I am buying a cheap pump shotgun to throw behind the seat of my truck. I already own a Beretta Semi-Auto so I am not looking for anything really nice. I can get a new Mossberg Maverick 88 (synthetic, 28" barrel) for $187 or a like new Winchester 1300 (wood stock, 28") for $250. I like the simplicity of the 88 but I also like the speed of the 1300. I know that several people may recommend the 870 instead but I have owned several of them and I am just looking for something else... what would you buy?
Opinions on a Cheap Shotgun
- Thread starter djardine
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Rail Driver
Member
If I were looking for a shotgun and couldn't get an 870 (my first choice) then I would go for a Mossberg 500 (not a maverick 88).
Sock Puppet
Member
If you don't like the 870 buy a Mossberg 500. I believe the Maverick 88 is built in Mexico, the 500 is made in the U.S.
DougW
Member
88 is an "economy" 500. Good shotgun. I have owned one for a few years, no complaints. Heck, I just bought an Ultra 87 (Chinease 870) which looks promising, but a bit heavy. Both were "cheep" shotguns. I have an M1 Super 90, so I too wanted something inexpensive but functional.
The Captain
Member
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- Jan 7, 2009
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Bass Pro has a Pardner Pump in their black Friday 5-hour ad.
$149.xx
$149.xx
Troll the pawnshops for something used. There's a lightly-beat Mossberg 590 behind the seat of my truck, and IIRC, I paid $230 for it four or five years ago. 20" bbl, bayonet lug, holds 8 in the mag, heavy enough to serve as a decent club or pry-bar...
Les
Les
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thunder173
Member
Mossberg 500.....that's an easy choice. I would not go with the Maverick 88.
To all that "wouldn't go with the maverick 88" do you have any experience with the maverick 88?
To the OP: A Maverick 88 was my first gun and I've had it now for 5 or 6 years and I've put thousands of shells down the tube. It still works great, never had a problem with it, the action is nice and smooth, and even the finish looks brand new.
To the OP: A Maverick 88 was my first gun and I've had it now for 5 or 6 years and I've put thousands of shells down the tube. It still works great, never had a problem with it, the action is nice and smooth, and even the finish looks brand new.
I have a 1300 pump, and have used it for thousands of rounds over 10+ years shooting trap and 5-stand. It have never had any problems, and I shoot the cheapest of cheap shotgun shells. Usually the 'value packs' from Walmart. I've shot Remington, Federal, Winchester, and everything in between without problems whatsoever. The blue still looks great, wood still looks great, and it's a helluva gun. I would recommend one to anyone. While the price is 'cheap', the quality is far from it. A few crappy pictures:
Milkmaster
Member
Another vote for the 1300. They are the bet value in used pawn shop guns in my opinion. Not much to go wrong with them either.
Milkmaster
Member
Here is an old thread that speaks of the differences between the years of the 1300. Interesting read.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=414214
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=414214
I own Maverick and it's a very good shotgun for the purpose the OP mentioned.
Academy Sports has this thing on sell regularly around here for $139.99.
I have owned mine for several years now and it has functioned flawlessly and has been worked out numerous times Dove hunting.
My brother owns a Winchester 1300 and it's a very good shotgun as well.
One of the best deals going right now in the used market is the Winchester 1200.
Very nice wood and clean ones go easily for 150-$250.00 all the time on GunBroker.
My brothers was pristine and was bought for $150.00 just a few months ago on GB.
And by the way my Maverick was not made in Mexico but Eagle Pass Texas.
Academy Sports has this thing on sell regularly around here for $139.99.
I have owned mine for several years now and it has functioned flawlessly and has been worked out numerous times Dove hunting.
My brother owns a Winchester 1300 and it's a very good shotgun as well.
One of the best deals going right now in the used market is the Winchester 1200.
Very nice wood and clean ones go easily for 150-$250.00 all the time on GunBroker.
My brothers was pristine and was bought for $150.00 just a few months ago on GB.
And by the way my Maverick was not made in Mexico but Eagle Pass Texas.
JNewell
Member
I bought a Win 1200, which is essentially the same as a 1300, with an 18" "Riot"-marked barrel a month ago for $125 OTD. Hard to beat that.
Moose23
Member
Get the 1300! You'll respect yourself in the morning 
Cheap sg
I have several model 1300's and although I'm not using them every day, they are excellent SG. The are the fastest pump action available due to the 4 bolt lockup system. That makes their having an aluminum receiver a big plus in my oponion. The SG is lighter, swings to my shoulder far more naturally than any other SG I've used except MAYBE for an Ithaca 37, another fine SG. But for simplicity, speed, reliability and just plain old the way it "FEELS" I say you will love a 1300 Winchester. Pawn shops have some excellent deals if you look around.
I have several model 1300's and although I'm not using them every day, they are excellent SG. The are the fastest pump action available due to the 4 bolt lockup system. That makes their having an aluminum receiver a big plus in my oponion. The SG is lighter, swings to my shoulder far more naturally than any other SG I've used except MAYBE for an Ithaca 37, another fine SG. But for simplicity, speed, reliability and just plain old the way it "FEELS" I say you will love a 1300 Winchester. Pawn shops have some excellent deals if you look around.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Mossberg vs Maverick
The Mav isn't really a deal when you factor in the little stuff--$177 Mav vs $217 Moss---Walmart prices.
The Mav only comes with 1 choke tube--the Moss comes with a full set---those additional tubes for your Mav will cost $35 to $40 bringing the price to almost even.
The Moss comes with a 10 year warranty vs 1 year for the Mav.
The Mossberg wins every way you look at it.
The Mav isn't really a deal when you factor in the little stuff--$177 Mav vs $217 Moss---Walmart prices.
The Mav only comes with 1 choke tube--the Moss comes with a full set---those additional tubes for your Mav will cost $35 to $40 bringing the price to almost even.
The Moss comes with a 10 year warranty vs 1 year for the Mav.
The Mossberg wins every way you look at it.
LibShooter
Member
My uncle loves his "El Cheapo Carlos Dias." That's what he calls the Charles Daly pump 20 gauge he keeps in the cab of his tractor or behind the seat of his farm truck. He also keeps a box of shells, targets and a skeet thrower in case he has a few minutes to bust some clays. (Except for the hard labor and uncertain pay, wouldn't farming be great?)
Anyway, it stays in a sock in a case and gets tossed from vehicle to vehicle a lot. He says it's beat up but not rusty. And so far it goes bang every time.
Anyway, it stays in a sock in a case and gets tossed from vehicle to vehicle a lot. He says it's beat up but not rusty. And so far it goes bang every time.
scottishclaymore
Member
The Maverick 88 is a perfectly serviceable shotgun, and makes a good truck gun if you aren't looking to invest a lot of $$$ in one.
I've had an 88 for a few years now. I also own a 500, and between the two there isn't any real difference in functionality. The 88's safety is, however, in a much more convenient place (at least for right-handed shooters).
The 88 was also there for me in a sticky situation a few years ago, and it did what needed to be done. So based on actual experience I don't have anything negative to say about it.
I've had an 88 for a few years now. I also own a 500, and between the two there isn't any real difference in functionality. The 88's safety is, however, in a much more convenient place (at least for right-handed shooters).
The 88 was also there for me in a sticky situation a few years ago, and it did what needed to be done. So based on actual experience I don't have anything negative to say about it.
Thanks for the opinions- I ended up buying a Mossberg 500A Combo deal this morning that came with 28" barrel and 18.5" barrel. It was on sale for Black Friday- Paid $239 NEW and I am very happy with it because I wanted to eventually buy a 18.5" barrel for whatever gun I was going to buy. I am traditionally a Remington 870 guy and "Mossberg" was a swear word in my house but I am happy with my purchase.
RSVP2RIP
Member
I would go for a 1300 as it has the better fit and finish of all the guns mentioned, is going to be the easier to shoot fast (not that that is really important in the average hunting shotgun) and I regret letting mine go.
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