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?