Well, not quite a complete newbie now at least.
Finally had a small class on shotguns yesterday after having spent a good amount of time reading stuff. Had so much fun with an 870 that I got one myself, a synthetic express with a 28 inch barrel. Also picked up an 18 inch barrel as well for future use as a home defense gun. Also a few other things like dummy rounds, a case, and an R3 recoil pad.
Now, in my mixture of giddiness and tiredness (it was a morning class and I'm a night owl student) I managed to forget to pick up cleaning supplies. While I have supplies to clean my .22 handgun (the 870 is only my second gun as a matter of practicality due to MD restrictions/laws), obviously I need a new cleaning rod and patches and possibly other stuff. I could use some advice in this area, especially on what solvents should be picked up and used where, good lubricants, rust inhibitors (my .22 is stainless so I haven't had to deal with this part much), etc. While I do have some mineral spirit based rust inhibitor I use for my knife collection, I've seen no mention of anyone using similar on guns so I'm hesitant to use it.
I also obviously want to put on the recoil pad I picked up. I'm guessing that I'll be taking a screw driver, sticking it through the holes I see in the stock pad until it catches and removing the screws, then doing the same kind of thing but in reverse for the pad until the screws pop under the outer layer? And is it really a good idea to "lube" the screwdriver with water like the directions say?
I also have questions on choke tubes. I understand their concept well enough, I just can't make heads or tails of Remington's naming system yet. First, does the 18 inch "Police" barrel take/require choke tubes? When I looked down the barrel, I didn't see anything for an add on to catch onto but I might have not looked hard enough (heck, possibly down the wrong end). I certainly wouldn't mind and probably would prefer a full cylinder for it, I just want to make sure given the warnings about not using barrels meant for choke tubes without them.
On a related note, what's a good way to store the barrel I'm not using?
I'm also guessing that the "Modified Rem Choke" the 28 inch barrel comes with is Remington's way of saying modified choke? Recommendations on other chokes to pick up would be welcome if you have any after finishing reading this.
Finally, there's the question of "well now what do I do?" that enters the minds of newer gun owners. Clay games seemed like the way to get to know the gun (and have fun over winter break) and the instructors agreed with that view, but you're listening to someone that can't even remember the differences between trap and skeet right now (at least I get sporting clays though!). Since the class was given a home defense slant for shotgun newbies and not a traditional course, I know my form probably leaves much to be desired too (though at least it was enough to not leave bruises on my shoulder). I'm not sure if I should hit a trap/skeet/clay range that offers instructions first or spent time at a more traditional range firing at paper. Since some of you are trapped in this state, feel free to get very specific in recommendations (I live in the Rockville area but I'm still at school in Baltimore for a few more days). I do have a list of ranges in the state and some recommendations from the folks at Atlantic Guns, but more in depth descriptions are welcome.
All advice/information/jokes are appreciated.
Finally had a small class on shotguns yesterday after having spent a good amount of time reading stuff. Had so much fun with an 870 that I got one myself, a synthetic express with a 28 inch barrel. Also picked up an 18 inch barrel as well for future use as a home defense gun. Also a few other things like dummy rounds, a case, and an R3 recoil pad.
Now, in my mixture of giddiness and tiredness (it was a morning class and I'm a night owl student) I managed to forget to pick up cleaning supplies. While I have supplies to clean my .22 handgun (the 870 is only my second gun as a matter of practicality due to MD restrictions/laws), obviously I need a new cleaning rod and patches and possibly other stuff. I could use some advice in this area, especially on what solvents should be picked up and used where, good lubricants, rust inhibitors (my .22 is stainless so I haven't had to deal with this part much), etc. While I do have some mineral spirit based rust inhibitor I use for my knife collection, I've seen no mention of anyone using similar on guns so I'm hesitant to use it.
I also obviously want to put on the recoil pad I picked up. I'm guessing that I'll be taking a screw driver, sticking it through the holes I see in the stock pad until it catches and removing the screws, then doing the same kind of thing but in reverse for the pad until the screws pop under the outer layer? And is it really a good idea to "lube" the screwdriver with water like the directions say?
I also have questions on choke tubes. I understand their concept well enough, I just can't make heads or tails of Remington's naming system yet. First, does the 18 inch "Police" barrel take/require choke tubes? When I looked down the barrel, I didn't see anything for an add on to catch onto but I might have not looked hard enough (heck, possibly down the wrong end). I certainly wouldn't mind and probably would prefer a full cylinder for it, I just want to make sure given the warnings about not using barrels meant for choke tubes without them.
On a related note, what's a good way to store the barrel I'm not using?
I'm also guessing that the "Modified Rem Choke" the 28 inch barrel comes with is Remington's way of saying modified choke? Recommendations on other chokes to pick up would be welcome if you have any after finishing reading this.
Finally, there's the question of "well now what do I do?" that enters the minds of newer gun owners. Clay games seemed like the way to get to know the gun (and have fun over winter break) and the instructors agreed with that view, but you're listening to someone that can't even remember the differences between trap and skeet right now (at least I get sporting clays though!). Since the class was given a home defense slant for shotgun newbies and not a traditional course, I know my form probably leaves much to be desired too (though at least it was enough to not leave bruises on my shoulder). I'm not sure if I should hit a trap/skeet/clay range that offers instructions first or spent time at a more traditional range firing at paper. Since some of you are trapped in this state, feel free to get very specific in recommendations (I live in the Rockville area but I'm still at school in Baltimore for a few more days). I do have a list of ranges in the state and some recommendations from the folks at Atlantic Guns, but more in depth descriptions are welcome.
All advice/information/jokes are appreciated.
