Need your guidance for the first one.

[Barang]

Hello! everyone. Only been shooting handguns for a little over a year. I'm not planning of buying a shotgun yet but curious enough to want to find out what do you guys recommend. Nothing fancy, just reliable one. Thanks in advance.

Edit added: It will be used for home defense which my wife can also handle it at the same time.

2nd Edit to list all suggestions:

Types: Pump, Semi-Auto, Break-Open
Benelli M4
Beretta A300
Maverick 88 ( Around $200 )
Mossberg 500 ( Around $400 at Big 5 ), 590A1
Remington 870
Rem 1100 - 20 ga

3rd Edit to better understand Gauge & Shotshell types:
12 ga is bigger than 20 ga = 12 ga has 12 ball bearings inside & 20 ga has 20 ball bearings inside (for illustration only)
Slug = Caliber ( huge hunk-o-lead ) 12ga ( 70 cal ) 20ga ( 60 cal )
Buck shot = ( bigger than bird shot )
Bird shot = ( small pellets inside )

[ysr_racer]

There's a couple of threads here asking the same thing.

It kinda depends what you're going to use it for, but you can't go wrong with a Rem 1100 or a Beretta A300.

[NytWolf]

Intended use of said shotgun? Budget? Pump, semi-auto, break-open?

[Barang]

Intended use of said shotgun? Budget? Pump, semi-auto, break-open?

I don't know the difference and have no idea of price range .... something easy to operate, reliable and doesn't break the bank.

[NytWolf]

Just get the Mossberg 500 at Big 5 that comes with two barrels. Use the shorter barrel for home defense. It's about $400 regular price and cheaper when on sale.

[L84CABO]

This question always ends the same...Mossberg or Remington 870. Just flip a coin.

[echoThreeOneSix]

This question always ends the same...Mossberg or Remington 870. Just flip a coin.

i like the location of safety and action release on the mossy 500, but the 870 felt better to me...

[Barang]

Ok good! I'm sensing that mossberg & remington are equivalent to glock, sig, m&p and such if we're talking about handguns in terms of reliability and quality.

What do you guys think of pistol grip style as opposed to stock (?)
Is the shotgun recoil a pain or neglible?

[NytWolf]

Pistol grip or not depends on your preference.

Use a light load if you are recoil-sensitive.

[balmo]

Big 5 Mossberg 500. More ergonomic an an 870.

[Novak77]

I bird hunt, about 80% of duck hunters I know (myself included) start with a Remington 870.

[hcbr]

OP, remington 870 or Mossberg 500, can't go wrong with either and won't break the bank.

Check the Big 5 specials they have, and you can get a decent one here and there from Turners when both the Rem and the Mos go on sale.

Good luck, and hope you pick one you like !

[k1dude]

If your wife is using it too, I would suggest a semi-auto in 20 ga.

Semi-autos kick much less than pumps. 20 ga is totally underrated. It packs a wallop for home defense (60 caliber slugs and #3 Buck) and shoots clays and hunts as well as anything else out there. It just doesn't punish you like a 12 ga pump does and it weighs less than a 12.

I would recommend something like the Remington 1100 in 20 ga.

[Barang]

Pistol grip or not depends on your preference.

Use a light load if you are recoil-sensitive.

Ok! good to know that the grips are preference.
Regarding recoil, I have zero idea what it feels like or how little/strong it kicks.

Big 5 Mossberg 500. More ergonomic an an 870.

I bird hunt, about 80% of duck hunters I know (myself included) start with a Remington 870.

OP, remington 870 or Mossberg 500, can't go wrong with either and won't break the bank.

Check the Big 5 specials they have, and you can get a decent one here and there from Turners when both the Rem and the Mos go on sale.

Good luck, and hope you pick one you like !

Thank you all, it's good to know and see the recurrence of Mossberg and Remington. Helps to narow down the search.

If your wife is using it too, I would suggest a semi-auto in 20 ga.

Semi-autos kick much less than pumps. 20 ga is totally underrated. It packs a wallop for home defense (60 caliber slugs and #3 Buck) and shoots clays and hunts as well as anything else out there. It just doesn't punish you like a 12 ga pump does and it weighs less than a 12.

I would recommend something like the Remington 1100 in 20 ga.

Please educate me on the following, so sorry for the ignorance:
Is the 20 ga the size of the barrel?
Which one is bigger, 12 ga or 20 ga?
60 caliber slugs, is that the ammo size?
What is a #3Buck?

[deadcoyote]

I just picked up a NIB Maverick 88 for $200. Its the six shot 18" model. I scored a 24" rifled slug barrel with sights for $100, now I've got a HD rig and a pig gun for $300.