Thinking about a 12Ga shotgun....recommendations

Namerifrats

Namerifrats

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I have a Stoeger 12ga SxS Coach gun. Only shotgun I own. Thinking about something like a pump with a longer barrel that my current shotgun. Would be used for range plinking, maybe hunting, messing around with clays but not in a serious way. Looking at either a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Both appear to be popular models, decent quality for what I would need it for, and low price. Thoughts on one or the other on these? Both have interchangeable chokes correct? (Not up on my shotgun model knowledge) Suggestions on other models? I'm a rifle guy and dont mind putting decent money into a rifle. Shotgun for my uses, I'd like to keep under $400 or so.
 
I like the location of the safety on the Mossberg. Otherwise, flip a coin.
 
Agreed with above, it’s a coin toss between the two. I grew up hunting with mossbergs so I’m more comfortable with their safety placement.

I love my 590a1. It’s a bit more than a 500, but 500s are solid.


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I muchly prefer a locking bolt to the barrel!
I know these haven't happened to anyone else: my son's Mossberg failed after two years shooting birdshot, it took them 4 months to replace the bolt assembly. I've had two Rem's (870 & 1100)come apart when I pulled the trigger.
Benelli Nova
Winchester
 
Handle both before making your decision. To me, a 500 feels really cheap. The 590 and 870 have a much more solid feel to them and you can’t wrong with either.
 
My best pump gun is an old 870 Police Magnum, I think I gave $250 for it, that I refurbed for a barn and truck gun. The older 870s to me were built better than the newer stuff’s action bar setup is not as good as the old Police Magnum’s setup. I was going to Cerakote it and Magpul it up but just a good cleaning (the innards were gummed up bad from lack of PM), freshen up a few parts (especially the mag spring) and cheap $10 sling ... it worked to dang good to go any farther and risk messing its functionality up.

Both the 870 and 590 have good reputations and either would be a great addition. I prefer the 870 because I’m use to the safety location (the trigger guard) from my other Remingtons and a Benelli. If I were left handed or think ambidextrous I’d look at the 590 with a tang safety. New, I’d probably 590 but if I could find a good use 870 Police I’d choose it by just a hair.
 
While I'm a 870 guy for the sake of muscle memory. As I gave my Mossberg 590 to my left handed son. Both the 870 and 500 are proven shotguns. However, in the race to make a cheaper competitive model with the competition they have gotten cheaper. The Maverick 88s are made across the border in Mexico and shipped to the US for assemble (safety is different but barrels are interchangeable with the 500). The Remington 870 Express is built cheaper then the 870 Wingmaster/Police guns. H&R/NEF imports a solid built Chinese 870 copy as the Partner Pump. Barrels are NOT interchangeable but other parts are. Good suggestion to look at the Nova or Winchester pump too.

CD
 
The tang safety on the Mossberg made the decision easy. I don't want Mrs. to get confused if she ever has to use it. They both felt about the same to me while shooting.
I recommend the enhanced safety button. They sell one that has a higher ridge on it.

I've seen a few deals out there recently that offer a pistol grip and a couple of barrels.

A note...I've not done it, but I've read a few stories about people changing out the stock and wrecking the safety. Pay attention! The washers in the kits are there for a reason!
 
Check out the Winchesters as well. In your price range and they seem to hold up quite well. So are a lot of used semi's. Some of the budget semi-auto's are around $500. I started shooting shotguns when I was around 12 hunting deer, waterfowl, small game and doves. The secret to a shotgun is how it fits. Regardless of make or brand or model, if it doesn't fit you it will never shoot worth a damn. You POINT a shotgun and AIM a rifle. Unless you shoot slugs sights are optional. I had a nice Benelli a few years ago (everybody had one so I had to have one too!) that never fit me. It came with a bunch of shims to raise or lower the comb as well as the LOP. None worked for me. I had to "learn" to shoot it every year. I finally sold it to a good friend and it fits her like a glove. She kills whatever runs or flies by. So I went shopping and handled as many shotguns as possible. Hold the shotgun across your chest, pick a spot on the wall, close your eyes and bring it up to your cheek in one smooth motion. Open your eyes and the barrel should be lined up with the spot. I found that for an over the counter shotgun the Winchester SX3 fit me like a glove. One of the Stoeger (M2000?) came in second. So, basically, shotguns are like shoes. Get one that fits and it will be a joy to shoot. If it doesn't fit you will hate it.
 
Downeast said:
Regardless of make or brand or model, if it doesn't fit you it will never shoot worth a damn. You POINT a shotgun and AIM a rifle.
I found that for an over the counter shotgun the Winchester SX3 fit me like a glove. One of the Stoeger (M2000?) came in second. Get one that fits and it will be a joy to shoot. If it doesn't fit you will hate it.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I had to shim my Benelli M1 to lower the stock enough I wasn't looking at the top of the rib, thus shooting very high.
I love my Browning Citori, yet can't shoot it much because I have to press my face down on the stock to get my eye low enough.
Mine and my son's Winchester 1300's and Benelli Nova are spot on for us.
Went to shoot clays using a friends FN made Winchester Model 101 Sporting and it was amazing.
 
I like my 590A1 pretty well. Also like my Shockwave. If you look around and are patient, you can find a decent priced 590A1. There are several models of the 590A1. Different barrel lengths, stocks etc. Handle as many as possible before buying. Dont buy X model cause so and so has one and loves it. Just cause they love it, you may not. Explore different makes and models. Dont just single out Mossberg or Remington. Shop around. Winchester makes a good gun, as does Benelli. As well as others.
 
I found a Winchester model 120 at a coon chase and gave the guy $150. It's basically a cheaper version of the model 12, which is an all time great.
It came with a 18" slug barrel, and I picked up a 30" full choke barrel for it too. But the older Winchesters are harder to find parts for.
If I hadta say, I'd recommend taking some time and see if you can find a used Remington 870 Wingmaster. The Wingmaster is the best of the 870 series and it shows. With some perseverance you can get a good one in your price range, and aftermarket parts and accessories are plentiful.
 
If I missed it, I apologize, but what is the main purpose of the shotgun? Competition, hunting, home defense?

I have an Mossberg 835 that I have had for 25 or so years that I have used for everything from squirrels and doves to deer and swans. It is chambered for 3.5 inch shells, so there really is nothing I cant fire through it. So keep that in mind when picking a scattergun. As much as I love my 590a1, if there was a SHTF situation, Id probably grab the 835 just so I could shoot any 12 gauge the world had to offer.
 
Nice Mossberg 500 Flex Marine 26" $250 in the BST.
 
I'm partial to 870 Police Mags or older Wingmasters. The older ones just marked "magnum" are gtg too and can be found pretty cheap. Then again, you have the Franchi Spas-12/15.......
 
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