Recommend me a Shotgun

S

SGP

Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
68
I just joined a new shooting club, and they have an excellent shotgun program, trap, skeet, five stand and all the rest, 3 days a week. The problem is, I don't own a shotgun.
I'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money (about $250, more or less) and I don't really plan on hunting with it any time soon.
I'm a small guy, 5'5" and 108 pounds, and I was thinking a youth model, used, might be a good option. I'm not particular about gauge, and can handle a 12, but it seems 20 usually goes for a bit less. would I be handicapping myself, or limiting the events i could compete in with a smaller bore?
Action type is more or less a non-issue for me, but I'd lean towards a double if one could be found. Previously, I have owned a Mossberg Int. O/U, which was far less than impressive... terrible trigger, and the safety would dissengage if it were held upside down... are the Stoegers any better?
 
You mentioned "compete" and no hunting, you also omitted defensive use, etc. For those dollars I would suggest one of the o/u made by the same company that makes the CZ75 pistol. I dont know what that is now, but you cant go wrong, built to last and last and highly dependable. The side-by-side is lighter but the o/u is more competitive.
 
Hi,

Since you seem want to head in the direction of competition, you should really consider spending more money, (possibly a lot more), on a good shotgun. Think of Browning Citori/Cynergy and the Beretta 686 as entry level guns.

But with your price limit, a well used 12ga. pump, like the 870, is about all you can get. The Mossbergs and BenelliNova pumps are also good guns.

I do own a Stoeger Condor 1 O/U. It's a pretty good knock-about/loaner/beater field gun. But I know it won't hold up well to high volume competition use. The cheaper doubles, O/U or SxS, aren't really meant for the high volume shooting that target guns get. They also tend to not be balanced properly and are often too light, (a good competition gun is heavier at around 8lbs, and should be a bit muzzle heavy). Though most pumps are often heavy enough, they also suffer from poor balance. But they are more reliable than a cheap double.

While you can shoot a different gauge than a 12ga. There really isn't any good reason to. You will be shooting light targets loads. 1oz of either 7 1/2's or 8's at around 1200fps. And a similar load in 20ga. will have a bit more recoil. Because it's a relatively heavy load for a 20ga. And because a 20ga. gun is lighter in weight than a comparable 12ga. gun. And recoil fatigue matters after 100 targets.

OK, a small bit about fit. While gun fit isn't all that crucial for rifle shooting, it's of paramount importance in shotgunning. Because you are shooting fast moving targets, the gun must shoot to where you are looking. And you don't get the time to contort your head into the proper position for the correct sight picture.

You and I both have a similar problem when it comes to gun fit. We both fall well outside the standards. You are a bit small at 5'5" and I'm a bit tall at 6'4". You can try youth models, but there is more to fit than just length of pull. Facial features also play a part. Best anyone can say at this point, is handle and try as many different models as possible before you buy. Though I would recommend sticking to wooden stocked models. As they are easier the modify than plastic ones.

dalee
 
Thanks for the advice. I have pistols for defensive use, and any hunting i'd do would most likely be with a bow, so this would be purely a target sport gun. I think i'll probably spend a little money on something now, and trade up later if I fall in love with the sport. I'll certainly take your advice and put fit above price, though, even on a cheap beater.

What does the 870 have that sets it apart from say a Mossberg or Browning? I'm pretty unfamiliar with any shotguns, other than the one cheap O/U I owned briefly, some pumps I've borrowed, and a clone of a Franchi AL48 that a friend needed put back together correctly.

Thanks, Sehan
 
mossberg 500 is a great gun...comes in 12 or 20, and they also have bantam (youth) models. o/u are expensive (usually around 700-2k+).
 
SGP said:
Thanks for the advice. I have pistols for defensive use, and any hunting i'd do would most likely be with a bow, so this would be purely a target sport gun. I think i'll probably spend a little money on something now, and trade up later if I fall in love with the sport. I'll certainly take your advice and put fit above price, though, even on a cheap beater.

What does the 870 have that sets it apart from say a Mossberg or Browning? I'm pretty unfamiliar with any shotguns, other than the one cheap O/U I owned briefly, some pumps I've borrowed, and a clone of a Franchi AL48 that a friend needed put back together correctly.

Thanks, Sehan
Click to expand...

Hi,

Yes, pay more attention to how a gun fits rather than then name. And you will become a more successful shooter quicker.

There really isn't much difference between them. It's mostly a Ford/Chevy/Dodge thing. The 870 Wingmaster was generally considered a bit fancier. With better wood and a higher polish to the metal. The Brownings were just about as well finished. And Mossberg was the economy brand.

Today the 870 Express isn't nearly as well finished as the old Wingmasters. And the Wingmasters are starting to become collectable. And the prices are starting to rise on them. The Brownings are probably better finished these days. The Mossbergs are still the economy brand. Though the Benelli Nova is pretty inexpensive also. They all are basic and reliable pump action shotguns.

dalee
 
Remington still mills their receivers out of 8 pounds of real steel. No aluminum. They are extremely strong and durable. The Express shotguns in the hands of a proper smith or armorer can be upgraded to a Police grade gun with minimal cost. And they can tune the gun up so they can be smooth. Just shooting and training a lot with your gun will slick it up. Most guns are carried a lot, shot a little, and stored forever. The last time I was at a FFL meeting they said the average firearm in the US had less than 50 rounds shot thru it. Sad, but true.
 
Definitely hit up pawn shops. Make sure you see if you can talk them down a bit.

Mossbergs have aluminum receivers and tang safeties. Although some consider it fighting words, they aren't generally thought of as durable as the Remington, although it still takes a lot to wear one out.

If you see one, you might want to think about an Ithaca 37. It's another solid shotgun, and I like it better than the 870. It has a crossbolt safety, loads with the carrier up, has a slide release easily reached by an ordinary trigger finger, ejects straight down, and is smoother than the 870. It's a little lighter, though, which may not be as good for some shooting sports.

The Browning BPS is also a wonderful pump shotgun. It's very smooth and is also a bottom ejecting shotgun, but has a tang safety. You probably won't see one, and it may not be in your price range, but you never know at a pawn shop.

You also might want to ask here:
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/index.php
 
Pick up a long barreled Saiga 12. I trap shoot with an 18 inch S12 and it does just fine. 22 incher's are even better.
 
It will most likely be more money than you want to spend but look into Remington 1100s or 1187s.

I've really slacked off my shooting since I started college(just graduated) but shot 1100s a ton when I was still competing. I started competing in 4-H trap at around age 12 with a 20 gauge 1100 and a 12 gauge 1100.

When I got a little older I got an 1100 trap edition with a Monte Carlo stock and added a Morgan adjustable recoil pad. I practiced at least once a week and shot at least 100 targets each practice. My 1100s have had literally thousands of shells through them.

They are just great shooting, reliable guns provided you keep them cleaned properly. Also, they are very light shooting which is really nice on a long day of shooting. I've shot 400+ shells in a single day and felt great afterward.
 
stealthchaser13 said:
mossberg 500 is a great gun...comes in 12 or 20, and they also have bantam (youth) models. o/u are expensive (usually around 700-2k+).
Click to expand...

+1 on the Mossberg 500.

For around 250-300$ its quite a nice shotgun, I purchased a pistol grip model and put a Blackhawk CompStock [Freebie!] and I've had nothing but fun with it so far.

I'm not really a shotgun type of guy, I appreciate the concept but its never really been my cup of tea. But with the mossberg its been a low cost investment with loads of fun shooting cheap shells.

FriskyDingo said:
Pick up a long barreled Saiga 12. I trap shoot with an 18 inch S12 and it does just fine. 22 incher's are even better.
Click to expand...

The things I would do for a Tromix SBS

DSCF0228_small.JPG


Don't like shotguns but the Tromix Siagas do things for me. However a Siaga is about 500$ more then he wants to spend.
 
Last edited:
rem 870 or mossy 500, both are good, 500's are a bit cheaper, all in all i prefer the 870 but the 500 is a good one too, i prefer the tang safety of the mossberg FWIW, but the 870 has a bit better F&F, a bit smoother, when new, maybe, both are excellent choices.
 
kozak6 said:
Mossbergs have aluminum receivers and tang safeties. Although some consider it fighting words, they aren't generally thought of as durable as the Remington, although it still takes a lot to wear one out.
Click to expand...

Keeping a Mossy above the fry station in a resturant is not a good idea unless a warped frame is desired outcome. That's the only failure I've ever seen on a Mossy. I own several but think the 870, with the exception of the safety if you're a lefty, is the top pump around.
 
Before you spend a dime go to the club and shoot everything you can get your hands on in the events you have the most interest in. If the club has a rental stock or ties with a distributor that has used shotguns get them to the range on a weekend to demo various used shotguns that they have for sale.

Only then can you make an informed decision about what you truly want vs. what you need.

Henry Horton State Park in Middle TN has a nice skeet/trap range. Gamaliel's is a large distributor in South KY and they used to come down with quite a few shotguns, many of which you could rent and shoot. Everything they had on the truck was for sale. They won b/c they could have a specific crowd that was in the buy mode, the club won b/c the turn out just to see what they brought was larger than normal, and the customer won by getting to handle/shoot some great deals.

Set this up on your own through the club if you have to. It is worth every minute it takes for you to get it done.
 
dillon_b12 said:
It will most likely be more money than you want to spend but look into Remington 1100s or 1187s.

I've really slacked off my shooting since I started college(just graduated) but shot 1100s a ton when I was still competing. I started competing in 4-H trap at around age 12 with a 20 gauge 1100 and a 12 gauge 1100.

When I got a little older I got an 1100 trap edition with a Monte Carlo stock and added a Morgan adjustable recoil pad. I practiced at least once a week and shot at least 100 targets each practice. My 1100s have had literally thousands of shells through them.

They are just great shooting, reliable guns provided you keep them cleaned properly. Also, they are very light shooting which is really nice on a long day of shooting. I've shot 400+ shells in a single day and felt great afterward.
Click to expand...


Bought a 11-87 Premier LC 26" vented rib in 12ga when I was 15 and never looked back. Swings great, carries great and can do almost anything. Equally at home in the woods as it is at the range. Does get some looks in the duck boat but oh well. Shoots fantastic, but does anybody have a tip on keeping the mag tube by the piston and gas port clean?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top