Shotgun Assistance Please, for buying 1st shotgun

[purpleman]

Hello all, I'm looking to pick up my frist shotgun. It will be primarly used for skeet, 5 stand (have no real intention of trap at the moment), and possibley hunting if I can find time for it and get more comfortable with shotguns. Now I have only shot shotguns on 3 seperate occations (approximately 10 round of skeet) when I went skeet shooting with friend and I like it! Used my friend Remington 1100 and Winchester Diamond Grade o/u (both are 12 gauge), and now I'm looking for a shotgun for myself.

After approximately 6 weeks of research and going to guns stores to handle the shotguns and see how they fit me, I am still wary due to the financial commetment (not an impulse buyer). Now for the most part I have decided on a semi-auto gas operated shotgun, although not opposed to the inertia system of Benielle/Stoger. I have read that the gas operated autoloaders are more forgiving, although require more frequent cleaning. I do not see myself picking up an O/U atm due to the cost and me being a new shooter, might in a later time but not now, plus if I intended to go hunting dont wana scratch up my O/U.


The following are some of what I have handled (cant remember them all atm):

Mossberg 930 Field
Remingtion 11-87
Remingtion Versa Max
Winchester SX3
Browning Stalker
Benielle Montelfeltro
Stoger 3500
Wasn't able to get my hands on any Berretas

Now for my own preference I would like a max chamber of 3" in 12 gauge(yet not opposed to 20, friend has suggested 12g and thats is all I have shot atm), and not looking for 1 shotgun to do it all, which I have seen shooting from 2.75" all the way to 3.5", just 2.75 to 3". Also I would perfer a safety that is infront of the trigger (not behind) which did rule some of them out, however I am comforable enough that i can live with the safety being behind the trigger and even the mossberg safety on top since I do not intend to tactical it out. I am also not a fan of the Remington 11-87 just didnt feel right in my hands I think there lighter than the 1100's, and my only gripe with the 1100 is the bolt release that I have to always push down to load shells, so therefore, would perfer not to have the bolt release where the remington 1100 & 11-87 are located. Now dont get me wrong shooting my buddies 1100 was a blast and I feel comfortable with it and aims well for me (he has the model with the double bead, thinks the sport model not sure though). The other issue I have read about is the O-ring of the 1100 & 11-87 when hunting in cold weather. Also the shotgun must be able to accept Chokes!

My buddy suggests I pick up a Remingtion 11-87 since it is similar and familiar to him compared to the 1100, yet I am apprehensive due to my personal preferences and O-ring issue that I have read about. Now with all my internet research and gun fondleing what do you guys suggest and/or can inform me about?

BTW I dont really wana spend more then $1200 since this would be my first shotgun and I might find my preferences changing.

[AirForceAce357]

I'm not an expert in too many of those shotguns, but I'd like to weigh in on what you said about the Remington 1100. I've had a 12ga. 1100 for 10 years now, and have done a lot of trap shooting with it and have hunted squirrel, deer and literally everything in between with it in rain, wind and snow in Upstate NY. It has been an outstandingly durable and reliable shotgun for me and it is my most-trusted field companion. Three generations of hunters in my family have used them with great success, so I highly recommend the 1100. I believe it would be excellent for your purposes.

I do agree that the bolt release button is less than ideal and can be a minor annoyance, but honestly, after a little practice and getting used to it, it becomes second nature.

As for the O-rings, this is something everyone dings the 1100 for, but mine is still running the same O-ring it had when I got it 10 years ago and it has given me zero problems. None of other half dozen family members in my hunting group have ever had an issue with theirs either, and I think it's a overblown thing.

As to the chokes, the new 1100s being made now (Remington re-introduced it several years ago) so that shouldn't be an issue. Also if you find a "older" 1100 you can easily acquire a Rem-choke barrel for it and have the ability to take different chokes.

I'm not a fan of the 11-87. I have seen a number of people having issues and failures with those guns; I think it was a case of Remington trying to fix something that wasn't broken. Much of this, I've been told is because they were trying to "stretch" the design to accept 3" shells when it was designed for 2.75" ones. After 12 years of hunting and seeing a lot of what works and what doesn't, I've really concluded that a 3" chamber is not necessary for hunting. IMHO, it's overhyped and oversold by the manufacturers, and many people buy it thinking the extra power will make up for poor shooting, which it doesn't. In fact, most people can't connect with 3" shells consistently, and I've observed many try it. My own brother tried using 3" slugs when we started deer hunting, but quickly concluded that the extra recoil (significant, especially in pump guns) and extra cost (also significant) of 3" is not worth it. From squirrel to deer there isn't anything you can kill with a 3" that you can't with a 2.75" shell if you place your shots. Just like any gun, the ability to hit the target is what counts and I've never had an animal I wasn't able to kill with 2.75" ammo.

If you're looking for a "do it all" shotgun the 1100 is hard to beat: It's tough, rugged, easy to use and the gas system makes shooting all day a breeze. I know because I've gone out many times with friends at the trap range (aka my back yard and horse pasture) and shot 400 rounds in an afternoon with mine without any ill effects to my shoulder. Not to mention you can find used 1100s in very good condition (or even new ones) for a very reasonable price compared to some of the other guns you listed, which will leave you with more left over funds to buy ammo, a carry case, sling and any other accessories you may need.

I'm not saying any of those other guns you listed are bad, in fact pretty much all of them are excellent and can serve you well, but I still always encourage people to check out the 1100. It's still one of the all-time best selling semi-auto shotguns for a reason. Hope this helps!

[BradXDM45c]

I'll throw out a HUGE +1 for the Winchester SX3. My favorite autoloader! I got rid of an 11-87 sp for it, I too hated the "having to push the bolt release to load a shell" everytime. They do sell a kit to fix it, but I didn't like the way it looked.


Super light (which will be a + for what you are doing) and very quick! I don't think you would be dissapointed one bit!

Another autoloader that's similar to the 11-87 (but without the button) is the H&R pardner auto. I paid $319 for one for the wife to shoot skeet with, she loves it! It's pretty light too!

[purpleman]

Thanks for the clarifications for the O-ring, Airforceace, basically what my friend told me when since his 1100 is about 20 years old and he says has the same O-ring just wanted another source, and I agree with you that I can get use to the bolt release. I do pretty will with the 1100 for skeet and on a side note it is only chambered in 2.75. I stated my preferences on the hopes of finding a shotgun similiar to the 1100 that had a different bolt realease. Yet I have not excluded the 1100 from my selection, but have eleminated the 1187.

Thanks for your insight and experience. Keep them coming guys/gals still hunting

[AirForceAce357]

Originally Posted by purpleman

Thanks for the clarifications for the O-ring, Airforceace, basically what my friend told me when since his 1100 is about 20 years old and he says has the same O-ring just wanted another source, and I agree with you that I can get use to the bolt release. I do pretty will with the 1100 for skeet and on a side note it is only chambered in 2.75. I stated my preferences on the hopes of finding a shotgun similiar to the 1100 that had a different bolt realease. Yet I have not excluded the 1100 from my selection, but have eleminated the 1187.

Thanks for your insight and experience. Keep them coming guys/gals still hunting

No problem man, glad to help! Let me know if you have any more questions about it. Also, if you open to a pump action too, Don't overlook the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 (I slightly prefer the Mossberg between the two). Both are very affordable and versatile. My brother hunts with 2 Mossberg 500s, one in wood stock with a bird barrel for birds and one in synthetic stock with a slug barrel and scope for deer. You can get either one for around $275, often in a value pack which includes both a bird barrel and rifled slug barrel.

[DevJames]

for a first shotgun...man, I'd really consider going pump action.

with practice...it's not THAT much slower than the auto's.

Remington 870 has a TON of options and accessories available. you can honestly make it the "do-all" shotgun.

I personally prefer the Mossberg 500 due to the quick tang safety, but you stated you wanted a trigger guard mounted safey.

and they're half as much as about any decent auto.

[Thomas83]

Purpleman,

Lots of great info here and experience. I am new to the scattergun world, yet recently (2 weeks ago this coming Saturday) I shot the following all in 12 ga. at a sports fair in a "test drive before you buy" kind of scenario:

1) Benelli Super Nova Tactical & Hunting
2) Benelli Nova
3) Remington 870 Tactical & hunting
4) Remington VersaMax Tactical
5) Escort Arms Pump Tactical (I cannot recall the exact model, sorry)
6) Escort Arms Autoloading Tactical (I cannot recall the exact model)

I wanted to shoot all tactical shotguns and hunting shotguns to see what fit me the best and felt most comfortable. First place was the Benelli Super nova, second runner up was the 870.

I along with two other friends each bought an 870 tactical. Our reasons for buying it over anything else was that it was American made above all. But to me the fit and finish is just as important. My dad has a Wingmaster and loves it, my friend that bought the 870 owns a Mossberg 500 and that thing is crap in his opinion. It will eat any ammo something else won't shoot, but it feels like a chrystler drives....great at first, but falls apart soon after.

I own a 20ga. Bolt action shotgun as well (It was made by Mossberg back in the 60's for Montgomery Ward, and has been maintained very well) and it's a pleasure to shoot. There's no recoil buffering of any sort on it, just a straight wood stock and a plastic butt cap, but it shoots clays just fine.

One parting thought, $$$ shouldn't be an option when buying quality. Just make sure it fits you, your comfortable with it, and it functions as needed.

[BradXDM45c]

Oh, and another thing. Great job for sitting down and thinking/discussing all your options. If you just went and bought one, odds are, you'd be getting rid of it for what you really wanted from the start.


Just do it right from the start! Pumps are nice too, but there is NOTHING like shooting an autoloader....... I've got an 18" 870 tac for HD, and a Nova pump loaded with 3.5" magnum buck and slugs for a big 4 legged adventure if I ever happen to get another one dstroying the corner of the house. Hands down the SX3 is my fav though. It's so light, so fast, it's a blast to shoot!