Looking to get my first shotgun...

I've shot a few so I do understand the ins and outs of them. The whole semi/pump debate etc. I do have a few questions though:

1.) I don't know if I want a 12ga or 20ga. I'm not a big guy, but I'm not afraid of recoil. Plus, 90% of the reason for this purchase would be skeet shooting. So I'd like to be able to shoot a couple hundred rounds and not be dead armed for 2 days lol. Plus, my shoulder bugs me as is so the lesser kick from the 20 would be welcomed.

2.) Since the main purpose is skeet, I think the semi auto would be more beneficial, but at the same time, the sound of running a pump is unbeatable! So I'm open to suggestions on that.

3.) Shotguns I'd like some opinions on:
Benelli Nova or Super Nova (pump; 12 or 20 gauge)
Remington 870 (pump; 12 or 20 gauge) Obviously a best seller worldwide
Mossberg 500 (pump; 12 or 20 gauge) Basically exactly a Rem 870
Mossberg SA-20 (semi; 20 gauge)

With any shotgun I get I know I'll be adding small accessories but nothing major! (said the same about my truck)

And any others that you may think would fit the bill, please throw in some input. I'll either be buying or asking for one for Christmas. Budget would $5-600 for this venture. Pretty much keeps it from me spending too much on the gun I can't afford to shoot it lol

 

Remington 870 over the Mossberg - especially if you're thinking to ever put a stock on with any sort of a pistol grip. The safety and slide release are in bad spots on the Mossberg.

Also look into the Rem. 1100

But for your purposes (and with no set budget ), look at the Benelli Super Black Eagle II. You'd be hard pressed to find any better or softer shooting shooting gun. You can shoot high-brass loads all day and not really be bothered by it.

 

After that I'll update the OP

 

But it's only 4x your budget! go for it!!!

 

+1 for a Benelli Super Black Eagle II, expensive but worth it. The Remington 1100 is also a good gun. If you are concerned about recoil, a semi-auto shotgun will have less and it will be less sharp, more of a push than a kick. A pump action shotgun sends all of the recoil energy directly into your shoulder, whereas an automatic will absorb and delay the recoil.

I have a Mossberg 835 12-Ga. It is a great shotgun. I would definitely push you towards a 12 gauge, much more versatile and the increased amount of shot makes for easier hits on clays.

 

The Benelli nova is a great shotgun and pretty cheap, I shoot an Ithaca feather lite 12 ga. Great shotgun it's been in my family for over 30 years. But the super black eagle is a beautiful shotgun if you don't have a budget lol

 

I have the remington 870. I love it! u can load 8 shots in my riot pump! 12 g.

 

the remington 870 is the best choice. its reliable and shoots great. i have brownings, savages and winchesters but over all the 870 is the top dog! oh and go with the 12ga. the mossberg is like the 870 but the quality of the 870 is better.

 

If you've got shoulder issues I would advise against a 12 gauge.

That being said, I've had my Mossberg 500 12 gauge for almost 13 years now, I shoot it a LOT, and never a problem. The Remington is an excellent gun as well. Really can't go wrong with either one.

 

Glock! There badass!
http://www.mossberg.com/products/shotguns/500-special-purpose/500-chainsaw
Seriously, a semi-auto is a much better choice for reducing recoil.
A Benelli or other inertia-action shotty is NOT a good choice for clay sports.
Benelli's are notorious for gagging on light sporting loads, and nobody shoots 3.5in rounds.
Get a good,heavy gas-operated 12ga, Rem 1100 or 1187, Beretta 390/391, and don't feel you have to buy new....a quality name will run forever and have plenty of aftermarket support, if you need it.
BTW, my clay scores with my 20ga are just as good as my 12, because the 20 ga (browning citori and silver hunter) FIT me better than the 12's do.

 

Benelli or Mossberg.. Id rather not have a gun then buy a recently made Remington.

 

Got the Benelli SUper Vinci and never looked back. But for mostly skeet shooting go with a 20ga. My remington 1100 20ga has never let me down.

 

I shoot skeet exclusively with Browning Citori White Lightning 20ga.

 

Most important thing is to make sure your toe will fit in the trigger guard


I didn't shoot skeet all weekend. Dam hangover

 

Benellis are crap. Mossbergs aren't for clay shooting. 870 is okay...for a versitile gun.

The best bang for your buck is an A400-Beretta. Or, for an o/u a Silver Pigeon I 686. I have one of both berettas...and a mossy 500 tactical. And an old 870. I'm a competitive shooter btw.

 

Love my 870. If you're looking for a semi, the 1100 is a little finnicky with some ammo, but the 1187 will run anything you throw at it. My friend has one and loves it.

 

Alright, since most of you seem to like $15-1600 shotties, let me remind you my budget is under $600. Honestly, the pump/semi thing I will just go with whatever feels best to hold to me. I am more interested in going 20 gauge for the simple fact that since it is mostly for clay shooting, I'll be shooting lots when I do. Therefore less recoil is better.

 

I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster that my grandfather passed down to me. He only shot it a couple times before giving it to me. Since then I have done nearly everything with it.

I have a full tactical home defense setup for it. Magpul stock/fore end. tube extension, 18 inch all purpose barrel, and other little things.

But now since duck season opened up, I have switched it back. It takes a matter of 5-0 minutes to convert it to a totally different gun.

Unlike the mossbergs (other competitor is the >600 range) The remingtons are sturdy. The mossbergs have a different setup, trigger, and more moving parts. The remington has 2 pieces that pop onto the slide rails and you're done. The trigger assembly drops out when you punch the two pins out.

super easy to clean, super reliable, and TONS of options.

I can go out and shoot clay, hunt anything from deer with slugs to duck, pheasants, and other smaller game. Then after I get home I can sit down, break it down to clean it, but put my home defense parts on it in the same time it would have taken to put the hunting setup back on.

I have always wanted a Benelli Nova, but after 5 years with my 870, I still don't have anything else. All of the parts/accessories I have more my 870, plus the retail price of the gun still don't add up to the price of the Nova or other competitors.

However, bottom line is that the 870 is a pump, while many of the aforementioned models are all semi auto. My philosophy is that you can have the fastest auto-loader in the west, but if you can't aim it, you're not going to hit shit. The great thing about a pump is that it makes you practice and perfect your aim, cause you only have one before you have to rack a new one and possible lose your target sighting.

 

I have the Mossberg 500 and the Benelli Nova I love them both I use the Nova more though because it holds 3.5inch shells, which is not always beneficial.

 

Mossberg 500
Stoeger 2000
Rem 870
Benelli Nova