Shotgun advice

[satterfi]

I'm looking for my first shotgun.

I don't know much about them and I've never been a fan of auto-anything.

Revolvers and bolt action rifles are the only fire arms I've ever owned, except for the Ruger 10/22 that I've had for years and only shot twice.

I shoot trap every now and then with a shotgun that belongs to a gal. She has a Remington 1100 which seems to be very easy on my shoulder.

How does the Remington 1100 rate amoung other shotguns in the $700 range?

 

[SKUNKY]

The Remington 1100 is a tried and true shotgun..I shoot a side by side double barrel..no need for more than 2 shots...I also carry a 44 mag in case I need more than 2 shots

 

[tom slick]

the remington 1100 and 870 are excellent shotguns. you'll find they are a favorite amoung hunters in your neck of the woods.

 

[mechtech]

The 870 is reliable, but will hurt your shoulder if you do a lot of shooting, compared to a gas operated autoloader.

 

[Clement]

"The 870 is reliable, but will hurt your shoulder if you do a lot of shooting, compared to a gas operated autoloader."

Bull

A gas operated autoloader may have slightly less perceived recoil, it doesn't mean that one will hurt you and another won't. The biggest effects on felt recoil are the fit of the gun, and the ammo you are using.
Find a good shotgun store, and have them find a shotgun that fits you well.

Autoloader or pump is a preference up to the user, lots of good ones out there. Personally I would like a nice side by side or over/under for trap.

 

[1sttruck]

A local store was advertising around $250 for an 870 with the extended chamber, using a mail in rebate. Recoil is something that you manage; if you're going to be shooting lots of 3in loads of #4 buck on a regular basis you may want to consider a shooting jacket of some sort with a padded shoulder. If you're going to be shooting light target loads a t-shirt should work fine, although you may want to tape an alligator on it for fashion :^)

I use to shoot hi-power rifle, where you'd typically use 80 to 100 rounds of either .308 Win or 30.06, and I have gone thru 120 rounds of 30.06 at the bench working up loads.

 

[Von]

The best auto shotgun in the $700 range is the Browning Gold.
Von Odenwald

 

[Brett Miller]

I'll agree with Von on the Browning Gold. I have approximately 15,000 rounds thru mine and haven't had to replace anything. I should replace the mainspring soon though. Instead of buying a new $250 870 you would be better served trying to find a used 870 Wingmaster. The older 870's have more machined parts and operate much, much smother than the new models.

 

[mechtech]

Clement - I was a member of the Palos Skeet Club, and have fired thousands of rounds.
That 870 has a sharp kick, and the gas autos are most certainly softer - it's spread out recoil, or absorbed by the spring and piston.

 

[haley10]

I have an old Remington Sportsman 58 autoloader. It a 16 guage. I love it. I'd get laughed of the range with it, but it really depends on what the intended use is??

Are you interested in trap, skeet, home defense, hunting? Specific or multi-purpose? We need to know more about the intended use.

 

[methusaleh]

I grew up with an 870 Wingmaster in the family, use an 1100 at work, but only own a Mossberg 500. Why? Cheap and reliable! And if the YL forgets to clean it after using it, it will still work fine when I take it out again even with lots of deposits caked into it.

 

[Clement]

mechtech - thats right, the gas operated autoloaders have a longer recoil impulse, therefore less perceived recoil. I was taking issue with the statement that seemed to say that one would hurt you, the other won't.

I have a Mossberg 500, and with anything short of 3" turkey loads, I can fire the thing all day long with no discomfort.

Different people are effected differently by recoil. A good part of this is the fit of the gun. If you take your 1100 and put a stock on it that fits you poorely, you will have a much different experience with that gun.

 

[Captain Ron]

1100 will reduce felt recoil shoot the two side by side and you see and feel the differences.