Never owned a shotgun before...

[MasterYong]

So... I'm about to purchase my first shotgun. I own probably 15 or so rifles, and 4 handguns, plus a bunch my GF has so I'm very familiar with firearms.

Familiar with shotguns, however, I am NOT.

I'm purchasing an 870 Marine Magnum. It has the extended tube, and an aftermarket stock/pistol grip. Other than that I believe it's the stock Marine Magnum.

What do I need to know about shotguns? Obviously I'll understand the manual of arms, safe operation, etc before I leave the store- but does anyone have any pointers for a new shotgun owner? Are there any good pages for practicing accuracy? How does someone do target practice typically (like in a range setting) with a shotgun other than clay shooting?

What do I need to know about ammo? It's a 12 gauge, but other than that I know very little about ammo for shotguns and what is/is not compatible. I'm 99% sure the shop owner said that it's a rifled barrel so you'd use smooth slugs or shot, but it may be the other way around. I'll be sure to find out for certain before I take it home though.

I'm doing the DROS today so I have 10 days to get up to speed.

SCHOOL ME!!!

[JeffM]

1. Don't call it a "shottie"

[Z ME FLY]

what exactly did you buy the shotgun for? that is probably the most important thing. I personally would have passed on a marine shotgun. If it is a rifled barrel shotgun, I believe you can ONLY shot smooth slugs not shot. I believe someone here on calguns schooled me and said that the shot would mess up the rifling. If it is a smooth barrel shotgun you can shoot shot and slugs because I do with my 590.

How much did your shotgun cost you after tax and dros?

[Vacaville]

what exactly did you buy the shotgun for? that is probably the most important thing. I personally would have passed on a marine shotgun. If it is a rifled barrel shotgun, I believe you can ONLY shot smooth slugs not shot. I believe someone here on calguns schooled me and said that the shot would mess up the rifling. If it is a smooth barrel shotgun you can shoot shot and slugs because I do with my 590.

How much did your shotgun cost you after tax and dros?

Well if that's true that's some schooling right there!

[Millions-Knives]

Buckshot, birdshot and slugs or hulls loaded with pepper corns. Choose your poison. Really, there aren't any limits on a 12ga tactical length in regards to ammunition, just don't drop a 20ga in the chamber on accident. Unless you're into 3-gun, or some kind of tactics training classes- I don't take my 18" 870 to the range at all, fun is in the clay games.

[Z ME FLY]

Well if that's true that's some schooling right there!

Yeah IDK if that's true or not?! If someone wants to reverse that, that's fine with me.

[Z ME FLY]

Found the answer and it says as long as it is lead then it will be fine although maybe not the best idea.

Test from box O truth

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot43.htm

[Netlemming]

The Marine is a variation of the 870. I was in the same boat. I bought an 870 Tactical this past Saturday; will be picking it up next week. I intend to break in the gun with about 100 rounds of the Federal "top gun, target load." They are relatively inexpensive shells.

[tombinghamthegreat]

1. Don't call it a "shottie"

Almost as bad as mall ninjas at the gun range calling a desert eagle "degeal"(from counter strike)

[MasterYong]

I could be wrong about the whole rifled/not rifled barrel thing. I'm 99% sure the shop owner said that it will shoot both slugs and shot, as he was recommending 00 buck for home defense.

I own most of my guns for two of several reasons:
-Home defense
-Sport
-Hunting
-Fun (I like shooting a LOT)

This shotgun would be intended for home defense and fun (i.e. shooting while camping etc). Mostly for home defense, and to "round out the collection" (I know, that's a cop-out). Gotta have at least one shotgun, right?

Z ME FLY:

1. Why would you have passed on the marine magnum? That part of the comment doesn't help without background info!

2. It should be under $700 after DROS and tax. The tag says $799 (I haven't purchased it yet, but I will right after work that's why I worded the post the way I did) but the owner always gives me a really great deal, customer loyalty certainly has it's perks when you're in the right store! Based on my typical discount though I doubt it's be over $700.

[JeffM]

Almost as bad as mall ninjas at the gun range calling a desert eagle "degeal"(from counter strike)

Haha. I wondered where that came from (don't play counterstrike) but that has bothered me too.

[MasterYong]

1. Don't call it a "shottie"

I wasn't gonna- I swear!

Can I call it a "scattergun" though? I always that that sounded better than a shotgun, like saying "wheelgun" instead of revolver. maybe I'm confusing what these two things are though...

[Z ME FLY]

The reason why I would pass on a marine is because
it's a pistol grip only shotgun.
it's about $700 for a pump shotgun

IF I had $700 to burn, I would get a semi auto shotgun. I would personally get a Saiga 12. Look up info on it there is tons on this board. If you want fun, the saiga 12 is where it is at. Maybe look into a Benelli or Mossberg semis. $700 is just way too much for a pump shotgun and I find the pistol grip only shotguns not that handy. I had one and put the wood stock back on.

[JeffM]

I wasn't gonna- I swear!

Can I call it a "scattergun" though? I always that that sounded better than a shotgun, like saying "wheelgun" instead of revolver. maybe I'm confusing what these two things are though...

"scattergun" is a bit on the tacticool side, but it doesn't seem to bother many.

Look up the company "Scattergun Technologies"

[Z ME FLY]

If you want to hunt, I'm sure you would want a full stock also.