Help picking first shotgun

[Novak77]

OP you might wanna check out the Winchester SXP. I've beat the hell out of mine and 90% of my hunting is done in brackish water. You can get one for around $300 at Dicks or Big 5. SXPs use Invector Plus chokes.

One thing to watch out for.

Duck hunting is like dope.

Once you start you ain't gonna stop.

[Ducky's Dad]

Duck hunting is like dope.

Like being hooked on quack.

[LowThudd]

Like being hooked on quack.

GTFOH! Get the Flock out of here! lol

[C&Rcollector]

Easy answer, 870.

The top smiths (Wilson, Nighthawk, etc...) only work on 870's.

[Thanatos2203]

Easy answer, 870.

The top smiths (Wilson, Nighthawk, etc...) only work on 870's.

Yea, but not really duck guns.

[HighWildFree]

^^^ why is an 870 not a duck gun?

[C&Rcollector]

The Wingmaster (Old) is an amazing duck gun.

^^^ why is an 870 not a duck gun?

[Thanatos2203]

^^^ why is an 870 not a duck gun?

It is, but go have a look at Wilson and Nighthawk 870's and tell me if they look like duck guns.

Comment wasn't regarding the 870 itself.

[HighWildFree]

It is, but go have a look at Wilson and Nighthawk 870's and tell me if they look like duck guns.

Comment wasn't regarding the 870 itself.

ok gotcha.

[jimmykan]

Beware, the current basic black finish on Remington guns including the 870 Express is GARBAGE.

It rusts very easily.

http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1023605

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=781389

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=196074

Leave water, sweat or fingerprints on it - it will rust.
Don't oil it enough and just let it sit in the safe - it will rust.
Look at it the wrong way - it will rust.

A fix would be to get it blasted and parkerized, or find some sort of marine or all-weather finish version.

That said, the 870 action FEELS more solid than the Mossberg action. It is an all-steel receiver with a smooth pump stroke.

Mossberg actions are aluminum alloy, and pump forends jiggle/rattle/wobble, and the pump stroke has a slight hitch in it, but they function reliably that way.

And this is not to say that Mossbergs are badly made: The bolt locks up to a recess in the steel barrel extension, so the receiver's material strength is not an issue, and Mossberg receivers don't suffer durability issues either. The Mossberg basic black finish is somewhat durable, and the aluminum underneath is corrosion resistant.

The safety location is different too.

The Remington 870 has a cross-bolt safety on the rear of the trigger guard, while the Mossberg 500 has a tang safety on the top-rear of the receiver. The budget version of the 500, the Maverick 88, has a cross-bolt safety on the front of the trigger guard.

Oh and also, loading shells is easier on the Mossberg because the shell lifter stays up and out of the way when the shotgun is in battery. The lifter on the Remington is spring loaded and stays down, which can catch your thumb and rip some skin off.

[Sheepdog1968]

Both that you mention are great choices. The differences between the two has been done to death and can be easily found. I have one of the two you mentioned and would be just as happy with the other. Try not to stress too much over the choice as either will serve you well. Sometimes I think we fret and worry more about the firearms we buy than the spouse we marry or the home we buy. Then again, with a spouse you had a dating period to see if it fits you. The home though is often just a walk through that has met some filter criteria.