I need a cheap pump

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brewer12345

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I am giving up on trying to figure out what is going on with my semi-auto I use for waterfowl (gunsmith can fool with it) and need to buy a cheap, durable pump for the rest of the season. I may try hitting the used racks, but for the moment let us assume I will buy new. This is going to be used almost exclusively for waterfowl hunting in cold weather, so it will get used and abused whether I like it or not (so spending more money on a gun that will get trashed over a period of several years is not my aim). I want to spend the least amount possible on a reliable 12 gauge pump with a 3" chamber. I think the candidates are (in descending order of price):

Rem 870 express
Mossberg 500
Maverick 88
Stevens 320
Pardner

Any reason to pick one over the others? I'd buy the rem, but it is the most expensive which is making me hesitate. I also have to see which fits me best, so I am mostly looking to see if anyone has had particularly good or bad experiences with any of these.
 
I have an example of all the shotguns you list except the Maverick. Any one of them will do to my experience.

Many bad mouth the Chinese shotguns but mine have worked fine. I can't believe I'm the only person who got a good one.
 
I've been looking at the Maverick 88. You may be able to find it was both 18.5 & 28" barrels for about$215. Check cheaper than dirt.
Reviews I've read say it is nearly identical to the Mossberg 500, except some parts are made in Mexico vs USA. Most (not all) moss 500 parts and accessories will fit the mav 88.
 
If I’m not mistaken the Winchester and the Mossy are going to be more expensive than the other options as they’re the originals and the rest are clones.

I have an 870, it’s not the cheapest option and I got it about 6 years ago. I’m not sure if the new ones are as well made as I’ve seen a lot of complaints about newer Remington’s. But mine has been fine.

I have a buddy that has a Pardner. It’s ok. Cheap and works.

If your looking for cheap I think I’ve seen them about $150 give or take a little.
 
brewer12345

Have had a few older 870 Wingmasters over the years and they were all great shotguns. Not real crazy about the overall quality of the newer 870s I have seen out there. For a basic, inexpensive, and reliable shotgun mainly for home defense I bought a Maverick 88. Added a buttstock shell holder and a Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad. Decent enough quality for what I paid for it and works just like it's supposed to every time.

NJCluZG.jpg
 
Like the others, I too don't care for the new 870's. Never really cared for the rust proned finish of the express anyway. Ideally a used wingmaster would be my choice for a budget shotgun. Otherwise I'd go with the 500.
 
"...nearly identical to the Mossberg 500..." A Maverick M88 is a Mossberg M500 with a factory synthetic stock. Barrels are interchangeable. I'd bet you could find a used one in most shops without too much fuss this time of year. You might find a used 870 Express or M500 for roughly the same money. Used is not an ugly word either. Takes a lot of abuse to damage a modern commercial shotgun or any firearm. Look for one with changeable chokes.
"...what is going on with my semi-auto..." Probably an ammo issue.
 
870 express. Most flexibility if you decide to re-purpose it at a later date, best re-sale if you decide to dump it later when you problems with your auto are worked out.
 
You can't go wrong with the Mossberg. Reasonably priced and tough as nails. I used to build combat shotguns back in the early 2000's. Many were sold to local LE. Most of them preferred the platform be Mossberg due to price,durability and reliability . Many are still being qualified with and carried .
 
"I’m not sure if the new ones are as well made as I’ve seen a lot of complaints about newer Remington’s. But mine has been fine."

Shooting skeet this season, a companion used a new 870 and the sucker would not eject cleanly. Wrestled with it for several weeks trying to make adjustments to the not-easy-to-fix ejector.
 
I've had 2 Maverick 88's, both were great. I prefer the safety location on the guard instead of on the tang with Win 500's. The only reason I would recommend going to a Remington is if you wanted to put a magazine extension on it.
 
This tacticool gun for wingshooting?

I don't think so...

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/stevens320pump

Find an old 870 Wingmaster, no matter how beat up, and you will never look back. You are looking for function, not looks. Heck, you are taking it into the blinds in bad weather.

Just make sure you take care of it when you get home. It will last for years and years.
Been there and done that.

Jim
 
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brewer12345

Good choice! So which one did you get? The basic 18.5" barrel, 6 shot version or the 20" barrel, 8 shot model?
 
My first and only shotgun as of now is a Maverick 88. Hundreds of rounds through it and no issues whatsoever. Between the price and aftermarket availability I dont think there is a better choice. I picked mine up for $219, just missing a sale at $180.

Get the 88 and enjoy your budget workhorse.
 
brewer12345

If you ever want to use your shotgun in the home defense role, you can always get spare barrels from Mossberg. Right now they have the 18.5" barrel for $97.20. Awhile back I picked up a vent rib 24" barrel just so I could use my shotgun for hunting upland game.
 
If you're looking for a strictly utility gun any of those on the list will work fine. I'd PERSONALLY grab the Pardner because it's basically an 870 clone and I like the 870 action better than the others (the Mossberg and Maverick are basically the same gun with the Maverick having some cost saving measures thrown in - the Stevens 320 is based on the Winchester 1300 action). None of them are really bad though.

Take a look at the used racks for sure though. If you're just looking for a functional beater gun you can probably find one for $100-125. A used 870 Express, Mossberg 500, or a Winchester Ranger 120 are all good options if you can find one.

EDIT: Didn't make it to the comment where you said you got the Maverick until after I'd posted. That should server you perfectly. The changes between the Maverick and a regular Mossberg 500 are minimal and don't really affect the core function of the gun.
 
Palmetto still has the Maverick 88 with a folding stock for $199 shipped.

I'm planning to go look at a RIA M5 this week.
 
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