Opinions needed on Shotguns

[walkercolt]

My thought is what do you want to do with it, I may have missed that bit.

If you just really like the Benelli, they make a good shotgun and I would go with that. Go with your first impulse without regrets. Hickock45 on you tube has a few videos on the Benelli shotguns. It will cover most every need and it is a very nice shotgun.

If I were buying a defense shotgun I would lean toward a pump. I know that Benelli makes very reliable semi-auto shotguns, but outside a single shot the pump shotgun will withstand the most neglect and stay the most reliable in my opinion. If you keep up on a good semi-auto it will be fine. Find the ammo it likes stay with that and keep it clean and lubed.

For general target practice I love my M4 or Mossberg 930 SPX and to be honest if either of these shotguns were my only choice, I wouldn't feel like I was at a disadvantage. The Benelli seems like the more robust of the two, but costs twice as much and the performance difference isn't there yet, we will see on long term. Sort of like AR vs AK, but if I had to keep one it would be the Benelli. But I would miss Mossberg.

I may run against the grain, but I have had good luck with newer pump shotguns like the Mossberg 590, or my 2016 Remington 870 Express.

 

[Steve]

Interesting thread. Seems that the Maverick 88 has a bad rap here. All I can say that my 88 has never let me down. Hunting, skeet, or sporting clays. Granted, I don't put hundreds of rds thru it at a time, but it has always gone bang when I wanted it to. And to that the fact that I have added an 18" HD barrel and a 24" sighted deer barrel to it and still have under $500 in the total package. Not a bad way to go for a beginner or someone on a budget. She may not be the prettiest girl at the dance, but she will always be true to you.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

Interesting thread. Seems that the Maverick 88 has a bad rap here.

How's that? There's only 1 guy in this thread who mentioned having a problem with (his son's) maverick 88.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

How's that? There's only 1 guy in this thread who mentioned having a problem with (his son's) maverick 88.

Exactly. I ran my 88 in a defensive shotgun class. We put something like 400 rounds through the guns on the hottest weekend of the year. They were so hot you couldn't pick them up and mine ran flawlessly. Many of the Remington's had issues (all but one issue seemed to have been user error) but when we did the clearing drills, I had to borrow a Remington because the Mossberg shell lifter doesn't allow for a stovepipe malfunction. And the chamber is too short for a double feed.

 

[DadSmith]

Exactly. I ran my 88 in a defensive shotgun class. We put something like 400 rounds through the guns on the hottest weekend of the year. They were so hot you couldn't pick them up and mine ran flawlessly. Many of the Remington's had issues (all but one issue seemed to have been user error) but when we did the clearing drills, I had to borrow a Remington because the Mossberg shell lifter doesn't allow for a stovepipe malfunction. And the chamber is too short for a double feed.

I watched this and it seems to be a great shotgun. I'm surprised the lgs don't carry these instead of all them cheap Turkish, and Chinese shotguns.

 

[tim7431]

All in all the Benelli and Beretta are incredible shotguns. But I have a Mossberg 500 that I got in 1983 and literally has thousands of rounds through it, travelled around the country with me and has never failed to fire. It is one shotgun that I know will not fail me. And I paid $159 for it at service merchandise.

 

[GhostofWinter]

I thought I’d update everyone. I decided to pick up either the Beretta 1301 OR the Mossberg 940 tactical, whichever came in first since they were both a hard to come by item. Well the 1301 tactical came in today and I picked it up just now. My first impressions are that it’s light! We’ll see what I think after I put a few hundred rounds through it. I’m still looking at getting the 940 as well, just not sure if I want the JM Pro, or the tactical. I’ll decide if I want either one when they become available. So for now I get to play with the beretta and see how much I like it…,

 

[printcraft]

What? No love for the double barrel?
Here is America's leading expert to help:

 

[GhostofWinter]

What? No love for the double barrel?
Here is America's leading expert to help:

Actually I’m looking for one of those 9mm lung blasters. LMAO

 

[printcraft]

 

[SheepDog4Life]

I should never have opened this thread as I was completely happy and content with my Mossberg 500 Persuader... now I have alerts on gun.deals for a 940 Tactical, lol!

Geee, thanks guys!

 

[GhostofWinter]

I should never have opened this thread as I was completely happy and content with my Mossberg 500 Persuader... now I have alerts on gun.deals for a 940 Tactical, lol!

Geee, thanks guys!

You are most welcome! If you procure one before I do, please let us know how you like it.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

You are most welcome! If you procure one before I do, please let us know how you like it.

I'm also a cheap b****** and these hot, new guns sell-out above my price-point... so it'll be a minute.

 

[cg21]

My thought is what do you want to do with it, I may have missed that bit.

If you just really like the Benelli, they make a good shotgun and I would go with that. Go with your first impulse without regrets. Hickock45 on you tube has a few videos on the Benelli shotguns. It will cover most every need and it is a very nice shotgun.

If I were buying a defense shotgun I would lean toward a pump. I know that Benelli makes very reliable semi-auto shotguns, but outside a single shot the pump shotgun will withstand the most neglect and stay the most reliable in my opinion. If you keep up on a good semi-auto it will be fine. Find the ammo it likes stay with that and keep it clean and lubed.

For general target practice I love my M4 or Mossberg 930 SPX and to be honest if either of these shotguns were my only choice, I wouldn't feel like I was at a disadvantage. The Benelli seems like the more robust of the two, but costs twice as much and the performance difference isn't there yet, we will see on long term. Sort of like AR vs AK, but if I had to keep one it would be the Benelli. But I would miss Mossberg.

I may run against the grain, but I have had good luck with newer pump shotguns like the Mossberg 590, or my 2016 Remington 870 Express.

I think something that is over looked when people recommend the pump as the most reliable choice no one ever mentions how much training it takes to become proficient using one. In a high stress situation…. Short stroking is EASY to do ask me how I know……. You can also ask the about 50 doves that are still living due to this issue lol

 

[Hookeye]

Ive killed a lot of doves without problem running various 870s.

Pump wasnt an issue until trying for triples.

Yeah, the 1100 makes that a bit easier.

And no, never short stroked one either. And I started shotgunning w an auto.
It just is what it is, you pick it up and the brain knows whats what and thats the program it runs.
Mover deer up close are fun too

Maybe its due to a life of shooting multiple items, paying more attention? I dunno.
Not a prob.

FWIW my hunting bud flubs it off and on w his 870.
But he's from a blue state.

 

[GhostofWinter]

Ive killed a lot of doves without problem running various 870s.

Pump wasnt an issue until trying for triples.

Yeah, the 1100 makes that a bit easier.

And no, never short stroked one either. And I started shotgunning w an auto.
It just is what it is, you pick it up and the brain knows whats what and thats the program it runs.
Mover deer up close are fun too

Maybe its due to a life of shooting multiple items, paying more attention? I dunno.
Not a prob.

FWIW my hunting bud flubs it off and on w his 870.
But he's from a blue state.

I used to have an 870, but the ex sold it along with most of my other guns during the divorce. That being said I’m going to avoid the 870 platform due to all the bad things I’ve been hearing about Remington. I have a mossberg 590 so I’m no opposed to a pump action. I just wanted a nice semi auto.

 

[cg21]

Ive killed a lot of doves without problem running various 870s.

Pump wasnt an issue until trying for triples.

Yeah, the 1100 makes that a bit easier.

And no, never short stroked one either. And I started shotgunning w an auto.
It just is what it is, you pick it up and the brain knows whats what and thats the program it runs.
Mover deer up close are fun too

Maybe its due to a life of shooting multiple items, paying more attention? I dunno.
Not a prob.

FWIW my hunting bud flubs it off and on w his 870.
But he's from a blue state.

I have killed a lot of doves with my pump also but what I am saying running a pump is not a brainless operation and stress only magnifies any small issues

 

[Hookeye]

They fit me ( Rem standard dims ) so thats what I run. Would like nicer, if theyd fit as well LOL

I dont even think to run stuff. Safeties, action manipulations, cycling....it just happens.
Im concentrating on the shot(s). No bobble either. That might be due to build, fitment and experience.

 

[jbombelli]

I think something that is over looked when people recommend the pump as the most reliable choice no one ever mentions how much training it takes to become proficient using one. In a high stress situation…. Short stroking is EASY to do ask me how I know……. You can also ask the about 50 doves that are still living due to this issue lol

Occasionally short-stroking is why I sold my 870. I replaced it with a Mossberg 930SPX, and never looked back. But that 870 Wingmaster, from 1972, was a great gun.

 

[tcecil88]

I short stroked a Mossberg 500 on the a turkey hunt after I rolled a bird and he got back up. The gun went "click", I said "f**k" and he flew off a short distance. I found him hiding under a treetop and he took off running straight away from me. It looked like a feather pillow exploded after he took another load of 5's to the neck at about 10 yards. Needless to say, I have been conscious about not short stroking my shotguns ever since.