Greetings,

As you all have probably seen in my other postings around this particular forum I am now the proud owner of two rifles, a Ruger 10/22 and M91/30 Mosin-Nagant. I would now like to purchase my first shotgun, and am contemplating at the moment a Remington 870 because such seem to be widely available, reasonably priced, and well reviewed.

In other words, your comments or criticisms concerning such are welcome over the next few weeks as I attempt to decide whether I shall purchase the 870 or something else of your recommendation.

:p

I don't like the slide release. Good gun, though. I prefer the Mossberg 500 series, actually.

I don't like the slide release. Good gun, though. I prefer the Mossberg 500 series, actually.

I agree on all counts.

I own a Remington 870 Express Magnum, and am completely satisfied with it. I have run a little over 400 shells through it without any problem. As others have mentioned another good option is the Mossberg 500. I had actually intended to buy a 500, however once I got to hold both of them the 870 just felt much better in my hands.

Mossberg 500. Cheaper and just as good. Mine came with a 24 in hunting/sport barrel and 18.5 in defense barrel for 250$ from big 5. If you can find that it is a deal. Makes 2 shotguns in one.(kind of)

I don't like my Mossberg 500 because the safety has a tendency to engage at random while shooting. On the other hand, the switch itself is cracked in half, so that could be responsible.

It's also a pistol grip variant, which is turning out to be rather useless for just about anything. I did use it to prevent a semi-humorous burglary once, though.

I really prefer the Winchester 1300 to every other pump shotgun, but alas, they discontinued it.

I've shot but never owned a Remington 870. I don't really have any complaints.

Thanks for the input so far, everyone -- I'll be going to the gun store soon to check out the Mossberg 500. The only issue I have with such concerns the plastic triggerguard and safety, which to my understanding breaks rather easily -- however the military model with steel parts replacing such doesn't seem to cost much more.

We'll see!

plastic safety, which to my understanding breaks rather easily

Man, FUCK that safety. I just brought my 500 up for some inspection after posting in this thread and I thumbed the already bisected safety switch and it cracked clean off and fell out. I had to amputate the entire safety mechanism.

Definitely keep that one in mind.

If you like the 870, check out the NEF Pardner Protector. It's a Chinese clone of it, with a beefy steel receiver [and trigger guard]. It's compatible with most of the 870's accessories and pretty easy to find new for $150. The Norinco 982 is similar and comes with ghost ring sights, if that's your thing. Both of them are built like tanks.

I don't like the slide release. Good gun, though. I prefer the Mossberg 500 series, actually.

I agree with him. The 870 is well built, but the operation feels funky compared to that of a Winchester 1200/1300 or even a Mossberg.

The slide release on the 1300(any many other Winchesters) is on the rear of the trigger guard. When you pull the trigger, you release the slide, and you let the recoil of the round sort of pump the slide. It's a very smooth graceful motion, whereas an 870, you have to quickly push your trigger finger forward immediately after you shoot to pump the slide back if you want a quick follow up shot. IMO it's a more fluid motion with less wasted movement on the shooter's behalf.


My suggestion is operate a few brands. See which feels most natural. The throw, how well you're on target/position when you push it to your shoulder, might be of utmost importance. At least if you're going to use it for bird hunting.

The Ithaca 37 is a damn fine shotgun for a few bucks more. Actually one of Browning's designs, whom is famous for thinking up a shitton of other legendary designs. The 1911, BHP, and Winchester 94 to name a few.

I would strongly suggest against buying a Chinese made shotgun. All of my personal experiences with the quality of Chinese products has showed me the same result, including shotguns.

Hope this helps.

The 870 is a solid bet. They can be had for a reasonable price, and there are more add ons available for it than any other shotgun. I also own a Mossy 500 tactical that Ive had no problems with, even if the safety is a bit awkward.

We have tons of 500s sitting in our arms room, they have been through a combat tour or two and all still work. If somebody has one that randomly broke I have to call operator error or maybe they just got a lemon.

I agree with him. The 870 is well built, but the operation feels funky compared to that of a Winchester 1200/1300 or even a Mossberg.

The slide release on the 1300(any many other Winchesters) is on the rear of the trigger guard. When you pull the trigger, you release the slide, and you let the recoil of the round sort of pump the slide. It's a very smooth graceful motion, whereas an 870, you have to quickly push your trigger finger forward immediately after you shoot to pump the slide back if you want a quick follow up shot. IMO it's a more fluid motion with less wasted movement on the shooter's behalf.


My suggestion is operate a few brands. See which feels most natural. The throw, how well you're on target/position when you push it to your shoulder, might be of utmost importance. At least if you're going to use it for bird hunting.

The Ithaca 37 is a damn fine shotgun for a few bucks more. Actually one of Browning's designs, whom is famous for thinking up a shitton of other legendary designs. The 1911, BHP, and Winchester 94 to name a few.

I would strongly suggest against buying a Chinese made shotgun. All of my personal experiences with the quality of Chinese products has showed me the same result, including shotguns.

Hope this helps.

If you drop the hammer you don't have to hit the slide release. As far as I know thats how all pump guns work.

I have an 870 and love it, its been rock solid and reliable. Its not pretty and I use it hard but it always performs.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b50/Groundhogwhacka/2006-6pointerp2.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b50/Groundhogwhacka/DH11-2.jpg
The safety works the same as it does on several of my other guns so its a natural motion when shouldering the gun.

I would have no problem owning a Mossy 500, its just not what I ended up with. I know a ton of people who swear by them and just about every 500 I have heard of is as reliable as the day is long.

I don't know how I feel about the clone guns. I have reservations about them but no experience with them. You surely won't be disappointed with either an 870 or 500.

I went to the gun store today and having examined both the 870 and the 500, I like the 870 more. It feels more natural to me, seems easier to switch out parts on, I like the safety better, etc. Both great guns, though.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread - I'll let you know when I actually purchase my first shotgun. (gun porn!)

My mossberg 500 is very reliable and so was my firends maverick 88. My other friend did not clean/oil his mossy 500 he received as a gift for years but finally his brother and I cleaned it for him. He had not field stripped it once for stleast 2 years. I had to feild strip it and clean/oil it for the first time. The shotgun never had an issue besides pumping just sounded horrible to me and was not smooth at all and i fixed that with the cleaning and fresh oil.

The 870 has been around for almost 50 years now i think. It is reliable, and if there is a problem you can break it down easily. I have shot Mossberg, benelli, Remington, and Winchester. My fav is a Win 1300 i bought used for $140. a bit scratched and prob beat up but hundreds of rounds through it, i have yet to have any problems with it. It is the smoothest action of all, and the pump does not overlap the receiver when you pull it back. Plenty of accessories, get all while you can.

^ Just Googled the 1300 and it's a nice looking piece. If I can find one in decent condition at the same price I might pick one up, though for the time being I'm set on the 870. Two shotguns = better than one, though. :)

Oh and Benelli really, really, really kicks ass. Seeing as how I'm starting a great new job Monday purchasing one will be within reach shortly. :)

My fav is a Win 1300 i bought used for $140. a bit scratched and prob beat up but hundreds of rounds through it, i have yet to have any problems with it. It is the smoothest action of all, and the pump does not overlap the receiver when you pull it back. Plenty of accessories, get all while you can.

They've been discontinued, so uh...

Too late?

I actually smirked at that comment.

My friend broke a Winchester Defender. To be fair, it was previously broken and not properly repaired, breaking during normal use, but he is lucky to have both hands. I was about a minute away from witnessing the event, too. If only I had driven faster, or he waited like he told me he would.

Karmic response to his impatience, clearly.

That bastard did promise to wait until I was there to celebrate with him. After all, I helped him get interested in firearms in the first place.

The 870 is a solid bet. They can be had for a reasonable price, and there are more add ons available for it than any other shotgun. I also own a Mossy 500 tactical that Ive had no problems with, even if the safety is a bit awkward.

We have tons of 500s sitting in our arms room, they have been through a combat tour or two and all still work. If somebody has one that randomly broke I have to call operator error or maybe they just got a lemon.

My first one was a single bar action one....

It has broken twice and sits broken to this day. I got a new double bar one, love it. I say 500 because it's cheap and a damn good gun imho.

My first one was a single bar action one....

It has broken twice and sits broken to this day. I got a new double bar one, love it. I say 500 because it's cheap and a damn good gun imho.

You first had a Maverick 88, not a Mossberg 500. Moverick's are single bar, Mossberg's are truly double bar. Maverick is made by Mossberg as the even cheaper alternative.

Saiga 12... You will love it when you convert it. ;)

I want to ge a shotgun as well, over here we have a lot of Turkish guns, that seem to be selling really well, they're really cheap and look quite cool, I was thinking of getting one of their pump actions, thye're called Hatsan.

On the other hand I also want to get a Baikal O&U, it costs 400 euros though.

As for OP, you're in the US, you should consider yourself very lucky, your prices are so low, me personally if I had the cash I'd totally get a Benelli, I mean they're of extremely good quality and they look so damn sexy.

Benelli Nova all the way.

As for OP, you're in the US, you should consider yourself very lucky, your prices are so low, me personally if I had the cash I'd totally get a Benelli, I mean they're of extremely good quality and they look so damn sexy.

Benelli Nova all the way.
Benellis are quite awesome. I've shot the Nova and the Super Black Eagle and they're both superbly crafted guns that are a pure joy to hunt and shoot trap with.

I'm still going to pick up an 870 as a first shotgun, but seeing as how my new job pays quite well, a Benelli may have its place quite soon around my home.

I want to ge a shotgun as well, over here we have a lot of Turkish guns, that seem to be selling really well, they're really cheap and look quite cool, I was thinking of getting one of their pump actions, thye're called Hatsan.

On the other hand I also want to get a Baikal O&U, it costs 400 euros though.

As for OP, you're in the US, you should consider yourself very lucky, your prices are so low, me personally if I had the cash I'd totally get a Benelli, I mean they're of extremely good quality and they look so damn sexy.

Benelli Nova all the way.


the hatsan shotguns are pretty much the uk equivalent of mossbergs

hard as nails, cheap and reliable

i own both the pump and the semi auto the semi seems to cycle any shells i put through it they also come with a good selection of chokes and some shims to adjust the length of pull and angle between the stock and the receiver
all in all a very nice gun