I'm looking at buying a shotgun, since I sold the one I had last summer and don't have one. One that I can use for everything, which want be much, maybe the occasional squirrel hunt, a duck hunt every now and then, a few turkey hunts when I’m invited and maybe the pheasant I’ve always thought about doing. I had a 3â€,12ga, semi-auto with a 26†in mind, but what brand? A Remington 1187, a Browning, a Winchester or Beretta? Any thoughts? How about price?
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Posts: 1739 | Location: alabama | Registered: 13 November 2001
Among the best "does it all" shotguns today is the Benelli Super Black Eagle II. It shoots anything from the lightest 12 gauge target loads to 3-1/2" magnums without any adjustments or tricks and will take a lot od dirt and abuse without failing. Not cheap though at around $1300.00. For a litle less that a grand you can get the Black Eagle which is alost as much gun; just won't go the full 3-1/2 inch shells.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
Posts: 11142 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003
Your question is almost too broad or open to answer. How much do you want to spend? Do you have a preference of action type: pump, autoloader, or double? How "nice" do you want it to be?
You could get a Remington 870, for example -- the "plain Jane" one with a non-walnut stock and a matte barrel, but with screw-in chokes, for under $300, and it will be as sturdy and servicable as you could want, but it's not beautiful. (I have a used one I got for about $200.) You could go to the fancier one with walnut stock and shiny barrel for $500 ot thereabouts.
A Remington 11-87 autoloader will cost a bit more. A double -- O/U or SxS -- would start at about twice as much. And so on.
Your question is a bit like asking "What kind of car should I get?" To answer such a question requires answering a lot more questions in order to narrow down the possible choices to what you actually want or need.
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
You can never go wrong with a Remington 870. I would shop around and find one maybe 20 years old, if a fixed choke barrel, buy a rem choke in 26 " and it will do anything you will ever want from a shotgun.
other option is a fine Ithaca Model 37. Find one about 30 years old in a mod barrel and it will be even better than the 870. If you find a 16 ga at a decent price you will think you died and went to heavan
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Posts: 2605 | Location: Western New York | Registered: 30 December 2003
I have shotguns that are from worth anywhere from $250 to a Perazzi worth about $4000. If I was told I could only have shotgun for the rest of my life it would be the $250 Rem 870. They will not quit working, tough guns, will handle any shells, push out two pins wash off the trigger assembly,.... great gun.
"aim small, miss small" Benjamin Martin
Posts: 90 | Location: EastTN | Registered: 21 November 2003
As much as it pains me to say it, the Wally World Beretta 390 for about $500. A LOT of bang for the buck. With the advent of Hevi-shot, the 3 1/2 inch shell is obsolete. HTH, Dutch.
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly dog.
Posts: 4564 | Location: Idaho Falls, ID, USA | Registered: 21 September 2000
quote:If you find a 16 ga at a decent price you will think you died and went to heavan
I agree with this, but only partly. Sixteens are very attractive and wonderful. But finding ammo for them, especially much diversity of ammo in 16 ga., is quite difficult today, alas!
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
I second the suggestion of a used Rem 870... The older ones are very slick and smooth, better than the newer ones seem to be. It's a virtually indestructible tool and can easily be maintained by the owner. Lots of accessories you can get for them too...
For an "only" shotgun, I'd consider a pump also: they never jam. I've even seen Benelli SBE's and Beretta 391's jam occasionally. My suggestions on the pumps are the Remington 870, the Winchester 1300's and the Benelli Novas. Go to the store and see which one's stock fits best and pump action is easiest. The Benelli rattles too much for me and the Remington has too high a stock comb for me.
That said, the autos are awfully good now. I think that the Benelli and the Beretta 390/391's are the most reliable. They also have wedge systems to raise or lower the stock's comb to the right height. I think the decision on which of these two is driven by what size shells you'll use. The Benelli, especially when new, doesn't like light trap and skeet (1 oz) loads. The 390 and 391 can't chamber 3 1/2 inch shells (except the Beretta Extrema 391). I tend to agree that 3.5" shells are only necessary for waterfowling with steel.
Steve
Posts: 1734 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 17 January 2004
As others have said, go with a Rem M870. They shoot forever, and do anything you want them to do.
Price is right, and if you didn't want to, you would never have to buy anything else.
Like someone else also said, stick with a pump. I hunted ducks a few years ago with a guy who was awfully proud of his new Benelli SBE. He was a bit disgusted by the end of the season though, with all of his malfunctions while my 870 just kept stroking...
Now you guys are pulling at my sense of romance and the longing for my misspent youth with all this talk of a 16ga. Remington makes a 1100 Classic field in 16ga with a 26" barrel and I've seen it listed on the net for $590, not to bad. But its only a 2-3/4" gun and I wonder how hard shells will be to find. Plus I'm guessing they will be higher when you do find them. Does anyone make a 16ga Turkey load?
I’ve went and looked at a few shotguns this week. So far the two I found, that I like, is a new Remington 1187 SPS 12ga, 3†chamber, 26†barrel, matte finish with synthetic stock for $620 and a 2003 Demo., Beretta 391, 12ga, 26†barrel for $750. Then there is still the 16ga
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Posts: 1739 | Location: alabama | Registered: 13 November 2001
16 ga is getting more available for ammo all the time. I think Remington bringing it back has ignited the interest. I even saw Gander Mountain in my area, have basic loads the same price as 12 and 20. From what i have seen the price diff is very little if you like the 16
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Posts: 2605 | Location: Western New York | Registered: 30 December 2003
Get a Remington 870, I got one new a little over 4 years ago, and I have used it for all my hunting. From doves and squirrels up to geese and turkeys, it has never let me down. Mine is the 3.5" Wingmaster version, but the Express is almost as good, it's just not as smooth, although they are really nice for what they cost. Get one hunting shotgun, learn how to use it, and watch the birds just drop out of the sky.
I heal fast and don't scar.
Posts: 433 | Location: Monessen, PA | Registered: 23 February 2005
