Help Choosing a Pump or Lever Shotgun

[Killdozerrwc]

I'm looking for a reasonably priced pump or lever action shotgun. I plan to use it for target shooting as well as trap or skeet (non competitive).

I would prefer to have a lever action (it feels "tighter" overall).

I already made a list of some potentials, comments/additions are needed.
Winchester Super X
Remington 870 Express
Mossberg 500
All three of these seem like good solid shotguns that I'd be happy with.

I did find one 1887 Replica:
IAC 1887 Replica
Do you guys recommend 1887 replicas in general? Know of some other lever action shotguns that would suit me?

Thanks for the help!

[003]

Hard to go wrong with a basic Remington 870. Now keep in mind that Skeet and Trap are completely different games, and require different barrels and chokes. Ideally, a skeet barrel is 26 inches with a very open choke, skeet, or cylinder. While a trap barrel is 28/30 inches in length and a much tighter choke, modified/imp modified or full.

The beauty of an 870 is that with one basic gun and different barrels, you can do it all.

[Pally]

FYI...The Mossberg 500 comes in a combo version (28" & 18.5" bbls). I do, however, think the Remington 870 is a better shot gun.

[tmh1]

Read Fortier's review on a Winchester 1887 clone from Century Arms (probably the same or very similar to the IAC clone), and I think you might want to stick with one of your mentioned pump action guns for your uses. All 3 are very good, but I have a soft spot for the Winchester SuperX. Very fast and smooth action. And I like the position of the safety on the Winchester compared to both the 870 and Mossy, but that is a very PERSONAL choice.

Fortier's review:

http://www.shotgunnews.com/2013/03/12/built-for-fun-century-arms-pw87-review/

[Killdozerrwc]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone.

I think I'm going to go with the 870, in part because the safety location is similar to the safeties on my rifles, and because it seems a little more polished than the others.

[BigFatGuy]

I have never shot one, but if you listen to Michael Bane's podcast he likes to complain about how unreliable the lever shotguns are. Rumor has it competitive shooters need to have three: one to shoot, one backup, and one in the shop being rebuilt.

I still want one, though... for when I ride my motorcycle through the LA River...

[SBsasquatch]

Got my rem express in 2012 and it was stiff as hell. Roughly 500 rounds, 2 hunting seasons(uplandgame)and smooth as iced patron.I bought an extra barrel+3 chokes. Not 1 regret.

I work her hard and ride her rough. That's the only way she likes it. Lol

I noticed the faster/more deliberate... I work the action - the better she runs. Let me friend shoot her and jam-omatic. Fte's & ftf's. And then they start complaining. I tell her,"it's ok baby they don't know you like I do!"
I love my remy only wish I bought a20 gauge so I could bring my wifey...

[SBsasquatch]

Cont.... The 12g kicks her butt...

[bombadillo]

What about a winchester SXP black shadow. 26" barrel, 3 different invector chokes, and its based off of the famous and VERY smooth action of the Winchester 1300.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/52702/Winchester+12+Ga+Speed+Pump26%22+Blued+Barrel3+Invector+%2B+Ch

[Rainbow Bullets]

I own an iac 1887 mine worked great out of the box and eats anything i give it. however these guns aren't very consistently assembled and my experience could be completely different than yours. None the less its a fun gun and kicks like a mule with slugs

[Killdozerrwc]

I've ran into a problem, no one has a wood-stock 870 with a 26" or 28" barrel!
The closest I got was wood-stock with an 18.5".

Apparently they all got bought up during christmas and the distributors are on backorder so the next batches won't be in for weeks, or months.

Am I out of luck? I live in the Bay Area and checked stores from San Francisco to San Jose and Hayward.

Edit: I have the option of ordering one through a store but wouldn't that run into the same problem of the distributors being on backorder?

[Chewy65]

order one online from Bud's . They can hook you up with a local FFL to receive it.

[Chewy65]

order one online from Bud's . They have it in stock and can hook you up with a local FFL to receive it.

[bombadillo]

Buy used. An older 1970's vintage Wingmaster is going to be a better gun and Oooooohhh so butter smooth action compared to the new garbage. It seems like they just spray these guns with a bad black finish and call it a day anymore. The old blued guns were so much nicer.

[bigbearbear]

I've ran into a problem, no one has a wood-stock 870 with a 26" or 28" barrel!
The closest I got was wood-stock with an 18.5".

Apparently they all got bought up during christmas and the distributors are on backorder so the next batches won't be in for weeks, or months.

Am I out of luck? I live in the Bay Area and checked stores from San Francisco to San Jose and Hayward.

Edit: I have the option of ordering one through a store but wouldn't that run into the same problem of the distributors being on backorder?

Just buy online, use www.gunbroker.com. If you're in the Bay Area, have Roger's Relic, a home based FFL handle the transfer for you. They're pretty cheap, my colleague did that recently with no issues.