Topic: Another gun topic!

[Sporkfly]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at getting a 12 gauge shotgun. I've never owned anything more than a .177 pellet air rifle. Here's what I've narrowed it down to:

Stoeger P-350
Remington 870

I've read some things about the Mossberg 500 having a rattle and that's really not preferred when you're trying to be quiet on a hunt. Another previous option was the Benelli Nova Pump, but again I found some negatives I didn't like the sound of - longer pump, issues with jamming. Of course the 870 and the P-350 had negatives, and the 870 being notorious for rust () kind of worries me. The P-350 coming with choke tubes is nice, but maybe not something I need. The styling of the Remington is as American as apple pie so that is something that draws me to it. Styling of the Stoeger isn't very attractive to me, but part of me is saying it's a gun and it doesn't have to look pretty. It has to be reliable and resilient.

Anyway, anybody have input between the two? Or have another suggestion?

[PxTx]

I've got an 870 Wingmaster which is from the 1970's.  It was given to me about 20 years ago by my uncle.  Through the years there ha been a few small spots of rust, but they all happened while in storage.  I probably could have used a heavier oil when in storage and not have the rust.  Regardless of the small rust, the 870 is my favorite shotgun of all time.  Don't know what the quality of the current Walmart offering is, but the one I own is excellent.

I just got done running about 300 rounds in my Beretta Xtrema II this afternoon.  It's a semi, and I can shoot it one handed, like a handgun due to the low recoil.  It also has a great Aquis coating to eliminate rust.  Aside from some of those features, I really think my 870 is a better shooting gun.  I would think with the popularity of the 870, somebody you know has one and could let you try it out.  I personally would try and find an older model, as I do believe the metals were better, the older you go.

[fuzzybutt]

the 870 is the way to go, i have one and LOVE it. durable, nice looking and accurate.

[bender01]

I had an 870 express . It would get shells stuck ejecting. I loved my Mossberg 835 ultimag. Choke tubes 23/4 3 and 3.5 inch shells. It did have some rattle when being carried though. What are you hunting? The ultimag does it all. I think there @ $375 in camo less for wood. Now ive got a Browning gold hunter. Should sell it and get another Mossberg!!

[DarkRider]

The only shotgun i have really had any experience with is the Mossberg 590A1 (mil spec version of the 500). I didnt own it personally it was my uncles gun that he let me shoot out at the range. I didnt notice much of a rattle when it was being carried though then again that could be because of it being the military weapon or some mod my uncle did to it.

[tramp]

do not knock the mossberg 500
i've owned more than one over the years and found it a very solid shotgun

[DarkRider]

You wont hear me knockin it. If i had a reason to own a shotgun it would be a Mossberg.

[Findlater]

I don't know too much about shotguns but my friend has one.  I was over at his house for the night (we'd been drinking and working on one of my bikes so I wasnt going anywhere) Woke up in the morning and his car was gone. Called the cops and they said they would be 6hours to get a statement and start looking. In reply my friend said- "Well Im going to get my shotgun out and start looking for a silver volvo with this license plate number and that the cops might want to find my car before I do." 30mins later we got a phonecall that they had found his car. 

[rbmgf7]

i got a moss. 535. no problems at all. good duck and goose gun. affordable for a first time shotgun.

[Sporkfly]

I'm looking to do small game. Pheasant, rabbit and maybe turkey. Primarily pheasant and rabbit though (they kind of go together, both require the same license so you might as well pop both while you're out - similar habitats and all).

I considered a 20 gauge because of this, but I think a 12 gauge would be better if I decide to hunt bigger game. Time to go look at my options again and make a decision I suppose

[PxTx]

My 870 can only shoot 2-3/4" loads, but I think later ones can do bigger.  If I was to hunt Turkey, my Xtrema II is best since it handles the 3-1/2 loads.  From what I've heard about hunting turkey, it's a real challenge.  What is your prie point again?

[rbmgf7]

a 20 will be fine for phesant and rabbit but you'll want a 12 for turkey

From what I've heard about hunting turkey, it's a real challenge.

if you can sit still for hours then it's no problem unlike duck you can chat all you want as long as you're hiding behind a blind.

[gregk]

The trouble with hunting turkeys is you might find one!  What do you do with one?  Alot of people hunt them with bows around here. Bow season opens before the shotgun season.  I see lot of them along the roadways, even the major highways and can't see that the would be hard to shoot. 
My shotgun of choice is an old Remington Wingmaster 12ga.

[PxTx]

The trouble with hunting turkeys is you might find one!  What do you do with one?  Alot of people hunt them with bows around here. Bow season opens before the shotgun season.  I see lot of them along the roadways, even the major highways and can't see that the would be hard to shoot. 
My shotgun of choice is an old Remington Wingmaster 12ga.

I'm sure hunting turkey is not easy, regardless of how it pay appear from sitting in your car.  I must default to someone who has actually BTDT, because I am just as experienced as you are.

As for the Wingmanster, that would be an upscale 870!

[Stormer]

Take the Remington and be happy.

[bender01]

Squirrels to 200lb hogs the ulti mag will do it all.

[GroovieGhoulie]

Just to offer a Contrarian viewpoint, check out the Winchester 1300.  Aluminum receiver and a locked rotating bolt in a barrel extension, (similar to the AR-15), make the fastest, lightest pump-gun on the market, while still being quality.  The rotating bolt helps to positively open the action as you cycle the slide, and it makes for VERY fast follow-up shots.  Three shots in half a second is not unheard of, (and it's a manual pump.  The Winchester semi-autos are even faster).

They have a wide range of models, for whatever you could want.

[void909]

Remington 870

[cleveland]

I loved my Mossberg 835 ultimag.

Yep, that's my favorite pump action.  #6 for small game and home intruders, dual purpose.   

[Sporkfly]

I went against my initial thoughts and went with a Benelli SuperNova. Lighter, more durable materials than wood, recoil reduction system, accepts 3 1/2" shells out of the box (unlike the 870s in the same price range) and I think it'll do me just fine. A nice branded gun, whether I had gone with a Mossberg or a Remington or this Benelli, will serve me well and I don't think I would have been disappointed with any of them.

Thanks for any and all input, even if I went against it

[PxTx]

So let's see a pic!

[cleveland]

YEA!!  Where's the pics?

[Sporkfly]

Generic pic for now?

Upload the 'real thing' within the next couple days as my schedule allows .