Looking at 20 gauge Shotgun

[excelagator]

I have been looking at shotguns,mostly 20 gauge. I am looking at it for a small game, home protection, and maybe deer hunting. I wanted something the wife can use too.

The one I like is the Remington 870 combo (comes with a smooth barrel and slug barrel. It retails for $299 locally with $30 rebate. I don't know if the there is a choke included? I have a Remington 522 viper I got when we moved here. I have been rather happy with it. So that has been directing me towards Remington. But I am all ears and open to ideas and such.

Dan

 

[moeh1]

My wife shoots a 20 ga Rem1100 and I bought the 870 for my sons to learn on. They are both nice and troublefree, have really helped fill the freezer.

 

[mjarrels]

I shoot a Remington LT1100 in 20 gauge... fine gun after over 20 years. I shoot left handed so pumps don't work for me.

mark

 

[kossetx]

I'm a winchester man but you can't beat an 870. A strong, good shooting gun.

 

[excelagator]

I shoot a Remington LT1100 in 20 gauge... fine gun after over 20 years. I shoot left handed so pumps don't work for me.

mark

LOL, I am left eye dominant so I shot left handed. I have been that way for years and I just shoot that way. I just found out you can get a left handed gun....Doh! I will probably just get a right handed gun.

The LT1100 is a nice gun, just a little $$$ for me. Since this is new to me purchasing a shotgun. What is the difference between the 870 and the 1100 besides the wood finish?

Dan

 

[excelagator]

I'm a winchester man but you can't beat an 870. A strong, good shooting gun.

That is what exactly I am looking for. Any other brands shotguns near that price range?

I did look at Mossberg. I believe the Mossberg 500? in that price range has a aluminum mechanism. I like the Remington because is has a steel mechanism.

Dan

 

[InspectorGadget]

What is the difference between the 870 and the 1100 besides the wood finish?
Dan

The 1100 is a semi-auto where the 870 is a pump action.
Good luck and hunting. C-YA RL

 

[3RRL]

For an all around gun that 870 is really good, especially with the interchangeable barrels. The price is right too. The 1100 is really nice too but a little more money. It's a very reliable auto loader.
I'm slowly switching my guns from 12ga to 20ga. I just picked a new Browning Cynergy 20ga over/under, but it is a lot of money. I do a lot of Upland bird hunting so I like the O/U models for that. But for an all around inexpensive gun, your choice is a good one.
BTW, I have one of those .22 Vipers too, but I don't like it that much. The trigger is very heavy and now, it won't fire. It's hard to get replacement parts for it too. Anybody know where I can get the firing pin and springs for it? I tried Brownells and they don't have it.

 

[Brahmus]

I've had my 870 for around 15 years now. Got it with a youth model barrel and stock. It's by far my favorite gun in the cabinet. I never upgraded the barrel and stock and still hunt with it regularly. Solid is all I can say! It'll Kick a bit harder than an auto, something to think about if the wife will shoot it regularly. My wife doesn't care for it for that reason. Maybe is't the youth lengths, I don't know because I've never shot a longer 870.

 

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I've shouldered many a shotgun over the years, here's my 2 cents.

I would stick with a slide/pump action shotgun. My reasons for this are:
1)Autos are nice however, they are for experienced shooters and since one of your intended roles is home defense, simple is better.
2) Nothing like the sound of a pump action to strike fear into the heart of a perp, everyone on the planet knows the "shuck-shuck" sound of one being racked. You just heard it in your head didn't you?
3) Easier to load and reload, no bolt lock open to deal with, and easy to clear.
4) A pump action is far less complicated and more reliable.

I understand your reasons to go with a 20 but I would suggest you look at 12's also. 20 is slightly light for deer, you have to be right on with your shot placement and keep your yardage on the shorter side. Also, you will have less load choice in 20 than in 12. Also, your model/barrel choices are less in 20. (sweet 16 used to be very popular as a "just right" gauge but with the demise of the Winchesters and Browning Auto-5's, it has fallen in popularity)

Now as far as brands and models, any of the major brands will serve you fine, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, Benelii, Beretta, If you want the utmost in reliability, look to the military/police models such as the Mossberg 590 Military, Remington 870 Police or the FN Herstal. All of these are built like tanks and are designed to work when others won't.

A high quality 12g pump with a improved cyl/rifled barrel with sights and a interchangeable choke barrel set would cover all your intended uses easily and reliably. I saw an example of how good a 870 can be at a steel plate shoot one day, an older trap shooter came to watch the action, the shooters there recognized him and dogged him until he went and got his 20yo 870 with a full choke brl, He ran the course as fast as any of the auto shooters and took down all the targets. The ones eager for him to shoot weren't too happy after he knocked them down a place.

Hope I have helped, feel free to PM me. I'm an NRA instructor and can give you a bunch of info.

Tom