First time shotgun buyer

[ctkscoutarmed]

I am shopping for a shotgun for the first time.

I am looking for the following elements in a gun;

Good home defense

pump action/semi automatic

Possible once in a great while hunting

skeet shooting

finally of course inexpensive

So bottom line is the most versatile, but quality gun for the money

[Badger71]

Remington 1100 or 870 Special Field. Both have 21" barrels which is good for both hunting and hd, should the need arise. I'm sure others will have opinions, but these can be had at pretty good prices.

[savasyn]

Mossberg 500 combo from Big 5.
reliable pump gun, 6 rounds, comes with 18.5" HD barrel and a 27"(?) ribbed barrel for skeet. Usually found on sale at Big 5 for like $280 or so.

Remington 870 is considered to have better build quality and also has the ability to swap barrels, but costs a good deal more.

I've had my Mossy 500 for close to 20 years and still love it. I've had an 870 for a few months and, while it's nice, I don't get that it's worth the extra $100+. I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm not a fan of the way the internals on the 870 come apart. Might just be my gun, but it's a pain in the ***. YMMV however.

Either of those two will probably make you happy for many years to come.

Oh, I just remembered the 870 clone that Big 5 sells, made by Charles Daly or Norinco, the 892 or something like that. It's more set up for HD, but it's cheaper than the Mossy and apparently as good or better than the 870 Express.

[an actual gun]

I don't particularly like the forend on the Mossber 500 combo model, but it does come with a 28" barrel that can be used for hunting. What kind of hunting are you thinking of? For hog hunting or deer hunting, the 18.5" or 20" model 500 loaded with slugs can and does work for many people.

If you're looking at serious skeet/trap shooting to competition standards and/or bird hunting, a longer barrel preferably with a removable choke will be needed.

I'm gonna say go with the Mossberg 500 combo model on the condition that you want a primarily home defensive shotgun that could serve as a decent hunting shotgun. However if you never plan to do bird hunting and/or only wish to do rather informal and close range (under 16 yard) trap/skeet, virtually any shotgun from a reputable brand with an 18 or 20 inch barrel will last a lifetime with proper care and totally suit your needs.

As for semi-autos, I'm just not terribly fond of them, but it's really a matter of personal preference. I like the simplicity and reliability of a pump action better than more complex semi-autos, I don't mind the greater felt recoil, and I enjoy how economical the prices of pumps are.

Remington 870 is considered to have better build quality and also has the ability to swap barrels, but costs a good deal more.

You say that like you can't swap barrels out on the 500. I should clarify in case you're unaware that there are numerous barrels you can buy for the Mossberg 500 and the design is very easily interchangeable. So long as you're using a Mossberg 500 with the standard size magazine. The long magazine on their 20 inch and 590 models means you probably can't get barrels for it, but the standard 500s with the shorter magazines are totally compatible with the various barrels out there.

[sprintcar]

I have both the M500 and a 870 Express left hand model. They are both nice guns but I very much prefer the 870. The 870 feels much slimmer and for me much better ergonomics, placement of handle for the pump, and I prefer the safety on the 870.

[savasyn]

You say that like you can't swap barrels out on the 500. I should clarify in case you're unaware that there are numerous barrels you can buy for the Mossberg 500 and the design is very easily interchangeable.

I'm quite aware of the 500's ability to swap barrels, I have one. When I said "and also has the ability to swap barrels" in regards to the 870, I was implying that the 870, like the 500 combo I suggested above, also has the ability to exchange barrels.

[maschronic]

i own a mossy 500, mossy 590, remmy 870, and remmy 11-87. my favorite is the mossy 590. the mossy 500 combo set is really good. even with the 18.5" barrel, you can do skeet shootin.

i suggestion is for you to get a mossy 500 combo.

[BunnySlayer]

If you want only one. Get the 870. You can buy barrels for everything from turkey to deer to home defense and everything in between.