What Shotgun Do I Want?

[mtncwru]

I'm currently planning my next firearms purchase, and I think a shotgun is on deck, specifically a trap gun. I know I want to keep it relatively inexpensive (sub-$400 TCO, if possible) but other than that I really have no idea what I should look for. Pump, hinge, or semi-auto? 12 ga. or 20ga? New or used? Any suggestions/pointers are appreciated. Thanks!

[joepamjohn]

Remington 870.

[bjl333]

Remington 870.

+1 on the 870. Get a 28" barrel with removable choke tubes & you can do Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays.

[Cali-Shooter]

870 or Mossberg 500 series.

[Kodemonkey]

Stay with a 12 gauge. 20 gauge is harder to hit at trap. The Remington is good pump shotgun, you are pretty much limiting yourself to pump for less than $400. In the $500 range you can get a mossberg 930 which is a semi-auto. The semi auto will be a softer shooter. Add a limbsaver recoil pad to it and you can shoot the mossberg all day. Not saying the Remington will knock you out. Let's put it this way, I start to feel a pump action after about 50 shells, my mossberg at about 100. But neither of them are uncomfortable to me.

28" would also be my suggestion. I use a light full choke on a 28" barrel for trap that adds an inch to the barrel length.

I only shoot 5-6 times a year, so take that into consideration when listening to my advice

[ZX-10R]

870 for me after the handgun purchase.

[tankarian]

If you want a shotgun for trap / skeet / sporting clays: get an over-under.

$400 doesn't buy much but you still can find O/U's at that price on Gunbroker: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=194700790

Why choose an O/U over a Remington 870 or a Mossberg pump?

For the same reason a you don't ride a dirt bike on a speed race track or you don't ride a speed bike on a dirt road.

[kmca]

For under $400, I'd get the 870, unless you plan on shooting doubles. It's better quality than any o/u you can find in that price range. If you're shooting doubles, you're going to have to save more money. A decent 1100/11-87 or Beretta is going to cost you double your budget.

[Bruce]

I'm currently planning my next firearms purchase, and I think a shotgun is on deck, specifically a trap gun. I know I want to keep it relatively inexpensive (sub-$400 TCO, if possible) but other than that I really have no idea what I should look for. Pump, hinge, or semi-auto? 12 ga. or 20ga? New or used? Any suggestions/pointers are appreciated. Thanks!

"hinge"????

[winnre]

"hinge"????

Coach gun maybe?

[j.primo]

Stoeger

[Bellehood]

In that price range, look for:

-used 870 Wingmasters
-new 870 "Express"
-new Mossberg 500
-MAYBE new Mossberg 930, on super sale

you can look at Stoegers, I know a few guys use them. I own a 12 ga stoeger coach gun, I love it, but based on it alone, I would not use a Stoeger gun for skeet/trap

[Thefeeder]

<>

Yo..use people ev'a hear of'a Browning BPS.

[drunktank]

If it's strictly for Trap, I'd get a Stoeger Condor 12ga. If you want an inexpensive option of a short barrel for home defense, etc. I'd get the Mossberg 500 when it's on sale at Big-5 every month that comes with 2 barrels.

If you like the position of the safety to be at the trigger guard (compared to a tang safety like on a mossberg) then get a Remington 870.

For hunting real birds as well, I'd opt to spend 100 more and get a Mossberg 935 or a used Remington 1100.

Lots of choices and all guns mentioned are nice tools. Good luck with your choice and welcome to the forums!

[hattles]

I'm currently planning my next firearms purchase, and I think a shotgun is on deck, specifically a trap gun. I know I want to keep it relatively inexpensive (sub-$400 TCO, if possible) but other than that I really have no idea what I should look for. Pump, hinge, or semi-auto? 12 ga. or 20ga? New or used? Any suggestions/pointers are appreciated. Thanks!

I'd say the "sub-$400 " factor certainly narrows down your choices.