Upland gun - under 700$

[RadSav]

My only concern with the 870 is the finish.

I believe the new 2011 stock is a laminated stock.  This usually means the wood is impregnated quite well under pressure so I would feel pretty confident with the wood finish.  A coat of Behr poly finish is an easy do-it-yourself project if it concerns you.

As far as the matte finish of the steel I kind of like it.  Looks good and cuts down on glare if shooting toward the sun.  As with any gun with a blued steel barrel you need to be diligent in cleaning to keep a nice finish.  Talk with a respected gunsmith about recommended products and procedures and you should be good to hand this gun down to your kids or grand kids. 870's aren't the easiest to break down and clean, but once you do it a few times you won't know why you were worried.

As an upland gun you won't be dealing too much with salt water.  Your biggest obstacles in keeping your gun in good working condition is going to be blood, dust, corn stalks, climbing rocks if chuckar hunting and crossing barbed wire fencing.  Those things will beat up even the best blued barrels and custom finishes. 

My once beautiful Silver Pigeon is now scratched from choke to receiver, the butt plate is filled with blackberry thorns and the stock has more holes poked into the finish from barbed wired than my truck has rock chips.  I have a scratch in the barrel I refuse to re-blue because I got it the last hunting trip with my "Upland Dancer" dog.  I don't replace the butt pad because I tore it on the last hunt I had with my precious "Sauk" dog.  My eyes tear up every time I rub it down like I'm using fresh cut onions as gun oil.  It's a gun full of memories and to me more beautiful than the day I bought it.

[satchel3006]

870. I have 2 express's both bought in the last 2-3 years one is a synthetic and one is laminated. I haven't had a jam problem that wasn't my fault. My synthetic gun did rust a little bit once but it was wet and I put it in the gun case like an idiot and it rusted a little bit. Otherwise no problems I've hunted with this gun a few times where I've had to break the ice of the gun no rust. The Wingmaster is a little bit lighter as it has the LC barrel.

[westside103147]

Ive decided to go with the express just gonna make sure to put clp on it before i take ot out and before i store it. Looked at the wingmaster today dont think its worth the extra money!

[MtnMuley]

have any of you guys owned or shot a nova?

Yes.  For one year and sold it.  Bulky, clanky, and not as smooth as the 870's.  The Super Black Eagle on the other hand is a different story.

My only concern with the 870 is the finish.

They will rust overnight if left damp.  With the brushed, matte style finish on them.  Keeping the barrel oiled with Rem Oil is mandatory.

[Shoffy]

Try the Stoeger M2000. It's under $500 and a nice gun for the money. It's basically a Benelli M90, but built in Turkey for 1/3 of the price. I read blogs of people that didn't like them, but I couldn't resist. It has not failed once. The first time I took it in the field I pulled up on a wild rooster and nailed him on the first shot. I think they are a great gun for the working class man

[marlin]

the stoeger 2000 I had was crap.. It constantly jammed, it would double feed, have light firing pin strikes, and just about everything else that could go wrong did. It got traded. I decided that if I want another gun with the "inertia operating system" it will be a real benelli not a knock off. It kicked like a mule too. Montefeltro 20ga would be nice but there is a list of shotguns I would want before that.

[87Ford]

Personally, I'd stay away from Stoeger.  Go with the Remington 870 or save some more money and go Benelli m2 or Ultra Light.  I love my Benelli Ultra Light for pheasants, quail, grouse..

[Shoffy]

the stoeger 2000 I had was crap.. It constantly jammed, it would double feed, have light firing pin strikes, and just about everything else that could go wrong did. It got traded. I decided that if I want another gun with the "inertia operating system" it will be a real benelli not a knock off. It kicked like a mule too. Montefeltro 20ga would be nice but there is a list of shotguns I would want before that.

Yeah, I don't know man....I read tons of reviews that people like your self had nothing but problems with them. Mine has been nothing but good to me. I've put about 500+ rounds through it and everything from 7/8 trap loads to heavy 1-1/4 game loads and it hasn't jammed or misfired yet. It does kick like a mule, so I put a limbsaver recoil pad on it. That helped some. I personally think if you get a good one they are more reliable than any other gas auto for the price. I had a Remington 1100 that was the most un-reliable gun ever built. Mine must have been built on a friday. There is no question the Benelli is a better gun, but the Stoeger has it's place on the market.

I also won't argue that the 870 is a great gun. My first gun was a youth 20ga 870 and I practically wore that thing out. Great firearm

[Mookie]

The Express has jamming issues that can be fixed with a screwgun, 0000 steel wool and gun oil. Polish the crap out of the chamber, but use lots of oil. Then strip it down for a thorough cleaning and take a fine file to all the burrs and polish the inside. I did this to mine, it would jam, and it fixed it all and was super smooth.

Don't forget the Mossberg 930 for a nice semi and the 500 for the pump. Both have stellar reputations. Just as reliable as any 870 I have owned but I don't think they are as nicely finished as the 870.