Buying my first shotgun

[mswanson223]

remington 870

[Fabio]

I really like how this super nova is customized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJOu2Dgd3M

How much would something like that run me? It might be overkill but thats the type of person I am. Can I get a similar setup with an 870?

[jsigone]

for 200 less at $600 you can get a mossberg 930 spx and its a semi with ghost rings and 7+1

[damndave]

My 1st shotgun was a Mossberg 590A1. I say get a Mossberg 500 or Rem 870. You cant go wrong with either.

Mine is more of a tactical shotgun. Not made for shooting clays. My next shotty will be for clays though after I realized how much fun it is.

[C_1]

Cant go wrong with a 12 gauge pump shotgun. Especially if its your first. Get a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Inexpensive and it works.

[SPaikmos]

I'm looking to get my first shotgun too. I'm primarily focused on home defense, no skeet shooting or hunting.

My questions:

1) Do sights matter for home defense? I have no experience with shotguns, but it looks like you hold it at your hip and point in the general direction of the perp and shoot.

2) Is there a tutorial on the anatomy of a shotgun to better explain the components? Like, what are ghost sights used for? What kind of features should I look for (semi-auto, pump, lever) and why? etc?

3) What's the advantage / disadvantage in barrel length? I'm guessing that a shorter barrel means wider spray?

4) Does anyone use a smaller gauge, or is 12 basically the standard?

[coop44]

Big 5 also carries the Mossberg 500 which is very much like the Remington 870. When on sale it is usually $260 or so with both a short and long barrel.

When at home you can keep the short barrel on but when hunting or shooting clays you can throw the long barrel on. We have a Mossberg 500 and it is an absolute workhorse.

the mossberg 500 is nothing like the 870, that being said, go for the 870. find a nice older one. Take it out and have some one coach you on shooting skeet with it. Best traing for shotgun handling IMHO

[Jeffy]

I really like how this super nova is customized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJOu2Dgd3M

How much would something like that run me? It might be overkill but thats the type of person I am. Can I get a similar setup with an 870?

That looks like a Field model Supernova with a 24" barrel. I don't really see the reason for the Mesa Tac trail and the Eotech up top. I think his description of the extension is wrong. It should be a 6 or 7 Extension not a 5. I don't believe Briley makes a 5 for the Super Nova. So that's about $135 for the tube with the rail on it. Then you'll need the Mesa Tactical saddle + rail which is about $100. Can't see the abrrel clamp used but that is highly recommended. Streamlight will be around $100 and the Eotech will be around $400.

Personally, I'd leave off the Mesa Tactical saddle and the Eotech and call it good. Although, I'd change some things like go with a Nordic Extension tube and a Nordic barrel clamp+ rail.

[Jeffy]

I'm looking to get my first shotgun too. I'm primarily focused on home defense, no skeet shooting or hunting.

My questions:

1) Do sights matter for home defense? I have no experience with shotguns, but it looks like you hold it at your hip and point in the general direction of the perp and shoot.

2) Is there a tutorial on the anatomy of a shotgun to better explain the components? Like, what are ghost sights used for? What kind of features should I look for (semi-auto, pump, lever) and why? etc?

3) What's the advantage / disadvantage in barrel length? I'm guessing that a shorter barrel means wider spray?

4) Does anyone use a smaller gauge, or is 12 basically the standard?

In a nutshell...

1) A shotgun isn't magical. With a shotgun, you will still need to aim. At the ranges you'll be encountering in your home, the shot will not spread much. Bead sights are fast as easy to use. Rifled or ghost-rings are used for more precise shots like when using slugs. It really comes down to personal preference though.

2) You can probably find most of this on http://www.shotgunworld.com/ or http://www.brianenos.com/forums/. Don't get caught up in what looks cool. What may look cool, may also be a handicap when you actually need to implement it.

3) It depends on what your using it for. Trap, Skeet, Hunting, etc all require a different approach. Generally speaking, a long barrel will give you a longer reach. But it's also a trade off with mobility and balance.

4) For HD, the consensus is to not to go smaller then 20 gauge. You will still find the majoriety of shot types for 12 gauge but 20 isn't too far behind. Even if you're afraid of recoil, you can get low-recoil rounds for 12 gauges. You can also find cheap 12 gauge for practicing with as well.

[Fabio]

Well I've been looking at Benelli's and I saw the M4

If thats CA legal or can be made CA legal then im really liking it, so I guess im down to an 870, a Supernova, or an M4

I know some have suggested against a non-pump but really I'd like to buy a gun that I'll stick with as my one and only(ok not ONLY but you get the idea) and eventually I'll want an auto loading.

[vinny_land]

Welcome Fabio to CGN.

As for a gun first shotgun, the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 are considered the most hotly debated pair of pump shotguns. Get which one suits your budget and make sure you try them out. If you want the Benelli M4, just save your money and get a Mossberg 930 SPX (poor mans version of the M4). If money is tight but you like the feel of the 870, get a IAC/Norinco 982.

[Fabio]

Welcome Fabio to CGN.

As for a gun first shotgun, the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 are considered the most hotly debated pair of pump shotguns. Get which one suits your budget and make sure you try them out. If you want the Benelli M4, just save your money and get a Mossberg 930 SPX (poor mans version of the M4). If money is tight but you like the feel of the 870, get a IAC/Norinco 982.

Thank You

as for budget, like I said it really depends on what gun I make my final choice on and being that at an early age Im trying to make the most fiscal wise decisions (such as avoiding credit cards, unnecessary luxuries, buying a used car paid in full, etc.) to be able to fuel my hobby's and other things so an expensive shotgun doesn't deter me so long as its worth it .

Im stuck between the 870 with Mesa rails and the M4

Which one can be made to hold more shells?
Is the M4 CA legal?

[sohumsquirrle]

I just got the mossberg 500 from big5 it came with a 18 1/2 in barrel and a 28in.great gun the long barrel is great for birds and clay and like someone else said keep the short barrel on while its at home. great gun i like it and my pocket book dose to...lol

[Jeffy]

Thank You

Im stuck between the 870 with Mesa rails and the M4

Which one can be made to hold more shells?
Is the M4 CA legal?

The M4 is legal but you're going to have to deal with 922r if you want to add an extension to it or else get the BATF to write you a letter saying it's legal as some have done. Just keep in mind, the M4 isn't very versatile. It's great at what it was designed to do and that was to be a combat shotgun. There are no options for additional length barrels so you're stuck with what it has. At least with a M2, you can buy additional barrels for. As a one and only, the M2 would make a lot more sense.

Are you planning on adding some type of optic on the shotgun? If, not then you'd be better off saving weight (and money) and getting just the saddle. If you're just going by looks as it seems you are then forget about what I've said, buy whatever floats your boat.

[Fabio]

The M4 is legal but you're going to have to deal with 922r if you want to add an extension to it or else get the BATF to write you a letter saying it's legal as some have done. Just keep in mind, the M4 isn't very versatile. It's great at what it was designed to do and that was to be a combat shotgun. There are no options for additional length barrels so you're stuck with what it has. At least with a M2, you can buy additional barrels for. As a one and only, the M2 would make a lot more sense.

Are you planning on adding some type of optic on the shotgun? If, not then you'd be better off saving weight (and money) and getting just the saddle. If you're just going by looks as it seems you are then forget about what I've said, buy whatever floats your boat.

Thats why I want it. Like I said HD is number 1 so if this gun is great at it, its all I need. Seems like the M4 is a winner to me.