A good shotgun

[fallout boy]

What would be a good shotgun to get started? 12 gauge?

[protus]

remmy 870, mossy 500, or 590,

[eeyore]

A lot would depend on what you want it for. Your size and stature would matter also. I would rather be able to shoot a 20 ga. (or 16 ga.) accurately without flinching, then a 12 ga and flinch.

I have several makes, but the one i have built my plans around is the Mossberg brand.

My reasoning (30 years ago) was Remington was out of price range and Mossberg had a good reputation of reliability and at the time i could buy two used Mossbergs for the price of a Remington.

If were going to get a 12 ga and i was going to use it for hunting at all, i would get a Mossberg 500 combo. The combo comes with two barrels one is a rifled barrel (for shooting slugs either 18 1/4 inches or 21 inches) and the other is usually a modified choke 20 or 24 inch barrel. I would then go on to get an another barrel (longest they offer) that has a adjustable choke, with an ***ortment of different chokes (screw-in adapters).

If it were strickly for defense i would opt for the Mossberg 590 (stainless steel if i were near the ocean and or could afford it). It has an extended tube which allows for (i believe) 8 rounds and one in the chamber. Which is an advantage, because the 500 only has 5 in the tube.

If you can afford the Remington 870 (which is the pump) it is a great gun also. Very accessory friendly and very popular.

[M4Shadow]

I like the Remington 870 the best.

[Spock]

I second the Mossberg, not that its a better shotgun than the remington, but its usually better priced. Also look at the Maverick 88 its the same shotgun but with the safety moved to the trigger guard. Mossberg parts and barrels interchange. My next segment on Firearms for Survival and Prepadness will cover the shotgun.

[rice paddy daddy]

I have "several" shotguns, singles, doubles and pumps. I started out with a 12 ga single shot because that's all I could afford. To this day it's my favorite - a New England Firearms Pardner. I put on a butt cuff that holds five rounds, and installed a sling so that when I'm out working on the property I can have two hands free to carry tools. It has protected my chickens from predators on several occasions.
Pawn shops can be your friend, $185 for my Remington 870 pump, $165 for my Winchester 1300 pump are a couple of examples.
You do not need a bunch of tactical do-dads, a standard hunting type weapon will serve you well.

[Bobjr59]

Rice Paddy Daddy you aint from my neck of the woods there isn't a friendly pawn shop in this state if there is I'd like to find it
If money is tight I'd go with the Maverick 88 If you have the money to buy the 590A1 I'd recommend doing it. it's to rich for me so I have the Remington 870 Mag with a 10rd mag extension

[Buktoof]

590a1 is a great gun just keep in mind it is very muzzle heavy. If it was a potential firearm for a youth, child, woman (not trying to sound sexist) it might be too heavy for them. It is for my 12 year old boy and my wife so basically its a firearm that serves no one cept myself.

[rice paddy daddy]

Rice Paddy Daddy you aint from my neck of the woods there isn't a friendly pawn shop in this state if there is I'd like to find it
If money is tight I'd go with the Maverick 88 If you have the money to buy the 590A1 I'd recommend doing it. it's to rich for me so I have the Remington 870 Mag with a 10rd mag extension

I frequent several shops in the small towns in my area. Even in good times money is tight for most local folks, and the owners know it.
The Remington 870 for $185 was actually found in a big city pawn shop on the west side of Jacksonville, Fla. I also got a near new Taurus Mod 65 357 Magnum there for $225.
Sometimes, though, even small town shops may be over priced - it just depends on how bad you want it. I paid $175 in Folkston, Georgia for a Stevens 67E 12 ga pump, 'cause I wanted it.

[Patriot Prepper]

I have both the Mossberg 500 pump action and the Remington 870 pump action both 12 gauge. They are both basic standby guns and probably the most popular shotguns ever made. Out of the two, I prefer the Remington and think it might be a little bit better quality. You would be fine with either one. For the women, we have a couple 20 gauge Mossbergs.

The Benelli semiauto, is now being used by the military. It is also an option if you have the budget for the gun. I can buy two Remington 870 tactical shotguns with extended tubes and ghost rings for the price of one Benelli. Just a thought.

[partyoffive]

The new remington 887 nitro mag tactical is awsome! I personally own this one it comes with a 18 and a half inch barrel with a door buster choke, extended mag, picitanny rails, and a super nice recoil pad. They are not cheap but not exspensive either mine cost 400 brand new ordered just for me!