http://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45?blend=1&ob=4#g/u

Check out this guy's videos. Help a whole lot.

ttocs14;730461 wrote:Not sure how many gun owners are on here, but I know there are at least a few.

I'm looking in to buying a 12ga shotgun and I think I have it narrowed down to three choices:
Remington 870
Mossberg 500
Benelli Nova

Just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with these guns...any pros/cons?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHAEvbf_I4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ioLoNPD5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PayIIIOeIs

tk421;730757 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHAEvbf_I4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ioLoNPD5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PayIIIOeIs

His videos are good for a beginner. I am not a fan of his stance on rifled barrels

After handling both I think I prefer the 870 over the 500, but I'm leaning towards the Benelli Nova. It has a rotating bolt thats supposed to eject shells better than other guns. It seems to be a pretty balanced gun that can work in a lot of areas, but most importantly, I felt more comfortable holding it than the others.

Have you found a place that will let you test fire them before you buy?

password;730898 wrote:Have you found a place that will let you test fire them before you buy?

I did a quick look for certified Benelli dealers and believe there is a place in Delaware, and a small store closer to my home that will let you do a "try before you buy."

ttocs14;730902 wrote:I did a quick look for certified Benelli dealers and believe there is a place in Delaware, and a small store closer to my home that will let you do a "try before you buy."

Good luck with your choice. As long as you are happy with the gun you end up buying, that is all that matters.

ttocs14;730902 wrote:I did a quick look for certified Benelli dealers and believe there is a place in Delaware, and a small store closer to my home that will let you do a "try before you buy."

Blackwing in delaware?

password;730907 wrote:Good luck with your choice. As long as you are happy with the gun you end up buying, that is all that matters.

Exactly, and I will add that a shotgun (as you probably know already) is like any other gun, or anything else you buy for that matter...if you take care of them properly, they will last you a long time. I've had Mossbergs, Remington's and Winchester's in my lifetime and I prefer my Winchester 16 gauge. It's very old and they quit making them probably over 20 years ago. But I've had very good experiences with both Remington and Mossberg guns. The gun I've deer hunted with the past 11 years is a Mossberg 20 gauge. Taking some time to sight it in, I feel comfortably shooting a slug up to 100 yards with it and have killed two deer in that time from that far away with it. They are certainly "cheaper" than other guns, but IMO if you keep them stored properly and clean them routinely, they are a very dependable gun.

LJ;730908 wrote:Blackwing in delaware?

Yes. I've never been there and I could be wrong...just looked like it from their website, and figured that since they have a range you would atleast be able to fire from their used gun selection.

ttocs14;730913 wrote:Yes. I've never been there and I could be wrong...just looked like it from their website, and figured that since they have a range you would atleast be able to fire from their used gun selection.

You never know with those guys

Have a Remington 870 Express, got it about 5 years ago and have used it for Rabbit, as well as using the rifled slug barrel for deer. It delivered a 12-gauge magnum shell pretty good I must say, have never had any issues. With how busy I am now haven't been out hunting for a couple years now, and just use it for home defense. Great gun.

Red_Skin_Pride;730912 wrote:Exactly, and I will add that a shotgun (as you probably know already) is like any other gun, or anything else you buy for that matter...if you take care of them properly, they will last you a long time. I've had Mossbergs, Remington's and Winchester's in my lifetime and I prefer my Winchester 16 gauge. It's very old and they quit making them probably over 20 years ago. But I've had very good experiences with both Remington and Mossberg guns. The gun I've deer hunted with the past 11 years is a Mossberg 20 gauge. Taking some time to sight it in, I feel comfortably shooting a slug up to 100 yards with it and have killed two deer in that time from that far away with it. They are certainly "cheaper" than other guns, but IMO if you keep them stored properly and clean them routinely, they are a very dependable gun.

The winchester is the only shotgun my dad will use for deer hunting, he owns quite a few other brands of shotguns but swears by his Winchester when deer season comes along. I agree that you must take care of your guns and and always store them properly for them to last or you are asking for problems when you get out in the woods. Regardless of how expensive of shotgun you have, it isn't worth crap if you abuse it and won't fire properly. I am a firm believer in trying to keep my guns in excellent condition, I see guys that just toss their gun down on the ground when the are taking a break from hunting or when target practicing at the club you have guys that will just lay their guns down on the bench when not shooting with nothing between their gun and the wood of the benches, then after awhile they have scratches and the bluing is starting to wear off and they want to bitch about the bad job the manufacturer did bluing their gun.

LJ;730916 wrote:You never know with those guys

Pricks there?

I hunt with either my dads 870 Express 12 GA or my old 870 express youth 20 ga. (still like how light it is) If your choice is between the 870 and the 500 I chose the Remington. I don't care much for Mossburgs but that's me. Never shot a Benelli but sometimes use a Winchester 1300. I like it too. Came really close to finally buying my own 870 12 ga today at a flea market. Still wish i would have.

Mossberg 500. There's a reason police, SWAT, and military use them. There's 2 in this house.

ttocs14;730923 wrote:Pricks there?

You just never know how they are going to act. They have had a lot of shit go down lately. Place was robbed about a year ago, then they had an employee who stole about 100k worth of guns, safes, cash and so on from them over the course of a few years.