New Shotgun?

Hey yall, I want Santa to bring me a new shotgun this year. I’ve never owned one. My daddy has a 12 a 20 and a 4/10 shotgun. I want a 12 gauge pump action gun. I was looking at a mossburg gun from dicks. Can’t remember the exact model but it was $269 at dicks. Now that I may be gettin it for christmas I’m wanting to spend between between $250 and $325 I know this may sound low but its all I can do. I want the gun for all purpose stuff. Mostly ducks and turkey, will also use for upland game. And deer very occasionally. I would prefer the gun to be camo but not necessity! I want a good quality gun thats not gonna break the bank. And what chokes do I need?
Also anybody know a good bird hunting forum? Thanks!

Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc

870 express. 12 ga. Modified choke will do everything throw in a full and cylindar and you can do everything well. Never been a fan of mossberg, never owned one though.

x2 on the 870. ive had mine over 10 years, given it a good beating throughout that time whether it be in a marsh for geese, out in the rain, -20 degrees and snow, and its still in good shape and works great. nothing wrong with a full choke for turkey and a cylinder choke will toss slugs at deer close range no problem.

You know its winter when you post at 10 and get 2 replays by 10:30… thanks yall!
Guess I would like to include my question for good wafer liner pants, and a camo jacket for layering up to wear with waders or splash pants

Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc

As previously stated, 870 magnum. Last time I hunted in waders in sc I wore my drawers and sweated my ass off.

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835 Mossberg combo is probably what u were looking at at Dicks? excellent shotgun! I’ve had one for years that I bought from there too… kicks like a mule with the 3 1/2 shells though, so pick up a limbsaver pad to put on the stock while you’re there… I put a Browning Maxus on layaway a few years back at Coastal Firearms and paid on it until turkey season came in, now that gun is the cats meow!! used the mossberg til I got it off of layaway, still use the moss if I’m going in some real heavy thickets n swamps so I don’t beat up the browning… lol … but you’ll like that 835 IMO… good luck w ur choice…

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ditto on the 870 express. look for a pair of fleece wader liners with the ankle strap at the bottom. I got mine from Sportsmans Whse in Cola. Also Drake has some nice wader pants but they’re a little pricy.

870 express. I’m looking to sell my Stoeger 2000 to get one.

Here’s some info. on the Remington 870s:

The Express:
A rougher, unpolished finish inside and out. More burrs.
A rough black finish.
A hardwood or synthetic stock.
Cheaper, impressed checkering.
A black bolt.
A plastic trigger group.
The lockable safety button.
“Possible” a two piece barrel.
The new style magazine assembly with plastic parts and the “dimples”.
A rougher bore in the barrel.
Uses some MIM, (moulded steel parts) in critical areas, like the extractor.

The Wingmaster:
A much smoother, polished finish inside and out. No burrs.
A polished blue finish.
Walnut or synthetic stocks with choice of gloss or satin finish.
Better quality checkering.
A chrome plated bolt.
An aluminum trigger group.
The Lockable safety button.
A one piece barrel.
The old style steel magazine assembly, no dimples.
A much smoother bore.
No MIM parts are used in any critical area.

The Police.
A smooth finish inside and out.
A Mil-spec parkerized finish.
Walnut or synthetic stock.
Black bolt.
Aluminum trigger guard
NO lockable safety button.
A one piece barrel.
The old style magazine assembly, no dimples, will take magazine extensions, etc.
A smooth, polished bore.
No MIM parts used.
A heavy-duty magazine spring.
A heavy-duty trigger-sear spring.
POSSIBLY heavier shell releases.
A wide choice in sights, stocks, magazine extensions, and other accessories.

NOTE: I keep hearing that Remington has discontinued the lockable safety button, and I’m not SURE Remington does use heavy-duty shell releases on the Police model.

Also, there is a good chance the Express barrels are made of two pieces: a rear section with the barrel extension and locking recess, with a barrel sleeved into it.
On most newer Express guns I can just make out what appears to be the joint just in front of the chamber area.

Bottom line: There’s more (or less) to the Express than JUST the finish and wood.
Although all the Remington guns use the same forged and milled steel receiver, the Express uses some cheaper

870 Express. You don’t need the 3 1/2. You can effectively kill anything with a 2 3/4 inch shotgun with the right loads. 3 inch is all you need on top of that. It will also save you $ as 3 1/2 shells are very expensive. I have owned 4 870’s and they are built solidly. 2 20 ga and 2 12 ga. I killed more ducks with my 20’s than with the 12’s…

Remington Wingmaster is the best pump gun ever made by far.If you cant afford a new one buy used.I would prefer a used Wingmaster over a new express.If you turkey hunt the 3" magnum is a slayer.

Yak, at that price youre going to hear Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Either one is reliable and good guns. Go with what fits you best. Either one is a good choice. Im partial to the mossbergs but thats just me. See if you can get a combo deal with two barrels. A 28 inch vent rib for wingshooting and slug barrel for deer and hogs.

Yak, at that price youre going to hear Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Either one is reliable and good guns. Go with what fits you best. Either one is a good choice. Im partial to the mossbergs but thats just me. See if you can get a combo deal with two barrels. A 28 inch vent rib for wingshooting and slug barrel for deer and hogs.

x1000 on the Remington 870. I’ve run the same 870 Wingmaster since 1984. Beautiful and bulletproof shotgun.

The Express is just as functional, just not as pretty. But it’s in your budget and is a great gun!

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Pungo 120

Thanks yall. Any info on the Mossberg 88?

Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc

Go get you a 12ga pump 3 1/2in magnum. Why in the world would you want a pump and not a semi?

“Good things come to those who bait”

quote:
Originally posted by yakman72

Thanks yall. Any info on the Mossberg 88?

Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc


If it makes any difference, you’re not supposed to shoot steel shot in the 88. Not sure about the 870 Express.

…Politicians aren’t the “Oldest Profession”, but the results are still the same!!!

Thanks, went over to dicks. Got the 870 on sale, gonna grab the 12ga. 28" barrel before Saturday

Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc

back home i used to shoot geese that flew over corn fields all the time and yes the 870 express magnum handles steel loads just fine.

You made the right choice, yakman. I’ve owned both an 870 and the 835 and there’s a reason why I still have the 870 and not the 835. It was a POS.

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