Sleeper Shotguns

[DustyGmt]

The market is flooded with all kinds of shotguns right now, by no less than 100 manufacturers under 1000 different names, it's hard to keep track. We all know that the Mossberg, Remington along with Browning, Winchester, Beretta and Benelli are among the standard, top recommended guns and for good reason.

But what are some of the sleeper guns not alot of people know about that have proved to be reliable and decent quality but can't compete with and live in the shadow of the old proven guns like 500/590's and 870's. Is there anything worth looking at outside of the typically recommended giants?

I remember thinking my NEF pardner was kind of a low rent placeholder until I could get a "real" 870 but it took me about 10 years to get around to replacing it with the real deal because it worked just fine and the build quality looked and felt excellent to me, definitely comparable to an Express, not in the same league with a wingmaster though.

Thoughts, anybody pleasantly surprised with their el cheapo no name shotguns?

 

[12Bravo20]

The old Norinco 870 copies were pretty good albeit heavy. Most parts, but not all were interchangeable with the Remington 807. I rated into a Norinco 98 20 years ago and my son still uses it to this day.

 

[rayatphonix]

If considering semi-automatic shotguns I’ve been very pleased with my CZ 1012. It’s manufactured in Turkey, and sold by CZ. It’s been on many a trip and kept pace with the brands you mentioned above. On the last trip conditions were brutal and it outperformed several of those you mentioned. That said, round count is probably around 700 so things may change year or two.

 

[kje54]

There are some very good Turkish guns but stick with the well known ones Like Mossberg (yes they import some Turkish guns with their name on em, Mossberg Reserve Series). Stoeger, Hatsan & Tristar are well known all with at least some aftermarket items and good parts availability. Another is the Armscor/Rock Island VR80 Tactical at around $600, they 100% back their firearms.
I have an Escort bullpup in 12 gauge that so far has functioned well, it's made by Hatsan and the Winchester SXP Series are Turkish made for around $300.

 

[Nuke8401]

I think for a pump, the Mossberg Maverick 88 is hard to beat. I don't have one but it is on my "buy" list. They run about $225-$250 new in several configurations including a security version. TFB TV(YouTube) puts the security model through their 500 round "burn down" test and it comes out a winner. They do test some other shotguns including some Turkish autoloaders and they don't fair well. I think many of the Turkish or off brand guns would be ok for a 50 round in a lifetime shooter but the story changes when you put hundreds of rounds through them.

 

[jmr40]

I had a Turkish made Stoeger 3000 for a couple of years that impressed me. It is similar in design to the Benelli M1 or M2. Stoeger is owned by Beretta now BTW. Mine ran perfectly, but about a year after buying it I ran across a good deal on a used Benelli. I owned and used both guns for about a year. The Benelli was better finished and looked a little nicer, but performance was the same.

But I found myself always reaching for the Benelli and decided I didn't need two almost identical guns. Plus, the price for Stoeger's had gone up and I was able to sell mine for more than I paid.

M3000 Series | Stoeger Shotguns Pistols and Airguns (stoegerindustries.com)

A couple of months ago I stumbled onto a used Weatherby SA-08 in 20 ga. I'd never heard of this gun before, and it was made in Turkey. I figured Weatherby wouldn't put their name on a junk gun. So far it has also impressed me. Initially I was getting a handful of light primer strikes and the gun didn't fire. But I noted it always happened with some off brand shells. I stopped using those shells in that gun and the problem went away.

This gun is an ultra-light. It has a 24" barrel and weighs a bit under 6 lbs. I bought it to turkey hunt with and for my younger grandkids to use. I haven't had it long enough to say for sure, but so far it has worked perfectly with all but one brand of ammo.

One minor quirk, and why the price is so low. Most more expensive guns will self-regulate and allow you to shoot any light 2 3/4" load as well as heavy 3" magnum loads. This gun will allow you to shoot any shell, but there is a piston in the forend that needs to be changed. For light loads you use one piston, if you're going to shoot heavier loads you change the piston. It can be done in under a minute, but you have to take the forend and barrel off and reassemble to do it. Probably not what you want to do in the field. I keep the piston in there most of the time. I only need the other one for light 7/8 oz target loads.

SA-08™ Synthetic Compact - Weatherby, Inc.

Another gun to consider is the Beretta A300. It is a no frills Beretta made in Italy. Nothing fancy, but they shoot well. Street price is usually well under $1000. IIRC my brother paid about $700 for his a few years ago. I almost pulled the trigger on a new one priced to me at $810 OTD. This was about the same time I found the Weatherby. I got it used OTD for $350.

A300 Ultima Sporting (beretta.com)

 

[kje54]

I think for a pump, the Mossberg Maverick 88 is hard to beat. I don't have one but it is on my "buy" list. They run about $225-$250 new in several configurations including a security version. TFB TV(YouTube) puts the security model through their 500 round "burn down" test and it comes out a winner. They do test some other shotguns including some Turkish autoloaders and they don't fair well. I think many of the Turkish or off brand guns would be ok for a 50 round in a lifetime shooter but the story changes when you put hundreds of rounds through them.

I've read a lot about the 88, basically a budget Mossberg 500 made in Mexico (assembled by Mossberg employees). The only bad out of all the reviews is the disassembly, most give it a 2.5 out of 5. Other than that it's a simple blued barrel on a cheap plastic stock with no accessories sold on it, all 500 accessories fit it.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Old? Stevens 520. Browning design that is built like a tank.

newer-ish? I have a russian Baikal MP-153 that is every bit the equal of any 1100/11-87, and in some ways better. Sleeper gun that is a tough SOB.

 

[DustyGmt]

newer-ish? I have a russian Baikal MP-153 that is every bit the equal of any 1100/11-87, and in some ways better. Sleeper gun that is a tough SOB.

Those do look nice, I wonder if they accept or are compatible with any remington parts, I bet if you found a mag extension that would work for it it'd make a helluva 3gun shotgun. Also curious as to whether the savings are their to make it worth getting over the 1100/11-87

 

[eastbank]

this remington 870 12ga 2-3/4 chambered shotgun was made in 1950-1951 and bought 3rd or 4th handed by me and has been in constent use over the years with no repairs, only cleaning with a untold number of rounds ran thru it. i picked up two extra barrels, 20" rifle sighted barrel and a 30" vent rib with rem choke for a good price. true not a 3" shotgun, but i have not needed one for small game and parts made today will fit it. hows that for a shotgun over 70 years old.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Those do look nice, I wonder if they accept or are compatible with any remington parts, I bet if you found a mag extension that would work for it it'd make a helluva 3gun shotgun. Also curious as to whether the savings are their to make it worth getting over the 1100/11-87

parts availability is a bit of a problem-some parts of the gun can be modified to work with aftermarket stuff made for remingtons. I modified my trigger group pin holes to work with remington ones simply because mine were missing when i bought the gun, and these were closest analogue. But most of the big pieces are just different enough, and i’m pretty sure the gun is metric as opposed to imperial. The trick tho, is the gun is so robust that parts failure is uncommon.

it uses the remington 1100 action bar and collar action design but the collar is markedly different and does not use an o-ring. The breech bolt, carrier, and action system are also all stainless steel. The gas system is adjustable and you can mix shell sizes in the gun.

it uses a browning-style locking mechanism for the breech bolt and a beretta action return design with the action spring on the mag tube.

I have only seen a few used examples for sale-folks havent been letting go of them for some reason. And they arent sold new anymore. I gave $300 for mine at a show, and it was just somebody’s abused duck boat gun. I’ve cleaned it up and fixed some minor stuff, still have a couple things to do (skateboard tape for grip, fix up the sling swivel in the mag cap) and it’s a heck of a gun. Pics are as found, disassembled and dirty, then clean.

 

[DustyGmt]

parts availability is a bit of a problem-some parts of the gun can be modified to work with aftermarket stuff made for remingtons. I modified my trigger group pin holes to work with remington ones simply because mine were missing when i bought the gun, and these were closest analogue. But most of the big pieces are just different enough, and i’m pretty sure the gun is metric as opposed to imperial. The trick tho, is the gun is so robust that parts failure is uncommon.

it uses the remington 1100 action bar and collar action design but the collar is markedly different and does not use an o-ring. The breech bolt, carrier, and action system are also all stainless steel. The gas system is adjustable and you can mix shell sizes in the gun.

it uses a browning-style locking mechanism for the breech bolt and a beretta action return design with the action spring on the mag tube.

I have only seen a few used examples for sale-folks havent been letting go of them for some reason. And they arent sold new anymore. I gave $300 for mine at a show, and it was just somebody’s abused duck boat gun. I’ve cleaned it up and fixed some minor stuff, still have a couple things to do (skateboard tape for grip, fix up the sling swivel in the mag cap) and it’s a heck of a gun. Pics are as found, disassembled and dirty, then clean.

View attachment 1148426
View attachment 1148428
View attachment 1148427

Man, for $300 that sure looks like a helluva gun and looks like a bargain for the $$. I've been soured on semi autos but that's only because of one 20ga 1100 and a Saiga 12 but I know eventually I'll end up with something like this or an 1100-1187 or 1301. I could have had a pristine, mint Remington 1100 Trap model for $600 OBO, I'm kind of kicking myself for not jumping on it but if I see one of these I'd probably jump.

It's weird, shotguns are one of the most potent, versatile and utilitarian long arms out there but most are shockingly affordable.

 

[Meeks36]

can’t remember model or anything. It was an old sears and robuck 12 ga w adjustable choke. Shot my first dear with one. Then a few years later my boss had one cut down to 18.5. The smith broke three drill bits putting the bead back on. Said it was the strongest metal he’s ever seen on a gun. Wish i still had it. Paid $100 then sold it a few years later.

 

[I6turbo]

I like the older stuff better than the newer stuff, so I don't have any first-hand experience with current generation shotguns. My four shotgun purchases over the past few years have all been from Browning and Ithaca, made between 1950 and 1966. Those join my 1966 model Savage Fox Model B and 1974 model Remington 3200.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The NEF Pardners are excellent shotguns.

The quality is BETTER than post 2005 Remington.

 

[DustyGmt]

The NEF Pardners are excellent shotguns.

The quality is BETTER than post 2005 Remington.

Agreed. I actually regret giving it away to my brother, I'd have rather give him a different gun but it was his 18th birthday and I felt like being young, a lil dumb and a tad hot headed, the last thing I wanted to give him was a handgun.....

 

[red rick]

I had a Turkish made Stoeger 3000 for a couple of years that impressed me. It is similar in design to the Benelli M1 or M2. Stoeger is owned by Beretta now BTW. Mine ran perfectly, but about a year after buying it I ran across a good deal on a used Benelli. I owned and used both guns for about a year. The Benelli was better finished and looked a little nicer, but performance was the same.

But I found myself always reaching for the Benelli and decided I didn't need two almost identical guns. Plus, the price for Stoeger's had gone up and I was able to sell mine for more than I paid.

M3000 Series | Stoeger Shotguns Pistols and Airguns (stoegerindustries.com)

A couple of months ago I stumbled onto a used Weatherby SA-08 in 20 ga. I'd never heard of this gun before, and it was made in Turkey. I figured Weatherby wouldn't put their name on a junk gun. So far it has also impressed me. Initially I was getting a handful of light primer strikes and the gun didn't fire. But I noted it always happened with some off brand shells. I stopped using those shells in that gun and the problem went away.

This gun is an ultra-light. It has a 24" barrel and weighs a bit under 6 lbs. I bought it to turkey hunt with and for my younger grandkids to use. I haven't had it long enough to say for sure, but so far it has worked perfectly with all but one brand of ammo.

One minor quirk, and why the price is so low. Most more expensive guns will self-regulate and allow you to shoot any light 2 3/4" load as well as heavy 3" magnum loads. This gun will allow you to shoot any shell, but there is a piston in the forend that needs to be changed. For light loads you use one piston, if you're going to shoot heavier loads you change the piston. It can be done in under a minute, but you have to take the forend and barrel off and reassemble to do it. Probably not what you want to do in the field. I keep the piston in there most of the time. I only need the other one for light 7/8 oz target loads.

SA-08™ Synthetic Compact - Weatherby, Inc.

Another gun to consider is the Beretta A300. It is a no frills Beretta made in Italy. Nothing fancy, but they shoot well. Street price is usually well under $1000. IIRC my brother paid about $700 for his a few years ago. I almost pulled the trigger on a new one priced to me at $810 OTD. This was about the same time I found the Weatherby. I got it used OTD for $350.

A300 Ultima Sporting (beretta.com)[/QUOTE

I have a SA-08 20ga . The only things that I don’t like about it is the loading and unloading operation with the shell release and that if you have pulled the trigger after unloading it , you have to take the safety off to open the bolt . IMO that could be dangerous for young and new less experienced people . When you unload it you have to press the shell release and work the bolt twice to eject the shells in the magazine .

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

The TFB "burndown test" is brutal for any gun, if you've never watched one. They take 500 rounds of whatever they have, from bird shot to 3" magnums and start shooting until either the gun stops or out of ammo, as mentioned the Maverick impressed the heck out of me as well.

 

[DustyGmt]

The TFB "burndown test" is brutal for any gun, if you've never watched one. They take 500 rounds of whatever they have, from bird shot to 3" magnums and start shooting until either the gun stops or out of ammo, as mentioned the Maverick impressed the heck out of me as well.

Yeah, I recently watched one on the Bennelli M4 clone (panzer arms m4) and was all sorts of stoked to buy an M4esque 12ga for a fraction of the cost but the TFB burn down test was less than confidence inspiring. Although Hickok45 reviewed it and pumped quite a few shells through it with no hiccups. I decided to pass on the Panzer Arms M4.

But yes, the Maverick 88 is an impressive sub $200 shotgun, just not crazy about the way the forearm is affixed to the action arms, that looks to be a real weak link for that shotgun even though you never hear of failures..... I just think 500's and 590's are quite affordable, I would always opt to spend the extra $50 for the better version. I got my 590 for $250

 

[LimaCharlie]

Love my FN SLP

 

[Zebraranger]

There are some very good Turkish guns but stick with the well known ones Like Mossberg (yes they import some Turkish guns with their name on em, Mossberg Reserve Series). Stoeger, Hatsan & Tristar are well known all with at least some aftermarket items and good parts availability. Another is the Armscor/Rock Island VR80 Tactical at around $600, they 100% back their firearms.
I have an Escort bullpup in 12 gauge that so far has functioned well, it's made by Hatsan and the Winchester SXP Series are Turkish made for around $300.

I've owned or own the usual brands Mossberg, Ithaca, Beretta, Remington's and such. But, speaking of Turkish imports, I just ran across this article today on Tristar Arms new lever action 410 gauge shotguns being imported. Never owned a Turkish made firearm, and I really dont hunt anymore, but this lever action 410 got my attention.
Article Link: https://www.alloutdoor.com/2023/04/27/tristar-lr94-lever-action-shotgun/

 

[1KPerDay]

I'll just leave these here

 

[kje54]

I'll just leave these here

That is why when people ask about Turkish guns I tell them to always stick with the well known names, especially when it comes to shotguns. Too many fly by night Turkish manufacturers have sprung up trying to take advantage of the Turkish gun invasion in the US.

 

[Insignificant bill]

The TFB "burndown test" is brutal for any gun, if you've never watched one. They take 500 rounds of whatever they have, from bird shot to 3" magnums and start shooting until either the gun stops or out of ammo, as mentioned the Maverick impressed the heck out of me as well.

It's the best inexpensive pump shotgun you can buy period.

 

[teerex.otw]

I mostly use older stuff, and am not very familiar with newer models.
Of the oldies, my two favorites are the H&R single shot, mine has the barrel cut down to 20” for use as a “boat gun”
(lotta’ snakes here !), but later I built a mid-barrel peep sight out of an upside-down Weaver scope ring so it can also be used with pistol caliber rifled inserts. It’s a lot of fun, and surprisingly accurate…for what it is.
The other is the Eastfield 916A, manufactured by S&W in the 70’s and early 80’s, it is sturdy and dependable, but rather plain.
I’ve heard that it’s based on an old Noble patent. It has a single action bar, steel receiver, and most came with plain walnut “furniture”.
I’ve had mine for many years and have zero complaints.