First Shotgun?

[ExcitedPanda]

So I am looking to purchase my first shotgun. I am primarily looking to purchase something for fun basically shooting clays and all that. I am not looking for something to go hunting and I would like to stick with something reasonably priced and reliable. So let the suggestions flow! Thanks in advance.

[Glock_XXI]

I would suggest a Remington 870 Express with wood stocks and a 26 in barrel. They typically can be found around $300 new and even cheaper used. The 26 in barrel is great fir clays. You can also purchase an 18 in barrel later and now you have an awesome self defense gun.

[ExcitedPanda]

Cool right on 870 Express is definitely on the list to check out for me, any other suggestions?

[kpw001]

The Mossberg 500 is the other favorite. There is a combo that has both a 18 in. for home defense and 28 in. barrel for busting clays and if you should desire some hunting. The barrels swap out with the turn of a screw basically. The run about the same as the Remington 870 so it's best to get your hands on them and see which you like better.

Don't forget to look in Calgun's private sales forum.

[eviioiive]

nova

[SmithAndJohnson]

Cool right on 870 Express is definitely on the list to check out for me, any other suggestions?

Certainly - I just picked up my Mossberg 500 combo tonight, have already gone shooting with it, and already love it quite a bit

The Mossberg 500 is the other favorite. There is a combo that has both a 18 in. for home defense and 28 in. barrel for busting clays and if you should desire some hunting. The barrels swap out with the turn of a screw basically. The run about the same as the Remington 870 so it's best to get your hands on them and see which you like better.

I've seen the "same price claim" more than once on these forums, but have never, ever seen it in practice. Big 5 seems to have both on sale almost every week. I got my Mossberg combo for $250 on sale at Big 5, which was the lowest I saw in 2 months of monitoring the circulars. The 870 Express never dropped below $320 in that same period. I'm guessing "sales" and "special deals" at other vendors would be similar proportionally.

Few people would argue that one of them is truly inferior compared to the other, so combine the lower price with the flexibility of the long or short barrel, and thats why I went with Mossberg.

[Sacjesusfreak]

Recently I also was on the journey of finding my first shoutgun. The obvious affordable starters are the moss 500, 870 , and nova.....I would suggest going to the shop and find what one feels best for you, the 870 was my favorite, I havnt heard anything bad about it, and the nova looks nice. the moss 500 didnt feel as nice as the 870 to me.Well Good Luck//

[Jeff.]

I'm an 870 fan, and love my Synthetic Super Mag. My duck hunting buddies shoot with Nova's. Nice guns, but the actions feel very sloppy to me. The Mossberg just feels inferior in my opinion, sloppy as well. But as always, every gun will fit every person differently, so find one that fits you.

[MB260E]

I just picked up an 870 from big 5 at 330. Since I bought the last one they had, my friend picked up the mossberg 500 w/ 2 barrels for only 250.