Good shotgun for first time buyer?

[adriankeith]

Hey everyone, just looking for some input. I don't have a lot of experience with shotguns but would like some input for a first-time buyer's shotgun.

Ideally I'd like to take it out to the range every now and then but it will likely be sitting in the house as protection. I've always seen some really cheap prices on the 870 and have seen it on sale here on calguns plenty of times.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't have any background in firearms but would like to possibly make some modifications to the gun down the line such as a better barrel or maybe a better stock. If possible, maybe find something that would help with the recoil as well.

Thanks in advance.

[AngelZ3R0]

I personally like my Mossberg 500a persuader but remington makes a great shot gun too. i dont know if you have a big 5 near you but they have the best prices on shotguns around here. mossberg's are usually cheaper but no less quality then an 870. big 5 mossberg 270 remington is 350ish. mossberg 590 is 8+1 9 shot total is best out there 350ish too

[CSACANNONEER]

500 combo kit or an 870.

[safewaysecurity]

Mossberg 590 son

[aippi]

Remington model 25077 also called the 870 HD. Comes with 18.5" bead sight barrel, Remington 2 shot extension, Speedfeed LE forend and Remington synthetic rear stock. Buy before December 31st and it comes with a $30 mail in rebate. You can find these most anywhere for between $320 and $340 depending on what part of country you are in.

[Halfey]

The mossberg 500 combo 12 gauge at big 5 sporting goods. I got mine for $275. + tax and DROS. It comes with a 28" vent rib barrell and a 18.5" for home defence. Great reliable gun. The best bang for your buck(no pun intended)

[chesterthehero]

find a used winchester 1300.. might as well do it right the first time..

[L84CABO]

Remington or Mossberg...it usually comes down to personal preference. Can't go wrong with either. Remington probably has more options for additional barrels, and after market accessories...not that there aren't plenty for the Mossberg. Go to the store and see which one feels better to you. Check the safety position as they're a bit different. Then go to the range and rent one of each.

And search...here and with Google. Every question imagineable on these two guns has probably been asked.

But in all seriousness...your statement that it will "likely be sitting in the house for protection," is cause for concern. I really don't advocate people having guns for defense if they're not going to take the time to learn how to use them and practice with them regularly to stay proficient. Without this they become more of a liability than a means of protection (my opinion).

If I misunderstood your intentions, please forgive me. Also, for someone in you position (ie first gun and not a lot of experience), I would go find a good beginner shotgun class at your local range. Odds are they could hook you up with a rental or loaner gun for the class. All of which would give you some experience and help in making your decisions.

Peace

[Calm]

IMHO you can't go wrong with a Remington 870. But as was said above, you really have to train with any weapon you plan on relying on for home defense. I'm no expert or competition shooter, but after many years of shooting skeet, dove hunting and just plain sending shot downrange, I feel VERY comfortable using a shotgun. Sure I have a hand gun as well, but as some of my previous training has shown me, the purpose of the handgun is to give you opportunity to get to and deploy your safely secured defensive shotgun. Knowing your capabilities as well of those of the weapon and ammunition are essential.

[shankasaurus]

if you want a cheap HD go pick up an interstate or hawk 870 clone they work great and they are cheap

[roushstage3]

I am with you looking for my first tac shotgun. I am thinking of the Mossberg 590

[PEZHEAD265]

I suggest a 20 ga double barrel with 20 inch barrels and alot of practice.They are easier to use and if you bypass the saftey they are almost as fast as a pump with alot of practice.

[adriankeith]

Thanks to everyone who gave input on the shotguns and your suggestions on taking a course.

I'm noticing a lot of recurring suggestions with regards to the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 and in all likelihood that may be my final decision. However, the Winchester 1300 was suggested and I was just curious what the difference might be between the three. After reading all the replies I went on to youtube and watched a video by a user on there called 'Nutnfancy'. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with him but when I look for video reviews on some firearms I usually stumble on him and he tends to provide a fairly unbiased review on the guns he showcases.

The 1300 seemed like a really solid shotgun but the one thing that worries me is that he mentioned they are no longer in production. Otherwise, it looks like a really solid shotgun. Any ideas on what I could be looking at as far as costs for this thing? Just looking to keep my options open.

As far as my original statement saying it's going to sit at home I should have been more descriptive. I did plan on taking it to the range frequently and the suggestion to take a course definitely sounds like something I will do once I get my shotgun. I plan to familiarize myself with the weapon and become more acquainted with the characteristics of the weapon as compared to handguns and rifles.

I'll likely be googling a lot of the differences on the shotguns or searching the forums for the answers to a lot of the other questions I have about these shotguns but if I could ask one more question, what's the big difference between 12 and 20 gauge and are there specific applications for them?

Thanks again to all those who've weighed in. I know there are probably countless threads just like this and specific threads on the information I'm asking about but I like to hear from others who've owned the firearms or who have a lot of experience with whatever shotgun it might be. I appreciate every bit of info I can get from you all.

[deebix]

mossberg 500 SPX. Shoots great, looks cool, and super aggressive. - cheers

[Thefeeder]

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Here is a different way of viewing one first shotgun.

What types of ranges are available to you so you can actually practice and get familiar with your shotgun

If there are indoor ranges and outdoor ranges that offer only HD/Defence type of shooting....buy a HD set-up

If you have Trap,Skeet and Sporting Clays ranges that are most convienent.......But a field type shotgun.

A lot of new shotgunners are coming to our local range with a Tac set-ups only to end up sharing the one field gun among them while their HD's sit at home The nearest Tac range is 40 min away, if traffic is moving. For the same reason.....a long 30" barrel in an indoor range will not be the best set-up

So buy what you will be abe to shoot and fun with.