Shotgun questions...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Greetings all. I'm getting shotgun fever right now because my first shotgun is malfunctioning. It is a Ted Williams model purchased at Sears in probably the mid 70's. I'm fairly certain it is a Winchester, maybe model 1200. I cannot seem to find the paperwork for it, and it doesn't, to my recall, have a model number on it.
Anyways, I was shooting it yesterday and about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time it was not ejecting a spent shell. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I did have it apart the weekend before for some cleaning on my hunting trip. I did not fire it after it was cleaned. There is an ejector arm on one side, and some sort of springy slat of metal on the other side which I think aids in ejecting the spent shell out of the breach. I think it is this second piece of metal that may have gotten bent and is somehow causing the problem. I do plan on dropping it off at a local gunsmith to have it looked at.

So, here's my dilemma... now I want a new shotgun! The only constant I have is that I want a pump gun. I'm not sure if I want to stick with 12ga. or go with 20ga. Then there is the obvious matter of brands. Man, over on some of the gun forums, they have even stronger opinions about brands than us knife knuts! ;) Benelli, Remington, Browning, Ithaca and others all have their devotees.
I am looking hard at the Benelli Nova. Quite a gun with a lot of plusses and a few minuses, according to some.
What are your favorites? How can I convince the wife that I NEED a new shotgun? ARRRGGGGHHHHH!

Thanks in advance for your replies,
Mongo
 
Mongo-

Is this gun for self/home defense or hunting/skeet/trap type stuff? When I first purchased a pump-gun, I wanted one as versatile as possible, so I went with the Benelli Nova. I like my Nova a lot, its action is by far the quickest I have used, and it is a very reliable gun. It is nice because it can take 2.75 up to 3.5in magnum shells. I have yet to load it up with a 3.5in shell, but I like that I can if I wanted/needed to. Also, I personally like the one-piece design of the receiver. I picked up one of those recoil reducing mercury filled gizmo’s and installed it myself within minutes.

The one downside to the Nova is the price of a new barrel. When I got married last year, and my wife and I moved into (what I thought) was a shady side of town, so I thought I would get a shorter barrel for the gun, and make it my HD weapon. After going to several stores, I found out that the shorter barrel would cost about $50-$75 less than a brand new Remington 870 (and it would take a few weeks for them to be in stock—I was told that Benelli doesn’t do too well with their dealers, and that I would get a better response if I called the company myself, go figure).

So I picked up an 870, I am pretty happy with this gun but to be honest, not as happy as I thought I would be, maybe I got spoiled—don’t get me wrong, this thing is built like a tank, but I am having some feeing problems with it already (only about 50 rounds through it). oh yeah, and I would definitely stick with the 12 gauge (unless you want more of a “challenge” for hunting/skeet/trap). 12 is definitely more prevalent, although 20 is not too hard to find (I have been to Wal-Mart a few times when they were out of 20 for my wife’s gun).
 
I would stick with 12ga by far....12ga isn't THAT hard to control, unlike what some people say:rolleyes:

If you're going tactical, you'll find a sh*tload of people recommending the 870 ONLY because it's been around longer and they probably grew up with it. Besides that crap, there really is no advantage over the Mossberg 500 special purpose (my shotgun:D)...there are JUST as many accessories, it's cheaper - I think - @ $275. You also do NOT have to add any freaking magazine extensions (ghey) to the shotgun to make it hold more, unlike what you HAVE to do with the 870.

My shotgun

Never have had ANY feeding problems of any sort - 100% reliable and I've outputted around 400 rounds through it. Mine is the 8+1 model..comes standard with a pistol grip.

Warthog
 
Sorry, I should have qualified my use(s). I plan on using it for upland birds and skeet. I also may one day get into waterfowl and turkey hunting. I like the versatility of the chambering in the Benelli, anything from 2.75 to 3.5". I do not know much about their recoil reducing system/add-on. How much does that cost?
For home defense, I have a Mossberg 500 in 20 ga. I guess I could buy a second barrel for upland hunting. I would certainly welcome carrying a lighter gun in the field. I have no problems with using a 20ga. on pheasants... my hunting partner has a Browning auto in 20ga. that works just fine. (bastard shot more pheasants than me!)

keep 'em coming,
Mongo
 
I bought mine two years ago and I think things may have changed a bit. I thought the kit cost like $40 but now it looks like the bracket is $20 and the Mercury unit is $40. this is the best place I could find Benelli prices—you have to call them for some reason but Chad (I think that was his name) is very knowledgeable (on all things “guns” related) and kind (as long as one approaches him with an open mind).
http://www.calssportingarmory.com/Benelli2.htm

I personally don’t feel like the gizmo does too much in the way of reducing recoil (but then again, I have mainly been shooting 2.75 shells, and I am told that you can really feel a difference when using the heavier stuff). Again, I am very happy with my gun, but look around ‘cus the Nova seems to have a HUGE price difference (I’m talking $50-$100, at least in my experience) from shop to shop. Just remember that if you get the Nova, you are stuck with that stock.
 
Mongo, make sure that when you go looking for shotguns, that you bring a small magnet with you. A lot of the shotguns out there, have aluminum alloy receivers(probably ok, but I still like steel), and with the magnet, you can determine which ones still have steel receivers. I believe the Winchester 1200 is one that does not use steel anymore. I know the Remington 870 and the Browning BPS still use steel receivers, and either of those would be my choice. Another good one is the Mossberg, but some are alloy receivers, and you would need to check which ones are steel.
 
The Bennelli Nova is an wasome gun I am in the process of trading one to a knifemaker now for some knives. I want something to throw in the BOB the Bennelli is a little large for that. It's a great choice that will give you many years of enjoyment.
Peace
Bob:cool:
 
Mongo,

About your Ted Williams, the problem that you are having sounds like what happened to my Winchester Defender. Send your gun to the smith, and you should be able to have it fixed for less than $30. My Defenders ejection spring broke, and needed to be replaced.

As far as getting a new one, go check out the Wingmaster 870's. You can't go wrong with a good 870 Wingmaster. I also shoot Browning BPS shotguns, and have had really good experiences with these guns. GOOD LUCK!
 
You won't go wrong with the Bennelli. Outstanding product. The Mossberg is also very fine.

All the best.

Stuart
 
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