First Shotgun advice

[Daridedn]

Hello, new here. I'm close to getting my first shotgun and was wondering if you have any reccomendations for me? I'll tell you what I'm looking to do with it and then any feedback would be awesome. I'm looking for a 10/12 /16 gauge shotgun possibly with interchangeable barrels. I would like to do some skeet/duck shooting for recreation but also have the ability to shorten the barrel for a brush gun in grizzly country (First line of defense is being bear aware and having spray). As far as budget goes I'd look seriously at anything $1500+, I won on the slots online that I found on the best-slotmachine.com and can spend this money to shotgun.

[not-fishing]

Shotguns are like golf clubs, you can play with just one club but nobody does.

Upland I use a 20 ga sxs with 28" barrel.
Duck I used to use a 12 ga pump with a 30" barrel.
Goose I use a 12 ga semi auto with 32" barrel.
Defense I use a 20 ga pump with 18" barrel.
3 Gun competition a 20 gage semi auto with extended mag.
Skeet I'd get an over/under and the good shooters use 410.

If you had to use one gun for everything I'd get a pump in 12 ga and a couple of barrels. My family favors Remington 870's but the Mossbergs have a top mounted thumb safety that is easier for most people to use when in a hurry. (it's a gross motor skill thing)

[edgerly779]

Start with mossberg or 870 with chokes 28" barrel if going for ducks as well as trap shooting , sporting clays, skeet I use a 28" barrel o/u. Get a slug barrel for hd if bear defense in mind. Get a 3" mag. can shoot light fields loads and magnum loads. Will help with non lead hunting loads.

[BigPimping]

Be careful OP. I thought I only needed one shotgun. I'm now up to about 11 of them.

[ysr_racer]

. I'm looking for a 10/12 /16 gauge shotgun possibly with interchangeable barrels.

Forget about 10 or 16 gauge, those are ancient. Get a good 12ga semi auto, and be happy. A Beretta A300 is the best value out there.

I've got three of them.

[Ducky's Dad]

870 Wingmaster 3" 12ga. Nothing else matters.

[Imageview]

Get a 12 gauge to start, most versatile.

Option 1: pump, either an 870 or 500 series. Most economical choice, either of the options is great.

Option 2: semi auto. Benelli m2 has the shorter barrel as well, is easier to clean, but slightly pickier about ammo. Beretta a300 is gas operated so takes more cleaning and isn't at all picky but no short barrels I'm aware of. A400 is an upgrade, but still no short barrels.

Option 3: get both, and maybe a double or two. And then a 20 gauge because a 12 really tears up small birds. And ooh, a vintage side by side because that sounds fun. And wouldn't a combo gun be cool? This is the frequent choice of many of us posting.

[naz]

How about an M2 or used m1 super 90? Get a field grip instead of pistol grip so you can use at more trap/skeet fields

[sandiego67]

He has $1500 to spend. Why are you pushing him to the cheapest guns on the market (870's and 500's)?

The chances of you protecting yourself against a bear in close quarters on a trail is negligible. Buying a gun for a 1 in a million event seems crazy.

Just buy a used Beretta or Browning.

The A300 is a great investment for +/- $800 out the door.

[PaperTarget]

I'd also suggest starting with 12 gauge.

For the versatility the OP seeks, an 870 or 500 with an extra barrel works fine except for skeet. That would push the decision towards an auto for me. So, the A300 is a solid suggestion.

[diveRN]

Just picked up a CZ 1012. At $600, it's a good gun for skeet, ducks, and even upland game. It comes with its own complete choke set for various applications.

With the money you save, you could add another boom stick(s) for other uses.

[Ducky's Dad]

He has $1500 to spend. Why are you pushing him to the cheapest guns on the market (870's and 500's)?

Because an 870 Wingmaster will do everything he wants to do, it's dead nuts reliable in any conditions, easy to clean and maintain, lots of aftermarket support, none of the issues associated with a semi. Just because he has $1500 available does not mean he needs to spend $1500 to accomplish what he wants to accomplish. I have lots of expensive guns, but the one I will NEVER sell is my 3" Wingmaster, because it will do everything.

[bigbearbear]

For a general purpose, configurable and reliable shotgun like what you're looking for, the Benelli M2 12 gauge fits your budget and requirements.

It has a lot of accessories for it and can be configured for just about anything; hunting, home defense, bear defense, 3-gun competition etc.

You can buy a lot of different barrels for it too if you want.

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/benelli-m2/barrels.html

Most of the very short barrels are sold out though, most likely because a lot of Benelli M2 owners are swapping out their barrel on hunting/sporting M2 for home defense use. The 24" is pretty short still so pretty useful in the field.

[NapalmCheese]

As a proponent of the 16 gauge it hurts me to say this, but, yes on 12 gauge. It's just easier to find ammo. I reload for my 16s, and it hurts every time I lose a hull. I can usually find 16 wherever I need ammo, but you have a much larger variety of 12. If you're only going to have one shotgun, make it a 3 or 3.5 inch chambered 12 gauge.

As for guns, if you're looking for a pump gun (wouldn't be my choice for skeet), I like the 870s, Ithaca 37s, and Benelli Novas and Super Novas. Of them I feel the Super Nova is best option for an all around workhorse gun. It can be fitted to you with shims and stock adjustments, it's VERY easy to disassemble for maintenance, and predominantly coated in plastic so has very little to rust. The downside is it's chunky and handles like a club compared to an 870 or Ithaca 37. A 3 inch chambered pump gun is more comfortable and handles better than a 3.5 inch chambered pump gun (the Benellis are both 3.5 inch chambered).

I'm not well versed on modern semi-autos, but I like my older A5s; though I think those are not longer applicable to your question.

[Tarmy]

Whatever you do...get some help with proper fit. You can buy any gun you want...but if it is not what fits you well...then you have a paperweight.

Many places have guns for rent (although that is limited right at this time) and there are plenty of shops with experienced folks that can assist you with shouldering as many as you can try. Having help with fit...and understanding what to look for will greatly enhance your final choice. It will also likely shorten the list of what guns you should actually buy.

Good luck OP...