First shotgun advice

[IronsightsRifleman]

I'm a C&R collector, I own a few M1 rifles and an M1 Carbine. What would you recommend for a first shotgun? I'm thinking 20 gauge, but could be convinced otherwise (12 or 410). Primary use would be trap /skeet, with secondary use as home defense.

[jmpgnr24k]

12gauge. And if trap or skeet for sure semi.

[Ora Serrata]

If you're primarily using it for trap and skeet get something with changeable chokes. Since you want it also for self defense then go with a semi (Beretta would probably be the way to go).

[foxtrotuniformlima]

12 gauge for sure

Fun gun for trap or skeet or a serious one? Budget ?

If you plan on a HD use, I'd say a pump and the Remington 870 would be my recommendation. Easy to swap barrels from the HD length to trap or to skeet.

[meno377]

A great 'jack of all trades' 1st shotgun would be a 26" barreled semi auto if you want to shoot Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays and have it available as an HD. It can do everything.

A pump is certainly more reliable for HD, but would not be the best for skeet and sporting clays. A 26 inch barrel allows you to use it at most ranges that support clay shooting.

EDIT: And 12 gauge would be my choice if I were to play all the clay games in the beginning.

[hermosabeach]

Self defense shotguns are cheap. Mossberg 500 is around $300 or so for a nice used one.


Why are you leaning towards 20 gauge?

[DArBad]

If you're primarily using it for trap and skeet get something with changeable chokes. Since you want it also for self defense then go with a semi (Beretta would probably be the way to go).

This^^^^^^^^^^^.

[JohnnyMtn]

[Imageview]

20 is mostly more expensive than 12, and the main benefit is reduced recoil. Recoil on 12 is real, but not that bad, depending on budget there are very good choices for guns that handle recoil very well if it is an issue.

For hd you want a shorter barrel, and maybe ability to put on a magazine extension. For clay games you want a longer barrel, semi or double is better but not required. So we need ideally a gun that has multiple barrels available, can accept a magazine extension, and preference would be for a semi as it best fills both roles.

Budget option is a Mossberg 500 or rem 870. You could go a little cheaper with other brands, but as a basic pump either is gold. Available in both 12 and 20. Get a second barrel, you're good.

Slightly more expensive is the Mossberg 930. 12g only, but has operated so slightly decreased recoil. Solid guns, have short barrels available.

High end budget is a Benelli M2. 922r compliance is annoying, but they're very well regarded guns. Short barrels only available in 12.

That's not comprehensive, someone will be along to recommend a Beretta 1301 shortly (24" barrel, shorter than I'd recommend for clays). These are super popular these days, and I kinda want one myself but it isn't as good a fit for one of your purposes. There are a few others, but those are the most popular of the options for your question.

Final choice is 2 guns, which also makes sense. Buy a hd pump gun, and a double or semi for clays. It can be more cost effective, but I like the idea of having one gun I use for everything. That being said I don't own just 1, or 2, or 5 shotguns so who am I to talk?

[iwant22lr]

Some trap/skeet ranges require a 26 inch barrel. Definitely get one with interchangeable barrels or it will be a long *** HD gun

[theduracellbigd]

12gauge. And if trap or skeet for sure semi.

I second the 12, semi for trap/skeet/clays and hunting for that matter.

[-hanko]

High end budget is a Benelli M2. 922r compliance is annoying, but they're very well regarded guns. Short barrels only available in 12.

ATF advises 922(r) applies to importers only, NOT end users. An end user, such as you, has never been charged under section 922(r).

[Jeepergeo]

If you are not recoil intolerant, then 12 gauge is the way to go initially, and even if recoil intolerant you can buy light loads. If you are OK with the M1 recoil, then 12 gauge should be fine for you.

Interchangeable chokes is pretty important and not uncommon at all. I have an 1970ish Ted Williams Variable Choke 12 ga semi auto that I love. I can tighten down the choke for longer shots or open it up for targets closer in. You can find those models on the used market for great prices. I heard that Vari Choke is still around, so that feature can be added to other guns. It is not a perfect solution in terms of patterning, but it is good enough and allows your gun to be more versatile.

Of course screw in chokes are most common and work well. With a semi auto, you will need to stop shooting, get out the tool, screw out the first choke and then screw in the next....generally not a problem at the range...inconvenient when hunting.

Screw in chokes on an over and under shotgun are nice with less need to change. You can put an open choke into the first barrel and a tighter choke in the second, and fire based on needs for the game or target. Just be aware that some ranges only allow one round to be chambered at a time on the trap line.

If it were me, I'd look at a gun from Stoeger where you get a lot of bang for the buck, whether it's in the the o/u line or semi autos.

IMO a trap gun can can serve for home protection and a home protection gun can serve at the range...in a pinch. Both are specific uses with specific needs, and will not be optimal. I'd buy your first around your primary use, make it work for your secondary use, then get another gun to fill the second use need when the money becomes available.

[tanks]

I'm a C&R collector, I own a few M1 rifles and an M1 Carbine. What would you recommend for a first shotgun? I'm thinking 20 gauge, but could be convinced otherwise (12 or 410). Primary use would be trap /skeet, with secondary use as home defense.

For trap/skeet I'd recommend a O/U with an adjustable rib (if you really are going to shoot trap AND skeet) and 30" or so barrel. As cheap as they are a tactical style shotgun with a much shorter barrel would work.

Yes, one can compromise with one semi-auto and multiple barrels but in reality that never works. You'd probably leave whatever barrel you used last on the gun.

Also, if you have an M1 carbine why not designate that for your HD gun?

[Vigilante]

ATF advises 922(r) applies to importers only, NOT end users. An end user, such as you, has never been charged under section 922(r).

I know we're getting off on a tangent here, but I have never, ever seen that in writing from the ATF. If you could provide documentation from the ATF, that would make my day.