Whats the best shotgun to buy?

[stateofbliss]

Are there two kinds of 870s? I bought an express model and it was a POS. The mag tub spring retaining cap (removed to get the plug out for quail hunts) was flimsy. It was just impressively cheaply made.

Out hunting dove, I overhead another hunter say "I wish he'd let one go by." referring to my buddy using his pump Mossberg. He got an 1187 and went thru a small learning curve, but always brings the Mossy as a backup.

Anyone have a pic of a SBE Benelli with the extended tube handy?

Which reminds me, not to get off topic - using the Birch & Casey Gun Scrubber may melt down the plug (chemicals breaks it down) - so heads up. I ended up substituting the plastic for a wood dowel rod.

[User42]

Mossberg just beat out Remington for the U.S.M.C. contract. So must not be too big of P.O.S.

Reminds me of a quote...

"Never forget, your rifle is made by the lowest bidder"

[toyslr]

Lowest bidder or not for $125-$150 per unit less and the same quality Mossbergs will when over alot
of pontential clients. I carry both Remington and Mossberg, I personally think its a toss up between the
590 and 870 Series.
NRA gave the 930 Series Mossbergs "Golden Bullseye Award for Shotgun of the Year" at the 2010 Shot Show.

[Valorius]

Are there two kinds of 870s?

Yes.

Express and Police.

The Police is for serious extreme duty type of use.

[blueorison]

Are there two kinds of 870s?

Yes.

Express and Police.

The Police is for serious extreme duty type of use.

There is also a tactical variant with sight rails and a breeching choke.

[Llagoud]

Bud's has some Mossberg 590 Mariner 12ga 9 Shot Police trade-ins for $359 shipped.

[sabotteur]

I'll throw in my two cents.

I like the Franchi 612 semi auto. I've put about 1000 shells through mine, and other than some issue with bird shot and low recoil, I've never had a problem with her. Not a cheap gun, but not super expensive either.

I'm also a fan of the SPAS 12 or Benelli M4, but these will cost you.

If you just want the home defense, then I have to agree with everyone else here, that the Berg 500 platform or the Rem 870 is the way to go.

[RaYhoLio]

I have a Beretta AL391 Urika.. used it, and only it for 7 years of sporting clays, waterfowling (fresh water) and bird hunting.. mainly dove. I'm sure it musta jammed in that time.... but if it has, I don't remember it. I don't get 'married' to many guns... but 'til death do Urika and I part.

I don't think I'd take her salt water hunting though.. I've heard horror stories about guns rusting in one day... too risky for my baby

[extremist]

A Serbu Super Shorty is a nice addition or alternative -- basically a cut-down Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 with a folding front grip. This makes it into an AOW with only a 3-round capacity, but it's a good conversation piece. It certainly draws people to the display case at my local gunshop.

[freelienr]

i like that folding front grip.

[Rapier1772]

I'd probably buy one - if I could find one & fondle it first

[panzermk2]

I'd probably buy one - if I could find one & fondle it first

I have heard that about you. :ponder:

[Rapier1772]

Smeggin' mail order bride service was supposed to keep that quiet

[Vortec MAX]

Mossberg just beat out Remington for the U.S.M.C. contract. So must not be too big of P.O.S.

I wonder if the Remington passed their 10,000 round torture test. I heard that the Mossberg was the only shotgun that could even pass the torture test.

On the day I scored a perfect score with my 590A1 on the police shotgun course, my dad could not complete the course with his 870 due to failures to feed. He ended up selling his 870 and buying a 590 because he could not get it sorted out. It would feed great as long as you worked the action slowly, but when you racked it fast (like when defending yourself) it would jam up.

Mike

[FNForever]

Benelli Nova Pump. You can use 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2" magnum shells in it. You can shoot slugs through it. And you can quick swap longer barrels in it for hunting purposes. Has some very easy to acquire ghost ring sights installed too. Check one out you will not be disappointed.

[drkstrw]

Well after owning a Mossberg 500 20 gauge, Verona semi-auto 12 gauge, and a Saiga 12 converted back to pistol grip. I would choose my Saiga 12 over the others. It has turned out to be my favorite shotty. Liked it so much i purchased a Saiga .410.

[Mister Freeze]

+1

[AEnemaBay]

ETA: Wow, just realized how old this topic was.

For the money (at least when they were cheap) you couldn't beat a properly running Saiga 12 in cost. But for some reason I keep coming back to my Benelli M4 every time.

[SeaHawkDriver-B]

Shotguns are something every American home should have at least 1 or 2 of whether its sitting atop the fireplace mantle or behind your bedroom door ready for action. Its a staple, a necessity, in any scenario, any collection- for defense, hunting, or just intimidation.

Unlike rifles or handguns though, I find having a dozen or-so shotguns distracting and unnecessary. For the most part, a 12ga is a 12ga, it doesn't matter how fancy or tricked-out it is, most shotguns all have very, very similar capabilities. +/- a round or two in capacity, +/- a feature or two... they're the same. You can break clays with the King of Spain with a SPAS12, or bust through a crackhouse door with a Hand-carved and gold-inlaid Beretta.... capability-wise, it just doesn't make much difference, no matter how much it may in some people's mind's that they need one that is a certain color, or has a shell holder riveted to the receiver. The only difference between a pump and an auto is you can empty the auto about a second quicker... thats it.

That being said, I took the mindset that I was only going to buy 3-4 12ga shotguns max, and I was going to make a lifelong investment, i.e. buy something I would never need to trade-up in the foreseable future.

SO i bought two "tactical shotguns"... A Benelli M4, and a Benelli M3... I couldn't decide between the two so I got both, that was 5 years ago, and I have never had any regrets. I've shot plenty of Saigas and I like the magazine capability, but I keep going back to the Benelli's every time, they feel much more natural, and to me, if I really need a drum magazine on a shotgun, I'll be reaching for a REAL drum, a 150rd 5.56 DRUM, or a FAT STACK of 20rd 7.62 mags stuffed into a bandolier.... when it comes to zombie time of course.

The second two shotugns I bought were both Benellis as well, a Super Black EAgle in Real-tree wetlands camo... best damn duck and goose gun I've ever shot. And a Benelli Montefeltro.... what I use for clays and upland birds... it craps all over my previous Remington 1100.

And thats it.. yeah, they're expensive.... but I dont see myself replacing them in my lifetime. Maybe my grandkids can inheret them when guns are all but outlawed and only pre-band hand-me-downs are legal, lol.

I consider my 4 uber-expensive Benneli's an investment, but one thats out of the way, and one I wont have to make again.

.... just as an aside, I am eyeing the KelTec KSG just for the fact that i could use it as a vehicle weapon, or put one in my boat or something.

[Rapier1772]

ETA: Wow, just realized how old this topic was.

Inactive for a couple of months isn't old - we've had threads resurrected after a couple of years :laugh:

Welcome to the forum :thumb: