[zstei001]

Hello All!

I have been shooting for a while with my father and various friends, and I have finally decided to purchase my first shotgun. It's primarily for home defense, and I will use it occasionally for skeet and target shooting. I'm planning to get an 18-18.5" barrel, 12 gauge.

My question is: Is it okay to buy an inexpensive shotgun (~$200-250), or should I go for a more expensive shotgun (~$500-600)? I don't have too much money to spend on it, but at the same time I don't want to throw away $250 on a shotgun that will be junk and not reliable. After all, if someone breaks into my house, I need to feel 100% confident that when I pull the trigger, the gun will fire.

I'd really appreciate anyone's thoughts or guidance on the subject.

Thanks in advance,

zstei001

[chloeshooter]

I bought used Remington 870's, 1 is an Express, the other a Wingmaster, used, $250 ea

[zstei001]

Do you know what they retailed for? Have they been pretty reliable for you?

[bobski]

no.... no....... no.
when will you guys learn?
if you want a hd gun, get a hd gun.
if you want to shoot skeet, get a skeet gun.

you dont wear combat boots to a ballroom dance.


trust me, skeet guns for 500.00 are not expensive guns. some go for well over 3-5,000.00 to start. the typical semi auto skeet gun goes for around 1800 now.

an expensive gun is expensive so it will last about 10 to 20,000 rounds a year fired, to maybe 25 rounds a year in hd use.

you really need to decide because if you get one to occasionaly use for skeet, youll wear it out at skeet and it wont work when you need it for hd.

[zstei001]

Well my point was that I'm not exactly rolling in cash, and my priority is keeping myself and my family safe from home intruders, but I also love to shoot skeet. So, I'm buying a shotgun best suited for killing people at close range, but I don't see a problem with taking to shoot a little skeet occasionally.

[ShagNasty1001]

Get an 870 with a 28" barrel and then buy an additional 18.5" barrel for like 120 bucks and interchange them. 870's are about 3-400 around here (oklahoma) new depending where you go and what not

[Dearhunter]

I bought a Weatherby upland 12 gauge and it has been a most fantastic shotgun. (I bought the semi auto version)
MFSP is about $459, I got mine on Buds for $390 brand new.

Shooting clays, dove, deer, whatever, it has been a wonderful shotgun.
The link below is the pump version.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/01/benjamin-t-shotzberger/gu-review-weatherby-pa-08-upland-shotgun/

[orangello]

Originally Posted by ShagNasty1001

Get an 870 with a 28" barrel and then buy an additional 18.5" barrel for like 120 bucks and interchange them. 870's are about 3-400 around here (oklahoma) new depending where you go and what not

This is the right idea for the man on a budget, a twofer. My Mossberg 500 came with a bird barrel (28" modified choke) that was easily replaced with a 18.5" home security barrel.

If you really get into killing clays, somebody will probably take pity and sell you a better clay killing gun that they are moving up from.

[FrontierTCB]

I agree. Whatever you choose get a second barrel. Shotguns are very versatile depending on how you have them set up and load you choose.

[FrontierTCB]

Originally Posted by FrontierTCB

I agree. Whatever you choose get a second barrel. Shotguns are very versatile depending on how you have them set up and load you choose.

And as far as $$$ get what you can afford from a reputable brand. Guns are a great investment. If you take care of them they will normally be worth more than you paid in a few years. That's what I tell my fiancé anyway.