Looking at 20 gauge Shotgun

[chh]

I have had an 12 ga. 870 for several years. It is a great all around gun. It came with several choke tubes and I have used it mostly as a quail and turkey gun. My personal preference is Remington over Mossberg, but that is strictly my preference on the way the 870 feels to me. My buddy carries a Mossberg turkey special and really loves it. As mentioned about deer hunting the 20 might be a bit light, but could be used easily if you used a bit caution as far as range goes espcially of you stick to the newer better quality slugs available. Your wife would probably prefer the weight and kick of the 20 over a 12 for sure.

 

[JiminGa]

I have a mossberg 500 that was given to me 20 years ago and it's been a fantastic gun, never failed. I also have a cheapo single shot that I started my oldest son on and it's not a good deer gun, great for small game, but lacks the punch for deer hunting unless you are on top of him.

 

[arrow]

I've hunted everything with a 12 ga. double side by side for a long time. Barrel was 30" with no option on choke. For the last 5 years, I've been using a 20ga o/u. I have used it for everything from geese, to turkey, to deer. The last deer I shot was from 50 yds this past Saturday, (Federal Classic 23/4" slug) dressed out to 165Ibs and didn't go 10 yds. It has 2 quick shots. Is the most simplest of multiple shot shot guns. With choking and loads, is a very versatile gun and is small in format even with 26" barrels. (home defense) They can be expensive but they can also be had for less than $500. With 5" extended chokes, they also shoot sabot's quite nicely. Some people think the 12 ga pump is the one gun solution and for good reason. With the availability of loads and chokes now a days, give me that double 20ga. for lightness of carry and trouble free versatility that just about anyone can shoot. To me it is a new standard in the one gun solution discussion.
That being said, another choice would be the 1100 with 20" barrel in 20 ga. They make it as a youth model also that a wife or kid could use. It comes with a synthetic stock, less recoil and is as reliable as an autoloader can get.
For the amount of time you are going to use this shot-gun, don't fall into the trap of who makes what and what material they're using. Thousands of Mossbergs have been sold and used over a very long time with reliability and could last you a life time. Shoulder any of these guns and simply buy the one that fits your budget and feels the best to the shooter. You aren't going to make a mistake no matter what you choose as long as its a fit.
I highly regard the 20ga.

 

[arrow]

I've hunted everything with a 12 ga. double side by side for a long time. Barrel was 30" with no option on choke. For the last 5 years, I've been using a 20ga o/u. I have used it for everything from geese, to turkey, to deer. The last deer I shot was from 50 yds this past Saturday, (Federal Classic 23/4" slug) dressed out to 165Ibs and didn't go 10 yds. It has 2 quick shots. Is the most simplest of multiple shot shot guns. With choking and loads, is a very versatile gun and is small in format even with 26" barrels. (home defense) They can be expensive but they can also be had for less than $500. With 5" extended chokes, they also shoot sabot's quite nicely. Some people think the 12 ga pump is the one gun solution and for good reason. With the availability of loads and chokes now a days, give me that double 20ga. for lightness of carry and trouble free versatility that just about anyone can shoot. To me it is a new standard in the one gun solution discussion.
That being said, another choice would be the 1100 with 20" barrel in 20 ga. They make it as a youth model also that a wife or kid could use. It comes with a synthetic stock, less recoil and is as reliable as an autoloader can get.
For the amount of time you are going to use this shot-gun, don't fall into the trap of who makes what and what material they're using. Thousands of Mossbergs have been sold and used over a very long time with reliability and could last you a life time. Shoulder any of these guns and simply buy the one that fits your budget and feels the best to the shooter. You aren't going to make a mistake no matter what you choose as long as its a fit.
I highly regard the 20ga.

 

[Marlowe]

I understand that a 20 gauge is a great size as far as balance is concerned. It is efficient and all those good things when it comes to ballistics. That being said, I agree with the folks who suggest a 12 gauge. If you're going to shoot something as big as a deer, shoot it with enough gun to do the job quickly. And we can all agree that when hunting even the smallest of game such as quail, a 12 gauge with the proper load will still do a great job. I've got a Remington pump shotgun that I've had for forty years now. Never a glitch. I've also got a Mossberg bolt action rifle that does a fine job. I can't think of an American made gun that will not do a fine job for many years to come.

 

[wushaw]

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

Ithaca has been making a bottom eject model 37 shotgun for @ 70yrs. Browning made one also, I just don't know if they still do.

 

[Tororider]

I have the mossberg 500 in a 12ga. I really like it. I have not taken it bird hunting though, it is my deer gun. In the southern part of michigan we can't use rifles. I feel very confident in this gun at a range of 100+ yards. I have had no problems at all with it and know a couple other people that have the same set up and like theirs equally as much.

My dad has an 870, and that too is a good gun.

I would agree if you are going to do any amount of deer hunting you may want to go with a 12 gauge, more knock down power. You can definitely get away with the 20, but I would go with the 12. Let us know what you decide.

 

[excelagator]

Thanks for the replies!

My wife has shot her brothers over and under 12 ga shotgun this weekend. She did really well blasting the targets. I better watch my Ps and Qs! She did mention she would like to get a 12 ga double barrel instead. I am leaning more towards a pump. I think the double barrel would be better for her it use, because of the lack of pump action.

I think the 12 ga after the replies here might be an avenue to look down.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[excelagator]

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.

I think I like it because it is my first gun! (stupid Newbie!)

Ours has a stiff trigger action from new. I have read some complaints on this rifle like jamming. We have not seen anything like that. We have noticed the bolt action loading the first round that you pull back and then push forward with a little force to get it in. We are cleaning and oiling after every use now.

I got around to getting the manual for it from Remington's website. Once that is mailed I hope to teardown and clean it up. I would contact them to see where you can get parts. Yup clips are like $36.

Dan

 

[AlanB]

I have the Mossburg Bantam 20 gauge Pump, for the same reasons listed in the intial post.

Works well for us, I don't think we have ever had a jamb or problem of any kind, my 10 year old (12 now) likes the feel of it (it is a bit shorter) and heck, I like it for shooting trap.

It is a dependable, cheap, easy to operate, and easy to understand gun.

I am sure there are better out there, but for the money, it was hard to beat.

And from my standpoint, for home defense, the sound of the slide racking is almost as effective as the shotgun itself.