First Shotgun advice

[ucbhills]

I recently went down a similar road. I would research where you can shoot it and in what capacity in your area. I live in the Bay Area and it seems like most ranges mainly support trap and sporting clays, which mostly require a longer barrel than home defense. I don't know anything about hunting.

If you just wanna have something for home defense, but don't really intend on shooting it much, I would recommend a KSG.

[Imageview]

Hunting generally involves use of longer barrels, although it's not required or anything. Most folks just find it easier.

A bit of advice I left off earlier is if possible go shoot. Rent guns, take lessons, learn what you like. It's not like you have to pay alimony if you end up not liking the first shotgun you buy, but it will save you time and cash.

I've owned pump shotguns, they were nice and I'd have no problem with them but I really preferred a double. I owned a mid quality Beretta, but it didn't fit well. Would love to find one that fit better. I own an a400 which is a great tool, but doesn't really excite me and cleaning it is definitely a chore. I have a Italian combination gun that I love but use it more as a rifle than a shotgun. And I have an old English gun with mechanical issues but I love anyways even though it's definitely a money pit. Only way I found out what I liked was by shooting them. Would have been cheaper and smarter to rent and try before buying.

[naz]

What’s OP’s location anyway? Maybe some members can share their gear

[md2020]

I bought my first shotgun a couple of months ago. I bought a browning. I paid more than I thought I wanted to pay, but still well within what I could afford to pay.

No hunting for me, just a clay shooter. Realized that the cost of shooting clays on a regular basis will outweigh the cost of the shotgun before you know it. Might as well stretch the budget and aim a go for something a little more expensive (i.e. Looks better)

Also, don't be convinced that the turkish guns are not good guns. The feel and the resale value is higher on brownings and berettas, but so is the purchase price. They all go boom, don't they? Resale value is for those who plan on selling...

[naz]

I recently went down a similar road. I would research where you can shoot it and in what capacity in your area. I live in the Bay Area and it seems like most ranges mainly support trap and sporting clays, which mostly require a longer barrel than home defense. I don't know anything about hunting.

If you just wanna have something for home defense, but don't really intend on shooting it much, I would recommend a KSG.

Great point on where to shoot. 24” barrel with field stock seems to give the most flexibility of venues, at least here in Bay Area

As an aside, I used my M2 at a multigun practice for the first time recently and it was really fun to blast down static 3” clays from 10-15yd and absolutely crush steel poppers (knock them down and up the berm) vs the plink and slow fall from using 9mm pistol

I’ll own up to a few misses on the 3” clays from 10 yard so I got my little reminder than “you can’t miss with a shotgun” is a myth and that I got to keep up the training if I want to use it for Hd (and score better in practice)

[SandHill]

I'm going to stay out of the fray with regard to what brand shotgun you should buy. I just want to add to the chorus on the gauge. Get a 12 gauge. Period. 10 and 16 both have their uses, and one of them might be perfect for your use. But you will spend you life searching for ammo instead of shooting, even when there is not a panic / shortage going on. 12 gauge ammo is widely available in an incredibly wide range of loadings, some of which will probably be good enough for your intended uses. Get a 12 gauge!

[hermosabeach]

Not to be That Guy- but read a lot of threads here

When I read 10 gauge and 16 gauge.... my brain goes fuzzy

That’s like saying you want a steam powered car for a daily driver.



Both are largely obsolete cartridges. (My flame suit is on)
In 2018, there were 145 models of 12 gauges being offered for sale. That the receiver so the mossberg 500 is one model and a dozen of varieties.

In 2018, there were 5 models of 16 gauge for sale


If you want non bird Ammo- you probably need to reload it yourself as I don’t thing I have ever seen a slug or OO buck for 16 gauge. So self defense, dangerous game and hunting mammals is out of the question.

[hermosabeach]

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/decline-10-16-gauge-shotguns/78028

[ucbhills]

Wow! Where in the Bay Area were you able to do multigun?!?

[strakill]

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.

This is the best advice in this thread IMHO.

[naz]

Wow! Where in the Bay Area were you able to do multigun?!?

[faris1984]

dont buy new, get one from CAlguns and you gonna save tax and for used one

[ucbhills]

Wow, that's exciting! Thanks much for the info!

[jet757f]

I was looking at shotguns too although they are hard to find.

So the question is pump or semi-auto?

[md2020]

So the question is pump or semi-auto?

YES!