new 12ga shot guns

redbiker

OK, I haven't ruled out the 1930some Browning A-5's yet, but I am wondering, just what makes one shotgun better than another. Keeping aside personal preferences, of course. Some examples? Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870, vs Charles Daly, vs.... the list goes on and on. Add on the semi-auto vs pump....

Is one mechanism that much better than another? Will one last longer with normal care? All the typical questions, oh, I also lean towards sythetic over wood. Not sure the lower weight in a 12ga is a good idea or not. The Mossberg Mariner in synthetic stock/forearm and stainless steel barrel holding 9 rounds was pretty cool, $425 or something, but definitely the gun I am looking for. Price new? below $400, barrel length? 22-24 inches. What would I hunt with it? turkey, and ...
I am not a trap/skeet shooter, don't care to hunt waterfowl, have plenty of rifles for deer and small game. All things the same? back to preference I know. wood more accurate than synthetic. Pump better, etc.

I guess I am asking about the mechanism differences. Does one have a receiver that in the field gets more dirt in it, for example.

I know, chicken vs. egg questions. Any input appreciated.
Myles

Wehrmacht_45

For brand new shotguns.

Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, Browning, Remington, and Winchester all make top shelf stuff.

The Remington 1100 and 1187 are good guns, but the guns they made 10-20 years ago were nicer than the stuff being churned out right now.

All Beretta's seem to be good

The Franchi 712 is a fine gun

Winchester Super X2 and X3 are good, they are basically the Brownings with slight aesthetic changes and finished to a more utilitarian standard.

duckhunter

Get a Remington 870 Express Turkey. Steel reciever will last for ever, Under $400.00.

bobski

single shot: easy simple operation. cheap to own. brings home the bacon.

sbs: an immediate second choke for the follow up shot. 2 triggers common.

o&u: better sight picture with less blocked view from 2 bbls side by side. two chokes again available to the shooter.

semi auto: fast follow up shots.

pump. easy operation, no gases involved with cycling second shot. cheap to own.

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american guns made prior to the 1970's......hand made marvels. after the 70's corners were cut to cut costs. classics are still sought after.

european guns. handmade guns. expensive. import taxes increase purchase cost. italians, belgium, and germans have the market cornered for best guns in the world.

japanese guns: amazing craftsmanship and affordable prices. most american gun companies go to japan to have their guns made. always a bargain.

middle east guns: crap.

south american made guns: crap.

russian guns: crap.

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wood flex'es, chips, cracks, and warps, plastic doesnt.

wood is classic, plastic is cheap.

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with that all said, it would appear that all youre looking for is a high cap cheap shotgun that looks cool. shop around, there are plenty of ways you can spend your money for a gizmo gun. just think of me when at the end of the day your arm is black and blue from shooting it, then youll have learned that shotguns are like shoes, the must fit or the walk is very painful. hope this helps.

redbiker

Bobski,

Great note. Kinda reinforces my thoughts, specially the black and blue part. I've never owned a 12ga for that reason. Same reason I don't own .44mag, THEY HURT!. I know anything can be gotten used to. Feed a dog nothing buy turnip greens for a couple of weeks and he'll every one of them eventually.

Truly, the only reason I am looking at 12ga is the rubber pellets ans slugs from DOW. It's hard to resist one of those A-5's. worn but well kept. Just like that 1941 Savage 99. Someone sawed he butt and installed Pachmeyer rubber, ventilated (don't know exact term), shock absorbing butt pads. So? the numbers on the cartridge counter are a bit worn, again so? Is it cool looking with that 1/2" 2.5 mag telescopic scope from 1941? yes. Does it shoot well? yes. Is it fun to shoot? yes. Does it fit me? yes. I also have a .30-.30 that the first time I put it to my shoulder, I said yup, this is it. Bought it, it is zeroed for 150 yards, and does a 4" group. Fits great. Sold a Ruger .30-06 M77 in beautiful shape because after walking around for 30 min I knew it wasn't for me.

Anyway, time to go look around again with more info. I didn't look at anything over $450, don't intend to spend that much. Bennelli only European gun I looked at. 2 shops kept insisting on a synthetic, desert camo collapsible stock, pistol grip, gun. Even after I said nope, not this time. Sales people, NO OFFENSE!! In Sportman's warehouse, etc what to expect?
gotta go. thanks again.
Myles

bobski

you point shotguns, you dont aim them. stay away from pistol grips. good luck!

redbiker

Well, I found just about what I was looking for or maybe even better than what I was looking for. It turns out that those rubber shot/slug ammo from DOW don't have enough charge for any semi-auto, ruling out the Brownings. One of those buy what you need and not what you want situations again.

Didn't know they ported shotgun barrels. Anyway, I found a lightly used Mossberg 500A pump 12ga ventilated rib ported barrel (forgot to ask length and choke till I got home...).
Found at the local gun shop, one of our local major businesses at the intersection known as Florissant, CO. Nice folks too.

Walked in, told them what I was looking for and hands me 2 different shotguns used at over $400, one was a single shot!. Obviously not what I was looking for. Asked if they had anything used and out came a Remington 870 Wingmaster for $225 and the Mossberg 500 A for $190.
liked both of them, but the Mossberg felt better, the ported barrel caught my attention. Anyway I got it for $190 out the door including a box of 25 count 12ga 23/4" target load shells. $4.75 big deal but it's the thought that counts, right? I was going to offer $175 which is about $2 under what the gun plus tax would have cost. They even just called to tell me I passed my background check again. So, the thread stops here I guess. So, now the questions about chokes, sights, scopes, barrels, stocks, forearms, etc will be a different topic.
Thanks for the replies, they really were very helpful.
Myles