Opinions Wanted on Shotgun

[Daltex1]

I am loooking at purchasing a shotgun this weekend, I was wondering if anyone has or ever has shot a smith and wesson shotgun. I am a smith and wesson guy and really have not seen much on these shotguns.All input is greatly appreciated. I am wanting a 12 gauge 2 3/4 or 3" either double barrel sxs, or autoloader, maybe even a pump.Not really committed on any particular I am just looking for a replacement that I traded a few weeks ago.

[Mr.Scott]

I can't say much about S&W shotguns as I wasn't aware they made shotguns.

What is the gun going to be used for? hunting, skeet, home defense?

[longtooth]

I owned one way back in my squirrel hunting days. Awsome squirrel gun. Never even held a shorty though.

[fm2]

I'd suggest getting a Winchester 1300. Then replace the brass bead with a tru glo fat dot bead. The FN shotguns are very durable as well.

[Daltex1]

Shotgun will be used for hunting, home defense and just good ole clay shootin, basically what a shotgun is for.LOL!

[mr surveyor]

If you're still flexible in the joints and have good reflexes, then a Remington 870 Wingmaster would be ideal. Get the 20 inch "Turkey" barrel for "around the house", and 24 or 26 for birds, small game, clays, and a slug barrel if you want a 100-200 yard deer getter.

They just don't get any more versitle than the 870. (Note that I did NOT recommend the 870 Express)

[tboesche]

Surveyor is right. Get an 870. I have a wingmaster that my dad bougt way back in 1970 or so. Great shooting shotgun.

[Mike1951]

I wasn't excited about S&W shotguns the last time they tried to offer them (back in the 70's, 80's??) and I'm not excited about the current offerings either.

There would be so many good shotguns ahead of the S&W that I could look for weeks without looking at S&W.

You don't mention what type action you want but you mention hunting, skeet, and home defense.

The only way this is gonna work if to have separate barrels that you can change out.

While I heartily agree that the 870 Wingmaster is light years better than the Express, I think you need to also research the price of additional barrels and the best price won't be from the manufacturer.

[Daltex1]

So if I wanted the versatility of being able to shoot deer with it the 870 is the way to go? Do they (remington) make a good side by side that would serve this purpose? I may be a little on the "dumb" side when it comes to shotguns, but do they make Rifled barrels? Also what about the wingmaster what is the diffrence between it and the "express"?I really would like to keep the price around 300 to 400.

[mr surveyor]

I currently have only 2 SxS guns, and neither would be useful for all around uses you mentioned. Although my 20-1/2 inch Larona double 20 was actually made for upland birding, it really won't reach out and get the 40 yard dove shots. It's fine for "up close and personal", but not much more. I have a CZ double 12, 26 inch, that's great for birds, but would NOT be much good in close quarters. The specs do say a mild dose of buck shot won't damage the barrels, I don't plan to try.

Double guns, particularly SxS, have a certain asthetic appeal, but are not the end all, do all when it comes to smooth bores.

[Mike1951]

To do what you want within your budget falls back to the 870 Express.

They can be found on sale at Academy and Wal-Mart and others for barely over $200.

You will have a choice of 26" or 28" barrels and the barrel with accept Remington's screw-in choke tubes.

Midway has a Mossberg made 870 barrel, 18 1/2", cyl-bore, with bead front sight for $99.95 and you have your home defense model.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=958340

If you decided later on to use it for deer, Mossberg does make a 24" rifled barrel with iron sights to fit the 870.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=197028

This is the matte finish that would match the Express and runs $152.99. It is a special order item.

The blued version is in stock for am additional $20.

But with the Express, Mossberg 18 1/2" barrel, and an extra choke tube or two, you can handle hunting, skeet, and home defense for not much more than $300.

BTW, the Wingmaster is a finely finished, smoothly operating, joy to shoot.

The Express has had every bit of cost saving applied that could be. The action, new, is rough but should smooth out. The finish is a matte finish compared to fine blueing and the stocks are either synthetic or made of the cheapest, plainest wood available. Still, the Express functions and is quite a value at the normally discounted price.

[Skiprr]

Ideally, you want to pick your shotgun for its purpose.

A good birder is not a good self-defense firearm.

For defense, you want a barrel no longer than 18", and you want a mag tube extension.

The longer the barrel, the easier it is for a bad guy to take it away from you; and the harder it is to bring on-target quickly in close quarters.

[smyrna]

Good advice so far. The only thing I would add is this...you didn't mention if you would be buying new or not. I assume since you mentioned S&W shotguns you were considering used as I don't think they offer anything new right now (could be wrong though).

In any case, if used is an option, check out your local pawn shops...The utilitarian pumps mentioned here, 870 Wingmaster or Express, Winchester 1300 (or 1200 or 120...earlier versions of 1300), or even Mossberg 500s tend to be plentiful in every shop I frequent. Plenty of add ons are available for these models to build up a home defense gun. Usually the pawnbroker can sell these cheap because they are so plentiful. I once bought a 12 gauge Winchester 120 (earlier version of the 1300) that I watched for several weeks at a pawn shop and less than $100 later I walked out with it. I watched it for weeks and knew I could get it cheap if I was patient. Pawnbrokers will deal when they have too many utiliatrian type guns...they don't have much in them and can't afford to let them sit like a Winchester model 12 for example.

Besides that, I like the feeling of leaving a pawnshop like I stole something. Sometimes the chain stores just don't have a clue what they have. YMMV

[Daltex1]

I am going the used route, Their is a pawnshop over here in Garland and I swear the guy has over 75 shotguns! Thanx to all.

[CompVest]

Make certain the barrel is threaded for interchangeable chokes especially if you are going to use it for more then one purpose..