First shotgun advice

[SandHill]

As far as an entry level Shotgun a Mossberg 500 Combo will do everything you need to do and you can shoot skeet just fine with a pump gun if you spend the time to learn how to run a pump gun!

Randy

Of course, the received wisdom on CalGuns is generally along the lines of: (i) buy two guns, (ii) buy one do-it-all gun that is super expensive; and (iii) if you can afford it, buy TWO super expensive guns, each best in their category.........and so on.

But if you have never had a shotgun or tried trap or skeet, Randy's advice is sound. My first shotgun was the Mossberg 500 combo, and if I could only have one gun of any kind I think that would still be it, in preference to some much more expensive guns. I now have five shotguns including an over under but will always love the Mossy, and it is one of the cheapest guns of any kind I've ever bought.

Get a basic pump with two barrels and give it a try. If you love it you will buy more shotguns, and you will have a better idea of what you want next time. if you don't, it didn't cost much to find out, and someone will always take it off your hands.

Full disclosure: I can't shoot skeet for s***. A pump works just fine for single trap and will give you a great intro to the sport. If you run it for doubles, you will get lots of practice pumping fast, will get really good at it, and never want to stop. That's what she said.

[NorCalRefuge]

Mossberg 500 or 590 will serve you forever. These days, they are indeed built far better than anything Remington is putting out.

It won't be the best trap or skeet gun (you might actually struggle with skeet unless you get a semi or O/U), but it is plenty to have fun with. It will certainly be the best HD shotgun - and you can have full confidence of any load you throw down the tubes (particularly with the 590A1 models and their heavy barrels).

Plenty of aftermarket accessories, including longer/shorter barrels, etc.

Semi's are awesome for skeet, unnecessary for trap, and probably not the best option for HD. I've yet to have a pump jam on me...

12Ga is the way to go here as well. Just learn to control the recoil. A heavier gun will absorb more of the recoil (making the 590A1's feel tolerable even when shooting 3 inch slugs).

O/U's would be the best for trap and skeet - you're at most shooting 2 clays anyway, and you should not be firing more than 1 shot per target. But... they are ludicrous expensive (for anything that you won't later regret purchasing). Start with a pump - if you find you enjoy shooting clays, step up into something like an O/U or semi - the pump will always be there for you.

[JagerDog]

Since you like C&R's, maybe your shotgun can continue the trend.

Winchester Model 12 (pump)? Remington 1100 or Browning Auto 5(auto)?

Chokes for versatility would be an issue, but they can be added. While a handicap, you can still have fun shooting skeet with a pump and/or modified choke in 20g. A number of competitors shoot 12g class skeet with a 20g.

Or plenty of vintage O/U's out there.

Budget, goals (serious vs. sandlot)and what trips your trigger.

[pl411]

About 5 years ago, I ended up at a California Waterfowl Association event by chance although I had never hunted waterfowl before. I won a Browning A5 and lifetime CWA membership at that evening. Then they started offering me opportunities to duck hunt, skeet shoot, trap, etc. All I have used for all of that is that A5 and it does well. As I shoot more with CWA I keep saying I should buy a separate shotgun for each specialty and I likely will, but having going through this with big game rifles I expect I will always end the day saying I could have done as well or better with my A5.


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[ceh383]

A friend of mine, a member here, has an A5. From what I've seen from him, he shoots it well.
These days he likes to shoot his double guns, I think he does better with the A5. But what do I know...
Perhaps he will weigh in here....Terry...

[shovelon]

A friend of mine, a member here, has an A5. From what I've seen from him, he shoots it well.
These days he likes to shoot his double guns, I think he does better with the A5. But what do I know...
Perhaps he will weigh in here....Terry...

I really love my SxSs. It is a challenge to shoot them that keeps me interested. But I put 14,000 shots through my old Auto 5(my first shotgun) learning to shoot and getting my first straight 25 in skeet with it. The Browning Auto 5 is a great shotgun. I use it for skeet, trap, and sporting clays. I sent the Belgian barrel to Briley and had them thread for chokes.

I do work for Angelo Bee guns and he was trained by FN in Belgium on the Auto 5. He knows them inside and out and showed me quite a few things about them. Quite a design.

[squeeze]

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

Ranges do not require a 26" barrel. But they often do have a minimum length. Often that will be 18" but there are exceptions. Regardless; I would get one with 28-32" 26/28 is doable but a longer will work better for the clay games-especially trap. HD? Swinging a long barreled shotgun at 2am is not ideal. Cheap pump is the way to go for HD
Take a class and the instructor often has different guns; try them all. But the most important thing is: get a gun that fits you. An instructor can help with the fit.

[BajaJames83]

For your first I would recommend an 870 they are back on shelves now.

[ceh383]

Ranges do not require a 26" barrel. But they often do have a minimum length. Often that will be 18" but there are exceptions.

Most ranges around here have a minimum barrel length requirement, and it isn't 18". And it doesn't stop at barrel length.

HOME DEFENSE SHOTGUNS ARE NOT ALLOWED – This means no pistol-grips or barrels under 24″ in length.

Shotgun Barrel length must be at least 26 inches or longer and MUST have a buttstock to be on the sporting clays range. No pistol grip shotguns allowed on the sporting clays range.

Shotgun barrels must be 26″ or longer (NO SELF DEFENSE OR TACTICAL SHOTGUNS ALLOWED)

[pennstater]

My name is ysr_racer, and I approve of this message

Well, I'll be. Brad back in the fold.

MLC

[W.R.Buchanan]

after a few trips to Front Sight Shotgun Classes I had running a Mossberg Pump Gun down pretty well. Running the slide as the hammer falls becomes second nature after a while.

I have to Dry Practice before shooting mine. I got one Monkey Wrench thrown into the mix recently. At Front Sight you are taught to Trap the Trigger, run the action, reset the trigger, and then press the second shot. This is called a "Trigger Reset Drill." This is common practice with all Semi Auto Rifles, Pistols, and most Shotguns.

The Monkey Wrench was the fact that an Ithaca M37 doesn't have a disconnector and if you trap the trigger the gun fires as soon as you run the action. Like a Trench Gun! I was seldom on target on the second bird when this happened, resulting in complete embarrassment.

I literally have to UN Learn trapping the trigger which I never saw much use for anyway on a manually operated gun. The other option is to only single load my Favorite Shotgun whihc eliminates doubles form teh mix..

Shooting Skeet with a Pump Gun is not only easy to do it is more rewarding once you get the hang of running the gun..

First off you are shooting with the big guys and their $20,000 shotguns, but your gun only cost $500 ! And with only a little practice you will be shooting as well as they do.

Once again a Mossberg 500 Combo which comes with a 28" Screw in Choke Barrel and an 18" HD barrel. https://www.mossberg.com/product/500...ecurity-54169/ MSRP $508

Randy