Hey All,

I am looking to purchase a new shotgun. I would like it to be a semi-auto 12 gauge and will be using it for everything from pheasant to goose (probably not turkey). I really don't want to be spending $1200 for a Benelli or a Beretta and have been doing a little reading up on the Mossbergs. Anyone have any suggestions for a reliable shotgun that won't break my bank account?

Remington. Whichever of their current models suits you most....

Good luck.

Hey All,

I am looking to purchase a new shotgun. I would like it to be a semi-auto 12 gauge and will be using it for everything from pheasant to goose (probably not turkey). I really don't want to be spending $1200 for a Benelli or a Beretta and have been doing a little reading up on the Mossbergs. Anyone have any suggestions for a reliable shotgun that won't break my bank account?

I would scan the used gun racks in a few gun shops and see what is available. It depends on what you prefer, seems to fit well and can afford. There are a lot of excellent used Remington 1100s and 11-87s out there in the $300 to $450 price range. Take care...
Oberndorf

I've never owned a Remington shotgun, but as many are sold I'm sure they must be good guns. In semi-auto's don't overlook the Browning Gold line. Mine have been trouble free and cycle anything I put through them.

Just my opinion, but don't let anyone talk you into a 3 1/2" gun unless you mostly hunt geese. May not reliably cycle some the lighter target loads you'll use when practicing.

Lots of good shotguns out there. You might check out one of the local Shooting Clays ranges and see what folks are using. I like to go to one of the big gun stores and shoulder some of the new guns. One of them just may say take me home. Keep in mind that all new guns become used at some time and you often can save a bunch of money on a good used gun. I bought the one below new at Wally world, but I've got several pawn shops and used gun shops that I visit. I especially like the shops where the guns can be picked up and fondled.

I've got a Mossberg pump, but it's pretty much a dedicated turkey rig. I simply can't get out in the fields and do the walking bird hunting requires anymore.

Sitting and calling turkeys appeals to me. Here's my rig.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/Mossberg835-1.jpg

Hey All,

I am looking to purchase a new shotgun. I would like it to be a semi-auto 12 gauge and will be using it for everything from pheasant to goose (probably not turkey). I really don't want to be spending $1200 for a Benelli or a Beretta and have been doing a little reading up on the Mossbergs. Anyone have any suggestions for a reliable shotgun that won't break my bank account?


Although I'd really like to steer you one way or another, the only person who can really make that decision is you, after you have properly picked up and shouldered the ones within your price range. ALL of my friends grew up duck hunting with Remington 1100's. I had my fathers old "hand-me-down" 12 gauge Browning Auto-5. I scraped and scrimped to get enough money to get an 1100 like all my friends had. The day finally came, and I bought it with my own money, and my fathers signature, as I was still too young to purchase it. I got it without ever shouldering the gun, which was my fault - totally, 100%. First time out with it in the duck blind, and it just didn't feel right. Second time, same, etc.... I finally ended up selling it off. You know what I shoot now? That same old Belgium Browning Auto-5 Light 12, chambered for 2 3/4" shells. My friends thought I was NUTS when I had the receiver reblued, brought a new vent rib barrel with Invector + choke system, and changed the wood to synthetic. "You just ruined a collectors item!" they all yelled. Nope. I made an old reliable, well fit gun into something more modern that I continue to shoot to this day. This gun has been through 3 generations of my family, and shoots better (for me) than most any modern shotgun on the market. It will be passed down to my son eventually - 4th generation with this Browning. Some hate them - but it "fits" me.

Almost the same thing happened a few years back regarding a Ruger 10/22. Again - EVERYONE has them.... and I wanted one to replace my aging Remington 522 Speedmaster. Everyone I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about them, so the more they talked, the more I had to have one. The day I went to buy it, I shouldered it and took aim. And then did it again, and again, and again.... and walked out of the store with a new Remington 597, as I hated the way the 10/22 fit me.

Guess I'm just "different", but it goes to prove my point - what is "the best" for one person may seem like junk in another persons hands. Find something that fits YOU.

I hope you find what you are looking for. There are some really fine firearms out on the market these days. I like Browning and Remington long guns, but that is only my personal preference. I looked at Stoeger recently, and although they looked and felt great, the kid behind the counter couldn't figure out how to get the barrel back on after he had disassembled it, and I had to walk away laughing to myself. :D

All the best,
Glenn

I have two of the Mossberg 930's, one field version and the other the 930SPX, between the two guns I have over 13,000 rounds through them, I have yet to have a single malfunction. These guns are very well balanced and extremely reliable... do a search, these shotguns are as good as they say.

Dick's Sporting Goods was running a special that came with 2 barrels a 26" smooth-bore, a 24" rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount, two stocks, one standard, and the other one is a monte-carlo stlye so that you get proper cheek weld when using a scope, it also comes with a scope for $449.98

http://dickssportinggoods.shoplocal.com/DSG/default.aspx?action=detail&flashbrowse=y&storeid=2486106&rapid=481589&pagenumber=3&listingid=-2092416810&ref=%2fdsg%2fdefault.aspx%3faction%3dbrowsepagefla sh%26storeid%3d2486106%26pagenumber%3d3%26rapid%3d 481589%26prvid%3dDSG-071123Lodge8

Smitty

My brother-in-law has a 1100 Remington we've often used when calling coyotes in heavy cover and close quarters. In all kinds of weather and with every load I've seen run thru it ... just does it's job with out a hitch. It's even busted a rooster or two.

The automatic Remingtons seem to be very popular for flying coyote hunters out here.

A little bragging here.

Fresh out of the service in the early 1960s I bought a used Belgian made Browning O/U 12 gauge and paid about $500 for it. The guy I bought it from had to sell it in order to get married. I still smile when I think about it, I wonder if he does.

Money wise the new NEF pump and semi's are cheap beyond all reason but they are made in CHINA. It's very hard to beat any of the standby's like Rem, Moss, Benelli etc from the discount houses. Lots are on sale or have incentives to buy.

But for just plain cheap and fun the NEF Ultra Slug gun with scope is hard to beat at a few cents less than $245.00 at any Walmart.

It's nice to just pull the trigger and hose the world with an auto or slightly slower with a pump, but I guarantee a single shot will stop the spray and prey attitude, save you lots of money and/or reloading time and make you a much better shot. It's easy to get sloppy when you have a quick second and third shot, but when you only have one shot or the belly goes empty...and THEN have to ride the heat with the looks and jokes, you tend to get real conservative with ranges and shot picks. :D :D I know...it's not cool to have a single shot when everyone is waving and pontificating the virtues of an auto. :cool:

My Dad started me out very young with a very cheap single shot, "pull the cocker knob every time", 22 and 16 ga break action he found in the trash with a broken stock, no bead front site and missing firing pin. It took him about a week to get it back into shape. For the next 25 or so years friends hated to see me walk up with either of those toys. By that time I had also developed some pretty fast reloading techniques. That 16 weighed about 3 lbs, no recoil pad, too much drop in the stock and too short too boot. It brought tears to my eyes almost everytime I cranked it off, not to mention what the muzzle did,but I got back at some of the bigger, older kin for knocking me about when I was small, by "letting" a few shoot it. Didn't take long before no one bothered me or tried to appropriate the "Vile Thing" for their use. By now I've gone the whole gamet and I'm back to thoroughly enjoying my several NEF's and have the Ultra slug w/scope ordered...and yes, I have 4 other shotguns...all pumps...for those times I want to burn money. :D

Have fun with your quandry...

'Njoy

I've been using a Charles Daly 31/2" Maxi Mag semi auto now for the last 4 yrs now, and can say that I am very pleased with the performance. It uses Rem.choke tubes(if you should need to replace them with anything other thanC.D... I use a Rem. super full turkey when turkey hunting) The 28" barrel comes factory Mag-Na-Ported, and you can practice with any 11/4 oz. or higher load.I use #6 shot. We hunt some pretty nasty places, and I have not babyed this gun in the least. Always dependable and won't break the bank. Just my2cents, good luck1

cajuntec
I'm with you on the A5! I've got two a 12GA Mag and my Dads Sweet Sixteen they are the best swinging shooting shotguns I own. Other than a H&R Single and a Stoeger O/U(really the SO's) there all the shotguns I'll ever need.

I started out with a Mossberg 500C 20 gauge that I couldn't shoot worth a darn... decided shotguns weren't for me at all... The first gun I bought for myself was a Remington 11-87 12 Gauge Special Purpose (Matte finish). I've taught a lot of people to shoot clays with that gun, and everyone shoots it very well. I'm a pretty good shot too, but I like that it doesn't recoil much so I can get women and younger people to shoot it easily.

A couple weeks ago I picked up a used Remington 11-87 Super Magnum for about $445 out the door. It won't cycle light target loads as the previous owner removed the barrel seal activator and didn't replace it. But other than that it was a sweet deal. Though one of the previous posters had some wise advice about the 3 1/2" I have mainly used 3" for ducks and geese, and mostly from a O/U. The few 3 1/2" I have put through my 870 Super Magnum were from a box that I got for free.

My 11-87 only has 3" chambers, I have no problem cycling light target loads to 2 ounce turkey loads.

I know people will argue to the contrary but I don't think you need a 3 1/2" 12 ga for anything, even geese. Personally I believe any semi-auto is more likely to malfunction than double guns or a pump and therefore I prefer the pumps for waterfowl, giving me 3 verse 2 shots. Of the pumps I don't think you can beat Remingtons. The 3" Express guns are lighter than the 3 1/2, making them a little handier for upland use and the choke tubes give endless variation. If I were going to do serious goose hunting I would buy a BPS 10 ga and have it ProPorted. Wouldn't even consider the 3 1/2" 12 ga. As for turkeys, I think a 3" 20 ga is just fine so the Roman Candles don't interest me at all there.

BTW, the BPS 12 is a good gun but I had one and had a tendency to short cycle it. Others I know who own them have the same problem. Never had that problem with Remingtons.

If I was starting the shotgunning game it would be with a Remington 12 gauge Express with a full battery of choke tubes and a 26" barrel. I'd be fairly certain of at least being a contender in any shotgun game, until I decided to specialize and buy more guns!

I usually shoot clays with my two best friends, one has a Winchester 1300 Ranger and a LH Remington 870, the other has a Winchester 1300 Speed Pump Defender (auto shell ejection) I can easily keep up with them, I've never had a malfunction of any kind with my gun.

I had a Beretta Extrema 3 1/2, I now am the proud owner of a Mossberg 935. This is not an expensive shotgun. It shots 3's and 3 1/2's great. It won't shoot 2 3/4" but I got it for ducks and geese. I'm rough on shotguns and don't baby them at all. I like it a lot. Take a good look at this one. Word from the rice fields on the Texas Coast is that this shotgun is holding up very well. Also easy to take down and clean.
Good Luck

I sure can't malign the Rem 870. I have one and it's a good shotgun. But my favorite is the Browning Auto 5/Rem Mod 11. If not favoring the 3 1/2" mags, there's sure a lot of Auto 5's that can take the 2 3/4" and 3" rounds, and Rem 11's with the 2 3/4's. Stuff the Hevi-shot in them, and they sure drop the ducks and geese. Never had a problem with reliability in these guns if they are kept in good condition.