HD shotgun finally!

[6sigma]

I'm going to buy a 20ga. Remington 870 Synthetic 7-shot. I have 3 questions:

1. How do I find a gun show where I can buy it?
2. Is it true I'll have less paperwork to complete at a gun show?
3. Has a better shotgun than the 870 come along for HD?

If I've overlooked a search term that would have answered these, or posted in the wrong forum, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[PA4476]

If you buy it from a dealer at a gun show you will still fill out the same paperwork as you would buying it in a gun STORE.

 

[-v-]

Unless its a face-to-face transaction between you and another joe, you still have to fill out the same paperwork. As for gunshows where to buy, well, look for local ad's about a gunshow coming to your town and then go see what everyone there is selling. If you want a guarantee, its best to go to a gun shop though.

As for a better HD shotgun then an 870? Depends what one considers better. I love my Mossberg 500A, but I would still love to have a Saiga 12K..an AA-12 might be nice too.

 

[jlv08]

Don't buy into the hoopla that there is less paperwork at gunshows.

Dealers are very aware of the so called "gun show loophole" and the anti gun crowd is trying to get legislation passed to infringe on our rights with this bogus accusation.

Every transaction I've done at a gunshow involved paperwork and a Virginia State Police background check.

Mossberg, Remington, NEF, Maverick , are a few makers that are all good choices and you have to decide what fits you and feels right.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Typing "gun show" along with the name of your city or state into a Google search usually works.

The only gun that I would recommend over that one for HD is the same gun, but in 12 gauge. You'll be just fine with a 20 though. That's plenty of gun for any biped.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

1- Google your town + Gunshow = results.

2- You still have papers to fill out. Better to go to a gun STORE.

3- There are other guns availible to serve as HD.

Mossberg 500 20 gauge comes to mind, wife owns one. And I own the 870 rem Marine Mag 12 gauge myself and a 45 ACP handgun.

Any number of shotguns with at least 20 gauge and 12 gauge will do HD duty with the "Right" ammo and mindsent very well for many years.

We simply got all three at a gun store at retail pricing with cold hard cash and the paperwork, warrantry to match. We are more than happy with them.

 

[Al Thompson]

Good choice, search the threads here for lots of discussion on ammo, tactics and maintainence.

Do shop around - gunshows are not always the place for bargins, especially on new guns.

 

[Rshooter]

Sometimes gunshow prices are higher nowadays. A dealer may be better because most will take the time to make sure you know how the gun works and some will show you how it is disassembled and reassembled.

As stated earlier the paperwork is the same.

As stated earlier 12 gauge may be a better choice. While I myself prefer Remington 870's, Mossberg 500's are a comparable gun that I would check out too.

 

[mljdeckard]

Do you live close to a Walmart?

We are the kind of people who will argue for, well, forever, over which is better for HD, a Mossberg or a Remington. The fundamental question to ask yourself is, do you want the safety on the trigger guard (Remington) or up on the back of the receiver where your thumb sits? (Mossberg.) I'm a Remington guy, I have never looked for a Mossberg 500 in 20 ga, I can't imagine them being very exotic.

I've also never looked for defensive loads in 20 ga. There are a number of reasons 20 ga is just fine for HD use, but if it was me, I would have to have a friend of mine load me some #4 and/or 00 buck shells. One advantage of the Remington/Mossberg setup is you can easily swap barrels. A full-length barrel is not ideal for HD, I have never looked for a tactical 20 ga barrel.

I bet if you poke around your pawn shops you will find a number of good used shotguns that are already set up for HD. I don't know if they will be 20 ga.

 

[kilo729]

HD Shotguns tend to boil down to Remingtons 870 vs Mossbergs 500/590.

I like the mossbergs because the slide release lever is easily reachable without moving your fingers too far. But, you should feel both up and come up with your own conclusion - in the end it's your gun and you should be completely comfortable with it.

 

[6sigma]

Thanks. The anti-gun propaganda about paperwork at gun shows really had me believing there might be something to it. I appreciate being set straight.

There are several good dealers in the Memphis area. I'll be visiting them tomorrow. Again, many thanks!

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Good luck on your visit.

Try to avoid the hot air, coffeepot, bullpile and general chest beating that goes on in a gun shop.

Rems and Mosses are two of many different possible HD shotguns. A shop should have a wide variety of quality weapons for you to fondle, hold, evaluate, examine, seek answers to and find a stack on the counter that fits you and from there you make a pick.

I went through about... 35-50 shotguns and as soon as my hands closed around the 870 mag, I stopped and told the wife here is my gun. And at some point in the night the same thing happened to her and it happened to be a child's moss in 20 gauge. It fit her nicely.

And with the brennekes in both gauges, both guns hit hard.

Good luck!

 

[Titan6]

1- You can google for gun shows in your area. Walmart is much cheaper these days, also a lot less cops.

2- No. It is exactly the same unless you buy private party. Some states this is illegal at gun shows (but not other places)

3- Yes. The 1100 and 11/87 are both better.