Shotgun Opinions....

Scrounger · #1 07/30/08, 04:31 PM

I am thinking of buying a Mossberg "Maverick" 88 12 guage shotgun. I'm not a serious hunter and don't have $400-$1000 to lay out for a shotgun.
Mainly gonna use it for a little quail/peasant hunting.

Old Vet · #2 07/30/08, 05:05 PM

It is a good gun. It is along with the Remingtion Wingmaster and others out their.

WildWisc · #3 07/30/08, 05:15 PM

Check out the Remmington 870. I have both an 870 Express and a Wingmaster. The 870 is extremely well designed and very reasonably priced. Not to mention very reliable. I've been using my Express since I started hunting and I have never, ever had a problem. I've used it for small game, upland birds, waterfowl, and deer.

tyusclan · #4 07/30/08, 05:57 PM

I prefer the Remington 870 over the Mossberg. The Express is very reasonably priced.

Not knocking Mossberg, they're good guns, but I think Remington has the edge in quality.

Bearfootfarm · #5 07/30/08, 06:24 PM

Remington is a far better design than the Mossberg/Maverick, and the Express is not that much more.
Also keep in mind guns hold their value very well, and often used guns can be sold years later for MORE than you paid for them IF you buy good ones to start with

pheasantplucker · #6 07/30/08, 06:35 PM

I have two Remington 870s. One is a twelve, the other a twenty. I don't think there's a better, affordable, dependable pump out there than the 870.

Cornhusker · #7 07/30/08, 07:12 PM

I've got an 870 Wingmaster, and they are hard to beat.
The Mossburg is a great gun, but if the price is close, spend a few extra bucks and get the Remington.
If you are dead set on the Mossberg, they are a good one for the money.

Scrounger · #8 07/30/08, 07:34 PM

Thnks guys!
I will probably end up with the Mossberg. I checked the 870 and they are close to twice the price (the Express is about $50 more).
It's not gonna be a "heavy use" thing. I think my brother has an 870, but not sure.

foxfiredidit · #9 07/30/08, 08:17 PM

Find yourself an 870 Wingmaster, just hold it up in front of you and work the slide to open the breech, then slide it forward to close it. That unmistakable closing sound with that silky smooth feel are like no other out there. I got my 870 Wingmaster in 1961 and in fact, shot the barrel out using triple ought buckshot on deer. I had the barrell cut back 1.5 inches and tube choaks installed. It's been fired thousands of times at big game and small. It works like the first day I got it.

TSYORK · #10 07/30/08, 08:45 PM

I LOVE my 870, it's everything I need.

tarbe · #11 07/30/08, 08:50 PM

I don't think there is a better value in a lower priced shotgun (repeater) than a Remington 870.

If you are not at all into guns and won't shoot much, it may not matter which way you go. But for anyone else, I'd spend the extra coin for the 870.

foxfiredidit · #12 07/30/08, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrounger

Thnks guys!
I will probably end up with the Mossberg. I checked the 870 and they are close to twice the price (the Express is about $50 more).
It's not gonna be a "heavy use" thing. I think my brother has an 870, but not sure.

Then I'd check the pawn shops and find an 870 Wingmaster that is about the same price as the Mossberg you're planning to buy new.

65284 · #13 07/30/08, 09:13 PM

If you can't find an 870 to your liking try and find a Model 12 Winchester. One of the best shotguns ever made.

Bearfootfarm · #14 07/30/08, 09:14 PM

The only difference in a Wingmaster and an Express is the finish on the metal, and the type of wood in the stock.
I'd pay the $50 extra for a Remington any day.

Quint · #15 07/31/08, 12:36 AM

Remington 870 for hunting. Mossberg 590 for defensive work.

I like the Mossberg 590 in their 50668 configuration for defensive work. I don't like the solid shell elevator on the Remington. If you get a double feed it renders the gun inoperable until you can disassemble it, remove the trigger group and clear out the extra shell. With the open shell elevator on the Mossberg you can shove it out of the way with a finger or other implement.

The Remington 870 has better fit and finish and has a much nicer action. It's silky smooth while the Mossy is a bit rougher. As a general rule I think the Remington handles better in the field. The Light Contour models in particular are quite nice pointing.

If I wanted a hunting pump shotgun on a budget I'd go looking for a nice used Wingmaster. yeah you'll spend a few more bucks for the nice glossy metalwork and nice wood but its worth the extra few bucks. If I wanted something to beat around with in bad weather and to toss behind the seat of a truck I'd get an express or special purpose model with matte finish and synthetic stocks. Those are rugged adn quite reasonably priced.

tyusclan · #16 07/31/08, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

The only difference in a Wingmaster and an Express is the finish on the metal, and the type of wood in the stock.
I'd pay the $50 extra for a Remington any day.

Ditto.

Bear · #17 07/31/08, 05:23 AM

I agree with the remington 870, I've got two of them. You should be able to pick up a used 870 for under $200.

foxtrapper · #18 07/31/08, 06:36 AM

Go handle the Mossberg and see how it feels to you. A gun that is awkward to handle isn't a bargin no matter how cheap it is. A gun must fit well to be usefull.

I'm not saying the Mossberg is awkward, just make sure it does fit you.

kjmatson · #19 07/31/08, 06:47 AM

I have owned several Mossberg 500's and a Mossberg 695. Hands down my Remington 870 Express Mag 12 gauge is by far the best shotgun I have ever owned. Do yourself a favor and get the 870. I know a guy who has been using his 870 Wingmaster for just about 50 years, same gun, and has only replaced the firing pin on it. Good luck.

sugarbush · #20 07/31/08, 07:08 AM

I have to disagree with everybody on here.... I have owned the mossberg 500, 695 dedicated slugger and the 835..... all I liked better than my 870. The 835 out shoots the 870 with side by side loads....my brother and I have taken both duck hunting and the mossbergs killing range is a solid 25 yards farther out.

They are a great gun for the money..... just because mossberg did not get stuck on selling a brand name is no reason to count them out....You will be very happy with it.