First shotgun?

[MrSam]

Hi all,
I'm looking to purchase my first shotgun, hopefully sometime soon. It will mainly be used for clay shooting at my local range, and of course home defense.
The only firearms I have ever shot were a .22 and a .308.
I'm highly considering a 12 gauge over both a .410 and 20 gauge. Would it be wise to go with the 12?
I'm 6'1-6'2, 155 lbs, male.
I've been researching the cost to shoot the aforementioned bores, and it seems like 12 and 20 gauge shells cost around the same price, with .410 being a bit more expensive.
Question is, should I just go with the 12 and get used to the kick? Or pick up a 20 gauge?
I'm looking for something relatively cheap, about $250 or less, before DROS and tax. Recommendations would be appreciated.
Thank you

 

[TurtlePhish]

Twelves are almost never a bad choice if the gun fits you. Fit is incredibly important with a shotgun. I'd say go for the 12, that's what I started on and recoil doesn't bother me at all unless I'm going though a couple boxes of slugs. Look for a used Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, they should be well within your budget.

 

[MrSam]

Thanks for the reply TurtleFish,
Glad to hear the 12 would work well for me. I'm stopping my local dealer to hear what they have to say in respect to the fit/size (since I can actually go there in person, it should be easier). I'll look into the two you recommended. I saw the Mossberg 500 on sale for a fair price.

 

[oneounceload]

It will mainly be used for clay shooting at my local range, and of course home defense.

Two VERY different purposes -if you are going with a pump, you will want to have two barrels - one about 28 or longer for clays and one about 18.5 for HD

Question is, should I just go with the 12 and get used to the kick? Or pick up a 20 gauge?

NO one gets "used" to the kick - damage from recoil is cumulative and should be minimized as much as possible - that means getting the gun fitted to your dimensions, using light target loads for clays, etc.

I'm looking for something relatively cheap, about $250 or less

That really limits your choices to a new Maverick or used Mossbergs and Remington pump.

You might want to go to your local gun club and see if anyone is shooting those models and try to borrow them for a round to see how they fit you.

 

[Arp32]

What is this "cumulative" damage from recoil? Cumulative hearing damage I understand, but recoil?

 

[627PCFan]

What is this "cumulative" damage from recoil? Cumulative hearing damage I understand, but recoil?

If the gun doesnt fit properly its not comfortable and your body doesnt absorb recoil well, a flinch will develop and poor technique will result.

I wouldnt call it damage but it is cumulative.
There is nothing wrong with any of the sg's you have picked for a begginer, and there are tons of accessories for the 500-

 

[oneounceload]

Damage can also be in the form of long term disabling injury to the shoulder requiring surgery for repair or total replacement. If I whacked your shoulder with a 16 pound sledge hammer repeatedly - a few hundred times a day for several days a week for several years, there WILL be some damage

It is not like a gunshot wound, but more like your analogy to gradual hearing loss - and it can be painful. Trapshooters who shoot a lot, especially heavy loads like 1-1/8 1300fps loads develop flinches from the anticipation of the recoil pain they feel - it becomes intuitive to the point they go to release triggers. Buckshot and slugs fire at higher velocities, so their recoil effects will be even greater over time

 

[Whacked]

Mossberg 500, less than $320 out the door.
came with a 28" and 18.5" barrel
18.5" perfect for HD
28" is decent for clays.
since it was my first (and so far only) shotgun it is more than sufficient.
IF I ever get good enough at clays, I may get a barrel better suited. But for now, it works and every time I go out I do a little better and more importantly, I become more familiar with my shotgun which is critical for HD.

Oh, and dont forget snapcaps.
you will want to practice loading/unloading

 

[oneounceload]

And yet, Whacked, no one wins any competitions using ANY pump.........a pump is a jack-of-alltrades, master-of-none

In every type of shotgun use, there is a better choice than a pump; while a pump is adequate for most uses, it excels at none of them

since it was my first (and so far only) shotgun it is more than sufficient.

That doesn't tell us squat - sorry, not meaning to e offensive but you have NO idea about shotguns per your own admission

 

[Arp32]

Learn something new every day.

 

[MrSam]

Thanks everyone. Apparently so am I, Arp32.
I did find a Remington 870 for $250 out the door, 28" barrel if I'm not mistaken.
The gentlemen I spoke with mentioned that the only issue is that the wood on the pump is pretty beat up. I'll probably head down there tomorrow to check it out.
In all honesty, I was hoping for something with a synthetic stock.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Thanks everyone. Apparently so am I, Arp32.
I did find a Remington 870 for $250 out the door, 28" barrel if I'm not mistaken.
The gentlemen I spoke with mentioned that the only issue is that the wood on the pump is pretty beat up. I'll probably head down there tomorrow to check it out.
In all honesty, I was hoping for something with a synthetic stock.

Wingmaster or Express? Decent price for either used. Synthetic 870 furniture is all over the place, look around online and I'm sure you can find takeoffs cheap.

 

[MrSam]

It doesn't state which one it is. I'll have to check in person.

 

[Virginian]

I do not think you need a short barrel for true "home defense". Home defense isn't tactical. You don't need a bayonet lug or a breacher choke either. Hopefully you have keys for all your own doors. The "experts" also advise you to hole up, so why do you need a short barrel to maneuver around corners?

 

[Kiln]

Maverick 88 is a great shotgun, especially for beginners. I may catch some flack for this but my opinion after having owned both the Remington 870, Mossberg 500, and the Maverick 88 is that the Maverick is the best value for the money.

The Maverick 88 and the Mossberg 500 are almost the same gun. The other two don't perform well enough to justify the price difference between them.

 

[Wargarden]

Maverick 88 is a great shotgun, especially for beginners. I may catch some flack for this but my opinion after having owned both the Remington 870, Mossberg 500, and the Maverick 88 is that the Maverick is the best value for the money.

The Maverick 88 and the Mossberg 500 are almost the same gun. The other two don't perform well enough to justify the price difference between them.

Second that. My wife, who is pretty small, can shoot it with little issue. And it's functioned well.

 

[MCgunner]

I agree with Virginian on a short barrel being un-necessary for home defense. I use the safe room strategy, barricaded in the bed room. He kicks in the door, he's carried out on a gurney. I do have a short shotgun, a coach gun, I keep by the bed, but I could use one of my pumps or my auto just as well with this strategy.

If I have to go check a bump in the night, I'd rather have my handgun with me. One occasion, I went to the front door at 3AM with my carry 9mm in my pants pocket, fortunately, because it was a cop. There were some neighborhood kids ripping off cars and my wife (blame it on her) didn't lock the car, they found the door open, got away with a cheap GPS. But, had I been holding a shotgun when I answered, I might not have been well appreciated.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

The recoil of a 12 gauge can be tamed quite a bit. Have a local gunsmith install a limbsaver pad and it will feel like about a 40% reduction. Shortening the length of pull will dramatically help as well. I'm your height and prefer my shotgun to have a lop around 13 inches. With a shotgun and most long arms a shorter lop is better than a longer lop.

 

[JEB]

Maverick 88 is a great shotgun, especially for beginners. I may catch some flack for this but my opinion after having owned both the Remington 870, Mossberg 500, and the Maverick 88 is that the Maverick is the best value for the money.

The Maverick 88 and the Mossberg 500 are almost the same gun. The other two don't perform well enough to justify the price difference between them.

fully agree with you. i have had my mav88 for well over a decade and have fired thousands of rounds (it is my only shotgun so it must "do all"). i have used mine for skeet, trap, sporting clays, shooting birds, plinking, and slugs. currently it is set up with a 24" rifled barrel and a 1.75-4x32 scope (still from deer season) and will print a 1-1.5" five shot group at 100 yards with federal sabot slugs. on top of the thousands of shotshells, my maverick has fired hundreds of full powered slugs. over all these years i have not had one. single. malfunction.....EVER! as much as i would like to replace it with a nicer looking 870 wingmaster, i just cant do it. my mossberg is just too dang good at everything i have asked it to do. i would STRONGLY reccomend the maverick 88 without hesitation.

 

[MrSam]

Thank you for the help and suggestions everyone. I decided to pass up on that used 870. I'm going to give it another month and check the used firearms section of my local shops, to see if they have one in better condition/synthetic for around $200.
If not, that Maverick 88 looks tempting as well.
Thank you sheepdog, I didn't realize limbsaver made recoil pads for firearms -I have used their products on bows, and they work great-.

A friend of mine did suggest a 16 gauge over the 12. Do you guys think it is worth it? Or just stick to the 12?
Like I said, I'll probably only be shooting game shells in 7 1/2 shot for skeet. Just some cheap shells that can be purchased from walmart.

 

[oneounceload]

Shortening the length of pull will dramatically help as well.

HUH?

Not necessarily. LOP needs to fit. Amazing how some folks who are 5-5 can also handle a 15" LOP

a lot depends on the grip style - straight vs POW vs full pistol

 

[Whacked]

And yet, Whacked, no one wins any competitions using ANY pump.........a pump is a jack-of-alltrades, master-of-none

In every type of shotgun use, there is a better choice than a pump; while a pump is adequate for most uses, it excels at none of them

Quote:
since it was my first (and so far only) shotgun it is more than sufficient.
That doesn't tell us squat - sorry, not meaning to e offensive but you have NO idea about shotguns per your own admission

Yes my knowledge of shotguns is lacking altho improving.
But apparently you didn't read his post.
No mention of competition shooting.
this will be the OP first shotgun
OP has a price range of $250
OP wanted something to use at the range and for HD.

sooo....
is what I posted so out of the question now?

 

[MCgunner]

Pumps aren't specialized, but they make great all around firearms and I'd as soon have my pump in the duck marsh as anything else, though a gas gun does tame those hi speed steel loads. I always looked at a pump as a field hunting shotgun, not so much a competition gun. I've shot some country doubles with our club and a pump just ain't fast enough. I do best with a double on THAT, open choke for the close bird, tighter for the long one, and FAST. Ain't very good at it, ain't practiced it that much, but i've shot a few matches and the double got me in the top three, at least.

I would highly recommend a pump as a first shotgun. It will perform many tasks for the beginner at an easy to afford entry fee. Be kinda dumb for the new shooter, who doesn't know shotguns, to buy a 1500 dollar O/U, especially since he probably doesn't understand fit. A repeater can be shimmed and fitted to the shooter MUCH easier, another advantage to the pump. Mossberg offers shim kits for this that will likely fit the Maverick.

BTW, I just figured out why they're branded "Maverick" the other day. We're looking at buying some land somewhere in Texas to move to in the country, was looking at a place near Eagle Pass (where the factory is located) and it's in MAVERICK county, Texas.....DUH.

 

[foghornl]

My humble 1/50th of $1....

Stick with the 12-Ga. Nothing wrong with a 16, but it is limited to 2-3/4" shells, and has a narrower overall selection of loads. OLD 16-Ga guns MAY have a shorter 2-9/16" chamber. Sometimes hard to find 16-Ga ammo "on the shelf" when you are out in the boonies.

I started shotgunning with a Savage/Stevens Mdl 94B in 16-Ga..a break-open single shot.

 

[MrSam]

Thanks for the information everyone. I'm actually learning a lot from this thread alone. foghornl, that is exactly what I was told by my local gunsmith, so I'll certainly be picking up a 12 ga.
What do you all think of the Winchester 1200 Defender? The local shop I went to offered a used one to me for $200 + fees and tax. 9/10 condition
He also offered me a tactical Mossberg 500 (only difference I saw was the choke) for $300 + fees and tax. 9/10 condition