What to get?!

[TheCorporation]

Hello everyone

I've decided on getting a shotgun for home defense, but I also want to be able to use it to shoot trap/skeet as well. I like the idea of becoming efficient with the mechanics of my shotgun so I was thinking that going trap shooting would help me get comfortable and familiar with using and firing it. The problem is that I'm on a budget (I don't want to go above $400-500 at most) so I need to decide which is best for my needs.

I originally looked at 870 Express and 500A Special Purpose (18.5" barrels, 12-gauge pumps) but can these be brought to shoot trap/skeet with such a short barrel? Do I stand a chance at hitting my mark, and will I look like a fool in the process with the much shorter barrel? Is it practical to shoot trap with an 18.5? If I got an extra barrel, how much extra would this run me and would it alleviate my problem? Any and all feedback is much appreciated. Thanks all.

[Mike A]

You'll have a much better chance of hitting skeet targets than you will trap with such a short barrel. I'd get the short barrel for your primary use, then add a longer barrel later for clays and hunting. Don't worry too much about what you look like on the skeet range. (Shotgun snobs are in my opinion just like any other fashionistas--there's a fancy Anglosaxon work for them and it begins with an "a" and ends in "-holes"). Just find an experienced shooter who will help you by watching you and giving you some pointers on how to swing and lead the clays. It WILL help you get friendly with your new shotgun.

Can't really help you much with choices, but note that the US government buys Mossbergs, NOT the Remington Express. They used to buy the original 870 "Wingmaster," but to my knowledge have never purchased the cheaper "Express" version. That MAY tell you something about the relative reliability of the two cheap pumps.

[sargenv]

Some ranges won't allow you to shoot your 18" barrel guns on their ranges.. with that in mind, you really can't go wrong with an 870 since you can get aftermarket barrels in many different lengths.. so you can get your short barrel gun for HD and get an optional 26" or 28" barrel to swap to when you want to go shoot clays.

[BakaLogic]

Big 5 has the Mossberg 'Silver' combo on sale for $309 this week, $299 if you do the early bird special. ($10 is not enough to make me brave the Thanksgiving Day crowds.)

For that you'll get a Mossberg 500 with both a 28" barrel and an 18.5" barrel. Neither of those will have chokes though and it'll be a 5+1.

I think it's more costly to upgrade this than an 870 though especially if you want to change the forend. And I'd recommend against the mossberg if you're going pistol grip since the safety is on top and not by the trigger.

[TZL]

Many clay ranges require at least a 22" bbl

[NorCalXJ]

How about a mossberrg 500 field/defense combo?

[dpop24]

I've had a 28" 870 Express magnum for 20 years that I used when I was duck hunting. Also used it very successfully at the trap range for a long time - it was fun to outshoot the snobs with their $3000 shotguns.

Recently I picked up an 18.5" barrel from Remington for $102. You could definitely be all in for your budget even if you went new. The barrel takes 30 seconds to swap out.

[TheCorporation]

Thank you all for the replies.

I wanted to go Mossberg 500 Special Purpose (For about $325 online) And buy a separate barrel online. Would that combo work? It would certainly be under $500

And I don't want to add a pistol grip, either.

[Thefeeder]

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The other side of looking at it.

I would buy a shotgun with a 28" barrel with removable choke tubes as the first shotgun.

Reason:

You can switch choke tubes and shoot any of the clay games using the correct choke ...Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays just by changing choke tubes. the 28" barrel will allow you to pratice at any public range with barrel length restriction and is an all around good length.. Clay shooting is cheaper than shooting at ranges that have Slug or Buck only restrictions. You can shoot 25 Clay targets and 25 shells for $13.00. Shooting Doubles on a clay range is one of the best training for shooting at two targets going in different directions while under the preasure to make two hits while cycling your pump after each shot. Try that on a lane at an indoor range.

Long barrels are more expesive to buy and are less availabe on the used market....Check ebay. Lots of 18" and slug barrels out there cheep. Buying the shotgun with the long barrel is saving money if your going to have both barrels at the end.

That said....Remington 870 with 28" interchageble choke is a great start

Thats my .02

[Ribkick]

The other side of looking at it.

I would buy a shotgun with a 28" barrel with removable choke tubes as the first shotgun.

Reason:

You can switch choke tubes and shoot any of the clay games using the correct choke ...Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays just by changing choke tubes. the 28" barrel will allow you to pratice at any public range with barrel length restriction and is an all around good length.. Clay shooting is cheaper than shooting at ranges that have Slug or Buck only restrictions. You can shoot 25 Clay targets and 25 shells for $13.00. Shooting Doubles on a clay range is one of the best training for shooting at two targets going in different directions while under the preasure to make two hits while cycling your pump after each shot. Try that on a lane at an indoor range.

Long barrels are more expesive to buy and are less availabe on the used market....Check ebay. Lots of 18" and slug barrels out there cheep. Buying the shotgun with the long barrel is saving money if your going to have both barrels at the end.

That said....Remington 870 with 28" interchageble choke is a great start

Thats my .02

I'll second that and emphasize Go with the 870. It's an all steel gun with two rails running the action, not just one. The accessory set is richer like magazine tubes. Both are good, 870's better, IMO.

(added note: Yes, the Mossberg is used by the US government and military. Because Remington chose to not submit an entry to the trials. That little fact is often "neglected.")

[osis32]

I got a moss 930spx for 500. theyre right around that price some times if you look hard. then get the longer barrel after.

[TheCorporation]

I got a moss 930spx for 500. theyre right around that price some times if you look hard. then get the longer barrel after.

I'm not so sure if I want a semi-automatic if I'm using it for home defense. I know they aren't as reliable as a pump. How much trouble have you had with your SPX? How often do you fire it?

[TheCorporation]

Also, is it a bad idea to shoot an 18.5" barrel for trap/skeet?

Or is something like this what I'm after:

http://www.basspro.com/Remington-870-Express-Combo-12-Gauge-w/20-Rifled-and-26-Vent-Rib-Barrel-Shotgun/product/10217898/

I'd rather just shoot with an 18.5" barrel for now. (Assuming that is okay and I won't look like a complete idiot)

Would something like this fly:

http://www.impactguns.com/remington-870-express-synthetic-12ga-18-inch-fixed-cylinder-black-synthetic-7rd-tube-5077.aspx

[Ribkick]

Yes on the first link Sort of. Trouble here is the barrel is 20' and rifled for slugs. Not the best HD rig.
The second link you posted goes against what we've been telling you. Get a longer barrel first, then a HD barrel

MOST trap and skeet ranges will not let you shoot with an 18" barrel. My club will not for one.

I run a rifle sighted 18.5 smooth bore HD barrel and have a 26" vent rib, RemChoke field/trap/skeet barrel.

Your best bet of what you listed is the first one. BUT you will still be better off and money ahead if you bought an Express with a 26" or 28" with RemChoke to start and add an 18.5" CYL or IC fixed choke barrel for HD.

I can't/won't comment on prices because they're all over the place. An 18.5" barrel is about 105.00, a 26/28" vent rib barrel with RemChoke is about 175.00 APPROXIMATELY. See Below useing your links:

http://www.impactguns.com/remington-870-express-12g-26-inch-mod-rem-choke-black-synthetic-5589-047700255897.aspx

http://www.impactguns.com/remington-870-express-12g-28-inch-rem-choke-black-synthetic-5587-047700255873.aspx

[Jon0807]

Hello everyone

I've decided on getting a shotgun for home defense, but I also want to be able to use it to shoot trap/skeet as well. I like the idea of becoming efficient with the mechanics of my shotgun so I was thinking that going trap shooting would help me get comfortable and familiar with using and firing it. The problem is that I'm on a budget (I don't want to go above $400-500 at most) so I need to decide which is best for my needs.

Based on this, I would go with the Mossberg 500 Combo. It's the best of both worlds and I got mine on sale over a month ago for $299 at Big 5. Can't beat that.