I want a shotgun

[caddlad]

12 Ga....cause bigger is funner.

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: Auggie

I've always wondered what the rules are for shooting an intruder.

Google castle doctrine washington.

"Homicide justifiable in the lawful defense of self or other persons present."

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I completely agree with this post (although would add that the 870 is just as reliable of a gun.) The pump really doesn't add any noticeable time between shots for the average shooter. After the kick, it becomes completely automatic while you reacquire your target - it happens within a second. I generally don't even realize I'm doing this - it's become so automatic of a response. When I unload my gun so that I can attend to a deer that's down, I still always think to myself, "how'd that get in there? I don't remember doing that?"

As far as the "you'll get used to it." Everyone wants to be seen as a tough guy. The 20 gauge will work just fine. Hell, even for deer, they're equally effective (assuming a slug & slug barrel.) I've never heard "well, if I had a 12 gauge instead of a 20 gauge, that deer would be dead."

Yes, the 870 is a fine shotgun as well. From a purely performance standpoint, there isn't a nickel's worth of difference in them IMHO. However, the Remington may be a little bit more polished in terms of eye appeal and other aesthetics, so if that is something you will pay a small premium for, then by all means go with the 870. You will be well suited with either of them.

 

[Kelvrick]

Get a semi-auto. Yea, yea, the pump is more reliable, less moving parts, whatever. Which do you think is more likely, you failing to correctly rack the shotgun or a semi-auto to jam up on you? The person behind the trigger is most likely to make the mistakes.

I say go for the mossberg 930 combo. You get an 18.5 and a 28" barrel for ~ $500. Semi-auto, reliable. Good reviews.

If you're sticking to pumps, I personally prefer the mossberg 500 because I like where the controls are. That, and the 590 has a bayonet lug. I love my bayonet.

EDIT: I have yet to jam my pump shotgun, either the 590 or my benellie super nova 26" 12ga. But you know what? For potential home defense, your adrenaline is going, it isn't going to be like the range where your buddies are back there making fun of your missed shots. A mistake won't cost you an unbroken clay.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My Over/Under Beretta shotgun never jams.

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: lokiju
Mossberg 590 /thread.

It's the only military spec shot gun and is what the military uses.

They also use the Beretta M9, and I would take my Glock 21SF over that any day of the week.

That said, I don't think I've ever heard a bad thing about Mossberg.

What your beef with the Beretta? I love the 92FS.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: nkgreen

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: lokiju
Mossberg 590 /thread.

It's the only military spec shot gun and is what the military uses.

They also use the Beretta M9, and I would take my Glock 21SF over that any day of the week.

That said, I don't think I've ever heard a bad thing about Mossberg.

What your beef with the Beretta? I love the 92FS.

I think he might not like the 9mm round? His 21SF is .45ACP.


Back on topic, I would go 12G all the way for a dual purpose gun. Or you could drop $200ish and get a 12G mossberg 500. And then spend $200 on a 20G

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
My Over/Under Beretta shotgun never jams.

How's that third shot for ya?

 

[JohnCU]

remington 1100

/thread

 

[KillerCharlie]

Okay, I'm bumping this. I haven't gotten a shotgun yet. I will only use it for shooting clays and want to start with a pump since it's cheaper. If I like it a lot I can upgrade. I just don't want to put down over $400-$500 on a gun I might not end up using much. I can just start out with singles anyway.

Anyway, I'm getting mixed review on the caliber. 12 gauge or 20 gauge? Aren't trap loads lighter so a 12 gauge won't be as bad?

 

[HannibalX]

Guys, why are shotguns still offered with wooden stock? For aesthetics? I thought synthetic stock would be a much more comfortable, utilitarian feature. Also, it looks much better than wood, IMO. Wood is just so.... WWII..

I don't buy guns because they look a certain way.

Stupid thinking like this is what caused the AWB in the 1990s - stupid people fearing certain guns for the way they looked.

 

[MrPickins]

I like the look and feel of my 870 Wingmaster, and while I don't shoot doubles, I never have a problem getting a second shot on a clay if I miss the first.

 

[YoungGun21]

I have a Benelli Nova pump 20g with a red dot sight. You can't get much more tactical looking than that. Maybe if I put a pistol grip on it...

 

[BabaBooey]

12GA. might be a bit after alot of skeet / trap but everyone is different.

I would checkout the Mossberg 500 YOUTH Combo 20 ga or they have a 2 barrel defense / field in 12ga flavor.

My baby....not for skeet but zombies and intruders beware....mossberg 930spx autoloader 12ga.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

12 Ga....cause bigger is funner.

I've got an 8 gauge Fowler at home. I don't think anything above 12 is legal in the US though.

I've mostly handled an 870 in the service though and i recommend it.

 

[Exodist]

mossburg 500 or remington 870

/thread

I agree.

The Mossburg 500 is also the only civilian shotgun (that I know of at least) to pass QA test from the US Military. Although the model that passes had a metal trigger guard and one other feature. But its a very solid gun.

Check out Wikipedia for more info.

 

[Schadenfroh]

A Saiga-12. You can probably get a semi-auto one for ~$600 at a gun show.

(note the one in the video is full-auto)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUe4NWiOq5A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saiga-12

Probably overkill...

 

[spidey07]

What your beef with the Beretta? I love the 92FS.

What does the force use for a shotgun? Pump or semi?

 

[tfinch2]

Guys, why are shotguns still offered with wooden stock? For aesthetics? I thought synthetic stock would be a much more comfortable, utilitarian feature. Also, it looks much better than wood, IMO. Wood is just so.... WWII..

Some guns just look better with wood stocks.

 

[ebaycj]

A Saiga-12. You can probably get a semi-auto one for ~$600 at a gun show.

(note the one in the video is full-auto)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUe4NWiOq5A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saiga-12

Probably overkill...

AA12 doesn't kick as much. Not sure if they are available in semi-auto, or to the public, though.

 

[DrPizza]

You'll have more pellets in a 12 guage shell than in a 20 gauge shell. So, your accuracy can be slightly lower depending on the choke/spread at whatever distance you're shooting at.

 

[rgwalt]

My recommendation would be for an over/under or a semi-auto in a 12 gauge. Find a place to go shoot and see if they rent guns. If they do, try some different guns out and see what you like. They will likely rent over/unders, but ask and see if they have any semi-automatics.

Browning and Beretta are among the more popular "middle of the road" shotguns out there. Their semi-autos range from $600 to $2000 (or more depending on additional options like a recoil reducer). Their over/unders start at $1500 and go up from there. If you are looking to get into trap, skeet, and sporting clays "casually", then I would recommend a Beretta A391 Urika 2. You can get the sythetic stock version of this gun for $900. This is a very solid gas operated semi-automatic shotgun and will give you many years of trouble free service provided that you clean it and take care of it. I've heard of people putting 1000 rounds a day through this gun without any mis-feeds or jams.

If you find that you like the over/unders but don't want to shell out the money for a Beretta, Browning (or Winchester or one of the other more expensive brands), then take a look at Yildiz. They are a Turkish manufacturer and I've heard some good things, plus they are very budget friendly.

If you are truly interested in something that will do double duty as a home defense gun and a trap/skeet gun, then I would pick up a Remington 870. You can get both a standard length barrel as well as a short, 18in barrel for home defense. Load it with 00 buck for home defense. The problem I have with this is that if you find you really get into trap/skeet, you'll grow out of that gun rather quickly.

The last thing I would recommend is picking up a shell bag to wear on your belt (some have belts included). Much, much easier than carrying around boxes of shells or stuffing them in your pocket.

Good luck!

 

[rgwalt]

My Over/Under Beretta shotgun never jams.

Funny, neither does mine

 

[rgwalt]

Okay, I'm bumping this. I haven't gotten a shotgun yet. I will only use it for shooting clays and want to start with a pump since it's cheaper. If I like it a lot I can upgrade. I just don't want to put down over $400-$500 on a gun I might not end up using much. I can just start out with singles anyway.

Anyway, I'm getting mixed review on the caliber. 12 gauge or 20 gauge? Aren't trap loads lighter so a 12 gauge won't be as bad?

Go with 12 gauge. A 12 gauge shell can (and typically will) be loaded with more shot than a 20 gauge shell. This will make your pattern larger at a given distance (with everything else being equal), which will give you a better chance at hitting your target.

For your budget, take a look at Beretta's A390 shotgun. It is adapted from their previous generation of semi-automatic shotgun designs, and it is a very nice entry level gun. You should be able to pick one up for under $600. You will definitely be able to "grow" into this gun. Plus, if you decide you aren't into trap/skeet, you can always sell it. You'll likely get a better price out of it used than you would an 870. (this being said, the 870 is a nice gun)

Edit: I know it seems like I'm really pushing beretta and semi-automatic shotguns, and there is a reason. Beretta makes a great gun (plus the A390 is manufactured in the US), and I think you will be better served by the semi-auto getting into the hobby. You just don't see many people out at the range shooting pumps. If you spent $400 on a pump now, you might be looking for a semi-auto six months from now.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Okay, I'm picking up a 12ga Mossberg 500 with synthetic stock. I went to some used gun and pawn stores and I can actually get a new one for just a little more (about $260 for 28"/18" barrels). There's just something I like about a pump shotgun.

 

[caddlad]

I've worked at my clubs trap shoot every month, year round, for over 15 years.

All 12 ga. with very few exceptions. Bigger bore = more pellets = more broken birds. The only time you'll feel the difference in recoil is with a 3 1/2" turkey load through a xtra full choke. Even then, suck it up, be a man and grin like you enjoyed it.

As to the make/model, I have a Remington 1187. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. They are often sold as a combination with vent rib (long bird/trap/turkey) and slug (short slug/defenze) barrels. Autoloaders are fun and fast. Gas operation also soaks up some recoil.

Wood or synthetic? Your preference. Wood is mine. I love walnut.

Buy a 12 gauge. Everybody else did.