Never owned a shotgun before...

[BunnySlayer]

More important than your choice of gun will be the money, time and effort you put into training and practice. Probably the best shotgun trainer in the world right now is Bill Murphy at Firearms Training associates in Norco California. Go to www.ftatv.com. Bill is a Gunsite instructor, director of curriculum at Surefire lowlight training institute and full time SWAT officer. He has been called the King of the combat shotgun and with good reason.

[aippi]

To answer a question a guy posted on this thread. The MCS are restricted to Military, Government and Law Enforcement sale. It is still an 870 but a short stroke so other 870 barrels, forward tube assemblies and forends will not fit. All other 870's are the same weapon except for finish, furniture and a couple minor parts......I am allowed to work on them but not sell them as there are only chosen few who get that honor and I ain't it.

[SCMA-1]

No ranges in my area rent anything but handguns, sadly (to the best of my knowledge).

I have no gun-loving friends (I will publicly admit that I am a Libertarian that 24 months ago was a hardcore liberal/democrat. I know. WTF?). Only one that owns one gun, a .22LR.

Good advice though. I'm going to a shoot with some calgunners next weekend maybe one of them will have a shotgun.

Too bad you're not down here in SoCal; you could try out all my "social" shotguns and I have many to choose from, both semi and pump.

Here's my HD pump shotgun. Mossberg Bullpup 9-shot, 2-3/4 & 3". Softest shooting pump shotgun ever, even with 3" mags.



SCMA-1

[WINGEDSWORD]

870

There is nothing wrong with the Marine 870. Other than the finish, it is the same as other 870's. It's still a steel reciever. It's more rust resistant than the others. People who don't like it, are expressing personal prejudice, rather than fact. I have owned several 870's over the years and shot a lot of others.
One thing I've found out. At least for me, No folding stock shotgun (or rifle, for that matter) Is comfortable to shoot, for more than a few rounds. My advice,is to get both stocks, if you can get the fixed stock reasonably, and try both. You can always sell the one you don't like. Remember folding stocks were designed for tactical purposes. Mostly for storage in a vehicle or other confined space. Not for general usage. Most people who are into "Tacticool"
Have very little real world experience. You will notice that all shotguns sold to the U.S. Miltary standard units are fixed stock guns. So are most police issue guns. As for ammunition, Make sure that it is the right tipe for your gun.
All Remington shotguns are marked on the barrel and reciever if the are for 3 inch shells. If they are not so marked, it is best to stick with 2.75 inch shells.
I've also found, over the years that it is best to stick with Remington, Winchester or Federal shells. I've never had a problem with any of them.
I can't say the same for bargain brands. Best of Luck to you. P.S. I currently own a Remington 870 express and a Remington 1128 Semi-Auto.

[Z ME FLY]

I do not have a personal prejudice against the mariner. Fact, it costs $700! way over priced IMO. It seems like the OP just wanted a good pump shotgun. If rust is a concern get a regular 870 or 500/590 for a couple of hundred, spend some money on getting it duracoated and you will still be under the cost of the mariner. Heck if the mariner costed $400 instead of $700, I would tell him to get the mariner but the FACT is it is $700.

[blackberg]

Well its not like if he is throwing away $300, or he is over paying. He is receiving additional value, over a regular one. If the differance is worth it to him, then it is not overpriced, it is just more expensive, with a reason.

-bb

I do not have a personal prejudice against the mariner. Fact, it costs $700! way over priced IMO. It seems like the OP just wanted a good pump shotgun. If rust is a concern get a regular 870 or 500/590 for a couple of hundred, spend some money on getting it duracoated and you will still be under the cost of the mariner. Heck if the mariner costed $400 instead of $700, I would tell him to get the mariner but the FACT is it is $700.

[paratroop]

Remember folding stocks were designed for tactical purposes. Mostly for storage in a vehicle or other confined space. Not for general usage. Most people who are into "Tacticool"
Have very little real world experience. You will notice that all shotguns sold to the U.S. Miltary standard units are fixed stock guns. So are most police issue guns.

"all shotguns" not quite. we were issued pistol grip mossbergs. thats the first shotgun i ever shot, and the reason i recently bought one of my own.

[bohoki]

my first shotgun was a mossberg bolt action

pumps seem like the best option

[joeyriv]

Which Marine Magnum are you looking at getting? There's the original in electroless nickel (silver colored) and the Marine Magnum XCS that came out more recently. I bought my MM in Jan for around $550, so I'm wondering if the one you are considering is either the XCS (which is black) or the price of the after-market stock is added on to make it $700.

Oh, and if it's new it might be prone to some of the issues that some 870 Express models come with, i.e. you may have to polish the chamber a little to avoid shells being 'stuck' after they've been fired. I had that problem. Just a heads up.

[MasterYong]

Which Marine Magnum are you looking at getting? There's the original in electroless nickel (silver colored) and the Marine Magnum XCS that came out more recently. I bought my MM in Jan for around $550, so I'm wondering if the one you are considering is either the XCS (which is black) or the price of the after-market stock is added on to make it $700.

Oh, and if it's new it might be prone to some of the issues that some 870 Express models come with, i.e. you may have to polish the chamber a little to avoid shells being 'stuck' after they've been fired. I had that problem. Just a heads up.

It's the electroless nickel plated one. I didn't realize until after this thread started that they made a Marine Magnum that was black in color. At this point because of the high price I think I might wait for him to get another police model, which he had for a more reasonable price. Usually, way up north here, the sticker prices are 15-20% above MSRP, but if you know the shop owner you can get a better deal. Hopefully I'll be able to get a police model or the Marin Magnum without the aftermarket stock for at least retail if not a little below.