Interested in learning. What's a good starter shotgun?

[KLD83]

I'm a lefty, 5'9 gal with long arms and a tough shoulder. I'm new to long guns and really not sure what to consider purchasing. I have a female shooter friend that suggests a Remmington 879 express. I have my dad who suggests a rock island ( I think) stainless model. What are some tips for buying? How do I tell if a certain gun will fit me?
Thanks...I know there are youtube vids out the wazoo, but you never really know who's a know it all or actually knows something of value!

[SNCaliber]

best bang for your buck: Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 870, if you want semi auto Mossberg 930 or Remington 1100

[boltstop]

Start with a pump action such as the Remington 870.

Try to find a range that will rent one to you or, better still, do a basic shotgun course before you buy.

[naimad]

whats the intended use for the shotgun Home Defense Shooting Clays Hunting

best value and quality would be a Remington 870 or mossberg for a pump shotgun

only you will know what fits you best so got to your local range and rent a few and see what works for you

[KLD83]

No place to rent. (serious boonies out here) Just looking to learn to shoot clay and something that could double as HD if need be. Might try to find out how far I'd have to travel for a class.

[Sicarius]

For a lefty, I would suggest a Mossberg 500/590. The safety is on the top back of the receiver so as a lefty, you can reach it easily with your thumb. On a Remington 870, the safety is on the trigger guard similar to a lot of rifles so you would have to alter your grip to undo the safety. Another perk of the Mossberg is that the receiver is aluminum so it is a tad lighter than the 870's steel. An Aluminum receiver will last a lifetime so there should be no reason to worry. Big 5 sells a combo package Mossberg 500 that has a 28 inch barrel and a 18 inch. This I think is a good starter package and will serve well for most people. If you do plan to change out the foregrip or add tactical accessories to it, I would sway you from getting that particular model because the foregrip, to save cost, changes out some parts that make it more costly to add a different foregrip. If you plan on keeping it the way it is. It might just be the right one for you and it should cost just under 300 dollars on sale.
kevin

[Gutz]

Look for a used 870 or Mossberg 500. You can also look for their clones (like a Maverick 88) and such. If you just want to learn, buy used and try it out. You can always sell and buy new once you found a shotty you like.

[chillincody]

I suggest the moss 500 or rem 870 that way if you dont like the fit you can get a aftermarket stock to make it fit better (im 6ft4 long arms) so I prefer a collapseable stock so I can shoot comfortable and so could my friends just by sdjusting the stock to size


and if those are a lil more $$ than you want to spend I suggest to check out the HR pardnor pump it takes all the aftermarket parts as the 870 (exept barrals) and it cost only $200

[gogohopper]

This may handle your needs:

Model 500 Two Barrel Set: 28" Vent Rib Sport Barrel and 18 1/2" Defense Barrel, pump action, 3" Chamber, Pistol Grip Kit

http://www.impactguns.com/mossberg-model-500-12ga-in3-in-1in-home-defense-w2-barrels-51482-015813514828.aspx

[2nab]

additional vote for either Remington 870 (1st choice but slightly more expensive) or Mossberg 500.

Even better of course would be saving a hundred dollars or so by finding a used one.

Renting one or getting a friend out with you to bring their shotgun is a good idea to see if it is something you are comfortable with shooting.

Another option to consider is there are multiple calibers in shotgun shells. In addition to 12 gauge there area also 16 ga, 20 ga, and 410 shotguns. If you shoot the 12 and find it is a little rough for your taste, a 16 gauge will meet most of the basic uses of the 12 and be a little easier on your shoulder.

[Atekhed]

Before buying I would look around your area or within a reasonable driving distance and see if there isn't Women on Target or similar class/event available. Maybe find a local skeet/trap/clays range that has beginner's events or such.

You've gotten a lot of good advice here but I would also cross post this in the Ladies Forum as I know there are some pretty active female shotgun shooters in there to give you another perspective.

Good luck!

[crazy]

additional vote for either Remington 870 (1st choice but slightly more expensive) or Mossberg 500.

Even better of course would be saving a hundred dollars or so by finding a used one.

Renting one or getting a friend out with you to bring their shotgun is a good idea to see if it is something you are comfortable with shooting.

Another option to consider is there are multiple calibers in shotgun shells. In addition to 12 gauge there area also 16 ga, 20 ga, and 410 shotguns. If you shoot the 12 and find it is a little rough for your taste, a 16 gauge will meet most of the basic uses of the 12 and be a little easier on your shoulder.

I would stay away from 16 ga. I have one and finding shells is a PITA. Stick with 12 or 20 ga.

[003]

Link to the Ithaca web site: http://www.ithacagun.com/featherlight.html

[Virus55]

Remington 870 all the way! i own a mossberg 500 and a remington 870 and its a great gun. i bought the 870 for hunting/trap but i bought a HD barrel for home protection. i have moved to a pistol grip mossberg 500 for my HD gun. but 870 is great all around

[joe_gman]

No place to rent. (serious boonies out here) Just looking to learn to shoot clay and something that could double as HD if need be. Might try to find out how far I'd have to travel for a class.

What is your experience with firearms? I ask this not to question your firearm knowledge or shooting ability, but to gear my opinion on the options available to you.

Trap is my favorite shooting sport. But what works for me is not necessarily what is best for your needs. Size, strength, and weight of the shooter has a large influence on the type of shotgun to be used. The big three common shotgun guages; 12, 20, and 410, vary widely in their recoil and the ease of which they can hit a target. The smaller the number, the more shot and a greater ability to spread, means that the pattern is more likely to hit a clay than the smaller patterns of a shotgun like a 410. The "kick" of a 12 gauge is significantly stronger than a 410 though.

The other thing to consider with recoil, is whether purchase a single shot/ o/u, pump/lever action, or semi-auto. With non-semi auto shotguns, the recoil is more pronounced because the shooter experiences the full force of the recoil. In semi-autos, the action takes up some of the recoil, resulting in the body absorbing less recoil.

I own 2 pump action shotguns, and one single shot. The pumps are an Rem 870 and a Moss 500, both in 12 gauge. The single shot is a 100+ year old 410. The 12 gauges will bruise my shoulder after a box of clays. The 410 I can shoot for days and never have an issue. I bring this up because my brother (who outweighs me by 40 Lbs) was looking for a shotgun that wouldn't tear up his shoulder like my pumps. Shotguns with the lightest recoil, that are still great for clays, tend to be 20 gauge semi-autos like the Rem 1100. The best of the group of semi-autos that we tried was the Benelli Vinci in 12 gauge. Very light weight with a quick swing. Least amount of recoil of the 4 semi's we tried. Well made. The worst was the Mossberg 930. The Mossberg just felt cheap, and had the worst recoil of the group. Of course, the Benelli was the most expensive and the Mossberg was the cheapest.

My recommendation is to at least handle a couple different shotguns, including the Vinci. Feel the weight and the action, and imagine yourself raising the gun up and firing at clays. I love the feel of a pump gun. It is what I learned on as a little kid many years ago. I also love the price point of the Rem 870, when compared to the semi-autos. The biggest issue when purchasing a shotgun (or any gun for that matter) is always what you can afford. If you have no problem laying out $1500 for a shotgun, you will probably love the Vinci. If you are looking for inexpensive and versatile, the Mossberg 500 combo can be had for around $300-$350, and is a great starter shotgun if you don't mind the recoil.