Please school me on Shotguns

[OmegaTrader]

I'm planning to buy my first shotgun, but know next to nothing about them. I want one because what's a gun collection w/o a shotgun. Anyway, I like the Benelli H20 (or something like that) chrome. I think it runs about $2300. That's a bit too rich for me, but I love the look. Is there any thing similar to that but costs in the sub 1K range? The next one I was looking at is the Saiga 12g shotgun. That, too, is also nice, and it costs about 1K, give or take a few. Now, I know some of you will ask "what am I gonna do with it" etc...etc...The honest answer is I don't know. I don't use shotguns for HD. I have enough weapons for that. I just want an easy to shoot, tactical looking shotgun so I can have some fun at the range while keeping cost at somewhat reasonable level. As far as gauge goes, 12 is probably ideal. But I also have a son who loves to shoot. He's 13yr old and about 5'6. Not sure if he can handle the 12 gauge. So 18g is also good too.

Last but not least, regarding CA laws on shotguns, I read the flowchart and come away with the understanding that the gun must be over 18'' barrel. I wonder if it's required a BB, or any other nonsense of being a CA-compliant gun? Anyway, if you guys can give me a basic requirement, that would be great. Right now, I'm looking at the Saiga shotgun for one, it looks tactical enough. And secondly, I'm familiar with the AK platform, but I'm also opening up to other suggestions.

[mossy]

mossberg 500 or 590

[NapalmCheese]

Someone here just built a SPAS look a like, find it and buy it.

[meeestirg]

mossberg 500 or 590

sounds like OP wants a semi-auto.

OP get an Remington 11-87 police w/ghost ring sights.

[sealocan]

first I would definitely advise you to pick a 12 gauge.
if you look at the price of shotgun ammo you will see the 12 gauge is always the best deal, by a long shot. (and if you go shooting alot or shoot with your family a lot, you should consider the price of ammo is a big part of the cost of firearm.)

next I would also recommend for your first shotgun- a pump shotgun, the two favorites are the Remington 870 on the Mossberg 500 or 590. I like the Mossberg because of the location of its controls/safety switch. (I believe they both have a "marine" version, chrome or somehow plated to prevent saltwater corrosion, if you like the chrome look.)

but if you're familiar with the AK platform and like it ...and you never plan on going duck, trap, clay pigeon, skeet shooting.. etc it may be a good choice.
it may even be able to do those sports as well but I don't own one or have ever fired one but I know some shotgun specific sports are kind of particular about what types of guns and barrel lengths are best for those activities.

Benelli shotguns are nice but I don't know enough about them to comment.

Good luck

[RNE228]

What is "fun" for you at the range?
- 3-gun
- trap
- skeet
- 5-stand

With a general purpose pump like a 870 or 500, you can do all the above, but none really great. Or at least as a sorta beginner that is what I have found. And, the pumps like to kick...

Shotguns can get real specialized for the different disciplines. And expensive... I still want a nice O/U, but they really start about $1500 and go way up from there.

[wweigle]

Not sure from your post, but it sounds like you are interested in the Saiga because it is an automatic. I would not overlook the Remington 1100 or 11-87. Lots of decent deals out there on the used market. As Versatile as the pumps with the right accessories, and like the Remington and Mossburg pumps and can be easily configured for hunting, or home defense back and forth in about ten minutes. I have both pump guns and automatics, and I find shooting the automatics the most fun and simple to operate. Lots of great options out there. Good Luck.

[aippi]

Here you go. It is shinny and the Mesa with LEO with hydrolic buffer and Limbsaver M4 recoil pad cuts felt recoil by about 70%. 870 Marine with Trijicon rifle sights, Mesa LEO stock, Surefire DSF, Rem LE 2 shot extension with SBE combat follower. Look around and you will find this available. Omit the DSF and you are near your 1K goal.

[OmegaTrader]

Thanks All

I think I'm gonna settle with the Saiga due to the fact that I'm familiar with the AK platform and its accessories plus that it's relatively affordable. Other platforms, while great, require some kind of learning curve. Although I don't currently hunt, it's still a possibility in the future. As for having fun at the range, I think the Saiga can do all things that a typical shotgun can do. I guess the most important factors in my decision are the price and familiarity. Besides, a 10rd shotgun Saiga mag has the look of a 30rd 556 mag which certainly compliments the gun, making it really tactical looking. And I dig that



Next question though. What kind of scope should I put on? Red dot (Aimpoint Pro) or Holographic (EOTech) sight? I have Aimpoint Pro mounted on my AK. Love it. Can I do the same with my Saiga shotgun?

[daybreak]

so the new kid on the semi-auto block is the Stoeger m3000. It's blowing up in the 3gun world because it's inertia-driven, like it's much more expensive older brother, the Benelli m2 (which is the king of the 3gun shotgun world). Stoeger is owned by Benelli.

Not too many people know about them yet, but trust me ... you'll be hearing a whole lot more about them soon. Pro jesse tischauser of the stag arms 3gun team shoots a very minimally modified stoeger m3000 and he ... is ... fast.

[bigbearbear]

Next question though. What kind of scope should I put on? Red dot (Aimpoint Pro) or Holographic (EOTech) sight? I have Aimpoint Pro mounted on my AK. Love it. Can I do the same with my Saiga shotgun?

Yes you can. The EOTech might work better though because its reticle is a circle with a dot in the middle. You might be able to match the circle with the pattern of buckshots at certain distance.

My wife's Benelli M2 has a Redring sight on it, that one mounts on the vent rib of a shotgun and she shoots pretty good with it. She was having trouble shooting the M2 the "traditional" way and having the holographic sight helps a lot.

[bigbearbear]

so the new kid on the semi-auto block is the Stoeger m3000. It's blowing up in the 3gun world because it's inertia-driven, like it's much more expensive older brother, the Benelli m2 (which is the king of the 3gun shotgun world). Stoeger is owned by Benelli.

Not too many people know about them yet, but trust me ... you'll be hearing a whole lot more about them soon. Pro jesse tischauser of the stag arms 3gun team shoots a very minimally modified stoeger m3000 and he ... is ... fast.

Actually, Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti are all owned by Beretta. They seems to cover the widest range of shotguns on the market; from clay shooting to hunting, tactical and cowboy shooting, they have shotgun for you.

[daybreak]

Actually, Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger and Uberti are all owned by Beretta. They seems to cover the widest range of shotguns on the market; from clay shooting to hunting, tactical and cowboy shooting, they have shotgun for you.

Aha good to know. Thank you

[RNE228]

Friend of mine had one of those sites with the red dot in the middle of the little screen; didn't work so well for ducks or skeet...

OP, are there any local ranges where you could rent different models, try them, before buying?

[OmegaTrader]

Yes you can. The EOTech might work better though because its reticle is a circle with a dot in the middle. You might be able to match the circle with the pattern of buckshots at certain distance.

My wife's Benelli M2 has a Redring sight on it, that one mounts on the vent rib of a shotgun and she shoots pretty good with it. She was having trouble shooting the M2 the "traditional" way and having the holographic sight helps a lot.

Thanks. Will try the Eotech to see how it works.

OP, are there any local ranges where you could rent different models, try them, before buying?

I go to Rainbow Range in Escondido most of the time, or to the BLM in Perris. And I believe that don't rent guns there. But I think the Saiga probably fits me well at least for the moment or for until I know enough to get another gun if I ever like it that much. I'm not really into shotguns as I do with AK, AR, and handguns. I probably won't shoot this more than several times in a year. I'm just buying to have a shotgun in my collection.