First time shotgun buyer with a question

[patbateman]

Looking at buying a shotgun as a swiss army gun - for home defense, pig hunting, turkey hunting, and bear defense when I spend time in Montana and Alaska (have family in both states).

Just looked at a used 870, with a 20" barrel w/ rifled sights, and an extended magazine tube (7+1 capacity).

The shop said it was a personal gun of a LEO previously. As far as I can tell, its in good shape, and it's being sold at a reputable shop.

They're asking $400 - and he told me they'd be able to work with me a little, possibly cover the tax for me.

It comes with a second 20" barrel, with no sights, and no choke.

My question is - should I consider this gun, or pass on it.. the second barrel seems pretty useless, and I doubt I could even sell it for anything. My other option is a Mossy 500 combo from dicks with a 28" field barrel, and a 24" rifled barrel. If I get that one, I'll plan on buying an 18.5" barrel for home defense and bear defense applications.

Anyways, thanks for any feedback on the used 870.

[LowThudd]

If that is a Steel frame 870, that is a good price I believe. Someone may buy that 20" barrel here or on ebay. Lot's sell there.

I am a mossberg guy, so I can't recommend against that combo either. 18.5" mossy barrels are easy to find used here or on ebay for cheap.

[patbateman]

Hmm I'll have to scope out the market on ebay. Thanks for the feedback!

[LowThudd]

If you aren't going to hunt with sabot slugs, you don't need the rifled barrel. Big 5 has a 28" and 18.5" combo for $320 right now. http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/sto...k#.WQUDRNLyvb0

[patbateman]

Yea - that's part of my debate.. Trying to decide if I'll use it enough in longer range pig hunting situations to justify hunting with sabot slugs. The other piece is I really prefer the wood stock.. thinking I could always get the Dick's combo, sell the rifled barrel, and buy an 18.5", or even a 20" with rifled sights.

[LowThudd]

20" Even with a vent rib and bead is a good all purpose barrel. You can also find wood stocks on ebay or here. Sometimes here: http://www.havlinsales.com/

[NATEWA]

I like these barrels. The 18 1/2 barrels accept chokes, but I think you are limited to 2 3/4" shells (it will kill a turkey - you don't need a 3 or 3 1/2" shell).
If you want to hunt turkeys, put in a tight choke tube, hevishot if in CA (lead in other states).

https://www.choketube.com/accessories-product-details.php?Remington-Barrels&mf=370

If hunting pigs, I'm assuming you'll be shooting them within 50-75 yards with a slug. The barrel would be good for home defense and bears.

I don't think the barrels will work with the police model, but double check.

I really like the plastic, clip on, hi-viz sights.

Good luck

[Bull Elk]

By several shotguns

[wpage]

Not a bad offer did you try armslist?

[Ora Serrata]

OP - you mentioned up front you want a Swiss army kinda shotgun. You really want a short self defense barrel and a long 28" barrel for hunting and clay shooting. Shotguns are not long range firearms to begin with and you need a long barrel to be able to maximize that range. I personally have a Mossberg 500 combo I got at big 5 20 years ago. You can't beat the price, but one thing I didn't realize at that time was how much of a difference the interchangeable chokes make. The 28" barrel that came with it was a fixed modified. I ended up buying another 28" barrel off eBay for $140 that has the accu-chokes (improved cyl, mod, and full). You can also get skeet chokes for it on eBay.

Having said that I prefer a good O/U for clays, but I think everyone should have a good cheap pump gun.

The 870 is s good gun as well. One thing about the newer ones is you might have problems with it jamming with cheap ammo. My friends consistently Jams with the off the shelf Winchester federal ammo at Walmart. The metal casing expands and sticks in the chamber after firing it. Have to wait a few minutes for it to cool off to extract it. Do a google search and you'll see it's a common problem that is fixed by changing the extractor. I've never had a jam in my Mossberg.

[patbateman]

Thanks all for the tips.

I think I am leaning towards the Dick's mossberg 500 combo.. it has the wood furniture that I want, and the 28" barrel is accu-choke and comes with all three. I'll be able to decide from there if I want to sell/trade out the 24" rifled barrel for an 18.5" or 20" barrel.. or just pay the $80 for a 18.5" barrel and have all three.

The Dick's combo is $379.. btw.. which seems unbeatable for what it is.

[LowThudd]

Sounds like a great deal. I'd go for the Mossy.

[edgerly779]

you need a longer barrel to go with 870 so now 600 buckswith tax and second hunting barrel. Mossberg 500 on sale with 2 barrels is 400 or less out the door. there is one in sale forum now

[bigbearbear]

Does the 20" barrel with rifle sight come with removable choke? If it does, along with the 2nd barrel, I think it is a good deal for you.

From what I can tell at the range, most pump action shotguns are left collecting dust in a closet or gun safe. Even when brought to the range, they get fired a few times and then sore shoulders from shooting slugs and high velocity buckshots force the shooter to shoot something else; like a AR-15.

So while it might be sold as a used gun, it should still be a very reliable shotgun.

[patbateman]

Good thought - neither barrel on the 870 has interchangeable chokes though. The Mossy definitely seems like my Swiss army gun.