Cheap Shotgun

[Califpatriot]

Looking to buy a shotgun. Don't know much about shotguns at all. I hate when people ask "what is best AR" or "what is best pistol" but I'm pretty open. I'm looking primarily because I may want to get into 3 gun.

My brother suggests a Maverick 88 security/combo, which I can get for $251 all in, after DROS and tax, so that's probably the most I am willing to pay. I'm open to Chinese models like the Hawk or whatever. But I'm wondering what you all suggest.

Not much on the CG marketplace in the Bay Area.

[sealocan]

I've never had any problem with the few Mossberg 500 pump shotguns I've owned.

Mossberg makes Maverick as their own second-tier name brand.
They're similar but the Mossberg 500 has the safety on the back of the receiver right near where your thumb with rest and your your eyeball can easily see whether it's on safe or not.
I believe the Mavericks still have the safety that's down by the trigger guard. If that's what you're used to and train with that's fine I've just grown used to and seal that the thumb safety is a better design.

If you're looking for cheap versatility Mossberg often has combos on sale everywhere in the United States ( except in the Bay Area it seems.) where you get both a long barrel for hunting and a shorter barrel for home defense all at one low price.

The Remington 870 has the advantage of a steel receiver and were they go to gun if you needed a Workhorse or plan to put a million rounds through it but I keep hearing things lately about the new Remington guns having issues.

[Califpatriot]

So pump actions out for 3 gun? Damn

[BigPimping]

Maverick combo. Best deal at big 5

[plumbum]

Just get the Maverick combo, honestly. That covers 99% of what almost anyone buys a shotgun for. I’ve purchased at least 6 inexpensive pumps, both domestic and imported, and it’s hard to beat - the H&R Pardner comes real close, but not quite. (and it’s also the gateway to more purchases *cackles gleefully*)

P.s - stocks are all too long for me, so I just ordered the 12” Hogue for my Maverick 20” 8 shot.

[Chameleon Loco]

Big 5 has a Dickenson Turkish import that comes with two barrels on clearance they are pretty sweet. Handled one back when I worked there should have bought one, one of the managers at the store I worked at sold his 500 combo for one and likes it a lot.

[Tennessean #45]

Just get the Maverick combo, honestly. That covers 99% of what almost anyone buys a shotgun for. I’ve purchased at least 6 inexpensive pumps, both domestic and imported, and it’s hard to beat - the H&R Pardner comes real close, but not quite. (and it’s also the gateway to more purchases *cackles gleefully*)

P.s - stocks are all too long for me, so I just ordered the 12” Hogue for my Maverick 20” 8 shot.

Just picked up the Maverick 88 security/field combo from Big 5 today...my first shotgun. Bought a $27 hard case to store it, and went straight to the range. Came home, quick clean up, changed the barrel, and ready for clays this weekend. Very happy with the purchase. Stock is fine, maybe even too short even (I'm a tall guy).

[Rigma]

Maverick combo. Best deal at big 5

Wow...not sure you can beat that as an entry level firearm combo. The combo gives you the 28" field barrel so you can go shoot clays and 18.5" security barrel to put on when you get home, clean it and put it on HD duty.

If you are never going to try shooting clays, you can get the same shotgun with a fixed choke an 8 shot tube.

I almost feel obligated to go buy one and try it out due to the low investment and decent reviews.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Pump or SemiAuto?

Bang for the buck I like
Pump: Escort

Semi: SPX 930

[jimbo74]

I got my Mossberg 500 with 2 barrels in the Bay Area

[LynnJr]

A300

[Thanatos2203]

So pump actions out for 3 gun? Damn

If you want to be competitive then yes. I am no 3 gun shooter, but there is a reason most hunters and clay shooters use semi or break action. It is more difficult to cycle a pump, especially when shooting up in the air. There is also no comparison in the cyclic rate and I do know enough to know that time is a big factor in 3 gun.

For a cheap shotgun, my recommendation is the H&R Pardner Pump. Its a Remington 870 clone which I personally prefer over the Mossberg/Maverick 88 or Mossberg products in general. Your experience may vary.

If you want something that will get you into 3 gun, your base is probably going to be around $600. The Mossberg 930 is supposed to be passable, and Stoeger M3K is a Benelli Clone which is supposed to be a good value.

[bigbearbear]

If you're going to use for 3-gun competition, why not consider investing a little more and buy a shotgun that is configured for it?

Stoeger has a M3K3 that is setup for 3-gun competition:

https://www.stoegerindustries.com/m3k-3-gun-shotgun

There are higher priced offerings from Benelli and Beretta too.

[RandyCat]

A300

Oh, now you are joining forces with the best on this forum!
Who would have thought....

[Pupulepeter]

For 3-gun, I’d save up another $250 and get a Stoeger M3000. They are about as close to a Benelli M2 as you can get without spending >$1000 and there are a lot of good inexpensive upgrades available.