Buying my first shotgun

[Brandon04GT]

Hey all,

I am interested in making my first shotgun purchase anytime now and I actually tried shooting a shotgun for the first time just today. It was a 12ga 870 marine mag. Loved it.

I have my eyes on the 870 express tactical w/ghost ring sights and I believe Turners has a sale on it now for about $470 with a $30 mail in rebate. I was wondering if this one would be a wise choice and what do you guys think of the price? I tried to do some reading and I am hearing about how the regular 870's are crap and I should look for the police version instead as it supposedly receives extra attention at the factory. How true is this? The police versions seem kinda expensive/hard to find.

Thanks,
Brandon

[aippi]

There is only one 870 and they all have the exact same internal parts except for one or two small parts. So there is not functional difference between the models. The price difference is only due to the finish and furniture.

So no, what you are reading and hearing is not true. No have I been reading that nor hearing that except on a few occasions and this from clueless people who know little to nothing about these weapons.

[Utha Schleigle]

Because every one knows and makes parts or accesories for the 870, you can't really go wrong. If your focus or use of your 870 changes you can buy barrrels sights accessories to fitt the new use.

[bsg]

the 870 is a fine shotgun; my personal preference for a pump shotgun.

[Unforgiven]

If there is a shotgun worse than the 870, I don't know what it is. Pump shotguns in general are not very useful. Not good for trap,skeet, sporting clays or hunting. Gost rings are only useful for shooting slugs. Save your money buy a decent semi-auto ( Bereeta 390, Browning, Benelli or FN). Have a nice day.

[bsg]

If there is a shotgun worse than the 870, I don't know what it is. Pump shotguns in general are not very useful. Not good for trap,skeet, sporting clays or hunting. Gost rings are only useful for shooting slugs. Save your money buy a decent semi-auto ( Bereeta 390, Browning, Benelli or FN). Have a nice day.

oh gosh....

[Icypu]

You could also consider an FN TPS or Winchester 1200/1300. I had a Mossberg 500 myself and it was a decent shotgun. 870's costs vary mainly because of all the aftermarket stuff thats tacked on to the receiver.

[BigDogatPlay]

Just my opinion but it's not really worth it to pay extra for the ghost ring sights and the faux breecher choke on the front end. They look cool, but unless you plan on shooting slugs at distances out to 100 yards or more, then the ghost ring sights are not really necessary. If you purpose is home defense you'll be far better served with a plain bead front sight, particularly if you are shotgun noob as indicated in the OP.

You can spend less and get the exact same gun by going with this. Big 5 markets them as "Security" models, not sure what Turner's calls them. You can spend the money you'll save on ammo. And if you feel the need you can hang as much tacticool stuff on it later as you want.



ETA.... semi auto shotguns are not a good solution for HD, IMO. Particularly for a first time shotgunner. And, for what it's worth, I've seen thousands of clays and a lot of game taken with pump guns over the years. Some of the old birds I shoot with that have 870 Trap models seem to do pretty well with them if the 25, 50, 75 and 100 straight pins they wear are any indication.

[bsg]

Just my opinion but it's not really worth it to pay extra for the ghost ring sights and the faux breecher choke on the front end. They look cool, but unless you plan on shooting slugs at distances out to 100 yards or more, then the ghost ring sights are not really necessary. If you purpose is home defense you'll be far better served with a plain bead front sight, particularly if you are shotgun noob as indicated in the OP.

You can spend less and get the exact same gun by going with this. Big 5 markets them as "Security" models, not sure what Turner's calls them. You can spend the money you'll save on ammo. And if you feel the need you can hang as much tacticool stuff on it later as you want.

on the money.

[rojocorsa]

FWIW, that picture should be updated. The newer ones come with a different fore-end. Get the one at Big 5 because the ones they sell hold 7 + 1. All other short "Security" type Remington usually hold 6+1 as stock, I think.

Given that its "modern" Remington, expect the fit and finish to be mediocre. Nothing critical, but I'm told the bluing one these is minimal. It will also not use all types of shells unless it gets the chambered polished. Again none of this is damming, but you know how companies like to cut costs and stuff. There isn't anything wrong with the design and is the American classic in a post Browning* America.

*As in the time when all of Browning's guns were in their hey-day. Well, there was also the Winchester Model 12, which was influenced by JMB's work.

If there is a shotgun worse than the 870, I don't know what it is. Pump shotguns in general are not very useful. Not good for trap,skeet, sporting clays or hunting. Gost rings are only useful for shooting slugs. Save your money buy a decent semi-auto ( Bereeta 390, Browning, Benelli or FN). Have a nice day.

[TheExpertish]

If there is a shotgun worse than the 870, I don't know what it is. Pump shotguns in general are not very useful. Not good for trap,skeet, sporting clays or hunting. Gost rings are only useful for shooting slugs. Save your money buy a decent semi-auto ( Bereeta 390, Browning, Benelli or FN). Have a nice day.

Yeah, ignore this ignorance.

Go to a shop and hold as many as the salesman will let you before he gets annoyed. If you can, goto a range and rent a couple. It's all about feel and what works for you. For me, pumps are like driving a stick, and an auto is an auto. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. I personally am a manual man, and my gun of choice is the 870.

[Brandon04GT]

Thanks for the replies. Well after doing some more browsing online I am now thinking about a Mossberg 500 because of where the safety and action release thingymajig is (i'm left handed). I noticed on the 870 if I am not careful enough I can picture myself accidentally engaging the safety with my trigger finger.

I really like what I am reading about the M590A1 but then hear it is probably impossible to find one around here? What are some close alternatives? I'd like to have an 18.5" barrel. I know turners also has a 500A tactical for sale for $320 which looks like a base model but I am hearing some bad things about it such as more of the features are plastic and that the end cap for the mag tube is permanently attached and not removable like it is on the 590A1. I also don't think I like the fact that the muzzle breach thing is permanently afixed

[bjl333]

If there is a shotgun worse than the 870, I don't know what it is. Pump shotguns in general are not very useful. Not good for trap,skeet, sporting clays or hunting. Gost rings are only useful for shooting slugs. Save your money buy a decent semi-auto ( Bereeta 390, Browning, Benelli or FN). Have a nice day.

The first 4X4 in American Skeet was taken with a set of pump shotguns. There are tons of trap shooters using the 870 and shooting 100s all the time!

Just my opinion but it's not really worth it to pay extra for the ghost ring sights and the faux breecher choke on the front end. They look cool, but unless you plan on shooting slugs at distances out to 100 yards or more, then the ghost ring sights are not really necessary. If you purpose is home defense you'll be far better served with a plain bead front sight, particularly if you are shotgun noob as indicated in the OP.

You can spend less and get the exact same gun by going with this. Big 5 markets them as "Security" models, not sure what Turner's calls them. You can spend the money you'll save on ammo. And if you feel the need you can hang as much tacticool stuff on it later as you want.



ETA.... semi auto shotguns are not a good solution for HD, IMO. Particularly for a first time shotgunner. And, for what it's worth, I've seen thousands of clays and a lot of game taken with pump guns over the years. Some of the old birds I shoot with that have 870 Trap models seem to do pretty well with them if the 25, 50, 75 and 100 straight pins they wear are any indication.

^^ ^^

[plumbum]

As a 'first shotgun', I wouldn't worry about the tactical goodies (that fever will naturally catch on as you progress). Get the $289 Mossberg 500 18"/28" combo deal at Big 5, then go to Wal Mart and buy $100 worth of inexpensive shells. This will give you a long barrel for skeet/birds and a short barrel for those pesky 2-legged varmints.

*personally, I dislike sights on shotguns, with the exception of a dedicated slug barreled gun; there is a reason we call them shotguns.

[goldduster]

As a Noob myself, I wouldn't advise a pump. Personally, I have trouble chewing gum and patting my head at the same time. Tried a pump for Skeet and got the first clay, then could decide whether I should; pull the trigger, pump the gun, aim, etc. By the time I decided it was long gone. Figure out what you need it for and then figure out what fits you try several. Many ranges will rent you one to try.