Big 5 guns?

[BigPimping]

I just bought a Maverick 88 with 8 shot capability. Not expensive and if one or two 12 gauge rounds don't do the job, I have bigger problems.

[TripleThreat]

Mossberg 500 or 590.

[Bansh88]

Is this for hunting?

I'm assuming if you're looking at semi-auto shotguns at Big 5, it's for hunting. I dont think they carry Benellis and such there.

[Coldmonster]

Only purpose for the gun would realy just be to have fun shooting. I would like to hunt but don't know anybody who does. I also love in a pretty safe area but would still like somthing for defence just in case.

As for the gun in question it is an escort m/p-sa. I couldn't find any bad reviews, but couldn't find any good ones either. Just a bunch people saying don't get it just get a mossburg. They also do have a benelli nova, some mossburgs and a Winchester.

[Bansh88]

Just looked at a link to it. Cool looking!

Never heard of them. Probably a decent gun but it's hard to get bad reviews when no one has one.

[Coldmonster]

That's the other thing is if somthing breaks. Wich shooting with my uncle he has never had somthing on a gun break. It would be harder to get parts for it. I realy do want a pistol grip semi auto (the child in me) but also want somthing that I know will be reliable (adult). I'll probly end up going with the benelli or mossburg tho. Just because thoes should be more reliable and I still like the look of them.

[DennisCA]

So my wife works at big 5 and I was considering picking up one of their semi auto 12 gauges on Friday. Take advantage of their sale plus 10%. But I'm worried about getting a gun that sucks. Only experience I have with their guns is her dad purchased a double barrel carrage gun and it didn't blow up. Now I don't have too much disposable income so I'm curious if this would be a good first (at least fully functioning) gun or if I should just wait?

If you have limited experience with guns, then maybe a semi auto may not your not best bet. I still say you would be better off with a pump-style shotgun.

[Steve_In_29]

Only purpose for the gun would realy just be to have fun shooting. I would like to hunt but don't know anybody who does. I also love in a pretty safe area but would still like somthing for defence just in case.

As for the gun in question it is an escort m/p-sa. I couldn't find any bad reviews, but couldn't find any good ones either. Just a bunch people saying don't get it just get a mossburg. They also do have a benelli nova, some mossburgs and a Winchester.

The Escort M/P-SA is the one I have. The parent company (Hatsan) has been in business making weapons for a VERY long time. As I mentioned before, these guns are VERY popular with shotgunners in the UK due to the cost difference between Turkish and the EU (Italian, French, etc) shotguns. If they were junk the Brits would pony up the additional money for the other brands.

Also Mossberg seems to think the Turkish shotguns are good to go since their 20G semi-auto is a re-badged Turkish gun.

You won't regret buying that unless you are a smaller guy as the LOP is just a bit long and the shotgun is a little portly as well. Though that helps to soak up recoil. It's also not really a hunting gun as it's only a 18.5" cylinder bore barrel. Escort does import other models that are more hunting friendly and even wood stocked but I have never seen them at Big5. Turner's carries then though.

A more versatile choice might be the ATI combo as it includes both an HD 18.5" barrel as well as a hunting/skeet 28" (with choke tubes) barrel for $279 on sale.

[Steve_In_29]

If you have limited experience with guns, then maybe a semi auto may not your not best bet. I still say you would be better off with a pump-style shotgun.

Why do you feel that way?

A semi-auto shotgun is actually simpler to operate then a pump, as it is just like a semi-auto rifle in that you pull the trigger and the gun goes bang until the mag is empty. With no other movements to train your body to remember. Short stroking a pump is pretty easy to do in the heat of the moment.

[BrokerB]

They do have benellis at my big 5.

I would vote on mossberg 500. Comes with two barrels, home defense 18" and a trap shooting/hunting barrel of 26".

I have had one for two decades , shot well over 6,000 rounds through. Lots of skeet and trap. Has almost more accessories available as a Remington 870 . It started to fail on extract, replaced extractors. ... back to shooting.

more reliable and will eat a far more variety of ammo then a semi auto.

You say your on a slim budget... then mossy 500 is the only way to go. Remember. ..marines and coast guard use mossberg 500 .

[WartHog]

How much is that Escort M/P-SA going to run you out the door? The Mossberg JM Pro might cost you more but it is a decidedly better quality weapon than the Escort.

The JM Pro has 5 more rounds capacity and that makes shooting a lot more fun plus in a Defensive or SHTF situation, you will be thanking yourself many times over for the extra capacity. Aftermarket accessories will also be more available for the Mossberg vs the Escort. Mossberg also has a Lifetime Warranty whereas the Escort is only 3 years.

[smle-man]

After decades of shotguns, shooting them in tactical training and some competitions I prefer semi auto guns by a wide margin. I know it isn't in the gentleman's budget range but I have had absolutely outstanding service from my 15 year old Remington 1187. Thousands of rounds and nothing at all has worn out or broken. Dismissing semi auto shotguns is like saying auto transmissions in cars are a passing fad.

[Coldmonster]

I'm probly going to end up getting the mossberg 500. Cheaper and known reliability so I'll actually be able to buy ammo with the gun. And I'll just get a pistol grip and colapsable stock for it after I finish the ar. I have to make sure it's tacticool.

[Bansh88]

I'm probly going to end up getting the mossberg 500. Cheaper and known reliability so I'll actually be able to buy ammo with the gun. And I'll just get a pistol grip and colapsable stock for it after I finish the ar. I have to make sure it's tacticool.

Avoid ATI junk. I had the folding stock on my 500. Garbage.
If I was going to do an aftermarket stock, I'd go with the Knoxx

[Steve_In_29]

Avoid ATI junk. I had the folding stock on my 500. Garbage.
If I was going to do an aftermarket stock, I'd go with the Knoxx

I would avoid the Knoxx stock unless you LIKE getting punched in the cheek EVERY time you pull the trigger. Their dual (up and back) movement recoil reduction really slaps you hard unless you use a loose cheek weld. Which is the opposite of how every shooter is taught to hold a weapon for the best accuracy.