12 Gauge Shotgun

[Larry]

I'm looking for getting a new 12 gauge pump or semi auto shotgun. I have my dads old single shot break action but the thing kicks so bad its not even worth shooting. Main thing Ill be shooting out here are dove and duck. One of my buddies has a Mossburg 500 pump and that's what I'm looking for but I haven't made up my mind. Price range is around $250-300. Any of you have any suggestions?

[AKHog]

For $300 forget about autos, your looking for pump action. That being the case, if you ask around you'll hear 2 guns recommended 10x more than everything else combined, that is the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870.

I think the general consensus is both of these are great guns with lots of parts and upgrades available. They will be great guns for years to come and parts will likely never be a problem, so it will be something you can pass along to your kids. From everything I've read I think these guns are about equal aside from a few small details, and if you get one recommended over the other its more likely because that person owns one or the other rather than a true difference between the two.

Personally I have a 1973 Remington 870 Wingmaster that was handed down to me by my dad. Its got great action, very easy to strip/clean, and VERY reliable. I've never had a single issue with it, it just always works. The Remington 870 has been made for over 50 years, and is the most popular shotgun ever sold at over 9 million. I honestly don't think you could go wrong with either one but I'd personally recommend the 870 simply because thats what I have and I really like it. Buy a short barrel for it to keep around the house and teach your wife/S.O. to use it, and it makes just about the best damn home defense weapon available.

I doubt either one of these are going to kick significantly less than your break barrel. Once the action is closed both types of guns work essentially the same and will transfer roughly the same amount of energy to your shoulder. An auto would kick less simply because some of the energy is used to cycle the action. If you have a problem with the kick look into some upgraded stocks and padding, sometimes depending on your size a custom sized stock might make a big difference. If thats not the issue then try some lighter loaded shells, or even check out some 20 gauge shotguns. They are nice and light and in some situations make better hunting guns, especially for water foul.

[uptown]

I've always kept a Mossberg 12ga. around. I've never had a bit of trouble out of any of them and for the money you can't go wrong.

[Maverick]

Either the Mossberg or Remington 870 are going to be a good choice. Look to find one with interchangeable chokes. That makes the gun far more flexible in what you can hunt reliably with it. If it doesn't have a recoil pad already you might want to spend a few $ with a gunsmith and have one installed. Make sure you get the length of pull set (stock length) to fit you. That will also go a long way to mitigating recoil if the gun fits you well.

[RipChord929]

Either one works fine, R870 or M500...
About the only outward difference between them
is the location of the safety.. Rem on trigger guard,
Moss on the Top/rear of reciever... Take your pick!!

RC

[AKHog]

BTW the Mossberg is slightly lighter than the Remington, so out of the two the Remington probably kicks a little less. This is mostly due to the fact that the Remington uses a solid steel receiver while the Mossberg has an aluminum one.

[drdeathx]

Gonna be hard to find this price range.... Look at used. Guns generally will not go bad unless abused. You can generally tell condition by looking at it. Make sure the pin fires?unloaded(LOL)> or ask permission to shoot it(outside). Sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough. My Dad many years ago got me a Athica model 37 limited edition for $75 in great condition.

[Hornet33]

I have owned one of each, Mossberg 500 and currently have a Remington 870. Traded the Mossy for the Remy. I personaly like the Remington better. As stated earlier the 870 is a bit heavier than the 500 and that just suits me better for shooting. Other than that they are both outstanding shotguns. Anything you can get for one, you can get for the other. Any law enforcement or military unit using shotguns will have one or the other. I've NEVER had either of them fail to fire.

What it's really going to boil down to is which one you can get for the cheapest price. It would even be worth it to hit a couple of pawn shops that deal in firearms and check out some used ones. Might be able to get ahold of a decent used one for around $150 or so with minor wear marks but functionaly solid. I bought my 500 from a pawn shop back in 1987 for $75 and used it for over 6 years before getting the 870. The trade in value at that time was $180 for the 500 and total price on the 870 was $230.

Can't go wrong with either of them. The Wichester 1300 is also a popular pump but they tend to be a little higher in price, but they are on par with the 500 and 870 as well. My dad is a Winchester guy and has always used a 1300 and he swears by it. I learned to shoot on one of those.

[mbailey]

I own both the Remington 870 and the Moss. 500. I use my Mossberg the most. Ive had it since i was 12yrs old ( im 37 now ) and it still operates flawlessly. Of all the shotguns (pumps) ive sold at the gunshop where i work p/t, i always recommend the Moss. over the Remington for one reason only, and that is the location of the saftey. I have always found the safteys on the trigger guard a bit difficult to get to wearing thick gloves, whereas the saftey on the reciever of the Mossberg is 1. more visible to see if it is engaged or disengaged, and 2. very easily accessable.

Its really preferance as both are VERY good pump guns.

Good luck <S>

[TheflyingElk]

My Mossberg 500 Is the most versatile gun in my gun case, Is is ported to handle the recoil of the 3inch rounds, Turkey, Geese, long range ducks, 2 2/4 inch rounds quail, grouse ducks over deeks. I bought it 15 years ago as a walmart special, paid 150 bucks on sale, Its known as the viking grade lol synthetic stock and flat finnish, but it gave me the chance to try out a airbrush lol. I have choke tubes for super full up to improved cylinder. The new models now handle 3 1/2 inch rounds but man shoot it ,  then pick it up, fix dislocated jaw bone, Here in oregon older 500's can be bought at pawn shops for 100-200 based on condition. If you want a work horse its a great tool, I keep my Remington 1100 for appearances , ya know hunting with snobs, but the mossberg is the game getter. Slug barrels are available with scope mounts
 for deer and bear have fun.

[Spikes]

Remmy 870.

[Larry]

My new baby. 

[Spikes]

That looks like a Remmy but it's got a Saftey on the top.

[Larry]

Its the mossi 500. Got it for $210 at an academy.

[Hajo]

Larry good grab!  From what I see looks to be in very good condition.