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What should I do with my shotgun?

1K views 17 replies 14 participants last post by  kbd512 
#1 ·
I did varminting and target shooting with rifles as a kid. 10 year period, not much but plinking, then rediscovered hunting and made up for a lot of lost time. Rifles are my "first love".

I bought a Remington 870 12 ga with a rifled barrel and a field barrel. Primarily used the shotgun to shoot sabots at deer. Recoil is stout. Definitely not a range toy. Since this time, the laws have changed and my firearms collection has blossomed. I dont use my shotgun anymore because I can use pistol caliber rifles now.

My range doesnt allow lead shot, and basically my shotgun has been idle for 4 years or so.

I'm thinking about selling my shotgun, or maybe just the rifled barrel and sabots. What holds me back are the words someone (maybe even here?) said: "Never lose a capability."

So from the older and wiser crowd, what's your recommendation?:
Keep it all
Sell it all
Sell just the rifled barrel and sabots

If I sell it, I still have 2 decent deer legal rifles. I have 4 sons. 1 to 3 of them I can see hunting (at least a few times) in a few years. If I sold everything, and had to rebuy a shotgun down the road, I'd go with a 20ga. The 12ga doesnt do a lot for me but create bruise marks.
 
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#2 ·
I have sold many guns that I wanted when I bought them but sold after my needs or interests changed. Its not a big deal, its a common shotgun, you could always buy another if you felt a burning need to do so.
 
#3 ·
Personally, I would keep it. Maybe sell the rifled barrel if you are sure you will never have a use for it, but I would keep it too.

I agree with you about the 20 gauge. But if I were to have only one shotgun, it would be a 12. It's easy to make a 12 act like a 20, not so much to make a 20 act like a 12.
 
#4 ·
I was mad at my dad for many years because he didn't pass down the 870 12 ga., I finally forgave him when I bought one a few years ago. Yes, they do have a stiff recoil, especially if you don't hold it tight to your shoulder, but in spite of that, I'm glad I own one and have used it a few times for taking care of skunks. Should be great for wild turkey or other game birds, presently its set up for a defensive weapon with an extended magazine. I'd tell you to keep your 870, but that's just because of my experience. I'll be turning 75 soon, that doesn't mean I'm any wiser, but I do sorry for a few firearms I no longer own. Just think it over, balance out the positives and negatives of keeping it and make the decision as to what you think is the best thing to do.
 
#5 · (Edited)
personally, unless you are in huge bind for money, or have something else you would much rather have to replace it, i'd hang on to it.

too many guns in the past that i regret getting rid of. so it's real hard for me to let go of one, even if i very seldom shoot it.
 
#8 ·
Thanks guys. I'll hold on to everything for now. Realistically with my stack of sabot boxes and barrel, MAYBE I get $100.

If I need another hunting tool to take my boys out someday, $100 won't buy anything better to use.

When the kids are older and I know there won't be a need for the rifled barrel, I can sell it then. I have a friend who'd like to try turkey hunting. I might as well keep the shotgun in case he gets serious and wants someone to tag along.
 
#9 · (Edited)
The Remington 870 platform can be pretty flexable, its very easy to swap barrels, replacing the stocks isnt that bad, as for the recoil, it wouldnt hurt to replace that recoil pad with a better type, Brownells has a very good selection as a cheaper alternative to backboreing the barrel or lengthining the forcing cone.
Also there are several upgrade kits.

10 STEPS TO UPGRADE YOUR REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS TO POLICE VERSION

http://www.rem870.com/2013/08/13/10-steps-to-upgrade-your-remington-870-express-to-police-version-2/

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ington-870-11-87-1100-7600-7400-750-2-to-4-lb

http://www.rem870.com/2012/10/17/10-must-have-upgrades-for-your-remington-870-shotgun-2/

I think a shotgun you feel connected to and in a configuration that (fits well and you feel connected to) just shooter might find more reasons to use that ergonomic shotgun.
Upland game, partridge, dove, turkey, waterfowl, the shotgun can be rather amazing tool once you get a handle for shooting one.
Of course shooting a scatter gun takes a dynamic shift in thinking how you shoot, in a way its kinda liberating, kinda like the diffrencee between Boxers and Briefs. :D
 
#13 ·
personally, unless you are in huge bind for money, or have something else you would much rather have to replace it, i'd hang on to it.

too many guns in the past that i regret getting rid of. so it's real hard for me to let go of one, even if i very seldom shoot it.
Amen to that. I've sold several guns over the years and there are a few that I regret selling now.
 
#15 ·
ok, I got a like for what I said. great. but no response! oh well.
No offense was intended I live in Ohio. I have four young kids I'm the primary caregiver for. it just won't be happening in the near future because of money and Logistics. I figured this was too much information and just went with the like as a sign of appreciation and acknowledgement. No offense intended.
 
#16 · (Edited)
none taken.
just never back from ya.
just doin' my job to make sure everyone hears about the ftf shoot.
61,000+ members, yet only 10+ come and it tends to be the same 10.
so my work is cut out for me.
that's all.
 
#17 ·
I did varminting and target shooting with rifles as a kid. 10 year period, not much but plinking, then rediscovered hunting and made up for a lot of lost time. Rifles are my "first love".

I bought a Remington 870 12 ga with a rifled barrel and a field barrel. Primarily used the shotgun to shoot sabots at deer. Recoil is stout. Definitely not a range toy. Since this time, the laws have changed and my firearms collection has blossomed. I dont use my shotgun anymore because I can use pistol caliber rifles now.

My range doesnt allow lead shot, and basically my shotgun has been idle for 4 years or so.

I'm thinking about selling my shotgun, or maybe just the rifled barrel and sabots. What holds me back are the words someone (maybe even here?) said: "Never lose a capability."

So from the older and wiser crowd, what's your recommendation?:
Keep it all
Sell it all
Sell just the rifled barrel and sabots

If I sell it, I still have 2 decent deer legal rifles. I have 4 sons. 1 to 3 of them I can see hunting (at least a few times) in a few years. If I sold everything, and had to rebuy a shotgun down the road, I'd go with a 20ga. The 12ga doesnt do a lot for me but create bruise marks.
What model barrel is it. Wingmaster or express?
 
#18 ·
I have an 870 Police Magnum that I don't use too often now that we live a ways away from the outdoor ranges. The cost of the buckshot and slugs that the indoor range permits is what causes that gun to stay home more often than not. It's just not economical for volume shooting. Even so, I paid a pretty penny for the configuration I wanted, I still shoot it every so often, and won't sell it because it cycles everything I've fed it.

If your 12 gauge generates too much recoil, then sell it and buy a 20 gauge. A gun that you can't shoot well or won't shoot at all is an expensive paperweight, so find a shotgun that you like to shoot and get that to replace the 12 gauge. If you have no desire to shoot shotguns, then sell it and get whatever it is that you really want.
 
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