Shotguns

[strangercreek]

Has anyone here purchased/owned a New England Firearms shotgun? I am thinking about getting a hunting license and starting with some upland birds and turkeys (new to hunting completely but I have several experienced friends/hunters to work with). I see these single shot guns at Walmart for $130 and they get decent reviews.

I initially planned on a Remington 870 Supermag (28inch barrel) as it seems to be the best gun for the money but that is still in the $400+ range.

Any opinions would be helpful

Thanks

Jason

[troutchaser]

Shotguns can be a really personal decision. My brother is most successful with his high-dollar Benelli, but I can't find anything better than my Ward's Western Field semi auto - complete with machine screw front bead (painted white). It's what DuckyDoty would call a 'meat stick'.

As for single shot shotguns, you'll probably get frustrated quickly. If you miss the first shot, you'll have to reload, and that just isn't feasible when hunting a fast-moving target like birds. I would recommend finding a used 870 at a gun/pawn shop to start with. Take a friend who knows shotguns and you won't get fleeced.

Hope that helps you.

[tippet7]

Try this site. http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/modelp350.tpl

They are made by Benelli

[TroutBum4wt]

Jason,

Look at the Mossberg 500 series pump shotguns. They're made in the USA and affordable. NEF shotguns and rifles are good, but I also think you would be better served with either pump or semi-auto shotgun.

Good hunting!

[jdmidwest]

Beware of guns from Wally World, find a local gun shop and buy one there. They were one of the first companies to bow down to the anti-gun crazies and pull guns off the shelves. It started years ago when they removed handguns, and in several states, guns are gone all together now. I feel that their guns are sometimes special ordered with lesser quality controls than normal production guns, I don't know if it is true or not. I have seen models on their shelves that are not offered anywhere else.

I agree with the others, a pump like the Mossberg, Remington 870, or Benelli Nova would be a better option than the single shot, for a little more money. The single shot is great for small mammals and turkeys that you can take a steady shot on. For wingshooting, backup shots are very common.

At a real gun shop or gun show, there are many used options also.

[fly2fish]

If you weere thinking about an 870 go with the 870 express it goes for around $200. It is the serious hunters choice, it has the matte finish, vent rib, interchangable chokes, it just doesn't have the fancy finish of the regular 870. I never thought I would like a pump until I got one.

[SteveP]

Personally I'm a huge fan of the ole model 500 from Mossberg, I have used and owned several 500s and actually have a set of consecutive serial number model 500s that were purchased in the early eighties. and for the money you can usually find a model 500 in really shape used for about 150 or so. Just my .02 on the situation.

Steve

[Kicknbass]

Ditto on the 870 express... This is a hard gun to beat for the money. I have used the same gun for over 20 years, and it is still as good as the day it was purchased.

[strangercreek]

I decided to ease into this hunting thing real slow. After reading about the single shots made by H&R (NEF) I just had to have one so I purchased a 20 gauge Mod single shot 26" (Pardner). It was $90 brand new (Dicks Sporting Goods is the only place I could find it) and made in the USA. I have read numerous forums about these and they are lightweight, dependable, but kick very hard. I haven't shot it yet, but looking forward to it.

[Kicknbass]

My 1st gun was an H&R 20 ga single shot w/ a mod barrel. I still have the gun and it is as good of a gun as ever. I have taken small game, waterfowl and turkey with this gun. It is all the gun that a guy needs, but not all the gun that you will want. It is a good starter though.

Good luck.