Inexpensive Shotguns

fetter

I'm looking for my first shotgun. But the most I can spend is about $400. It's not for serious shooting such as hunting or skeet/trap. Although I may toy with skeet/trap shooting, it might be once a or twice a year. This is strictly a toy for me to play with, I've looked at the mossberg 590, not ideal for skeet but great for home proctection, and a charles daly semi auto, but I'm clueless when it comes to shotguns.

Any Ideas?

He Dog

I would look for a Remington 870 if it were me. Fine, affordable pump action.

geeguy

In the price range you are looking I would recomend a good name brand used gun vs. a new gun. Pumps are not a good selection for games (yes I'll hear from all the 870 shooters). A good 1100 Remington or 11-87 should be very versitile, lots of parts available, well made, and try to get choke tubes. There are also many barrel options. If I had only one gun it would be a semi due to the versatility.

Also look for a Browning Gold or Winchester Super X. All good choices. (Beretta 390 or 391 are great, but not normally in your range)

A lot of the new auto's coming from Turkey and Italy have plastic trigger parts and don't hold up well. Get a good used gun instead, money is better spent.

Best of luck.

TWalker

I agree that a Remington 1100 or 1187 would be a great choice in a used shotgun. I just bought a used 1187 Premier that looked in very good condition with a light contour barrel for $250. It cleaned up well and now could pass as a 95% excellent condition shooter. It hard to beat these guns for the money.

Zinderbloc

I would stick with a pump for your first shotgun. Either the Mossberg or the Remington would be ideal. Both are great, time-proven shotguns.

catpealer111

The 1200 or 1300 Winchester would be a good first shotty as well, unless the selling of Winchester has driven the price up on those as well. Go with the 870 Rem.

Sig220_Ruger77

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Both are very good guns and bring a fairly low price tag. I recently picked up a Mossberg 500 "Persuader" with 18.5" bbl. and a pistol grip kit. Fun to shoot and excellent little home defense gun.

Jon

reddnek

Another vote for Mossberg,but handle the Remington first and go with the one you like better. Somehow Remingtons never feel"right" to me

Colonel Plink

quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
The 1200 or 1300 Winchester would be a good first shotty as well, unless the selling of Winchester has driven the price up on those as well. Go with the 870 Rem.


My wife bought me a Wally-world 1300 for my birthday one year. I've had a lot of danged fun with it. That being said, see what your local gun shops have in an 870, 1300 or Mossy 500 before you give Walmart any of your money.

hslaterpryce

Mossbergs are great guns at a reasonable price. The CZ 712 S/Auto isn't a bad choice either in price or reliability. ghs

redman.com1

go for the 1100, stay away from any winchesters, mossbergs, or the other inferior shotguns.