Good basic new pump shotgun

[S.T.Fanatic]

I agree with Foggy. Get this one:

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Remington 870 ShurShot Synthetic Turkey

Remington introduced its venerable Model 870 Pump in 1950 and has since produced over 10 million of them, making it the world’s most popular shotgun, if not one of the world’s most popular guns of any variety.

www.americanrifleman.org

The adjustable sights are the cat's meow.

I thought the sureshot was discontinued? I have 1 in a 20 and wanted to get another but couldn't find one.

 

[Westwind]

A few years back I bought a full set of tires from fleet farm and they gave me a mossburg.

One time I left my truck overnight at our local Farm and Fleet to get tires early the next morning and left my buddies Mossburg in the truck.

Wouldn’t you know it- overnight someone broke out my window and left another Mossy in there.

 

[Native Hunter]

I thought the sureshot was discontinued? I have 1 in a 20 and wanted to get another but couldn't find one.

I think they are, but I still see them occasionally at gun shows.

 

[bigboreblr]

Think under $500 would be fine. He recently moved out on his own. Should be buying him furniture or a new window AC.

Assuming 12ga here. Might bring him to the gun store and let him choose what he'd like.

Bought wife a 870 in 2019. Seems to be good. 20ga compact. 12.5 or 13" LOP and a 21" barrel. Think a full LOP 12ga model in that same barrel would be great!

Thought the 870's were parkerized unless you spent $$$ to get the wingmaster. Feel that barrel could soak a quart of WD40 and make 10 rags look brown from the rust.

Personaly love my 1993 wintage fixed choke 20ga mossy. Easier to get 23's and 24's in trap with it than my 870 26" 20ga. Remember one day squirrel / grouse hunting in the stae forest. A red squirrel 80 yards away kept barking at me for like 15 minutes. Wacked him with the golden pellet.......

 

[Telemark]

Well after all this, I have decided my next shotgun will be a Benelli Nova. I will probably wait until I find one on sale, even if I have to wait until Black Friday.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I have several 870's and they are all great guns - in my opinion they are the best shotgun for the money. I haven't bought one in probably 10 years though, so I don't know how the older 870's compare to the current versions.

 

[bigboreblr]

Well after all this, I have decided my next shotgun will be a Benelli Nova. I will probably wait until I find one on sale, even if I have to wait until Black Friday.

Not sure if it's still on sale, benelli nova was $50 off at cabelas / basspro last week. $399 instead of $450.

 

[ruskbucks]

I wouldn't buy an 870 made in the last 25 years. That's just me.

Moss 500 aren't refined or pretty, but they're functional. Down side is they're not $150 anymore either.
Same price range a Benelli Nova is a good gun for someone who's likely not to take good care of it.

I was going to say to get a Nova. Also agree with you on the 870s. I think they were good in the past. I borrowed a old wingmaster that I really liked, but the 870 express ruined them for me. I think it's one of the cheapest, poor quality shotguns out there.

 

[Catscratch]

A Turkish clone of the 870 next to a Winchester 1300. Hand in hand you can't feel a difference in build quality.

Wingmaster that is awesome, but to pretty for me have shot much.

My Mossburg... wore it completely out. No telling how many thousands of doves it's killed in the 30 yrs it was my main gun. It went 15 for 15 many times. Probably had the cheapest feel of any of the gun but was my go-to forever.

Can't go wrong with any of them. If shooting less than 3 cases a yr out of it I don't see any of them being a bad choice.

 

[Electrodigical]

I've had a SuperNova for about 15 years. Bought it because at the time it filled a couple little holes in my accumulations. (it checked a few boxes on the viable excuses to buy it list) I ended up using it to shoot Heavy Metal division in 3-gun and in stand alone shotgun matches. Used it for that for some years, then it became my loaner gun for people who wanted to give "action" match shooting a try. Also loaned it to people to hunt with. So it's seen lots of use and abuse with no issues, though it's far from stock anymore.

Besides the obvious, them being ugly rattle-y black plastic and all, my only complaint is the "fatness" of the receiver. When I walk/hunt with a shotgun I always carry it, usually one handed, gripping the receiver. The Nova/SuperNova is juuuust a tad fat for my liking for that. (also sold a Beretta real quick years ago for that same reason). I probably wouldn't even notice if I didn't have other options.

(After typing I realized I've had a Moss 500 for about 35 years that pretty much lived the same life. Bought for no reason other than a friend needed to get rid of it. Pistol grip only. Kept that way a while, then put a stock on it and a rifled slug barrel and hunted with it for years. Then it became a loaner gun, has been a "stage gun" in shotgun matches, eventually became a house gun, hanging in the basement stairwell under a coat, hopefully never to be used again, other than taking it out every couple years to test fire it.)

I have way too many shotguns and it's funny I've started to get nostalgic about wanting to hunt with them again. Despite all the time I hunted with them, wishing I could use a rifle.

 

[Catscratch]

I have way too many shotguns and it's funny I've started to get nostalgic about wanting to hunt with them again.

I do the exact same thing! I'm a firm believer in the old saying... "Beware the man who only has one gun, he likely knows how to use it". I tend to hunt with the same gun a lot, but I find myself wanting more shotguns and to use old ones just for reviving memories.

 

[Electrodigical]

"Beware of the man with one gun, he probably hasn't touched it in years."


Or "Beware of the man with one gun, he probably hasn't touched it since last hunting season."

Probably more accurate for modern times.

 

[Telemark]

I have way too many shotguns and it's funny I've started to get nostalgic about wanting to hunt with them again. Despite all the time I hunted with them, wishing I could use a rifle.

Same. I was young-ish when Ohio started allowing some rifles to be used for deer. We have an arsenal of Remington 1100s for deer and every other possible purpose. I don't have a canoe here, so I don't use my waterfowl gun anymore either. I kinda miss those days.

 

[Spike_Horn_Shooter]

Big Bore: my vote is the Mossberg 500 Combo Field / Security. Includes both a 26” Vent Rib barrel and an 18.5” security barrel. Also includes a pistol grip. Basically gives your kid both options. Keep it in security configuration inside the home, and if he ever felt the need to go shoot clays or even hunt turkey or birds he has that option.

I actually have the same model in the deer / field version.

Personally I like the Mossberg Tang Safety over the Remington safety. I am left handed, but use Remington pumps for deer season.

These models can be had for around $600 - $650. They aren’t an heirloom piece, but they are something you can pass down to your kids.

There is actually the same gun at my fathers gun shop not to far from you. DM me if you want more info.