Advice for first shotgun purchase

[aye_dre]

So I am going to purchase my first shotgun pretty soon and have narrowed it down to three choices.

1.Browning BPS Hunter
2.Benelli Supernova
3. Remington 870
(Not in this particular order)

The purpose of this shotgun is primary for skeet and home defense. The reason I am choosing these three is because pump is affordable compared to auto loaders and O/U. I don't have the budget spend more than $600 currently.

Just wanted to hear your guys opinions and possibly steer me to one clear choice. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[chuckdc]

My personal thoughts:

1: 870
2: BPS
3: Supernova.

Any of them will do what you need to do. I have a lot more experience with 870s than the other 2. The 870 has a lot more available parts and is easier to find someone competent to work on it, if that is needed. The 870 also has a far longer track record.

The only caveat in this is if I were left-handed, I would go for the BPS first, because it's more lefty-friendly.

[jbj]

Get a used 870 Wingmaster, 26-30" w/choke tubes, and you can get a HD barrel well within your budget. You can do the same on a used 1100 for a bit more.

[pterrell]

Nothing at all wrong with an 870 or a Mossberg 500. I know it wasn't on your list, but Big 5 sells a Mossberg 500 package that has both an 18" barrel for HD and a 24" barrel for hunting/skeet. Outstanding entry level package.

[five.five-six]

Supernova is amazing, it almost auto-corrects itself. The only shotgun I have passed a target with and still came back and broke it.

[aye_dre]

My personal thoughts:

1: 870
2: BPS
3: Supernova.

Any of them will do what you need to do. I have a lot more experience with 870s than the other 2. The 870 has a lot more available parts and is easier to find someone competent to work on it, if that is needed. The 870 also has a far longer track record.

The only caveat in this is if I were left-handed, I would go for the BPS first, because it's more lefty-friendly.

I am right handed, but the bottom ejection is a feature I find pretty cool.I don't plan on upgrading the shotgun but if anything breaks finding parts for the 870 is definitely a plus. thanks

Get a used 870 Wingmaster, 26-30" w/choke tubes, and you can get a HD barrel well within your budget. You can do the same on a used 1100 for a bit more.

I don't intend to buy used. Also do not know any stores around me with a good variety of used shotguns

Nothing at all wrong with an 870 or a Mossberg 500. I know it wasn't on your list, but Big 5 sells a Mossberg 500 package that has both an 18" barrel for HD and a 24" barrel for hunting/skeet. Outstanding entry level package.

I have heard great things about the Mossberg and my friend recently received one for his birthday. But I want something a bit higher quality. Nothing against Mossberg

[sholling]

All on the OP's list are fine reliable choices. The main advantage of the 870 is the massive selection of accessaries made for this shotgun. It'll cost you $150-250 for a second barrel to get it do double duty, but it's a lot more solid shotgun than the Mossberg 500 combo pack sold by Big 5.

The Benelli's main advantage is that it's easier for small folks to pump, but the Super Nova is also capable of chambering 3.5" shells. Aftermarket barrels for the Super Nova run $180-230 on Brownells.

[aye_dre]

All on the OP's list are fine reliable choices. The main advantage of the 870 is the massive selection of accessaries made for this shotgun. It'll cost you $150-250 for a second barrel to get it do double duty, but it's a lot more solid shotgun than the Mossberg 500 combo pack sold by Big 5.

The Benelli's main advantage is that it's easier for small folks to pump, but the Super Nova is also capable of chambering 3.5" shells. Aftermarket barrels for the Super Nova run $180-230 on Brownells.

Yeah, availability and less expensive 870 parts would be nice. Why do you say the Super nova is easier for smaller folks? And whats the benefits of 3.5" compared 3"?

[NapalmCheese]

The 870's main advantage is all of the aftermarket support, so you can buy all those awesome necessary upgrades like a flashlight and a short barrel.

The Nova's main advantage (IMO) is as a hunting gun with the magazine disconnect. It makes swapping out a duck load for a goose load faster.

The main advantage of the BPS is that it's more interesting than the other two and, if you are a reloader, it's easier to find the shells that are shucked at your feet. Also, as a hunting gun, the guy to your right will appreciate your not shucking shells into his face.

The main disadvantage for the 870 is that if you don't get a wingmaster, it's a piece of slapped together, not quite finished crap (just my opinion, I think the Express is a cat turd).

The main disadvantage for the Nova is that a new barrel is really expensive and they are IMO heavy.

The main disadvantage for the BPS is that single loading awkward and/or cumbersome while shooting trap. You have to carefully load through the bottom port or load into the magazine and rack the slide.

3.5 inch shells can be useful for turkeys, ducks, and geese. For what it's worth I don't tend to use them much unless I want a big load of BBs or larger shot.

All on the OP's list are fine reliable choices. The main advantage of the 870 is the massive selection of accessaries made for this shotgun. It'll cost you $150-250 for a second barrel to get it do double duty, but it's a lot more solid shotgun than the Mossberg 500 combo pack sold by Big 5.

The Benelli's main advantage is that it's easier for small folks to pump, but the Super Nova is also capable of chambering 3.5" shells. Aftermarket barrels for the Super Nova run $180-230 on Brownells.

[aye_dre]

The 870's main advantage is all of the aftermarket support, so you can buy all those awesome necessary upgrades like a flashlight and a short barrel.

The Nova's main advantage (IMO) is as a hunting gun with the magazine disconnect. It makes swapping out a duck load for a goose load faster.

The main advantage of the BPS is that it's more interesting than the other two and, if you are a reloader, it's easier to find the shells that are shucked at your feet. Also, as a hunting gun, the guy to your right will appreciate your not shucking shells into his face.

The main disadvantage for the 870 is that if you don't get a wingmaster, it's a piece of slapped together, not quite finished crap (just my opinion, I think the Express is a cat turd).

The main disadvantage for the Nova is that a new barrel is really expensive and they are IMO heavy.

The main disadvantage for the BPS is that single loading awkward and/or cumbersome while shooting trap. You have to carefully load through the bottom port or load into the magazine and rack the slide.

3.5 inch shells can be useful for turkeys, ducks, and geese. For what it's worth I don't tend to use them much unless I want a big load of BBs or larger shot.

Hunting is not really a primary concern, but maybe in the future. But very helpful information, thank you! Leaning towards the BPS and 870 now

[bigbearbear]

Yeah, availability and less expensive 870 parts would be nice. Why do you say the Super nova is easier for smaller folks? And whats the benefits of 3.5" compared 3"?

Some like to compare the length of shell in their shotgun to their manhood.

Jokes aside, for your purpose, the 3.5" capability is probably wasted but could be useful if you later decide to shoot high flying birds. I've never done it myself and some folks think 3" shells are all you need, but if its in your price range, doesn't hurt to have it.

The Benelli Supernova is easier to handle because of the forend synthetic material covers all the way back to the receiver. This means you can grip the forend anywhere and still use it effectively. If you look at older shotgun designs, there's a gap between their forend and the receiver, which means you cannot grip the forend as effectively (at the end of it close to the receiver) if you have shorter hands.

Both my wife and I shoot Benelli shotguns, we use their semi-auto version, they have a very high level of build quality and are smooth as silk in their action. I don't think you can go wrong with a Supernova, but be sure to try them at the shop to make sure they fit you well. If you have no idea if a shotgun will fit you well, go with a friend who shoots clay well and knows about gun fit. Have him (or her) teach you how to mount a shotgun properly, that way you can determine which shotgun is best for you.

[tamalpias]

The 870's main advantage is all of the aftermarket support, so you can buy all those awesome necessary upgrades like a flashlight and a short barrel.

The Nova's main advantage (IMO) is as a hunting gun with the magazine disconnect. It makes swapping out a duck load for a goose load faster.

The main advantage of the BPS is that it's more interesting than the other two and, if you are a reloader, it's easier to find the shells that are shucked at your feet. Also, as a hunting gun, the guy to your right will appreciate your not shucking shells into his face.

The main disadvantage for the 870 is that if you don't get a wingmaster, it's a piece of slapped together, not quite finished crap (just my opinion, I think the Express is a cat turd).

The main disadvantage for the Nova is that a new barrel is really expensive and they are IMO heavy.

The main disadvantage for the BPS is that single loading awkward and/or cumbersome while shooting trap. You have to carefully load through the bottom port or load into the magazine and rack the slide.

3.5 inch shells can be useful for turkeys, ducks, and geese. For what it's worth I don't tend to use them much unless I want a big load of BBs or larger shot.

i am not the OP but i am learning from this post. thanks

[sholling]

Yeah, availability and less expensive 870 parts would be nice. Why do you say the Super nova is easier for smaller folks? And whats the benefits of 3.5" compared 3"?

The Benelli has a longer forend which means that a smaller person doesn't have to reach as far forward to pump the shotgun. Short-shucking (failure to bring the slide all the way back and then send it all the way forward) is the fastest way to jam a pump shotgun. My advice is to see how the 870 fits your wife.

3.5" shells are used for hunting large water fowl with lead-free shells.

[NapalmCheese]

Another bonus for the Nova is that they are really easy to field strip.

A bonus for the Supernova is that you can shim the stock to make it fit better.

Other than that I don't know what the benefits of the Supernova are over the Nova.

[ParadigmShift]

The main disadvantage for the 870 is that if you don't get a wingmaster, it's a piece of slapped together, not quite finished crap (just my opinion, I think the Express is a cat turd).

Pay close attention to this. That is really golden advice. Wingmaster is the only 870 I would ever consider.