First Shotgun advice

[Humboldt Leatherneck]

This is for home defense etc.

Well I bought this Stevens model 320 12 gauge pump for $189.99 & DROS and tax at Sportsman's Warehouse on Memorial Day weekend 2019. That would work for a home defense shotgun.



Then I found this used gem a J.C. Higgins model 20/ High Standard model 200 in 12 gauge pump with a 2 and 3/4 inch chamber and a muzzle comp at a local gun shop for $200 & tax and DROS in mid March 2020. I first saw it in in the rack in late January 2020, and it was still there when I next visited about 6 weeks later.

The J.C. Higgins model 20 is on the top, and one of my Remington 870s below with the ventilated rib barrel and Rem-Choke tube options. I have several barrels that I can swap between the pair of Remington 870s that I have owned for over 30 years now. I had started out hunting and shooting back in the 1970s with a Winchester model 1200 pump shotgun in 12 gauge, that now resides with my brother.



So by my using a 12 gauge pump shotgun (usually one of my Remington 870s) for waterfowl hunting over the decades, means that I have been doing it all wrong?

Maybe I need to run out, and try to find one of those over priced semi-auto imported shotguns?

[Kestryll]

Hey Boarhuntor, shut up.

[TMB 1]

Have to get what you can get now, everything is sold out.

[W.R.Buchanan]

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 easiest and best way to go starting out. A 12 ga Mossberg 500 with 2 different barrels will get you anywhere you want to go.

A 28" barrel with changeable Choke tubes will take care of all your hunting needs and the 18" barrel will be your HD or Bear Defense set up.

Mossberg actually makes combos like this and they are around $500

https://www.mossberg.com/product/500-combo-fieldsecurity-54169/

If you decide that you want to upgrade later you can always sell this gun for what you've got in it and move on.

Also look at https://www.mossberg.com/category/series/500/500-flex/

Which has many options for stocks and recoil pads, barrels and other things.

hope this helps.

Randy

[jet757f]

A lot of these sound like they would workout good for me..

Anyone have any idea when they will have stock on anything? I was lucky to just buy a S&W 586. Every time I go to a gun store they seem to have less stock.

[Ducky's Dad]

It will get worse before it gets better. Between Biden and the pandemic, we are pretty well screwed for a while.

[naz]

OP, after you get your shotgun

If you are in Bay Area and are struggling to find 2.75” #7.5 or #8, PM me and I can sell you 2 flats of factory shells at the cost I paid to help you get start.

You are also welcome to shoot a few rounds with my M2 (26” barrel, field stock) if that’s helpful in your shopping.

[jet757f]

Thanks but I am in SoCal

[2761377]

A lot of these sound like they would workout good for me..

Anyone have any idea when they will have stock on anything? I was lucky to just buy a S&W 586. Every time I go to a gun store they seem to have less stock.

have you been to OC Guns in Lake Forest? It's been a month since I was in there but they had several mo-bergs in stock.

[md2020]

A lot of these sound like they would workout good for me..

Anyone have any idea when they will have stock on anything? I was lucky to just buy a S&W 586. Every time I go to a gun store they seem to have less stock.

GunBroker.com... Lots of people there will sell you a shotgun and ship it to you.

It works if you know exactly what you want.

There is a process you go through with the FFL and it could cost you about $100. But there is nothing more expensive and more wasteful than calling around and driving around to different shops hoping you don't stand in line just to get inside and learn they don't have what you want.

[Monterey Gun]

GunBroker.com... Lots of people there will sell you a shotgun and ship it to you.

It works if you know exactly what you want.

There is a process you go through with the FFL and it could cost you about $100. But there is nothing more expensive and more wasteful than calling around and driving around to different shops hoping you don't stand in line just to get inside and learn they don't have what you want.

Speaking of FFLs... Where do you go through to get yours?

[ucbhills]

OMG! How can someone not take up this offer?!?!

But my word on shotguns means nothing LOL. Still need to checkout the Richmond range!

[NATEWA]

[Newshooter]

That is a very generous offer. It's great to see shooters supporting other shooters.

[ucbhills]

I'm not OP, but thinking about this again, I'm up for meeting up (I think you said you are near the Richmond range?). I've not shot my new shotgun yet and would be interested in purchasing some ammo legal at the local ranges.

OBTW, I stopped by Solar Tactical yesterday in Livermore and they had a KS7, whatever that more pricey one that has the 3 rotating tubes, and several other pistol grip shotguns.