Shotgun experts.....a little help please?

[TAT2D]

Hi all.

I have been looking at/researching shotguns for a couple of months now, and have narrowed it down to 3 choices. Remington 11-87 police , Saiga 12, and the good old 870. Anyone have likes and/or dislikes? I prefer a semi-auto over a pump, but it seems like semi's are not quite as reliable. I love the Saiga, but the fact that it is another gun I need to purchase extra magazines for somewhat kills it for me.
I left the house yesterday intending to buy a shotgun, but after fondling a few, and coming home and googling some reviews for the ones I like, I'm as undecided as ever.

Any input is greatly appreciated.


B

[Brickboy240]

My vote is for the 870.

Why? Its simpler than the other two and proven. The Saiga 12 is huge and clunkier and has a detachable mag and is less handy. The 11-87 is nice, but any semi-auto shotty is not going to be as reliable with every load as the pump 870. Besides, the 870 is cheaper than the 11-87.

You can buy the 870 and do a few light mods for the price of what you'd pay for the 11-87.

...just a sugestion but I like to keep things simple and reliable and the 870 is the Glock of shotguns.

- brickboy240

[tARfoo]

Not to compound the issue, but given any thoughts to a Mossberg 590?

Also, let us know what you intend on doing with it? Home Defense vs. waterfowl hunting are almost opposite sides of the decision-making spectrum.

My thoughts on it? Home Defense is either short-barreled 870 or Mossberg 590 (button vs. tang-mounted safety) in hi-cap design. Both are damn good pumps, and can be configured with just about any aftermarket option.

If you going to consider the 870, I would also check out their new 887(think that's the new model #). Shoots anything (including 3.5" magnum shells), and no external rust points. Interesting new model.

[ichy_trigger]

Of the 3 choices you narrowed it to, I 2 own of those. Here are my random thoughts...

Semi auto is said to be less reliable, this was said about handguns at one time as well, yet we all carry them. I deer hunt with an 11-87 and an 870 both CAN jam. Its going to come down to what you prefer. Find ammo that it likes and buy lots of it. My 11-87 has only fed slugs but has never had a hickup with any brands.

I have a couple of 870's and one of them has double fed before, a real pain in the ass to fix in a hurry. I think it comes down to how well you maintain your weapons as much as what action you buy. A properly maintained semi will run like a scalded dog.

The Saiga guns I dont have much info about but I would prefer not to have a mag hanging down on my shotty. Personal preferance only.

[laserrs]

887 only if you intend to be out in foul weather, haha foul

I've held a few Mossbergs and haven't been impressed compared to my 870, but mine is a Wingmaster model so its a little nicer than the Express. If you want it for home defense, any pump works and you only need 2-3/4" shells for that.

New semi's are just as reliable (if kept clean) as a pump.

[norinco982lover]

Depending on your needs ... you should probably just get an 870 if you want general use...you can get a hunting barrel/HD barrel and switch them out depending on the season...

Myself, I would get the Saiga 12. I already have an 870 clone (Norinco 982 lol) that is awesome...but it has an 18.5" barrel for HD since I don't hunt much so that's exactly the spot the Saiga would fill. Zombie killer.

~Norinco

[bigun]

Some others to look for.

Beretta 1201 FP- Basicly a Benelli with a matte finish can be had with both a standard shotgun style synthetic stock or a synthetic pistol grip stock. Rugged and reliable in the extreme. Average used price $400-450 in this area.

Benelli Nova- for a budget home defense gun I dont think there are any out there that match the Nova, Its rugged reliable and inexpensive. I use mine for both deer hunting and home defense. It handles slugs like a champ and puts slugs and Buck to the same point of aim. the tactical model can be had with ghost ring sights and are some of the best I have ever seen on a shotgun. A Magazine extension is available. Look around and they can be found for approx $300 This gun is litterally the glock of shotguns.

870 Police Magnum- There are a lot of these on the market at this time and usually are available for less than $300. These are solid heavy chunks of steel and walnut that will take far more abuse than most guns for the price. The finish is rough but they are easily upgraded to whatever level you feel you might need.

Ithica 37 riot- Classic gun that works. There is no disconector in the older guns so you just pull the trigger and every time the pump closes it will fire. Rugged and reliable. Again all steel and Walnut, this gun is lefty friendly as it feeds and ejects out the bottom.

Browning BPS - essentially a modernised version of the Ithica 37 and a solid gun in it's own right. If the gun is going to not only be used as a home defense gun but also for deer, waterfowl or upland birds this would be my first choice in a pump gun, Not as much available as far as aftermarket but Browning offers it in a fur and feather edition with both a vent rib barrel and a rifle sighted smooth bore with screw in chokes.

[ForTehNguyen]

Remington 1100 Tac2 or Tac4, are other Remington semi autos. Im getting the Tac2 in a couple weeks once my payment is cleared. I have a 870 Express already at home.

Tac2 18" 6+1


Tac4 22" 8+1

[gpstak]

I have a 1201FP. It handles very well and I'm very comfortable defending my home with it. Thinking about adding a light to it. It has never failed or jammed.

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[ichy_trigger]

Why is it when people say they did their research and narrowed their choices, people post OTHER ideas instead of answering the OP's questions?