I'm looking for a new 12 ga shotgun.
- Thread starter Pth22
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Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Agree with Papa and welcome to THR! 
JWH321
Member
I bought a Mossberg 500 a month or so back. So far, it's been excellent. I've never owned a shotgun before and it took awhile but it came down to a balance between cost, quality, and reputation. at the Sub-$400 price break, the 870, the 500, and the Maverick 88 are about it if you want to stay with major brands. I discounted the 88 because it's slide felt kinda sloppy. I looked at Stoeger and Savage. I wanted to buy American, so those went away. I wanted to look at an entry level Benellii, but couldn't find one and their website shows 24 inch barrels are the shortest they offer for entry level stuff. And it's not American made. I then went to the store to buy either a 500 or an 870. The 870 was $379, the 500 was $325. They were otherwise nearly identical. The 870 was smoother. The shop guy handed me a used 500 that was smooth as glass. He said that's what they are like after 50 to 100 rounds.
I bought the Mossberg. I could have been happy with either.
I bought the Mossberg. I could have been happy with either.
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JWH321
Member
BTW, the used 500 was $235 and had a 28 inch ported barrel. I would have bought it, but another customer grabbed it while I was looking at the 870.
Armored farmer
Member
I agree with PAPA.
I'll also suggest a Remington 1100. I got mine in 1979. I've pretty much worn off all the 'blue' on the aluminum receiver.
I'll also suggest a Remington 1100. I got mine in 1979. I've pretty much worn off all the 'blue' on the aluminum receiver.
dprice3844444
member
look up dicks sporting goods,cabelas,grabagun.com and see what's on black Friday sales.grabagun has a free rifle giveaway under firearms.
JWH321
Member
I'd buy a Remington 1100 in a heartbeat -- if I could afford it. They are all at least $600 and many are over $1000. My budget was $300. I exceeded that by $25 and felt guilty doing it given that I was not sure I'd even use it much.
But if you have the money, a Remington 1100 is a very nice piece.
But if you have the money, a Remington 1100 is a very nice piece.
If you look around a bit you can come up with an used 1100 for under $400, but it is going to most likely be an older fixed choke gun. But a used 870 or 500 is going to be much easier to find for your budget. As far as customizing, it's hard to beat a 870 or 500.
jaguarxk120
Member
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What do mean "customizable"????
SC Shooter
Member
Another good buy can be found in the Browning A5. Like the Remington 1100, you need to shop around some
Virginian
Member
Hang on to the 1100 with the aluminum receiver. Highly collectible. Only one (1) built - yours.
Averageman
Member
You can haunt the gun shows and pawn shops and do well.
I have paid as little as $80.00 for a Mossberg 500 and $150.00 for an 870 Wingmaster Express and $250 for an early 60's Wingmaster thats just beautiful.
Be advised there is a lot more neat stuff made to customize an 870 over a 500.
I have paid as little as $80.00 for a Mossberg 500 and $150.00 for an 870 Wingmaster Express and $250 for an early 60's Wingmaster thats just beautiful.
Be advised there is a lot more neat stuff made to customize an 870 over a 500.
Welcome to THR. Do you want to customize your gun for hunting, as in putting a scope on it, swaping barrels, using all kinds of ammo through it, or do you want a hunting gun which can be customized for defensive use, as in light, laser, magazine extension, door breach, folding stock, et caetera?
oneounceload
member
What type of hunting? Those come pretty much ready to go out of the box
Armored farmer
Member
oooh, lucky me.
It's even more special than you know......It is some sort of new, shiny aluminum that my magnet sticks to. I can't believe my good fortune to have such a rare collector's item. I think I'll just keep my mouth shut about it, and hang on to it for another 35yrs.
Thanks for the heads-up Virginian.
Good choice. For a little more money, I think the 870 offers more options down the road. I personnaly chose the Winchester SXP for hunting and I like it very much.
Enjoy!
oneounceload
member
The 500, as is, should be GTG for slug hunting
mgkdrgn
Member
^^ What he said.
There isn't a more versatile weapon out there than the pump shotgun, and the Remington 870 is the most popular of all time, hands down. Get a good one, take care of it, and your grandkids will still be shooting it someday.
minutemen1776
Member
For your purposes, the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are the obvious choices. I suggest handling them both in the store. Personally, I prefer the controls on the Mossberg 500 (tang-mounted safety and action release behind the trigger guard), and to me it seems to be finished a bit better than the 870 Express. Thus, I bought and shoot a Mossberg 500. All that said, my son has a Remington 870 Express, and he likes it a lot. I doubt you could go wrong with either, and both have features that some may prefer. Just get the one you like the best.
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