Author Topic: help me pick a shotgun... (Read 1717 times)

mjbgalt · « **on:** June 01, 2005, 05:48:11 PM »

i want a 12 gauge thats quality and will last me years. i need something i can use for game and for skeet and trap. i want lightweight and less than $500.

i am getting an extra paycheck in august and i am buying myself a new toy for my birthday.

any and all suggestions welcome.

-Matt

Sx2 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2005, 09:07:59 PM »

mossberg 930 or Charles Daly for semi's

Mossy 500 or 835, Rem 870 express, benelli nova for pumps

victorcharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2005, 03:43:06 AM »

I'd look for a good used Remington 1100.......which you should be able to find for the money you want to spend or less...There are many stories of these guns shooting 10's of thousands of rounds with no problems.....

The popularity of the 1100 guarantees parts will be available for many years to come.....

I have my Dad's Remington Sportsman 58. I've hunted with that gun over 40 years......It's killed about every kind of small game you can think of........shot many rounds of skeet and trap with it.........and it still works perfectly.......I finally semi-retired it a few years back, after dad died......no telling how many rounds have gone down the barrel, but it's a bunch........

I don't think you'll beat the reliability or durability of a Remington 1100 for the price....

mjbgalt · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2005, 03:54:04 AM »

thats not a bad idea....but remingtons have never fit me very well. although i can try it and see, i havent ever shot a 12 gauge 1100.

i was thinking more of new guns but i guess a good deal on a used one wont hurt me.

i HATE the 870 express. i had one and got rid of it. the finish is ugly and mine got little rust spots on it no matter what i did to it and the stock was nasty and the finish came off.

the nova isnt a shotgun, its a ray gun from mars. no thanks.

the 1100 sounds close....any more ideas?

-Matt

mountainview · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2005, 04:54:16 AM »

MJB,

For doubles in skeet or trap, a nice O/U is what I personally like as it gives me 2 quick shots without lugging the weight of an autoloader. Unfortunately for O/U's, it almost guarantees going with an import. A lot of folks seem to like the DeHaans and they seem reasonably priced, service if needed down the road 20+ years well who knows.

If the Rem guns ain't yer bag, the Mossy auto as noted above could be a possibility (I like the safety on the top feature) or even the Win SX-2 auto.

Have fun deciding on what to get.

varmit_master · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2005, 04:59:15 AM »

HI if i was you i would STAY aWAY from the BENELLI or any thing they make i hda a new one it was shooting 10 inch to the right the point of impact at 30 yds had 2 gun smiths look at it and both said i need to send it back i did and Benelli had it from end of March to the almost the end of May and NEvER fix it sent it back and said it was ok i will never buy another benelli ever if they cant fix it i would look at a Mossboug they will fix it if you have to send it back VM

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2005, 07:37:48 AM »

Every Wal-Mart I have been in recently has had their Remingtons 11-87 Premiers on Clearance for $500. Not a steal at that price, but pretty good.

Sx2 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:03:43 AM »

Quote from: mjbgalt

thats not a bad idea....but remingtons have never fit me very well. although i can try it and see, i havent ever shot a 12 gauge 1100.

i was thinking more of new guns but i guess a good deal on a used one wont hurt me.

i HATE the 870 express. i had one and got rid of it. the finish is ugly and mine got little rust spots on it no matter what i did to it and the stock was nasty and the finish came off.

the nova isnt a shotgun, its a ray gun from mars. no thanks.

the 1100 sounds close....any more ideas?

Next time ya might post what you would NOT want so people don't waste time making suggestions :wink: Good luck with your new gun.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:18:56 AM »

SX2-

other than the 870 i didnt KNOW what i didnt want. when i looked up the nova it wasnt my thing.

i am going to websites and checking out the guns you guys mention, since our town's gunshop has nothing but old remingtons and some crappy savage shotguns from the 60s and some .22s

i have a winchester 1300 but i shoot rifle almost exclusively unless rabbit or bird hunting, which isnt often. i had to sell my mossberg 9200 due to medical bills and i wanna replace it when i get the money. so i do know guns but the nova and cz are new ones on me.

and if youre on here to read the question i wouldnt think its wasting your time. i dont count ANY time on GBO to be wasted.

-Matt

dukkillr · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2005, 10:47:27 AM »

Sounds like you need a winchester Model 12 to me. I'd look for 28" 2 3/4" that's been taken care of. For anything that doesn't require 3" or larger shells you cannot beat a M12. They are light, quick, balanced, and better made than any gun made today.

If you want to goose or turkey hunt, go with a Browning BPS. They are the most versitile shotguns made today. They are better in quality than an 870 (I own and use both) and are more dependable than anything else on the market. For real world shooting you simply cannot beat the BPS.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2005, 11:06:07 AM »

duck, you had a hell of an idea. i would love to have m12. my grandfather has one and i have always loved his. not a bad idea...but can i do it for $400 or so or will i be in the $500-$600 range?

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2005, 12:09:36 PM »

ok heres the list so far:

CZ 712 autoloader
Winchester Model 12
Browning BPS
Charles Daly autoloader
H&R Topper Deluxe Classic

does KBI make the benelli shotgun too? because the one they make for charles daly looks so much like the benelli its eerie.

-Matt

dukkillr · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2005, 12:33:05 PM »

I paid $325 for my favorite M12. You can find a good one for less than 500, particularly if you're looking for a gun to use rather than a gun to collect. The other great thing about getting a m12 is that you'll have a gun you'll be proud to own and pass on someday. I don't think the other guns on the list would fit that bill.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2005, 01:16:33 PM »

Another suggestion is have a look at a Winchester 1500 XTR. The one I had was an aluminum receiver and very light weight. The finsh on that gun was beutiful........I bought it used at a pawn shop for $250.......I don't think the gun is as well made as an 1100, but served me well rabbit hunting for a couple of years until it was stolen.

By the way, my long time hunting pardner bought a used Remington 1100 12 gauge that looks like new.......he tells me he paid $125 for it..........I asked him if his fingers burned but he assured me it wasn't stolen........Somethings not right about the price...........I still think your best bet for a quality shot gun at that price is to look for a good 1100. Your grandchildren will enjoy it long after your gone.

Jimi · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2005, 01:32:28 PM »

Even though varmint master had a bad experience with a Benelli, I have found them to be far and away the finest semi-automatic shotgun available. I have used my Mk II in the field, the range, and competition and don't know how many thousands of rounds I have run through it... without a single incident that wasn't attributable to a couple of rounds with faulty primers. This is why the Navy SEALS rely on them with their lives. And the cycle time is insane.

While it is above your $500 budget... if you truly want a shotgun you will be happy with for life, take the time to save up a little more coin and go for it.

dukkillr · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2005, 06:22:42 PM »

I've owned both the SBEII (Currently own) and the SBE. They are both great guns but suffer the same drawbacks as any auto. If you're a real-world hunter (mud, ice, dogs, etc) you'll be glad you went with a pump. A BPS will cycle with all sorts of crap in it. An M12 or 870 will too. Autos are great for a some things but I would want one as my only gun unless I was only going to pheasant hunt on game farms in beautiful weather, and then I'd go with a double.

The other thing i've noticed about both SBE and SBEII is that it's difficult to close the bolt quietly and still get it to close all the way. Also if you have small fingers beware of the magazine gate, it hurts like you wouldn't believe if you get a finger caught in there. This seems to be a real problem for women (it gives my girlfriend fits) and kids.

Sx2 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2005, 01:27:21 AM »

don't get excited mjbgalt
This..... :wink: means I'm ribbing you. OK.
Iv'e seen many of this type of post, hey help pick my gun, my dog, my boots, my woman. I't like pushing religion or politics :-D (that's the sign for relating sarcasim)

BTW, I foregot to mention the Stoeger 2000. Seems like a nice gun for the money

mjbgalt · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2005, 02:11:47 AM »

SX2, i knew you were playing, i just forgot MY smilie

whats the stoeger 2000? is that the over and under they sell?

-Matt

Sx2 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2005, 05:39:00 AM »

It's a recoil operated semi auto built on the Benelli Inertia design, authorized by Benelli.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/index.tpl

mjbgalt · « **Reply #19 on:** June 03, 2005, 12:11:42 PM »

looks just like the CZ 712 and Charles Daly...weird.

But i REALLY like the looks and the price isnt bad either. I would just be concerned that if it breaks, will Stoeger be around for the next 40 years like others will.

-Matt

Sx2 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 03, 2005, 01:33:51 PM »

I wondered that myself a while back ago. Honestly, any new product is a crap shoot nowdays

Dave H20 Fowl · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2005, 09:41:59 PM »

I reccomend trying to shoot as many different kinds of guns as you can. Some ranges have rental guns available. If you find one that fits that can be had for under $500, go for it, otherwise consider used. I have purchased many used guns that were well cared for and were great shooters. I hunt with "cheap guns" so I understsand not wanting to spend more, but $500 doesn't provide for a lot of variety in new semi auto shotguns let alone double guns. If you want to shoot Skeet get a used auto.
Best of Luck!

varmit_master · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2005, 07:40:03 AM »

Hi if i was you would stay away from the stoeger because it is made by benelli or the nova i had a new Benelli M1 camo super 90 12ga bought it shot it around 10 times sent it to Benelli because the point of impact @ 30 yds was 10 inchs to the right and Benelli had it from the the End of March to 2 weeks ago and didnt to a think to it said it was ok i had 2 custom gun smith look at it and they said there was something bad wrong with it to make it shoot that bad off so Benelli wouldnt fix it SO I HAVE owned my LAST BENELLI or any gun they make i sold it and order me a new Win Super X 2 Shotgun and on the Charles Daly they WILL stand behinde there stuff that is the one i would be looking at VM

NORG_HUNTER · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2005, 09:54:20 AM »

BROWNING BPS FIELD I'VE HAD MINE NOW 20 YRS ,NO PROBLEMS :lol: ,JUST MAKE SURE TO CLEAN THE ACTION EVERY COUPLE YEARS, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH YOU SHOOT. GOOD LUCK

BuckTrucker · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2005, 04:21:35 PM »

mjbgalt,

I'm seeking advice on the bolt/optics forum like you are here. Being a shotgunner for more years than I want to admit to, here's my advice.

I've had a 1100 for almost 33 years now and it has had to see the gunsmith twice and the second time was because he didn't fix it right the first time. The 1100 is an awesome choice for reliability and excellent gun handling and it has a lot of options as well.

That said, and no disrespect to varmit_master (i'd be just as pissed), the Bennelli is known for reliability and performance and if I were buying a 12 Ga. today, it would be at the top of my list. I hunt Pheasant with a couple of buddies every year in SD and their Bennelli's have never let them down. And I'm happy to say they take far more shots than I do!

I'm saving for a Citori Grade VII but if you're going for a autoloader, get a 1100 or the Benelli even if you have to stretch that $500 a little farther.

Have fun and let us know what you end up with.

varmit_master · « **Reply #25 on:** June 14, 2005, 10:11:26 PM »

HI i have seen out at Anderson's custom choke and shotguns going out there watch them test new chokes and shells and i have seen Keith work on SBE because they wasnt cycling the shell right they are alot of people that uses them Duck huning here in Arkansas my dad has a SBE he uses turkey huntingi have own 2 or 3 Benelli 's Super 90 12ga's before i got the bad one and they was good guns BUT if Benelli isnt going to stand behinde there gun i am going to a gun that if something happens to it the COM will stand behinde it plus i use a shotgun 90% just turkey hunting and a benelli i have seen pattern didnt pattern that good the Mos. 835 or 935 will pattern good for the money i could have got another Benelli BUT this time I went with a WIN S X 2 3 1/2 12ga that is just what i have seen out there at the gun shop the shotguns with the back boarded barrels was pattern better than the other ones that didnt have it VM

mountainview · « **Reply #26 on:** June 17, 2005, 05:52:23 AM »

As noted above, if skeet is on the menu, an O/U or semi would be the route to go. Since new $500 semis or under are not thick on the ground, I'll add the new Mossberg 3" Semi-auto to the list (the tang mounted safety is a nice feature).

daddywpb · « **Reply #27 on:** June 25, 2005, 12:37:48 AM »

If you like SXS's, I just bought a Stoeger Uplander. Nice looking gun, rock solid, and $350 new at BPS. It points and shoots well for me.