Cheap reliable 12ga shotgun. Recommendations?

[Barefoot_Sasquatch]

Hello, I have not yet owned a firearm. I was about to buy a Mossberg 500 tactical for $150 but the deal fell through (seller's wife got rid of it before I got there).
I'm looking for a 12ga shotgun (I've only ever fired 12ga shotguns so it's what I'm used to) that is both affordable and reliable. I'd like to have it on hand for home defense, but also something that would work for hunting deer.
Any educated/experienced recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[syoungs]

Cheap and reliable dont always run together, though I dont know your definition of cheap.

I bought a remington 11-87 a few years back brand new for $500, probably been through 4k rounds between hunting ducks and skeet, never has it faltered. to me that is cheap.

whats your budget?

[Bofire]

  Remington 870 pump, 3 inch chamber, Rem chokes. Wingmaster is best, Express will work. Vent rib is nice.
Carl

[BigGoonTuna]

was gonna say used remington 870 or mossberg 500.

[elkaholic123]

I like my Benelli Nova's

[jackmaster]

Remington 870 pump, 3 inch chamber, Rem chokes. Wingmaster is best, Express will work. Vent rib is nice.
Carl

:yeah:they are indestructible guns, one has been through hell and back and I never have to sweat it

[Bmcox86]

I like my Benelli Nova's

 

[RB]

was gonna say used remington 870 or mossberg 500.

Mossberg all day long for inexpensive reliable shotgun that be configured any way you want 

[silverdalesauer]

Rem 870 Pump

[Redbeard]

I love my rem 870 express.  Cheap and is rem iable

[Lingcod]

Pretty much has already been said, I have all 3. Mossberg 500, rem 870, Benelli Nova My favorite is the Nove but only because I got it from my brother. If I were you though I would go for the mosseberg, you can have a tac barrel and slug barrel. Very easy to change out to tac when you're not hunting with it, plus lots of after market goodies. Used ones are easy to find and cheap

[Jingles]

Pretty much has already been said, I have all 3. Mossberg 500, rem 870, Benelli Nova My favorite is the Nove but only because I got it from my brother. If I were you though I would go for the mosseberg, you can have a tac barrel and slug barrel. Very easy to change out to tac when you're not hunting with it, plus lots of after market goodies. Used ones are easy to find and cheap

Can do the same with the 870 plus add and extended Magazine. Presently waiting for my new 870 barrel and extra full extended turkey choke for MY 1970'S WINGMASTER

But like was said earlier cheap and dependable is kind of an oxymoron better to go with good and dependable then throw in reliable  IMO can't beat the 870 for a pump gun

[lewy]

Affordable and reliable is the definition of the 870

[Lingcod]

Pretty much has already been said, I have all 3. Mossberg 500, rem 870, Benelli Nova My favorite is the Nove but only because I got it from my brother. If I were you though I would go for the mosseberg, you can have a tac barrel and slug barrel. Very easy to change out to tac when you're not hunting with it, plus lots of after market goodies. Used ones are easy to find and cheap

Can do the same with the 870 plus add and extended Magazine. Presently waiting for my new 870 barrel and extra full extended turkey choke for MY 1970'S WINGMASTER

But like was said earlier cheap and dependable is kind of an oxymoron better to go with good and dependable then throw in reliable  IMO can't beat the 870 for a pump gun

Either or, both are great. However Mossbergs warranty is 10 year and Remington only 2 years. Plus the Duck Commander guys are paid to promote Mossberg so they must be better 

[Bean Counter]

What does an 870 go for these days anyway? $450?

[jackelope]

What does an 870 go for these days anyway? $450?

You can buy a used one for $350 all day with a little web surfing.

[CamoDup]

Remington 870 or Mossberg 835 ultra mag. I have a Mossberg that I got for my 12th birthday and its still my everyday gun. (I'm 26 now) No problems with it what so ever. I use it for upland, waterfowl and turkeys.

[Mtn.Ghost]

I would go with Remington's 870 express over any Mossturd

The 870 Express pump can be bought new for $250-$300 depending were your looking. This gun is very affordable and easily modified to your needs from hunting birds with the interchangeable choke system to big game with available slug barrels or convert to tactical with endless options.

The Rem. 11-87 sportsman is also very good if you can find one, it's the poor mans version of the once highly respected Rem. 1100 they are semi-auto guns. There is also endless mods avail for this one also.

I have one of all 4 models mentioned. The 11-87 auto loader, I made tactical by adding a 9 round extended mag tube, spring kit, combat glow sight, receiver mounted shell holder, composite stock with shell holder on the butt stock, Nylon tactical sling that holds 20 rounds. I load it alternating every other round 00-Buck then 1oz HP slug ect.
It has a name " Black Bart" when he's all outfitted and ready to rock he's 45 rounds of fire and lead breathing furry as fast as you can feed him                    
 

Now the 870 wingmaster is not a cheap one you will pay $550-$600+ for new ones. 

[Bean Counter]

Last year I picked up a Hawk / IAC / Norico 982 from Ctd (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/91401). $200.  it is modeled to be a near perfect clone of the 870. it is shipped from overseas and has a lot of grease, and is rough around the edges.

two problems that were easily fixed:

• The rear ghost ring sight was loose. It actually popped off a few times at my first trip to the range. A little Lock-Tite and this is an easy fix.
• The buffer tube was a little sticky and didn't reliably cycle new rounds into the action. I pulled out the buffer tube spring and stretched it out. Then I stuck my cleaning rod into my drill and threw a CLP soaked rag on there and cleaned the tube out. Cycled more than 100 rounds since then without a single hiccup.

[dawei]

Hello, I have not yet owned a firearm. I was about to buy a Mossberg 500 tactical for $150 but the deal fell through (seller's wife got rid of it before I got there).
I'm looking for a 12ga shotgun (I've only ever fired 12ga shotguns so it's what I'm used to) that is both affordable and reliable. I'd like to have it on hand for home defense, but also something that would work for hunting deer.
Any educated/experienced recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.

If you watch the sales ads Big 5 has Mossberg® 12 & 20ga pumps on sale for $309-319.99 every month. Also these guns come with two barrels.

I have two Mossberg® Mdl 500's (12 & 20ga) bought in 2000. In all that time I've never had a malfunction of any kind. Can't say the same for my Remington® guns.
• Mossberg® has a 10 year warranty, Remington® 1 year.
• Mossberg® has an ambidextrous safety, Remington® does not.
• Mossberg® is drilled & tapped, Remington® is not.
• Mossberg® comes with 3 chokes, Remington® with only 1.
• Mossberg® comes with a sling, Remington® does not.
• You get more gun, for less money with Mossberg®.

[pashok23]

mossberg 500 all the way.payed 309.00 at big5.I love it

[johnr060]

stoeger!

[toddtms]

As many have stated above, you can't go wrong with the Remington 870 pump.  There is a reason that Law Enforcement agencies across the U.S. trust the 870 every day.  It is a great gun that is reliable, fairly inexpensive and available in many configurations.

I would say that the Mossberg 500 is another good choice, but in my opinion, it is not the 870.

Good luck 

[Buzz2401]

Another vote for a mossberg but old winchester 1300's were pretty good too just to add something else to your watch list.

[JLS]

As many have stated above, you can't go wrong with the Remington 870 pump.  There is a reason that Law Enforcement agencies across the U.S. trust the 870 every day. 

Actually, Mossberg has made substantial inroads into law enforcement.  The 870 is by no means the only game in town anymore.

[dawei]

As many have stated above, you can't go wrong with the Remington 870 pump.  There is a reason that Law Enforcement agencies across the U.S. trust the 870 every day. 

Actually, Mossberg has made substantial inroads into law enforcement.  The 870 is by no means the only game in town anymore.

That is so true! Mossberg® is the shotgun our military uses...

[Bmcox86]

As many have stated above, you can't go wrong with the Remington 870 pump.  There is a reason that Law Enforcement agencies across the U.S. trust the 870 every day. 

Actually, Mossberg has made substantial inroads into law enforcement.  The 870 is by no means the only game in town anymore.

That is so true! Mossberg® is the shotgun our military uses...

Not totally true. Some marine units carry a benelli and the coast guard carries the 870

[bearpaw]

I own both models of Mossberg and a Rem 870, I like them all but think the 870 will outlast any Mossberg. I've sold one Mossberg cheap because it seemed to be wearing out, my 870 has had far more rounds through it and seems more solid.

[Bullkllr]

I own both models of Mossberg and a Rem 870, I like them all but think the 870 will outlast any Mossberg.

I own both. I just like the fit and feel of the 870 way better. Mossbergs slide feels kinda sloppy.

[Dutchie]

I've had an 870 for 20 years, got it for Christmas when I was 12. It's killed ducks, geese, grouse, rabbits, my first deer, nutria, it's went turkey hunting with me a couple times also, it just hasn't got the chance at a thunder chicken yet. Never one hickup cycles everything every time.


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[magnanimous_j]

I like the 870, but you might consider one of those Mossberg combos that comes with the two barrels. That way you can keep the shorty on at home and put the longer one on for hunting. Save some cash that way.

All in all, a pump shotgun is about the most simple firearm there is. It's kinda hard to go wrong.

[h2ofowlr]

If you buy "cheap" you get what you pay for.  Spend a few bucks more and get something reliable.  870 is a good option for inexpensive. 

[baldopepper]

The 870 has been around for over 60 years and is the best selling shotgun in history, and for good reason.  They are priced right and very, very reliable.  Not a gun you get out and brag about owning, but one that keeps on working in all kinds of conditions.  If I only owned one shotgun, it would be an 870.