Cheap shotgun showdown

[Czsp-01-9mm]

I'm very limited on funds, 250 bucks looking at either a maverick 88 or a Stevens 320, I have zero infomation on them besides google searching and a couple YouTube videos, gun would be mostly plinking and HD no trap or hunting, anyone with first hand experience with either or both, what's the good, bad, and ugly on them

[victor1echo]

I love my BIG 5 $200 special- a hawk, h&r pardner pump. It is an outstanding gun. I love its heft, and the balance is awesome. I was going to upgrade it with magpul stuff, but I love it as it is. A lack of aftermarket barrels, but they do make em. I like mine.

[WDE91]

Why not consider buying used??

[WDE91]

I bought a used Remington Wingmaster out the door inside your budget

dont settle for subpar, the used market opens up more opportunities of higher quality guns

[Czsp-01-9mm]

been looking at used also but picking are slim in my area, found a nice mossberg 500 in fresno but im the forth in line, saw a mossberg with 2 barrels at big 5 for 319

[WDE91]

something to consider when buying anything is resale if you end up wanting to sell and OEparts/aftermarket

finding parts for 500s&870s is very easy

[KIDRR]

I've seen 500's go for as little as $200 in the private sales section here. If you can wait a few months prices should be back down to normal.

[darksands]

I will also suggest the Hawk or the Pardner. Great guns for the money.

[negolien]

Meh go hawk...

Ya the Hawk 982 is an 870 clone you can find alot of things that fit the 870 fit it except the barrel. I got mine at big 5 for $199. Threw a better stock on it, sidesaddle and a hogue forend.

http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=654_17&products_id=29

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=ati%20870%20stock&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aati%20870%20stock

[pesty3782]

I am an 870 fan and after helping a friend clean his 500 with all the parts that come out of the receiver I am even a bigger fan of the 870...plus I have used one for the last 27 years...Own two and they are the shotguns I always go back to shoot kind of like the old ruger 10-22...

Tony P.

[Czsp-01-9mm]

Thinking of just buying ammo for my other guns but I can't find any of that either

[FisterD]

Picked up a Maverick 88 7+1 for $199 bucks at Big 5 for my son for Christmas.

[Czsp-01-9mm]

Ill check out big fiver tomorrow and see what they have

[maddoggie13]

Big 5 has lot of made in China shotguns for cheap...

[MustangSteveGT]

I'd say used version of Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 from a pawn shop. Especially if you're just going to change all kinds of stuff on it anyways.
Even if something's messed up in the action, you can turn around and get a functional used receiver parts kit from the gun auction sites for like $30-$40.
I got an old Revelation 810a (1970's Mossberg 500) for right about $150 out the door. If I would have bought a new one for $300-$450, I would have changed the stock, added my own sling and barrel.
If you're planning on buying one and just keeping it how it is, maybe buy new but if you're just going to change everything on it and maybe only keep the original receiver and magazine tube, then buy used.
These older ones tend to have more metal parts too which I like on my home defense pump shotgun.