In the market for a shotgun
 

So after trying out skeet shooting again for the first time since I was 12 or something I really liked it and now I'm in the market for a shotgun.

I'm looking for a pump shotgun under $500 preferably in the ~$300 range. Knowing nothing about shotguns I'm looking for some advice.

I've been looking at Benelli's, Browning's, Remington's, and Mossberg's. One thing I realized is that shotguns are more expensive than I thought. It could also be the whole name brand thing.

Basically I'm looking for a gun to shoot clay with and possibly go bird hunting with. I'm thinking 12 gauge.

I really like the Browning BPS Hunter version. I shoot left handed so a bottom ejecting gun is appealing to me.

Any reviews of guns/brands from shotgun owners would be appreciated.

given that it is a pump gun, ejection should be less of an issue than with an auto- I would say on brands that you cannot go wrong with either a mossberg 500 of some variety (they come in a bunch of barrel lengths and options) or a remington 870 - either should outlast you, and both can be had set up for clays and/ or bird hunting- and both should set you back less than 500 bucks, even less if you buy a slightly used one ( used mossy's go for 150 to 250, used remmy;s for 200 - 300)

The 870 is a solid gun and can be found on sale for well under $400 for an 870 Express. Remington also sells lefty models, but I'm not sure if that includes their shotguns.

So I took a look at some shotguns after work today at some of the local stores. I was able to try out a Remington 870, a Mossberg 535, and a Benelli (can't remember the model name).

I really like the Mossberg it had a really nice feel and the features were more left hand friendly vs. the Remington and Benelli. What I liked about the Mossberg was that the saftey was on the top rather than the trigger guard, so it was easy to actuate when lifting the gun up to a shooting position. Also on the Mossberg the button that allows the pump to be actuated (can't remember the part name) was behind the trigger guard as opposed to in front, so it made it easier to actuate as well.

Unfortunately no one had the Browning BPS in stock but after looking at it online, the BPS had a lot of the features I liked about the Mossberg.

At least I was able to eliminate a few guns based on the features I've seen while handling the guns. I also looked at some inexpensive Over-Unders but I'm a little leery of buying one since I'm not sure of the quality. They were Turkish made but I can't remember the exact brand names. I think one was called Yildiz.

I have been shooting clays for a few years, long enough to have some clue about shotguns. I have shot everything from a 50 year old $12.00 Montgomery Ward 12 ga. to guns worth 10's of thousands of dollars (Perazzi, Krieghoff, and Kolar).

First, skeet is not a clay target, skeet is a game played using clay targets. There are some guys using pump action shotguns for shooting skeet, but they are far and few between.

I would strongly advise that in your budget, you do not even consider an over and under. You will be better served by a pump action gun. All the pump action guns you are considering are good guns, NONE of the over and unders below $500.00 are good guns. I would not even consider buying one.

I agree that a Remington 870 would be a good choice. I got into duck hunting for a while and bought a nice over/under but found I shot better with the basic 870. A Browning would be my first choice but I don't think it would fit your budget.

Yea I figured an over-under thats less than 1000 is probably too good to be true. After looking more online tonight I think I'm going to go with a Mossberg or a Browning. I'm leaning a little more towards the Browning because of the bottom ejection. I really don't feel like getting hit in the face with a shell if I'm shooting doubles.

My overall intentions is to shoot skeet and trap and maybe go bird hunting after I get the mechanics of shooting at clays down. From what I understand skeet is a game since you stand at different stations and shoot from different angles. I haven't shot trap yet but I think I'm going to this weekend. I guess trap is a little more like bird hunting. Either way, shooting at moving targets seems like a lot of fun to me.

I've been a pistol shooter mostly, shooting at paper targets and occasionally steel plates. Shotguns seem like a lot of fun to me and I'm really looking forward to getting my own here soon.

My budget is some what arbitrary just to put a limit on myself so I didn't go out a buy some ridiculous gun that I'm no where near good enough to use properly. If I have to pay a little more to get a pump shotgun that I'm going to like and be comfortable with, I will.

You can buy a good used Browning O/U for under $1000.00. If you have the money, that will be a great gun.

In my experience with Remmington 870 Express Magnum, bought it for home defense and took it shooting a couple times up in the mountains and it was pretty damn accurate with various ammo, bird shot, buck shot, slugs, etc. Never jammed on me or anything, was really smooth and never had a problem with it. It also has tons of aftermarket options for it as well to customize it how you want it.

I went with Mossberg 500 over Remington 870 partially because of the position of the safety (like you mentioned) and partially because, for me personally, I found myself less prone to pinch the shit out of my thumb loading shells into the Mossberg than the remington...try it your self, you'll see what I mean.

Well now I'm conflicted...I called all the sporting goods stores in my area, 1 of them has 1 Browning BPS 12 gauge in stock for $499 However, there is a gun show this weekend and I'm thinking about waiting until then to see if I can pick one up for less. The risk is that I wait, they don't have one or one that is used in decent enough shape and then the store sells out leaving me shit out of luck.

I could settle for a Mossberg 500, but shell ejection concerns since I'm not sure if the shell will eject into my face as I shoot left handed.

a lot of times the store will re- order for you or give a raincheck- if its a big box, and many of the small gunshops will do similar for the goodwill it brings.....so why not see if you find a deal....

This. I have a 12 gauge Remington 870 and I've never had a problem with it.

Remington, Browning, Mossberg, Benelli...All of these are fine pump action guns. They should all serve you well.If you are going to want to customise hem later, go with the Remington or the Mossberg. If the ability to customize is low on your list, then pick what you like.

Surely a gun is the same whether you shoot with it on your left or right shoulder???

If the spent shell ejects out the top, it can hit you in the face if you're on the wrong side of it. Also, safeties may be located where it's difficult to reach them if your shooting hand is switched.

Surely not.

Shells eject to one side or the other, and safeties are not necessarily ambidextrous. You can order a left-handed Remington 870 that resolves both of these issues, although I'm not sure what the premium for that is. Mossberg at least addressed the safety issue by putting it on centerline, and making it thumb-accessible, but it doesn't look like they give you options for which way the shells eject, although if you're using a proper shooting stance, I can't picture them hitting you. Maybe on your front forearm if you hold it really high.

FWIW, as a result of this thread, I took my Mossy 500 and cycled it in my left shoulder. None of the shells even came close to striking me. Hope this helps.

Thanks for that test KirStang, that's really good info.

I'll just check out the gun show this weekend and see what I can get. It's really between the Browning or the Mossberg. Thanks for all the inputs from everyone.

With super awkward arm position, I was able to get one to hit my right elbow. But I had to try, and it was pretty un-natural.

Any major difference between a Mossberg 535 ATS and a 500?? They look slightly different, they feel about the same though. Not sure if the difference is internal.

Ended up going with a Mossberg 500. Took it to the range today and had a great time. Definitely no problem with shell ejection shooting left handed. I must say I am happy with the purchase.