unders. I had a Belgian Browning Superposed for quite a while, the best shooting gun of the lot, bar none. Shooting clays, it was unsurpassed. Not too practical for hunting. One thing that you have to consider is that if you carry it around all morning or afternoon it gets HEAVY. I've never seen a sling on one although I am sure they make them. You also have 2 shots instead of 3. There is also an extra barrel to clean at the end of the day.

Over and unders are great to impress your friends but come up a little short on the hunting end.

C Wilkins
 
Just came back from shooting trap today. My second time.

Shot 50 rounds of 2 3/4 shells out of a pump action Mossberg 590. Tons of fun.

Since I have only handled 2 shotguns thus far, I have to say that the Mossberg 590 is very light and a lot easy to shoot.

I think it had a 24" barrel.

I am only rented thus far and the selection is limited to what's currently available out of 5 shotguns.


Anyway, what are the few better guns than the Remington 1100 out there? I want to look them up.
 
As I'm somewhat opinionated, and that 'sometimes' ticks off the thin skinned...

That said, the following is/are my opinions on 'shotguns'...YMMV

I started shooting shotguns 'Way back when', some 20 years ago, starting out with a Mossberg 500 6-shot pump...

Then came the 8 shot, along with horrendously expensive semi-custom barrels from Mossberg, a 28" vent-rib and 24" rifle sight version.

A Mossberg 590 came next, along with an IGA Stoger(sp?) 'Coach' gun, a Benelli M1-Super 90 (ghost ring, pistol grip), a Ruger Red Label, and a Browning BPS...all of those are sold now, and I miss them all dearly...as 'specialized' as they were ;)

So, I went back to the Mossberg 6 shot, with 'all 3 barrels', picked up for $125 NIB through a friend that took it in trade, and didn't want it.

Then I discovered the Rem. 870, and I'm so sold on this shotgun that I've almost become an apostle, buying 3 now...12 & 20 'Wingmasters! with extra barrels, and a 'police trade in' riot configuration :eek:

Shotguns? BTDT, yet again, YMMV ;)

Mel

Sundsvall, are you quite certain that was a 9-shot military version 12 ga. Mossberg pump you were using today, and not a 6 shot model 500? The reason I ask is, the only barrels I've seen on 590's were cylinder bore 20 inchers...but, stranger things have happened with Mossberg before...lol

http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/Specpurp.htm
 
Not completely sure about the barrel length because I didn't have a tape measure with me. However, I did flip the gun over to get the model number and it was definitely a Mossberg 590 with a 8 shot tube.
 
Trying them out is the best bet. It's best to look for a shotgun that fits you, not just a brand. There are many fine guns out there under $500, but you'll find that when you sholder them some will naturally line up to point where you are looking and some will not. Best bet is to find someone knowlegdeable at a gun shop and let them show you what you need to see when you swing the gun upward to fire.

I've shot many nice guns, not mine, but still have had the best luck with my Remington 870 Express ($200 pump). Second was a Rem 300 Ideal. I'm figuring that if I can shoot better with the $200 gun why would I spend and extra $1000+? The lighter weight in the 3000 is attractive, especially for hunting where I have to lug the durn thing around all day.

I have been looking at a Beretta Silver Pigeon. Seems to sholder perfectly, but I haven't been able to shoot one yet.
 
Looking around at the last gun show I went to here in Vegas , about 3 months ago . I found a clean 1100 that I snagged for $200 ! It didnt have choke tubes but what the heck , at that price I can add them later .

I did see quite a few 1100 and 1187's in the $300 - $400 range as well that were clean , including a 1100 Skeet 3 bll set with 3 different choke tubes .

While I did not buy my 1100 for Skeet ( bought it for 3 gun matches *Shotgun, Handgun , Subgun :D *) it will have the extended mag tube added .More is better !

I tried skeet , I really did , but I SUCK at it. I tried the 1100, 1187 , 590 , Kreigoff (sp?), and Parazzi . ( the later 2 I was told while shooting them that if I dropped them it was assured I would hit the ground before the gun :eek:).

Thing was I was shooting an old Mohawk 48 recoil operated tank of a shotgun and I missed equally as well with that as I did with the Parazzi .....

on a diff note..one of the guys at the range had these steel knock down targets that when you hit them ( 8 inch plate ) it would knock the plate down and launch a charcoal briquet high into the air , and when mounted on a slight angle that sucker would provide a heck of a challenge , just like a windy day at the skeet range.

** edited as I spell as well as I shoot skeet ;) **
 
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