First shotgun suggestions??

[350_Keakz]

Looking to buy my first shotgun been doing some trap shooting at a local range near Morgan Hill area got sold on the idea of getting a shotgun for that reason, near future minor gaming. Have been leaning towards a Stoeger M3500 (based on price[$600-$800 range])

Any suggestions on a good starter shotgun? difference between models?

Also been looking at Browning's and Berettas but they are usually $1000+

[etwinam]

Starter shotgun, Mossberg 500 or Remington 870... Next level up mossberg 930 or Renton 1100.

[ysr_racer]

This question has been asked and answered a hundred times here. Scroll thru the first few pages and you'll find the posts.

[b.thomas]

You shoot trap?? how about Wingmaster trap model??

[pennstater]

If you're looking at Semi-auto's:
Rem. V3, Blk-Syn., $663.00
Rem. 11-87, Blk-Syn., $527.00, Wood/Blued, $607.00
Beretta A300, Blk-Syn., 635.00
All at Budsgunshop.com. All are 12ga. All are way better than the Stoeger 3500. Hope this helps.

I have and shoot Mossberg 930 Field SA and like it very much. No issues whatsoever. Have about 1500-1600 shells thru it. Very reliable and fits me well. Just another option. $416.00 at Buds.

[ysr_racer]

OP, where do you live?

[Jeepergeo]

The Stoeger will be fine. If you really get the bug, you can spend more and upgrade later and make the Stoeger a guest gun.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by pennstater

If you're looking at Semi-auto's:
Rem. V3, Blk-Syn., $633.00
Rem. 11-87, Blk-Syn., $527.00, Wood/Blued, $607.00
Beretta A300, Blk-Syn., 635.00
All at Budsgunshop.com. All are 12ga. All are way better than the Stoeger 3500. Hope this helps.

I have and shoot Mossberg 930 Field SA and like it very much. No issues whatsoever. Have about 1500-1600 shells thru it. Very reliable and fits me well. Just another option. $416.00 at Buds.

Perhaps throw in the Weatherby SA-08.

If I was gonna stick to trap and shoot a lot of it in the $600 range it would prolly be a Browning BPS trap. The bottom eject keeps your neighbor happy too.

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Perhaps throw in the Weatherby SA-08.

If I was gonna stick to trap and shoot a lot of it in the $600 range it would prolly be a Browning BPS trap. The bottom eject keeps your neighbor happy too.

That is, of course a very good choice for a pump. No doubt.
And the WBY SA-08 is solid. Just forgot to mention it.

[Novak77]

Winchester SX3s are on sale everywhere and come with a rebate. My wife has one and its a great gun. That being said buy what fits you best.

[Dellinger]

I'll suggest a Franchi Affinity if your heart is set on a semiautomatic, it's on the high side of your budget but I'm loving everything about mine. Italian made in the same factory as Beretta and Benelli.

I've had a 930 autoloader too and loved it. A little less recoil but heavier. They are marginally harder to clean. Gas operated shotgun will stink up your safe more between serious cleanings than the inertia guns, lol.

Ive had a chance to handle some Wetherby products. Element is light and feels nice, so is the SA 08. Turkish guns are fine, quality isn't bad. They function well and have descent finishes. Value per dollar spent is good, I just can't bring myself to buy one because of who is profiting. I guess I'm an ***** hole for not wanting to fund Muslim workers and countries...

[bigbearbear]

I would hesitate to buy the Stoeger M3500 for use as a trap shotgun because it is chambered for 3.5 inch shells. Automatic shotguns chambered for 3.5 inch shells tend not to work too well with light target loads, which you might prefer if you get into high volume trap shooting.

In your price range, the Weatherby SA-08 would be a good shotgun to look into. If you don't mind a pump action, a Winchester SXP Trap might be an option too (review here: http://www.range365.com/new-gun-test...ester-sxp-trap).

[Masterdebater]

Have you shot one before? Are you absolutely sure a shotgun is what you want right now? I'll always recommend an 870 or 500 (I'm a 500 fanboy) and plenty of money for ammo, clays, and maybe even a decent clay thrower. You don't need a fancy expensive shotgun for normal range days or hunting. Get the 500/870 and spend time with em you won't be disappointed!

[Masterdebater]

I scrolled up and everything to double check you stated whether you shot one before and still forgot to erase that part my bad :/. My recommendation still stands unless you're wanting to go balls deep into competition/training.

[timbo399]

My father and I bought shotguns to get into skeet and trap shooting 5 yrs ago. Me, being single t the time and decent job splurged for a $1500 Beretta Silver Pigeon Over/Under. It was a beauty to look at.

My father bought a used Mossberg 500 w a 18" and a longer barrel for trap. Cost him $230 --Must've been 25 yrs old.

We took lessons and went out quite a bit and my father w his old Mossberg 500 pump SG wiped me clean every time.

Mossier 500 is great first SG IMO- for HD and shooting Trap/Skeet.

Great memories of shooting Skeet and Trap w Dad.

[Full Clip]

I was lucky, my dad gave me his 870 Wingmaster.

[pennstater]

Until I bought my 930, my 870 Wingmaster 20ga, was all I took to the trap range. Great gun. Still have it.

[04Glider2]

Coyote Valley in Morgan Hill has rental shotguns and a pro shop with plenty to fondle before buying.
Don't be afraid to look at used shotguns. Quality shotguns last for decades with moderate care.
If you compliment folks on their guns or just ask someone a question at the range you often will get an offer to try theirs.
If you go with a used big name gun and decide to sell it you will often get your purchase price back. The quality used guns hold their value for years.

[Sandro]

Originally Posted by pennstater

If you're looking at Semi-auto's:
Rem. V3, Blk-Syn., $633.00
.

Where can you find Rem V3 in less than $700?
Super gun, looking for one since it came to the market(for good price LOL).

BTW, buying a Moss or 870 for the beginning for clay shooting is the worst advice ever.
The guns are no good for clay shooting and soon he has to buy a better gun, and even if it a garbage A300 for around $650, so 650 +300 for mossberg plus DROs and taxes it is already close to $1200.
Not better to buy a good gun for $1200 from the beginning?

There is a good saying, i'm not reach to buy cheap things.

____________

[pennstater]

I know I shouldn't answer this, but, here goes. If you saw the advice regarding the V3, then you should have seen the location. Regarding the A300: Junk? Really? Why would the OP spend $1200.00 while testing the waters? Let him decide what he wants to buy and for how much. Have a Happy Easter.

[pennstater]

Thank you ScottB. A man of reasoning.

[wpage]

Stay with the best and what you know. Mossberg 500 and Rem 870 the best and good pricing...

Forget the overpriced rest...

[jimbo74]

Benelli M4!

[BloodRushx4]

I just bought my first shotgun last week and gets out of jail soon. I chose the Mossberg 930 JM Pro.

My choice was based on versatility. I wanted a shotgun that could do a little bit of everything and not break the bank. I've used a friend's 24" Mossberg 930 JM Pro to shoot clay pigeons and enjoyed it very much. The gun can excel at 3-gun when my skills get there and it's short enough to use as HD as another gun option.

I know the length makes it less of a viable option to shoot trap and skeet but it meets the minimum length for me to play at oak tree gun club.

It comes with so many good stock standard features. Hope this helps.

[JagerDog]

It's been posited before, but if an 870 is a great hunting gun, why wouldn't it make a good clays gun? The clay games mimic hunting. I'm not a pump guy myself, but if I was I sure wouldn't shy from using a pump or any field gun on any kind of clays. Sure, there's specialty guns for individual games, but the score difference is pretty minor. Score is a lot more due to the Indian than the arrows. Personally I find Mossbergs are cheap and the 870 Express nearly as cheap. But a nice Wingmaster is more than capable. BPS Trap would be on my short list.

[Sandro]

Originally Posted by pennstater

If you saw the advice regarding the V3, then you should have seen the location.

As was expected, bool as always instead of just straight answer, And again, where do you say it is possible to get V3 for $633???? Do you want to check your info before you embarrass yourself?
If it is www.budsgunshop.com, you might want to check your vision and also, do not forget approximately $80- $100 DROS for internet purchases.

Happy Passover.


___

[Dellinger]

I personally don't like pump guns but not because they aren't capable. I'm an auto guy. Growing up, my first shotgun was a Savage pump action. I've had a Mossberg 500 and loved it as well as my 930. You can find an 870 in nearly every police cruiser in the country. A Wingmaster won't disappoint, just think about wether or not​ you won't regret the purchase and save a few hundred more for the one you won't sell down the road. I'm speaking from personal experience...

Love my Franchi...

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Sandro

As was expected, bool as always instead of just straight answer, And again, where do you say it is possible to get V3 for $633???? Do you want to check your info before you embarrass yourself?
If it is www.budsgunshop.com, you might want to check your vision and also, do not forget approximately $80- $100 DROS for internet purchases.

Happy Passover.


___

I see $663. Is your high and mighty argument really about $30?

I can save that with a better transfer dealer.

[Thefeeder]

Originally Posted by ScottB

Lots of serious trap and skeet shooters have done quite well over the years with 870 Wingmasters. Sorry I ever sold my small frame .410 skeet-choked Wingmaster. Reliably broke 22+ and hit 25 on many occasions. For pumps in general, M12s and M42s were popular for years and I shot with several older guys in our club who could cycle them as fast or faster than an auto and score as well as any similarly ranked shooters using an O/U or auto.

Not much of an autoloader fan, but the A300 is definitely not junk. It is the field version of the series though. I believe A390/391 and A400 are optimized for target shooting.

This ^^^^^^ there are shooters who can shoot a pump and just run one in a YouTube vid

[Ora Serrata]

A Mossberg 500 is a decent shotgun. I've shot them for 30 years without any issues. If you do go for a Mossberg 500 I highly suggest getting the barrel with interchangeable chokes. The 18/28 combo pack is a great gun for the price, but the 28" barrel is a fixed Modified choke. You can pick up another barrel on ebay for $150 but better to get the right barrel to begin with.

I like wingmasters, but I've personally experienced extraction problems using the cheaper ammo. The case expands and you have to wait until it cools a couple minutes to get it out. Google it and you'll see a lot of people have had the same problem.

Having said that - I personally like O/U for skeet/sporting clays.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by Ora Serrata

A Mossberg 500 is a decent shotgun. I've shot them for 30 years without any issues. If you do go for a Mossberg 500 I highly suggest getting the barrel with interchangeable chokes. The 18/28 combo pack is a great gun for the price, but the 28" barrel is a fixed Modified choke. You can pick up another barrel on ebay for $150 but better to get the right barrel to begin with.

I like wingmasters, but I've personally experienced extraction problems using the cheaper ammo. The case expands and you have to wait until it cools a couple minutes to get it out. Google it and you'll see a lot of people have had the same problem.

Having said that - I personally like O/U for skeet/sporting clays.

Last I knew the combo on Mossberg's site had chokes in the sport barrel, but the Big 5 version was fixed chokes. I agree on the chokes for the bird/hunting barrel. Makes for a versatile shotgun.

I know folks who have shot Mossies for years with few failures but my personal experience was a brand new gun dumping live rounds on the ground and the bore looked like it was rough drilled vs. the mirror finish in most shotguns. Also the choke threads were very rough ( I think that was actually the replacement for the first one...been decades) .

The 870 express is significantly different than the wingmaster when it comes to finish, including the chamber (which some are known to try to hold onto steel based shells). I have an 870 Express in HD mode, but I polished the chamber and replaced with aftermarket extractor. Hasn't been an issue since.

Sporting clays see a lot of autos nowadays, but most clay games are dominated by O/U. I like my autos too, but hate picking up my hulls after.

[Snagglepuss]

Pistol grip persuader. You'll regret if you don't.

[pennstater]

Sandro, please get YOUR facts right before posting. Did you happen to read JagerDog's response to your post? Nothing wrong with my vision, but, I'm having serious doubts about your posting ability, as others here have stated.

[ysr_racer]

Originally Posted by ScottB

Not much of an autoloader fan, but the A300 is definitely not junk. It is the field version of the series though. I believe A390/391 and A400 are optimized for target shooting.

I shoot the piss out of my A300 during hunting season. It's a great gun, and the stock is adjustable for fit.

In fact I liked it so much, I bought a second one for my friends that don't shoot to use.

[RNE228]

I started with a Mossberg 835. Have shot a lot of duck, geese, and turkey.

- That said, I wish I would have done like is often recommended here; go to range that rents and try a few different shotguns and see how they fit.

- Since then, I found if you are nice out on the range, take extra shells, and ask questions, you will find folks that will let you try a couple rounds thru their shotguns.

FWIW, I still hunt with the Mossy 835, and found a Rem 1100 that is great on trap and skeet after I added recoil pa to lengthen "LOP" length of pull.

At this point I want to upgrade my duck gun to a Rem 11xx/Versa series.

Originally Posted by 350_Keakz

Looking to buy my first shotgun been doing some trap shooting at a local range near Morgan Hill area got sold on the idea of getting a shotgun for that reason, near future minor gaming. Have been leaning towards a Stoeger M3500 (based on price[$600-$800 range])

Any suggestions on a good starter shotgun? difference between models?

Also been looking at Browning's and Berettas but they are usually $1000+

[XVIga_Rob]

Originally Posted by ScottB

ysr,

What is the minimum LOP on that 300? I once tried an Extrema with a kick-off stock and the minimum LOP (w/o spacers) was closing on 15" which was too long for me anyway, but with an inch or more of waterfowl gear it was a nonstarter. I was told the stock could not be shortened beyond that because of the mechanism. So I am still slaying 'em with my Supernova

Not ysr, but......I measured mine as 12 3/8's without any pads or spacers. You could get to a total of 12 3/4" LOP with a .39" Beretta Micro Core Field pad.
http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/bere...oil-pad/e7300/

With the 1" spacer and a .59" pad, I have a 14 1/8 LOP.

[XVIga_Rob]

They must have had both spacers (1" & .5") installed. It's advertised as 13 to 14.5 LOP.

[Eblevins62]

Originally Posted by etwinam

Starter shotgun, Mossberg 500 or Remington 870... Next level up mossberg 930 or Renton 1100.

I'll have to agree with him . Either the mossberg 500 or rem 870 are both great shotguns to started . If you been around guns for a while I'll say a mossberg 590a1 would be a great starter as well. Both moss 500 and rem 870 may come with a extra barrel for trap , so that's a plus . Both are winners and under 500 bucks .

[Horrendo Revolver]

Originally Posted by bigbearbear

I would hesitate to buy the Stoeger M3500 for use as a trap shotgun because it is chambered for 3.5 inch shells. Automatic shotguns chambered for 3.5 inch shells tend not to work too well with light target loads, which you might prefer if you get into high volume trap shooting.

In your price range, the Weatherby SA-08 would be a good shotgun to look into. If you don't mind a pump action, a Winchester SXP Trap might be an option too (review here: http://www.range365.com/new-gun-test...ester-sxp-trap).

This. There is no way I'd use a M3500 for Skeet, Trap or SC. In fact it is about the worst choice you could make. Since fit is paramount in a shotgun I'd focus on finding what shotguns fit you and then making your choice from them. There are significant differences in fit between many shotgun brands and shims can't always adjust the stock enough to fit an individual.

There are a number reliable semi's in the $500.00 to $800.00 range and they pretty much all have been mentioned. As an example I'd be happy with a SA-08, 930, SX3, Affinity or V3. Reason being they fit or can be shimmed to fit me. The one shotgun I absolutely wouldn't get is a Beretta A300, not because it isn't a good shotgun(it is a very good shotgun), but because they flat out don't fit me and I don't shoot well with them.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

If you are going to be shooting trap and only trap, buy a gun set up for that game.

The Browning BT-99 is the best entry level trap gun. Save your $ until you can buy it.

If you just want a shotgun that will break clays, then buy a Remington 870 used and have fun.