Thinking about purchasing my first shotgun...

[rawfuls]

I've started to go trap shooting more and more recently; I started buying shells at my Walmart to save some money, but still paying $5/round for a rental kind of kills it. I usually go every other weekend, play about 4 rounds and it's been a great unwinder & relaxer.

I've been having huge thoughts about purchasing my own, as it'll save me in the long run- and plus I've always been keen to firearms. (handgun to come; I'm 20, so not passed the 21 yet).

I'm looking into a Remington 870, I'd like to get one with wood trim, as the one that I rent all the time is a wood trimmed Remington 870 Express Super Magnum.
And totally honest, while I don't know much between the models, I'd like something close to it.

I've tried a Mossberg here and there, but the Remington (I feel) just kind of fills the void. Just curious for some thoughts, yes, no, maybe so? Suggestions on vendors out here? I know of Turner's, Big 5, etc; but they all seem to have the synthetic 870's, when I'm really into the wood furniture.

I'm in a University, so safeties & disguise will be heavy. I'll be purchasing a cable lock to run through the chamber & bottom, trigger lock (maybe), and definitely a hard case w/ locking holes or locking mechanism. Furthermore, since I'm in California, I'll probably purchase a hard case instrument case, and store it all in there.

[RedFord150]

Spend a little $ up front and get something decent. For the Shotgun Sports, fit is everything. You will not find someone to fit you properly at a discount store. If you have a quality SG that fits, you will improve at a much faster rate.

A Beretta or Browning Semi-Auto is a good choice. A decent Over/Under even better. I am sure your budget will influence your decision.

Find a shop that specializes in shotguns. Your local trap range probably has a Pro shop that can help you. If you were in the LA area, I would recommend Pacific Sporting arms in Azusa, CA.

Good luck.

[mike100]

I would buy used 870 Wingmaster (the fancier 870) because it would be worth keeping forever. A new Express magnum will be so stiff and clunky. Most likely the range rental is nice and broken in...a used 870 is almost always preferable since they last longer than cockroaches after a nuclear blast as it is.

[powderedtoastman]

Fit is everything. If you're close enough, go to one of the skeet clinics and I'm willing to bet some folks will let you try other shotguns.

[TS77]

I agree with the other two opinons:if this gun is going to be purely for clay games, get an-over-under or an auto, and get fitted. Since it sounds like you already do quite a bit of clay shooting, as you improve, the pump will slow you down.

If this gun is for general purpose, with some casual clay games, 870 is perfect: readily configurable for any shotgun purpose.

[Sheepdog1968]

It's a good solid shotgun and you already like it so I'd go for it. You could also ask the place you rent from if they sell the used one if you have one you really like or ask them the specific make a model.

[ceh383]

Since you are already comfortable with the 870, I will suggest the Wingmaster also. While an O/U or auto might be better for some clay games, there is nothing wrong with using a pump. It will require more practice to get good with a pump, but it can be done.
HERE is an example of a used Wingmaster...A little more $$$ than a new express, but well worth it...

[cdizzle666]

You need to hold a benelli, Ive owned the benelli nova pump 28 inch for 12 years . In my opinion its superior ,but that's just my opinion. If you want semi auto benelli super black eagle 2 . The Italians make some of the finest shotguns out there. Its definitely worth to take a peek at one.

[RedFord150]

...there is nothing wrong with using a pump. It will require more practice to get good with a pump, but it can be done....

^^^This is like telling someone they can waterski on 2x6's. Yes, it can be done. The question is 'why make it harder than it has too be?'

Trap is a sport and should be enjoyable. It also takes a lot of time and practice to get good at it. Why handicap yourself with a poor shotgun choice?

The OP is spending a fair amount of time at the range. If he is motivated, he can probably get really good at it. If he likes Trap, he might also like skeet and sporting clays.

I would tell the OP to get the best SG he can afford and be done with it. If he starts with a pump, he will probably be trading up sooner, rather than later.

[teflondog]

The only 870s I would buy are the Wingmaster and Police Magnum. I think they're made better than the Express models. For trap, I'd get a blued Wingmaster. Those are gorgeous.

With that said, I prefer an O/U for shooting clays instead of a pump.

[Sheepdog1968]

Actually, I went the direction of a pump. My situation might not be the same as the OP. My home defense long arm of choice is a pump action shotgun. I have one dedicated to home defense and a separate pump of same make for trap. I belong to a trap league. Every week I get to spend 50 rounds pumping it and loading it. Since doing this, I have become very smooth at shooting, cycling, and loading that pump without looking min fact, I've even gone so far as to put a Velcro side saddle on the trap,shotgun so I can work in loading from the side saddle with that make of shotgun. It is now absolute second nature to pump it and I don't even notice it. May not apply to the OP.

^^^This is like telling someone they can waterski on 2x6's. Yes, it can be done. The question is 'why make it harder than it has too be?'

Trap is a sport and should be enjoyable. It also takes a lot of time and practice to get good at it. Why handicap yourself with a poor shotgun choice?

The OP is spending a fair amount of time at the range. If he is motivated, he can probably get really good at it. If he likes Trap, he might also like skeet and sporting clays.

I would tell the OP to get the best SG he can afford and be done with it. If he starts with a pump, he will probably be trading up sooner, rather than later.

[RedFord150]

Actually, I went the direction of a pump. ...I belong to a trap league. Every week I get to spend 50 rounds pumping it and loading it. Since doing this, I have become very smooth at shooting, cycling, and loading that pump without looking ....

^^^Thank you for your response.

The weekly trap sessions with a pump have made you very good at handling and operating the pump. This is not a surprise. You have gotten lots of practice.

Do you believe the pump has made you a better Trap shooter? Do you think your scores would be higher with a Semi-Auto or an O/U?

[ceh383]

Do you think your scores would be higher with a Semi-Auto or an O/U?

It's the Indian, not the arrow...

[fffblackmage]

It's probably more important that you like the gun than have a "better" gun that you don't like.

[rawfuls]

Wow, the support and responses are outstanding.
First, thank you all!
Now, to the responses...

As opposed to multi-quoting and filling the thread, I'll just respond to those replies that would continue a discussion..

RE: Background...
I can successfully say I've gone through roughly 800-1000 or so shells since I've started picking up trap shooting again recently. I typically run through 4 rounds a visit at the range. Each visit is $9/round, $5/round rental; shells from the local Walmart. Is this bearable every two weeks? Sure. But owning my own SG would give me an even cheaper rate; and ultimately start my firearm collection early. I've shot handguns, and as much as I love them- I would much rather shoot flying objects than paper targets; though handguns are on my short list.
The gun(s) that I've been racking all these shells on, are on the range's Remington 870 Express Super Magnum; definitely broken in. I haven't seen the date codes, but will check them probably this weekend to see how old they are.
Working the pump is a breeze and 100% smooth, to me; so to be honest that's much an of issue for me.
Then again, this is all recreational trap shooting, I haven't entered competitions/leagues, yet.

RE: Purchasing an O/U or Semi, while I haven't particularly given this one much thought, I'm in the ~$500 range ($300-400 would be awfully nice) and to be honest I haven't researched S/A nor O/U so I have little to no knowledge.. What type of SG should I start looking into?
The only O//U I've ever played with was the Browning Citori and let me tell you, if I had the bills there would be no thread... But, that's beside the point.

RE: Fit...
So, I'm not entirely sure what you all mean by fit.
By fit are we talking ergonomically fit, or just comfortable fit?
Is there a science to this, any measurements I can take at home to better understand, etc? The Remington feels smooth, though a bit heavy, I feel like I've definitely gotten accustomed to it.

RE: Range League/Clinic/ETC
While I'm a reserved type of guy, I'm always looking for room of improvement.
I'm out in the Inland Empire, here for University, so thee's that.. However, I'm a bit worried to ask the range to see if they'll sell any of the rentals, seeing as they're.. rentals..
For instance, I would never purchase my car from a car rental as only I know what I did in that car.. Plus, I've had a few minor incidents where some of the shells had issue extracting. Think the ramps just weren't polished/cleaned.

RE: Pump vs. Semi vs. O/U
Again, while I haven't given this one much thought, I'd really love to entertain this idea.. What am I looking at for a decent, average starting O/U trap?
While I certainly haven't had the pleasure of putting 50 rounds a week through a pump...I do feel that I'm pretty smooth at it as of late; though, I have no reference point to compare myself to...