shotgun for under $500

[VastRWCon]

First shotgun purchase need some freeper help. I am looking to buy my first shotgun but dont really have a clue on brands/quality. I plan on using it mostly for skeet/trap shooting, probably not for hunting, also for some fire power at home. Also have a 12 year old daughter that I will be taking out to the range. All suggestions will be much appreciated!

[stylin_geek]

Plain jane model 870 Remington. Reliable and rugged and won't break the bankbook.

[JimBianchi11]

You can get a great used Remington 870 for under $250. (I have no clue what they cost new) In a short barrel, there is no better home defense weapon.

If you are quick and very good, you could shoot clay pigeons with it.

I know I could hit clay all day with mine, but it would scare the heck out of anyone standing close by.

You got to hit them almost as soon as they come out!!

But seriously, ther are several very good shotgun with multible barrels out there that would work well.

For home defense, the 870 is king.

[PzLdr]

t skeet and trap guns are 12 gage. You probably won't be able to come in under $500 on a good semi-auto, which you probably want for your 12 yr. old [less recoil]. 12's a bear for a kid with a pump. You can look for a 20 gage, but most trap and skeet guns are 12s. A good trap or skeet gun will usually be on the other side of a grand. Many are over and unders.

That being said, you can get a Benelli Nova with recoil system built in for around $500. Remington 870 pumps are even cheaper. I'm not sure what the street price on a Browning is, but a pump is less than $500 [I think}. Semis will run you at least six, more likely eight hundred. Plus, you need a gun that swings easily and points well [for skeet and trap].Barrel length should be 28-30" [too long for a home defense gun].

I would suggest you prioritize what you want the gun for, how much your daughter is going to shoot it and go from there.

[26lemoncharlie]

My first shotgun was from Sears Roebuck! If I remember correctly it was @$100.00. I still have it, looks great and shoots great. 12 guage pump, shoots up to a 3in Magnum. Works great for me. Keep it clean and well lubricated.

Use it for small game, rabbit. pheasant, etc. Have also used it for White Tail Dear, using slugs. This was in Virginia and Rifles were not allowed in that area. Of course it's very easy to get an Irish setter confused with Deer in Virginia! Some of those great deer hunters we all know hunt that breed of deer with rope burns around their neck!!

[HairOfTheDog]

Shotguns really have to be fitted to be accurately shouldered and aimed for skeet and trap. The same gun that fits you will not fit your 12 year old daughter, unless you are the same size.

And, consider a 20 guage... just as effective on skeet and trap, and you can shoot a couple boxes of ammo in an evening shoot without leaving you with a sore shoulder.

[claudiustg]

A Remington 1100 would be easier for your daughter to handle, less recoil.

[Horatio Gates]

Shotgun ping

[Travis McGee]

BANG!

[Marauder]

I'm also in the 12 gauge 870 crowd. I found mine for $100 but the barrel turned out to be bent, right at the 18" spot, so it's a riot gun now. Extended mag, etc. The only way it can be called a game gun is if terrorists are a protected species.

Get your daughter a 20 gauge, if she's big enough, .410 if not.

[VastRWCon]

nice thanks, anything in a semi-auto that you would suggest?

[VastRWCon]

nice thanks, anything in a semi-auto that you would suggest?

[claudiustg]

And an automatic like the 1100 would be more suitable for trap or skeet. 12 gauge, 28 inch barrel, screw in chokes.

[packrat01]

for under $500, get TWO Remington 870s. One a 20" barreled ugly black plastic stocked eeevil shortgun, and a longer barreled wooden-stocked plain jane.

[Travis McGee]

For sure, get a 12 guage. You can buy "low recoil" loads if recoil is a problem for your daughter, and you can use full power loads. I'd recommend a pump action from one of the major brands.

[satchmodog9]

http://www.shotgunworld.com/

[VastRWCon]

You freepers are GREAT, AMAZING! Wow, all your responses so fast this is awesome! THANKS TO EVERYONE!

[VastRWCon]

Does the 1100 have less recoil then the 870? Also, 20 gauge would be more appropriate for a 12 year old than a 12 or 16 gauge?

[Squantos]

Remington Marine Magnum......

450 Bucks or less if ya have a FFL Gunslinger Friend. It's all ya need for multipurpose self defense as is yet I added ghost ring sights and a reciever rail for my old PVS 4 night vision scope. Good night fighter tool when accessorized with 3 large Rottweillers....

[shag377]

There are two big schools of thought, but I will say this.

GO with a 12 gauge. You can buy or reload shells that will not pack enough kick to hurt your 12 yr old daughter, and besides, if you are going to the range, you don't want to slam yourself with it.

Secondly, you have two options: pump or auto. The pump is cheaper, easier to clean, and simpler to operate and repair jams. The drawback: harsher recoil.

The auto is more expensive, a bit more challenging to clean (more moving parts) and jams can be a bit more difficult to work around. On the other hand, the recoil is reduced even with less powder shells but you take the chance of loosing the energy to eject spent hulls.

Regardless, for a 500 dollar price tag, a Remington 870 or 1100 is the way to go. You can find them at WalMart, pawn shop or gun store. Be wary of used guns unless you have a gunsmith to take it to and have it thoroughly checked over or if you know what you are doing when you select one.