Beginner Gun

[Arin]

I'll be going my first gun hunt this year and was thinking about a gun.. I was thinking about a 20 gauge model 870 express combo.. I'll probably be hunting a little bit of everything except bear.. Any suggestions or informative websites for beginners?

[funebonz880]

Thats a pretty good beginner gun. I would definetly recommend it. I love my 20 gauge 870. In my opinion its the best all around gun.

[Steven Arend]

If your think about the Rem.870 I'd go with the 12ga. with the change out chokes and a slug barrel, not the 20ga. I have the 20 and the 12 and use the 12ga more. You can use it for Deer, Bird hunting, and Rabbit. I use the 20ga for squirrel.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

I second Steve's opinion. See if you can borrow one of each (or hit your local range) and compare 'em side by side. I think you'll be surprised at how 'shootable' a 12 really is. It offers a lot more versatility in loads, especially if you have to purchase off-the-shelf at a small local store.

[kbkrause]

Not sure your age or your frame, but I would also consider the 12 ga. I love my 870 Express. I've also added a rifled barrel if I need to go after deer in the shot gun zone. I've had it for 10 years now and used it pretty good and it has performed well. I really dont see much of a need for 3 1/2 in shells, so the reg 870 express would do you fine.

I did win a 20 ga youth express this year, would is going to make a nice grouse gun...:) :) :)

[NATTY BUMPO]

A REM 870 Express in either 12 or 20 is an excellent first gun. A "Name Brand" thats cheap, tuff as a boot and simple to repair. Versatile with the REM chokes and various barrel choices. 12 or 20 depends depends on what you want to hunt with it. A 20 ga 870 is my "back up gun" for bird hunting Up North. It'll probably go to one of my grandsons one of these days. :lol: :lol:

Natty B.

[GROUSEMAN]

Arin,

My experience with the 12 ga 870 express hasn't been as good as the others. Several years ago some friends and I bought them for turkey hunting and zone 3 deer hunting. They did not shoot slugs well at all (standard barrel with rifled choke) and threw poor patterns with turkey loads. At the time we heard that remington was having a problem with the express, hopefully it has been corrected. The gun is also quite heavy and some folks never master the pump action for bird hunting. You need to consider your size and what type of hunting you plan to do the majority of the time.

Grouseman

[rzdrmh]

my brother bought an 870 express with a rifled barrel last year from cabelas for $330. shoots great - its a great gun. he gets a very tight pattern (3 inch groups) at 100 yards with a winchester sabot. i'd recommend the 12 gauge as well.

i've got to say, though.. if you're looking at that gun - check out Dick's sporting goods. (we've got one in lansing). i bought my 223 there at an excellent price, and last fall, after my brother bought his from cabelas, i checked dick's, and they had an 870, same gun, with a rifled barrel AND a smooth bore, for $319. they just seem to have great deals. where ever you decide to go, you'd better go quick - in another few weeks you won't find an 870 on the shelves.

[NATTY BUMPO]

Arin,

My experience with the 12 ga 870 express hasn't been as good as the others. Several years ago some friends and I bought them for turkey hunting and zone 3 deer hunting. They did not shoot slugs well at all (standard barrel with rifled choke) and threw poor patterns with turkey loads. At the time we heard that remington was having a problem with the express, hopefully it has been corrected. The gun is also quite heavy and some folks never master the pump action for bird hunting. You need to consider your size and what type of hunting you plan to do the majority of the time.

Grouseman

I will have to disagree with the above post. The topic of this thread was "Beginners Gun". A proper turkey gun or slug gun are rather specialised pieces of ordinance. A Rem 870 Super Mag can be made into one of the very best turkey guns extant - with the proper chokes, turkey loads and some sort of adjustable sights. And with some range time at the patterning board to find out what works best in your gun. And you won't find this information on the internet- you're going to have to do the work yourself.

[ShallowRio]

and they didn't teach spellin, lol
For a first gun I still believe a single shot is best. It will teach you to depend on the most important shot, the first one. I know a person thinks they can do that anyway but back in the 70's when I started out and we had a lot of Phesants. I started out with a JC HIGGINS single shot 16 gu. into the season my Dad gave me his Ithica 37. After one day in the field I went back to the single shot, I never missed with it.
Now days my Daughter has a Russian made single with interchangeable choke tubes and a vent rib barrel. I made a scope mount that screws on the solid part of the rib and in the spring with a full choke its one heck of a nice lite Turkey gun. In the fall a improved cylinder tube makes it a great slug shooter.
And it looks cool, A second shot is never as important as a first.

[tony_1]

Got the BPS ad for their hunting expo sale. Price was $349.99 after mail-in rebate. Sale run 21-29 of August I think.

[WALLEYEvision]

...I'd go with the 12ga. 870 with the change out chokes and a slug barrel, not the 20ga...

I've had a 12 ga. 870 Express with slug barrel for about 20 years. It's a great 1st shotgun and I still use mine today.

[Randy Kidd]

Ditto on the 870 Express 12 gauge with the rifled slug barrel combo, There are millions of them out there so parts are easy to find (if you ever need them) Scads of aftermarket stuff for them. You don't have to "baby" it. You can beat it up pretty good and it still works great. Mine shoots Lightfield 2 3/4 sabots like a rifle, 2 inch groups without really trying at 100 yards. If you want to scope it, try the B-Square receiver mount. I have had one for 4 years now, It does not lose zero, does not shake loose. and at 40 bucks a steal.

[baitholder]

i own both, for deer the 12 ga. 2 3/4" for more knock down power , rifled slug barrel is better than 3" , it patterned better for me.
rabbit , grouse , squirrell 20 ga. because your up close .
pheasants on the other hand now since most of them are runners you need more butt in your punch 12 ga.

if i had to choose one for my first gun i'd go 12ga. with rem chokes and rifled slug barrel.

imp. cyl. for r,g lite load shell
mod for squirrell med ,heavy load shell
mod or full for pheasants heavy load
6 shot is a good pattern for me
just remember 12 ga. is gonna kick pretty good with slugs
for deer just take your time , pick a spot , and squeeze the trigger DON'T PULL IT. 1 well placed shot in the boiler room will take him down in a hurry
good luck and just practice to get to know your gun.

[kbkrause]

FYI Bass Pro has a sale going through the 29 and it has a Remington Express 870 (12 or 20 guage) with the smooth and rifled barrel for $349.88

[trout]

Buy a single shot.
Normally lighter to carry and you'll make the shot count or you'll wish you did.
Easier on the wallet or purse strings too.
Or buy a good semi auto easier on the shoulder than a pump or single shot.
12ga. will offer better kill ratios for the starting gunner.

[Rudi's Dad]

I bought my son a 3" 870 12ga express from Kmart a number of yrs ago. Still uses it and it was a whopping $199. We bought the extra choke tubes and its been on several trips and even to the skeet/trap range. IF you arent a youngster or a small stature, a 12ga is ok, a little heavier but more versitile. Good safe gun for you in either gauge, just get the remchokes and have a ball.

[Eastern Yooper]

I personally don't care for the single-shots that have the exposed hammer and no safety. IMO they are bulky, and somewhat more dangerous because of the hammer.

Here's a brand new single-shot from Spartan Gun Works, which is made by Remington Arms. Co. This has a concealed hammer, a cross-bolt safety, 2 3/4 & 3" chamber. MSRP is $97.00

http://www.spartangunworks.com/single_shot.htm

Between this and the 870 Express, I don't think you can go wrong when it comes to a starter gun.

[Hawker]

I'm not a hunter who likes to tinker. Once a gun is set up well for a particular kind of game, I want to leave it be. I also don't much care for the compromises you face trying to find a good all around gun, especially when inexpensive specialty guns are readily available. I have a H&R 20 ga. "ultra-slug" for deer ($199). That gun shoots incredible groups at 100 yards and I don't have to worry about swapping out barrels and optics. My 20ga. Charles Daly semi-auto ($199 at Walmart 2 years ago) was originally bought as my first gun and intended as an "all-arounder." Then I dropped a gobbler with it at 36 yards this past April. Many would have considered that an unlikely distance for a 20ga., but the right load makes the gun. I could continue to use that CD for rabbits and upland, but it's set up so beautifully for turkey I will probably just buy a single shot 20ga. smoothbore for small game. Why not when I know I can get one for under $150, maybe under $100?

Yes, I shoot all 20ga.'s As a new shooter, I developed a flinching problem shooting borrowed 12 ga. pumps. One was an 870 I used to qualify for a Metropark hunt that bashed me black and blue. I've been so successful with the 20's, I see no reason to shoot a 12 ga.

[rzdrmh]

I personally don't care for the single-shots that have the exposed hammer and no safety. IMO they are bulky, and somewhat more dangerous because of the hammer.

Here's a brand new single-shot from Spartan Gun Works, which is made by Remington Arms. Co. This has a concealed hammer, a cross-bolt safety, 2 3/4 & 3" chamber. MSRP is $97.00

http://www.spartangunworks.com/single_shot.htm

Between this and the 870 Express, I don't think you can go wrong when it comes to a starter gun.

EY - i have to respectfully disagree with you on the subject of single shots. i'm not sure what type you're used to, but...

i have a NEF/H&R 12 ga. slug gun, single shot, and a NEF/H&R .223 rifle - both are my favorite guns. extremely accurate, lightweight, short barrels for getting around in the woods. both have exposed hammers.

HOWEVER - the NEF/H&R shotguns, while having an exposed hammer, are extremely safe. there is a "transfer bar" mechanism that drops while the hammer is at rest, ensuring that the hammer is in no way making contact with the firing pin. when the hammer is pulled back, the transfer bar rises to a position directly between the hammer and pin. in this position, if you simply trip the trigger, the transfer bar will fall before the hammer can come in contact with it, and thus, the gun doesn't fire. to fire the gun, you must pull the trigger and remain squeezing it until the hammer hits the transfer bar, which in turn, strikes the pin and fires the gun. now, this isn't really a conscious action - it all happens quickly when you intentionally fire the gun, but it does safeguard against accidently tripping the trigger.

the big point is that you never have to worry when the hammer is at rest - no making sure the gun is on safety or not, it simply CANNOT fire. in my opinion, this makes it SAFER than hammerless shotguns. with a hammerless, if that safety's off, you can fire that gun.

now, my father-in-law doesn't like a hammer gun because when you're using a scope, you have to get fairly tall rings, and that's not what he's used to. that's fine.

but for the guy that gets in a tree stand on opening day, and plans on being there for a while holding his shotgun, there's not a more comfortable, accurate gun than the NEF/H&R single shot slugger.

for the price, these guns are worth their weight in gold. they make great beginner, intermediate, and advanced guns.

i will agree - the spartan guns by remington are great guns, though..