Shotgun suggestions

[muggia59]

That KelTec would be a sweet gun around the proper price (800$). Even then that's more than I would want to pay for a shotgun. Hell. I have 19 rounds on my 20" Mossy 500, and reloads are easy. Again though, that KT would be sweet.

[Cali Crash]

Seems like when the times right I'll be able to jump on a mossberg 500 with a 28"/18.5" combo for about $350 (or less) shipped if I'm patient and watch gun broker. My new question is, would it be worth it to spend the little extra up front and get all wood furniture or would the synthetic be sufficient enough that I wouldn't want to replace it right off the bat? I know the CZ synthetic I held wasn't that impressive. I'll probably pick up the 24" sabot barrel later on for the hunting versatility. The other thought is buy the most inexpensive base synthetic combo I can find and possibly pick up a nicer mossberg 500 in the future and be able to swap the three barrels between the two. Any suggestions on which of those 500 variations to go with, if I'm starting with the no frills version off the bat? Also, does the camo option really matter if I do decide to hunt in the future?

[Cali Crash]

One other thing, once again newbie to shotguns, what would my response be to a question about the issue of pellets in game from hunting? Like if I were to go pheasant or duck hunting, or deer hunting at that. The wife said she'd rather me purchase a rifle then shotgun, which kills the home defense angle, but granted our hand guns can cover that. But some if not most people that use shotguns to hunt must eat their game.

[IDescribe]

My new question is, would it be worth it to spend the little extra up front and get all wood furniture or would the synthetic be sufficient enough that I wouldn't want to replace it right off the bat?

What's that expression about trying to put lipstick on a pig? 

An HD shotgun and a sporting shotgun are not the same thing.  I personally would not try to factor sporting use into an HD shotgun.   If you want a safe and reliable HD shotgun at a low price and like the Mossberg, get the Mossberg.  It's a good shotgun.  But i's never going to be "nice".  It's not meant to be.

I'm getting in late here, but I would suggest you go to a gun store and look at a Mossberg 500, a Remington 870, and a Winchester SuperX, have the salesman show you where the slide/action release is on each so you can cycle the pump freely, then decide which one you like best by how that action feels.  You will like the shotgun more if it feels good in use to you.  All 3 will perform like champs, but you will prefer the feel of one to the others. 

[IDescribe]

One other thing, once again newbie to shotguns, what would my response be to a question about the issue of pellets in game from hunting?

You shoot steel shot for things that you want to eat (because it's preferable to swallow a steel pellet than it is a lead pellet, assuming you miss some), and you do your best to pick the pellets out before cooking. 

Listen to your wife.  Get a rifle for large game.

And hanguns are not just okay for home defense; they're GOOD.  They're more wieldly in tight quarters.  They hold more ammo.  One thing you will never hear someone who is going to into a likely close-quarters fight is: "You know, I really feel like my magazine holds too many rounds." 

And don't get seduced into thinking the shot pattern from a shotgun is large enough in close quarters to earn you a hit on a bad shot.  It's not.  Shotguns are not for spray and pray.  What 00 buckshot gets you is 9 33-ish caliber bullets hitting in roughly the same spot, with a boatload of energy, doing a lot of damage, and maximizing the chance of hitting vitals on a good shot.  But a bad shot is still a bad shot.

[cntrydawwwg]

You've gotten a lot of feed back and good suggestions on here. For what it's worth, Galleryofguns.com has a really nice starter package for you. Mossberg 500 3 in 1. Synthetic stock, 12GA., 28" barrel, 18.5" barrel, and even comes with separate pistol grip. #51482  I don't know if you have a local gun shop that goes through them, but the one listed for me for example can get it to me for $335.00 sorry I didn't post a link.( still a little computer illiterate) I've got a Maverick 88 ( a cheaper Mossberg ) and it does everything I need it to, but boy I wish I would have spent a little more for the 500.     If you want to use it for deer hunting you would still need a slug barrel, but besides buying a rifle for hunting, have you ever considered using a handgun instead? Just think..... now a  reason to buy a revolver.....

[cntrydawwwg]

Not saying that an auto loader won't work, but there's just something about making a pop can bounce from a hundred yards + with a revolver, that can bring out the kid in you again. 

                                                Just more food for thought

[Cali Crash]

One other thing, once again newbie to shotguns, what would my response be to a question about the issue of pellets in game from hunting?

You shoot steel shot for things that you want to eat (because it's preferable to swallow a steel pellet than it is a lead pellet, assuming you miss some), and you do your best to pick the pellets out before cooking. 

Listen to your wife.  Get a rifle for large game.

We will for sure, figured the shot gun would be an inexpensive way to dable cover all grounds an once I'm acclimated to hunting and decide what keeps my interest the best buy accordingly. Plus I for sure know you can't polish a turd. So far I've compared the remmington and mossberg and i favor te mossberg controls, even though the remmington feels more solid. I will go in an compare the three side by side. Until then the big thing was this

Sabot barrel:  24" rifled shotgun barrel used to fire a sabot round or slug.  My big reason for this purchase was that it allowed me to use a rifled slug in counties where rifle hunting has been banned.
[/quote]

Living in California with everything being so bleep restricted I figured if this was a possible option, have a shotgun I can fall back on if tere was something or somewhere I wanted to hunt that I couldn't do so with a rifle. Either way I'm buying a shot gun, then down the line a nice rifle trailered to the type of hunting I lean more to. This being the case I'll probably save the extra $250 and just buy the one shot gun and all three barrels like you suggested quasimojo. I just want to make sure I purchase something that has the capability to cover H/D and start me out hunting. With butcher friends and te wife being into gamey meats it'll be appreciated if I bring something home! And I'll just save up for the rifle purchases in the future. But for now, my budgets only going to allow for a full sized safe, or closet conversion and the sub $500 shot gun to get me started.

You've gotten a lot of feed back and good suggestions on here. For what it's worth, Galleryofguns.com has a really nice starter package for you. Mossberg 500 3 in 1. Synthetic stock, 12GA., 28" barrel, 18.5" barrel, and even comes with separate pistol grip. #51482  I don't know if you have a local gun shop that goes through them, but the one listed for me for example can get it to me for $335.00 sorry I didn't post a link.( still a little computer illiterate) I've got a Maverick 88 ( a cheaper Mossberg ) and it does everything I need it to, but boy I wish I would have spent a little more for the 500.     If you want to use it for deer hunting you would still need a slug barrel, but besides buying a rifle for hunting, have you ever considered using a handgun instead? Just think..... now a  reason to buy a revolver.....

I've seen the same deals, that'll probably be the way I go and buy the 24" sabot separate. That is if i dont pick say the Remi or winchester instead. As for now the two questions I have for you guys is synthetic vs wood? And is camo finish actually helpful at all when hunting?

cntrydawwwg, I can't take the semi autos hunting?

[cntrydawwwg]

As for now the two questions I have for you guys is synthetic vs wood? And is camo finish actually helpful at all when hunting?

cntrydawwwg, I can't take the semi autos hunting?

              Synthetic, wood, camo....... in my opinion it's all personal choice. Wood and synthetic have their differences ie, weight, texture, looks etc, it's all in what looks and feels good to you. I don't think ones any better than the other. I understand you wanting to use a shotgun for deer hunting since you have so many restrictions. As another member posted, just remember you will also need a sabot barrel.  Now is camo any better for hunting? Not really sure depends on who you talk to. It helps break up your silhouette but many an animal has been taken with a non camo gun. The camo just looks really cool

 On the semi autos for hunting.... sure you can. I'm fairly new to auto loaders, so for distance I'm partial to my revolvers, just personal choice.
         There is a hunting thread in here and they talk a little about handgun hunting, so you can get more info.. Once again it's all in what works for you. Here in MT. we don't have a minimum cal. for hunting, but I believe in matching the cal. to the animal. My .44 Super redhawk has a scope and a 9.5" barrel so I'm confident with shooting deer or elk up to 100 yards. As ammo supply and practice allows I hope to increase the distance. I chose the.44 because I feel that's the smallest I would use for elk at the right distance. Now more experienced people have and do use smaller cal. I'm not saying their wrong I'm just saying this is what I chose. I'm sure a .45 or 10mm would work fine for deer at the right distance, and in fact may work in those shotgun only areas where rifle use is banned. Check your hunting regulations, some states allow the use of handguns in shotgun only areas as well as crossbows. Each state is different.

 I hunt in a variety of terrain so there are still times that I pack my 30.06 so I am able to take a 300 yard shot. In the areas I pack my .44 I'm only taking  up to around a 80 to 100 yard shot. Not saying it cant be longer, just that until I get more practice that's all I'm comfortable with, once again personal preference. If I'm not comfortable with the distance and placement of a shot, I don't take it.
      Sorry for writing a book here    I was just trying to answer your question the best I could,
           Good luck on your choice.

[IDescribe]

Covered well by cntrydawwwg, but I will add:

As for now the two questions I have for you guys is synthetic vs wood?

For shotguns, it comes down to personal preference.  Their might be some consideration in the area of recoil.  Remember -- ammunition doesn't recoil; guns recoil, and recoil goes up as gun weight goes down.  Lighter, synthetic stocks are easier to carry around for the day, but they punch you a little harder when you shoot.  I'm not saying this is the most important  consideration, but it's a consideration.

For rifles, wood vs synthetic does make a difference because rigidity of the stock matters, and if you're going synthetic, you need to make sure you're getting one that's good in that regard.  Some synthetics flex a good deal more than wood.  Weight also makes a difference here.

I can't take the semi autos hunting?

You can, but it's easier to get the long range accuracy you need for hunting out of a revolver, and you're probably going to want to use magnum cartridges for handgun hunting, so, again -- revolvers.   

[Cali Crash]

Thanks again everyone for all the helpful feedback and suggestions. Guess my next step is to hit the hunting forums and ask a few more questions there. I'll get back on here either way with what I get.

[Cali Crash]

Came across a used Remington 870 express with a 28" barrel used on the Cal Guns forum. In great shape still all the original packaging 1 year old according to the date stamp. $250 delivered to my local FFL. Found 18.5" barrels for $100 so gonna jump on this for now and get started with a long gun collection. And when I save enough I'll probably get a 30.06 550 for some serious hunting down the line. But this will get me started with some smaller game.

[GRB5111]

You just can't go wrong with a Remington 870, and you have a variety of barrel types you can add when the need arises. The 28" barrel, depending on choke, is ideal for upland game and duck. If you want to go deer hunting, Remington offers a rifled slug barrel as well. You now have the Swiss Army Knife of pump shotguns that is well built and very reliable. Good choice!

[tcallre]

As been stated, the Mossberg 500 series is hard to beat for the money. I find the 500 combo's, with long and short barrels, come on sale at Big 5 for the mid 300.00's from time to time. Of course the Remington 870 is the standard for pump guns. For a reasonably priced auto loader I looked hard at the CZ 712 Utility. 20" barrel, which seams a good compromise, plus Nordic makes a extended tube to increase capacity. While made in Turkey, it's marked and supported by CZ USA.



Official Disclaimer: tcallre may or may not own any and all firearms discussed in the last few years on this or any forums. tcallre may or may not possess knowledge or opinions offered on this or any forums discussed the last few years. In fact tcallre may be nothing but a posing imposter trying to fool people into thinking he may be a gun guy but may be or not be a staunch supporter of current or future Glorious Leader.

[quasimojo]

LOL!  @tcallre :  love the disclaimer...