Shotgun Recommendations

[newbie76]

I am getting ready to buy my first shotgun. I don't necessarily mind spending money but wanted some suggestions in terms of what type to get.  Basically, I am looking for one that is the most versatile that I can use to shoot skeet and trap and also go bird hunting once I get my hunter's safety course.......

[high country]

upland, waterfowl or both?

[Timberstalker]

Look at the Benelli Legacy.....

[BigGoonTuna]

remington 870 in 12 gauge.  doesn't get much more versatile than that.

look for a used wingmaster with a 3" reciever and screw in chokes, and you're golden.

[DoubleJ]

remington 870 in 12 gauge.  doesn't get much more versatile than that.

look for a used wingmaster with a 3" reciever and screw in chokes, and you're golden.

 

[ghosthunter]

remington 870 in 12 gauge.  doesn't get much more versatile than that.

look for a used wingmaster with a 3" reciever and screw in chokes, and you're golden.

 

 

[newbie76]

upland, waterfowl or both?

Both!

[jaymark6655]

870 or Mossberg 500  either way really good shotguns.  Shot my first 500 over twenty years ago. 

[newbie76]

remington 870 in 12 gauge.  doesn't get much more versatile than that.

look for a used wingmaster with a 3" reciever and screw in chokes, and you're golden.

 

 

Definitely the most recommendations for that gun THANKS!

[Bofire]

More than 10 million 870's sold, that says it all. Wingmaster is a much nicer gun then the Express. The 'Special purpose" guns are nice too.
Carl

[Oldguy]

The only thing I would add to the 870 recommendation, is that if you are going to hunt waterfowl, you might consider going with a synthetic stock. Moisture plays havoc with wooden stocks.

[DoubleJ]

Thing I like about the 870 is that there are about 34957834987539475934753497 accessories made for them.  And yes, look for a wingmaster.  My recommendation is not to buy one new if you can help it.  Hit the pawn shops.  I've even see wingmasters used at Cabelas for around $100

[DoubleJ]

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/questions/BLACKPOWDERX.htm

That link tells you the age of the wingmaster you find.  As long as it's in good shape, remember, they don't make anything like they used to.  The one I just got from my dad, that was my grandpa's was labeled LYY meaning it was manufactured in Feb 1952.  It's showing some age but nothing I can't buff out and get it re-blued for about $100

[DoubleJ]

Remember though, 3" shells didn't show up until the 1960's I think.  My 1952 model says right on it 2 3/4" shells only.

[high country]

No offense intended here, but being a gal, the recoil of a 3" 12ga may be more than you want in a pump gun. Autoloaders eat a lot of recoil...something to consider. Additionally, if you are on the petite side, the long slide of the 3" pump gun may bug you. I would go fondle one and cycle it a few times while it is mounted up to your shoulder.

[CP]

No offense intended here, but being a gal, the recoil of a 3" 12ga may be more than you want in a pump gun. Autoloaders eat a lot of recoil...something to consider. Additionally, if you are on the petite side, the long slide of the 3" pump gun may bug you. I would go fondle one and cycle it a few times while it is mounted up to your shoulder.

Spend a little extra and get yourself a good gas operated auto such as a Browning Maxus.  Really tames the recoil and can handle any shell from the lightest trap loads to the heaviest 3 ½” magnums. 

[Stickerbush]

Parker brothers side by side  haha actually plus one for the wingmaster if you dont mind spending a little extra than a regular 870

[nwwanderer]

Right on High Country.  Being able to look down the tubes is nice too, safety and simplicity.

[high country]

If you were less interested in waterfowl I would suggest a double gun in a blink. I own several and love them all.

[Huntbear]

remington 870 in 12 gauge.  doesn't get much more versatile than that.

look for a used wingmaster with a 3" reciever and screw in chokes, and you're golden.

 

 

Definitely the most recommendations for that gun THANKS!

Gets my vote too.  Very reliable, they just do not break, and are very simple to tear down and clean thoroughly.

[RadSav]

Are you wanting a Trap & Skeet gun that doubles as a bird gun or a bird gun that doubles as a T&S.  Would make a world of difference as to what I would recommend.

[newbie76]

Are you wanting a Trap & Skeet gun that doubles as a bird gun or a bird gun that doubles as a T&S.  Would make a world of difference as to what I would recommend.

Hmmmm....i guess for now a trap and skeet gun that doubles as a bird gun. Since that is what i have tried and really enjoy.

[RadSav]

In that case I would stay clear of the pump and go for a good Semi-Auto like the Beretta or Franchi.  You will be spending double or more what you would for the 870, but you'll be busting some serious clays and having a lot more fun doing it.  I personally sway toward the Franchi, but the Beretta seems to be leading the pack around here.  They both use the same choke system which I am a big fan of.

[uplandhunter870]

for a first shotgun thats versatile, for the money you cant go wrong with an 870. it can handle anything you throw at it. i have 2 and both are my primary go to shotguns for hunting. just look at my user name. i have an 870 in .410 that i use around our orchard for starling control in the summer around our cherries as well as grouse and quail. that .410 gets several thousand rounds pumped through it every year and has spent many a night in the tool box of my truck, the finish on the stock and forearm is worn off from my hands and face and it has not seen a cleaning kit in several years and it always goes bang when i pull the trigger.

if you want to use it for trap and skeet as well you can get a trap barrel for the 870 from remington, then youd have a trap gun and field gun simply by swapping the barrel.

if youre recoil sensitive you can always shoot softer loads or save up your pennies and look at a semi auto that will eat some of the recoil

[RadSav]

You are close enough to a few good ranges I'd try to find someone on here that can take you for a little gun trial.  Wish I was closer and could help.  It will only take a few shots to see what I mean about busting clays and having more fun with the Beretta or Franchi compared to the 870.  And it has absolutely nothing to do with felt recoil.

No one in there right mind shoots 3" magnum loads to shoot trap or skeet regardless of whether they are shooting a pump, s-auto or double gun.  If you are more than 130 pounds you will care less about recoil in a trap, sporting clay or skeet gun.  If it was a big deal no one would shoot double guns for clays.

[thinkingman]

I agree that a semi-auto is the way to go.
No one has mentioned fit as one of the important characteristics.
I has made a huge difference for me.
I am now shooting a Browning Silver Hunter in 20ga and killing birds dead.
It fits me much differently than my 870 and 1187.
BTW, NOBODY  I know that bought a 3.5in 12ga has ever shot a 3.5 inch shell through it...but they paid a lot for the bragging rights.

[Atroxus]

I recently read a review of the Baikal MP153 in American Hunter magazine, seems like it would be a very versatile, and budget friendly auto-loader. The basic gist of the review said they are somewhat lacking in the fit/finish department, but very reliable, and easily adjustable for firing anything from lightest loads to the heaviest of magnum loads.

[Huntbear]

In that case I would stay clear of the pump and go for a good Semi-Auto like the Beretta or Franchi.  You will be spending double or more what you would for the 870, but you'll be busting some serious clays and having a lot more fun doing it.  I personally sway toward the Franchi, but the Beretta seems to be leading the pack around here.  They both use the same choke system which I am a big fan of.

Why stay away from the pump?  I can shoot my 870 as fast if not faster than anyones semi auto, and by slamming the action forward when loading the next round it naturally pulls the barrel back down into line of sight.  I won many a trap and skeet shoot with an 870 when I used to shoot those competitions, before it became a big whining contest among people shooting 2000.00 + shotguns.

[LincolnTWilliams]

There was a show on the Outdoor Channel the other day about the 870. One guy said, "The only thing more reliable than an 870 is a claw hammer." I bought a wingmaster when I was 14 (29 now) and it is still my favorite shotgun, hasn't broke yet. That said one of my troops has an express that came with a bunk trigger group, we fixed that and then something with the tube magazine broke.... I guess there can be one out of 10 million that has problems.

 I also have an 1100 that I like a lot too. The new Versamax is supposed to be pertty kick A.

[CP]

There was a show on the Outdoor Channel the other day about the 870. One guy said, "The only thing more reliable than an 870 is a claw hammer." I bought a wingmaster when I was 14 (29 now) and it is still my favorite shotgun, hasn't broke yet. That said one of my troops has an express that came with a bunk trigger group, we fixed that and then something with the tube magazine broke.... I guess there can be one out of 10 million that has problems.

 I also have an 1100 that I like a lot too. The new Versamax is supposed to be pertty kick A.

I shot a mid-60s vintage wingmaster a couple of months ago and it was smooth as silk, a finely crafted work of art.  The 870 express however is a POS.  I bought one a couple of years ago that did nothing but jam.  Everything about it was shoddy and cheap.

[JimmyHoffa]

Since you mentioned waterfowl, I would look at 12 gauge.  It is an all around shotgun load with many, many different shells available. 
As for specific guns, I like autos--Benelli and Browning.  The Browning A-5 has a gas ring that changes the recoil cycle depending on heavy vs. light loads to eat up recoil.  Can usually find good deals on them.

[uplandhunter870]

No one in there right mind shoots 3" magnum loads to shoot trap or skeet regardless of whether they are shooting a pump, s-auto or double gun.  If you are more than 130 pounds you will care less about recoil in a trap, sporting clay or skeet gun.  If it was a big deal no one would shoot double guns for clays.

no one shoots 3" shells for trap and skeet because they are illegal, trust me if people could shoot 3'' 1 1/2 oz loads they would, i know i would especially at major events