Best first shotgun for "general use"?

[blockfort]

At present I have two semi auto pistols, but I may like to get a shotgun for "general use", which may include IDPA type shotgun stages, clay target shooting, desert recreation, and maybe bird or mammal hunting.

I think I'd like it to be pump action.

Should I get a 12GA?

Is the 870 Express the go-to choice for me?

[jameswest992000]

12GA for sure. First shotgun. Go to big 5 and one of them that comes with two barrels

[ICONIC]

I say 12 ga. I got my benelli nova as my first shotgun. They are great guns and pretty cool looking too.

[X-NewYawker]

12 gauge 870. get a short and a field barrel -- and some recoil mitigating device, like a mesa or a knoxx, so will shoot it enough to get good with it.

[crackerman]

My standard post

Like all have said any shotgun with a 28" barrel will be great to start with. As an admitted mossberg fanboy, I would say stay with the mossberg line since you have the muscle memory of trigger, safety, etc.from your 590. You can get the 500 combo from big 5 with a 18"/28" for about $289 on sale, and $350 in camo. The camo has the advantage of the longer barrell having changeable chokes. Though the fixed modified barrel on the cheaper set is what I started with and it still kills plenty of ducks, bunnies etc but I did add a new barrel that can take chokes..

[undercow16969]

I have a mossberg pump 12 gauge. My personal opinion is that a 20 gauge is a pretty good all around for deer, birds and shooting in general and it wont kill you the next day after putting a few hundred rounds through it.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/def...ction=products <<--my weapon

[j.primo]

Saiga 12. You won't regret it!

[crackerman]

Saiga 12. You won't regret it!

Did you even read the OP wants and needs?

[Jeffy]

I'd suggest looking at a Remi 870 Wingmaster 26" or 28" for a general purpose shotgun. It would cover most of your requirements. The Express is a bit rougher then the Wingmaster or Police Magnum. Additional barrels are easy to come by so you can change it to fit different rolls.

[blockfort]

What's the real difference between the wingmaster and express?

[portegee]

The wingmaster is the higher end version, blued instead of matt finish, wood instead of laminant stuff like that. Some say the finish tooling is better on the wingmaster as well.

[hcbr]

cant go wrong with a pump, 870 or Mossberg, if you want more choices, also consider benelli and Winchester super x pump /1300

[all torque]

^ What he said. A pump is the best way to start IMHO.

[CA PI]

I would get the Mossberg as a new shotgunner because of the location of the safety and slide action release button. The safety is more conducive and much easier to manipulate for left handed shooters or for right handed shooters when firing from the support hand side. As for the slide action release lever or button I believe it is safer to manipulate.

And, believe it or not, this is all coming from a guy whose goto weapon is a Remington 870... But for someone just starting out I would recommend as I have above.

[CA PI]

Oops, fort to add...

As for all of the "recoil reducing" stocks? Waste of money. If it mounted properly (i.e. toe in the hole) the standard stocks will work absolutely fine.

And yes, I would stick with the 12 gauge.