jwalker497
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Can anyone recommend a decent semi-auto shotgun?? Looking to spend under $300. Mainly for home defense so would like a short barrel too.
Inexpensive Semi-auto Shotgun?
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rantingredneck
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I just bought a used Rem 11-87 off gunbroker that's coming with two barrels, one of them rifled, for 399 + shipping and transfer. That's a pretty darn good deal.
Under 300.00 you don't have many semi-auto choices that I would personally be willing to stake my life on.
For that budget you may be better served with a quality pump. Mossberg 500/590 or Rem 870 come to mind.
Under 300.00 you don't have many semi-auto choices that I would personally be willing to stake my life on.
For that budget you may be better served with a quality pump. Mossberg 500/590 or Rem 870 come to mind.
You could maybe find a used .410 or 20ga saiga semiauto for that price or a bit more.
Then there are the Winchester riot guns that allow for repeated fire holding the trigger and pumping the pump, knockoffs are on wwwclassicarms.us for $200. I have heard they have a weak mag tube but other than that they look ok.
Personally I dunno why you'd want semi-auto, pump seems more reliable to me anyhow.
Then there are the Winchester riot guns that allow for repeated fire holding the trigger and pumping the pump, knockoffs are on wwwclassicarms.us for $200. I have heard they have a weak mag tube but other than that they look ok.
Personally I dunno why you'd want semi-auto, pump seems more reliable to me anyhow.
sm
member
Good used one.
Be patient, carry cash and be willing to stretch your budget a bit.
Quality good used guns please.
All guns become used guns after the first shot.
Folks get rid of nice quality used guns with tax season and then divorce season which follows.
These get snatched up fast.
The poorer quality new guns fired a few times and then are poorer quality used guns...are never the way to go.
Be patient, carry cash and be willing to stretch your budget a bit.
Quality good used guns please.
All guns become used guns after the first shot.
Folks get rid of nice quality used guns with tax season and then divorce season which follows.
These get snatched up fast.
The poorer quality new guns fired a few times and then are poorer quality used guns...are never the way to go.
jwalker497
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- Feb 22, 2008
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- 203
OK then, how about a decent 18" barrell pump?? Is there a decent model that I can buy new for about $300 or under??
rantingredneck
Member
Rem 870 express HD, Mossberg 500.
Your quality options in that price range will probably by limited to well used Remington 1100s, older Remington automatics, and the Winchester 1400.
The Remington 1100 was the first highly successful gas operated shotgun, and it is pretty durable. If you find one in your price range you should check the rear of the bolt handle slot in the receiver for cracks, and change the O-Ring. Some replacement of springs might be in order too. The 1100 is availiable in 2.75in and 3in configurations; the 3in guns will generally not cycle 2.75in loads. The 11-87 is basically an 1100 variant that will cycle both 2.75in and 3in shells without adjustment.
I would stay away from many of the older Remington autos, they tended to not have long production lives and it can be hard to find spare parts. One exception is the Remington Model 11; this gun is a licensed copy of the Browning Auto-5. They are hell for stout and recoil operated. However, they are 2.75in only and need to have the recoil setting changed based on whether you are shooting a light or a heavy load. There is also the 11-48, which is basically a redesign of the Model 11 to make it more cost effective to produce. These can be finicky as Remington tried to eliminate the need for different recoil settings, not totally successfully. As a rule of thumb if an 11-48 won't cycle the magazine tube needs to be oiled more.
Lastly, the Winchester 1400. These guys are real easy to find under $300. They are gas operated and 2.75in only, and are limited to three shells. The gas system is mounted in front of the magazine, so there is no way to extend the capacity.
There are other good models that you might find on a budget of $300, but there is also a lot of crap too. Unlike pumps there is a lot that can go wrong with a semi, so you really need to check a prospective purchase.
EDIT: None of these in their most common configurations are set up with short barrels. If you just want a defensive shotgun get a pump.
The Remington 1100 was the first highly successful gas operated shotgun, and it is pretty durable. If you find one in your price range you should check the rear of the bolt handle slot in the receiver for cracks, and change the O-Ring. Some replacement of springs might be in order too. The 1100 is availiable in 2.75in and 3in configurations; the 3in guns will generally not cycle 2.75in loads. The 11-87 is basically an 1100 variant that will cycle both 2.75in and 3in shells without adjustment.
I would stay away from many of the older Remington autos, they tended to not have long production lives and it can be hard to find spare parts. One exception is the Remington Model 11; this gun is a licensed copy of the Browning Auto-5. They are hell for stout and recoil operated. However, they are 2.75in only and need to have the recoil setting changed based on whether you are shooting a light or a heavy load. There is also the 11-48, which is basically a redesign of the Model 11 to make it more cost effective to produce. These can be finicky as Remington tried to eliminate the need for different recoil settings, not totally successfully. As a rule of thumb if an 11-48 won't cycle the magazine tube needs to be oiled more.
Lastly, the Winchester 1400. These guys are real easy to find under $300. They are gas operated and 2.75in only, and are limited to three shells. The gas system is mounted in front of the magazine, so there is no way to extend the capacity.
There are other good models that you might find on a budget of $300, but there is also a lot of crap too. Unlike pumps there is a lot that can go wrong with a semi, so you really need to check a prospective purchase.
EDIT: None of these in their most common configurations are set up with short barrels. If you just want a defensive shotgun get a pump.
Smitty in CT
Member
The Mossberg 930 "Home Security" (18.5" Barrel) will run you right around $400...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92594825
If you don't mind used, you might be able to find a Mossberg 9200...
Smitty
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92594825
If you don't mind used, you might be able to find a Mossberg 9200...
Smitty
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PT92
Member
Maybe a Maverick 88.
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Bobarino
member
check out the H&R Excell semi autos. http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/excell.aspx they're right close to $300. i have one that was sold under the Verona name. they're made by Sarsilmaz in Turkey. mine's been 100% reliable and busts clays with the best of them. i couldn't be happier with it. mine was $319.
Bobby
Bobby
Wetawd
Member
That wouldn't be my first choice
Well I would first look at pumps cause then u have a a lot more options, more reliable, more power, easier to clean and repair.
The Remington 870 (is popular but to be honest I hate the ffinish on them and the action always seems to be a bit rough and I've used quite a few of them), Mossberg 500 (my personal favorite), Winchester 1200 or 1300, Maverick 88 (these are a little on the cheap side but they work just fine.
I now Daisy makes some inexpensive semi autos and a guy recommended them to me. Look at Walmart if u can they got all the cheap stuff.
But in my limited experience pump over auto any day in any situation(unless u happen to find an AA 12 for cheap
Well I would first look at pumps cause then u have a a lot more options, more reliable, more power, easier to clean and repair.
The Remington 870 (is popular but to be honest I hate the ffinish on them and the action always seems to be a bit rough and I've used quite a few of them), Mossberg 500 (my personal favorite), Winchester 1200 or 1300, Maverick 88 (these are a little on the cheap side but they work just fine.
I now Daisy makes some inexpensive semi autos and a guy recommended them to me. Look at Walmart if u can they got all the cheap stuff.
But in my limited experience pump over auto any day in any situation(unless u happen to find an AA 12 for cheap
STiTkacik
Member
Charles Daly?
I saw a very finish-worn, scratched Winchester 1400 (or something, it was semi-auto) for $140 in a gun store, once. Seemed to be in good mechanical condition, though. I was very tempted, but passed it up.
An old, used Win 1400 could probably be easily found under $300.
An old, used Win 1400 could probably be easily found under $300.
Snarlingiron
Member
Someone told me the other day that Bass Pro is closing these out for $239.00? Not really certain about the price, but it was definitely well under $300.00.
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