I've had one (12 gauge) for 15 years now, never had any problems, good solid gun. Though I've found that now I prefer to shoot with a .20 gauge or something lighter, personally I'm more accurate with a lighter gun.
Shotgun
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I've had one (12 gauge) for 15 years now, never had any problems, good solid gun. Though I've found that now I prefer to shoot with a .20 gauge or something lighter, personally I'm more accurate with a lighter gun.
Remington 870 is the way I'd go as well. I got a wingmaster as a kid its been my only shotgun. My friends all still shoot w their 870 youth models. Unless you're doing competitions you won't really have a need for an auto loader and u can always upgrade. 90 percent of the people I bird hunt w shoot 870s.
Agreed, I am actually thinking about getting rid of my 870 12 gauge and getting an 870 20. I have gone hunting multiple times with a 20 gauge and really liked how much lighter it is.
Don't hunt much anymore and I'm assuming if my son ever wants to start hunting when he gets older we will start off with rabbits and squirrels so a 20 gauge would suit me better.
IMO, you can't beat a Remington 870 for first gun - new or used. I started with that model in late '60's. I did have a little trouble on the last 870, it was bored for 3 1/2" shells and they didn't always eject smoothly. 3" shells - no problem. The next upside recommendation would be the Benelli pump. I have the black synthetic stock, bored for 3/12" shells, love it, no problems. As far as sources, I wouldn't be afraid to check out the dealers at a gun show. There used to be gun shows at the fair grounds quite frequently.
You didn't mention the gauge you're looking for. If undecided, go for the 12 ga without question. Don't let a salesman talk you into a 16 ga - they're too much in between. The only reason off the top of my head to consider a 20 ga is for like quail hunting (OK for pheasants, but 12 ga is better IMO, likely OK for skeet - I don't shoot that). For waterfowl, 12 ga all the way.
Come to Ankeny and come to Sportsmans Warehouse where I work at the gun counter and I will help you out. Look for the name tag that has Hayes on it and I will show you and give you all the info you want.
A 16 ga is a great one but you can not find ammo for it anymore so me or another salesman would not even show them one unless they asked. And do not think for one time that a 12 ga is more superior to a 20 ga because it is not you can do anthing with a 20 you can do with a 12. I have hunted with a 20 my whole life and have never had a problem with anthing and I hunt eveything you can hunt in Iowa and more outside this state.
I've had a 20 gauge 870 for over 40 years. It still looks brand new, and I still shoot better with that gun than any of my others!
Agree here, I have a 16 gauge that my grandpa gave me and it is my favorite gun but have put it in storage considering I was told it is worth a lot of money. But i prefer a 16 to a 12 any day.
And I agree with ya completely on the 20's. Many of the guys I used to hunt with carried 20's and they did just as good as I did with my 12, wether it be deer, pheasant, quail, etc.
That is true that those stores are good but Sportsmans Warehouse has more to choose from and have better prices " the best in the Des Moines area".
I have the 870 as well, and love it, but I was used to a much heavier and older model that was handed down over the years until it was stolen from my vehicle in college. I bought my 870 at Scheels. They had several used shotguns when I was there.
Can anybody recommend a good place to have my .410 fixed? It looks like this, but the shotgun doesn't want to open like this anymore.
Can anybody recommend a good place to have my .410 fixed? It looks like this, but the shotgun doesn't want to open like this anymore.
I have the 870 as well, and love it, but I was used to a much heavier and older model that was handed down over the years until it was stolen from my vehicle in college. I bought my 870 at Scheels. They had several used shotguns when I was there.
Can anybody recommend a good place to have my .410 fixed? It looks like this, but the shotgun doesn't want to open like this anymore.
Will it open at all or is it completely seized up?
I'm considering a shotgun for personal protection. You know, for when the economy collapses and it's every man for himself. 
I like the Mossberg 500 JIC (just-in-case) series with the pistol grip.
What do y'all think of those?
I like the Mossberg 500 JIC (just-in-case) series with the pistol grip.
What do y'all think of those?
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They are a niec gun Mossberg 500s always are they are a little sloppy in the action but are very dependable guns. The pistol grip is nce to have and looks cool but it will be painful to shoot since all the recoil is going straight to your wrist instead of your shoulder like a traditional shotgun stock. i would say get one with a collapsible stock that has a pistol grip on it so you can controll it alot better. Come into Sportsmans Warehouse and I can help you out too if you would like.
I have a Bennelli Nova Pump and I love it. I think I paid about $300 new. I use it for a very occasional trap shoot and that is about it.
However, if you are going to get serious about trap and skeet, I suggest you look at an over-under. Some club shooters get very annoyed at the auto-loaders because of how far the shell flies out of the gun. At least with a pump, you can control that and only load 2 shells. The over-under, however, is the ideal choice.
With that said, I don't know that I could recommend a good over-under in your price range. Stoeger makes some good, inexpensive guns. I'd start there. Stoeger uses a lot of the same mechanisms as the bennelli guns. Good stuff.
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A Remington 1100 would be very hard to beat. Why not 12 gauge? I want a lot of lead going after the clay. Why give up the advantage and use a 20? An 870 is an excellent shotgun, but slow.
Papaw
Papaw
