So... what makes a "good" shotgun?

[SubieRX]

Pardon my general lack of knowledge regarding shotguns... but I have a quick question for all of you veteran shotgunners.

So, my question is, what qualifies a shotgun (semi-automatic) as "good" and what qualifies one as "bad"... other than the obvious (unreliable, can't tolerate low recoil or low load shells, bad shot pattern?)

This question came to mind when I went to a local southern California Skeet Park a week ago and went in to rent a loaner gun for my gf. I was just chatting with the lady helping us out, and I mentioned that I might want to pick up some heavy load shells to break in my new Mossberg 930.

She grimaced (quite conspicuously) and proceeded to tell me how terrible my Mossberg 930 was and that she would NEVER EVER even CONSIDER putting in a heavy load in my gun because the quality was so terrible. Frankly, I was a little insulted that she would go to such great lengths to make fun of my first shotgun. She literally went on for a good 30 seconds.

Now, I'm a pretty easy-going guy, and I don't take offense easily at all... but I felt like she went a little bit overboard. People are, of course, entitled to their opinions though... so its no big deal. Perhaps part of the reason she did that was so she could sell us one of the many Benellis or Berettas in the back...


So, regarding my Mossberg 930... I've put about 200 rounds through it so far and have only had 2 FTE's... both within the first 50 rounds (before it had been "broken in"). I've also read a couple of reviews of people saying they've had no problems with it at all. The gun kicks like a puppy, the quality is acceptable for a $500 semi-auto (with 2 barrels), and it feeds and shoots pretty much anything I've put in it after its been broken in.

The way I see it, shotguns are like tools. As long as it does what I need it to do every time without fail... then its a good gun.

Having said that, I've had the pleasure of shooting a Benelli Super Sport... and that gun is absolutely gorgeous. I'll definitely be looking to purchase a Benelli at some point (most likely not from the aforementioned lady), but it would mostly be for the appearance of the gun.


SO, sorry for the long rant... but back to the question at hand. What, in your opinion, makes a good or a bad shotgun?

[Killawhale415]

Hey as long as it works for you, its reliable, fun and you like it then i'd say thats a good gun.

[mif_slim]

Diffrent people diffrent usage. If she's the person at the skeet range it may e that she likes tonshiit skeet, and those people have diffrent requirement of a shotgun to be a good gun. Over-understand or benelli or the such that has tonnage a price tag of 1200 minimum with at least a 30" barrel with the ability to adjust choke will satisfy their needs. you, me or other folks who are not really into the sleek scene have diffrent requierment as well such as shorter barrel, night sights, light mounts and saddles for our home defense need.
We won't be swingig a 30-32" barrel in out home and they won't be shooting a 18" non-choke barrel at the skeet range.

Bottomline, dont worry about it too much. We just have a diffrnt view of a firearm that we need

[mif_slim]

Double post. Sorry.

[rondre3000]

One that goes "BANG" each and every time you pull the trigger.

[SubieRX]

How well the gun fits your body type has a lot to do with how well you will shoot it.A gun that fits you well won't necessarily be that great for your girlfriend.Gas guns tend to be lower recoiling than recoil operated guns.Your Mossberg will serve you well for the amount invested.But it's more of a work horse than a quarter horse.If your breaking clay you got a good gun.

Well I'm definitely not breaking as many clays as I'd like.. but thats mostly because of user-error . I broke about the same as the beretta A390 that was my favorite rental gun until I bought my mossberg. I've also just recently learned to drop the stock so I don't have to get into an awkward position to look down the sight plane correctly.

But for a first shotgun.. I think it was a great choice for me. Thus far, its been nothing but reliable, its easy to clean and maintain (I was pretty nervous taking apart my brand new gun to clean it.. before I've even had a chance to shoot it), and after the stock adjustment... I have no complaints about the fit.

I just need to go out and practice more now...

Speaking of which.. do any of you guys head out to Prado often? I try and make it out at least once a weekend, either sat or sunday. I'd love to meet up with some of you guys and maybe we can set up a routine skeet-day.

[mjsweims]

1. Make sure your gun fits you, and always mount it the same way. That way your sight plane will always be the same.
2. Know where your gun shoots. Most people don't pattern their guns and consequently don't know where they shoot. You wouldn't take a rifle, mount a scope on it and immediately expect to hit target center all the time.
3. Practise swinging your gun on a target and following through. If your gun isn't easy for you to mount then swing you'll never be able to shoot well.

It is more what you are comfortable with that makes a good gun for you. For skeet you want a gun that will shoot fairly open patterns at short distances, for trap denser patterns at farther distances. For both you have to be able to pick up your targets quickly, shoot and follow through. (Sorry, don't know about sporting clays or 5 stand). For hunting, it all depends on the bird you're going after. In all cases changeable chokes are best.
Part of deciding what is best for you, is what your budget is when you start or upgrade. Keep getting out and shooting and eventually you'll figure out the good and bad points of your gun - then you can make an informed decision on your next one.

[eccvets]

its good if you like it and like shooting it.

[-hanko]

We won't be swingig a 30-32" barrel in out home and they won't be shooting a 18" non-choke barrel at the skeet range.

you're using a 30" barrel for skeet...??

-hanko

[mif_slim]

you're using a 30" barrel for skeet...??

-hanko

No, 26" LOL. I've seen guys with 30" out before due to the "pros" using it.

[PEBKAC]

Good is dependent on what you want to use it for. A good tactical shotgun is not necessarily a good skeet gun and visa-versa. However if we are looking for an "all around" good shotgun, this means we are aiming for a middle of the road jack of all trades type of gun.

In no particular order (Good things for a general use semi-auto):
1) Should be good at most tasks thrown at it with at most a barrel change. In other words, put on a longer barrel for clay, shorter barrel for other stuff, that kind of thing. The point being driven at here is versatility by virtue of differentiation of available parts and thus tasks it can perform with slight modification.

2) Reliable. Should at least go bang and cycle when trigger is pulled. Assuming some break-in of course. Do not assume however that low recoil rounds designed for pump action guns will work in semi-autos...only a few shotguns are designed to handle that kind of low recoil round and still work right. Also its parts should not break before their estimated lifetime but that is rarely an issue.

3) Recoil, the lower the better. But as long as it feels like less of a mule than a pump action shotgun firing the same rounds you are probably good.

4) Ease of cleaning and break down. Stainless steel and chromed parts make this easier. This is not required to make a good shotgun, but it is what makes an otherwise good gun great.

5) Ergonomics. Should feel reasonably natural to use, things should be laid out sanely. Ergos can make or break a gun.

6) Weight. This is tricky because lower weight increases recoil however if we use the SPAS12 as a benchmark for "too heavy" and the Benelli M4 as a point of reference nearer rather than farther from the "too heavy" edge of the continuum, this should give you a reasonable idea of what weight should and should not be. Weight is not a major issue but can make the experience more or less fun to say nothing of less versatile.

Bad things:
1) The inverse of any of the above obviously.

Obviously this list would be different in a tactical, sport specialized, or specialty hunting shotgun.

[5150bronco]

i think for me is the positioning of safety and slide release button.

i think one that is shot and proven with ammo.

[marcusrn]

A combat shotgun that you can hunt and shoot clay is a used 870 wingmaster that are available used these days with good wood and just broken in. In OC go to saddleback guns in MV. In SD go to So. Cal guns in Clairmont SD. Lots good inexpensive guns sold. Can get used barrels and accoutraments ad nauseum if you look because so many have used for so long. These guns are broken in after 10000 Rds so get an older better made 30-40 yr old gun thats broken in. Some people has usedthese guns + 100,000 rds. MHO marcusrn , I have owned 6-8 in last 30 yrs and 1/2 have been used and better than new functioning.

[tincan]

I found that having a good fit makes a difference. Also, consider taking lessons. You'll learn "good" habits for your "good" shotgun.

[tyrist]

Please specify the usage. What makes a shotgun good for one purpose is not necessarily going to make it good for another.