Gun peoples: first shotgun.

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

I prefer the Benelli Supernova. Very slick pump action. Nicely made. Pleasing to the eyes.

He said he wants to spend less than $500.

Mossberg is great. When I bought mine, it came with two barrels, one of which is 18.5", great for home defense. It also has a 28" barrel for hunting. I don't know what you're hunting, but the barrel can be changed very easily. You can keep the short barrel on at home, then put the long barrel on whenever you go hunting. And it's cheap. Mine has lasted many years.

[fnfalman]

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

He said he wants to spend less than $500.

Mossberg is great. When I bought mine, it came with two barrels, one of which is 18.5", great for home defense. It also has a 28" barrel for hunting. I don't know what you're hunting, but the barrel can be changed very easily. You can keep the short barrel on at home, then put the long barrel on whenever you go hunting. And it's cheap. Mine has lasted many years.

The Supernova is easily under $500. Unlike American pump guns, they don't have the rattling pump/fore end which I utterly detest in Mossberg and Remington. I briefly had a Mossy 590. The only cool thing about it was the bayonet lug. And the ghost ring sighting system. So there were two cool things about it.

[Rider]

I have to go with the Browning BPS because they are one of the very few that eject the shell from the bottom. Being left handed is a pain in the ass when it comes to guns of any kind.

[nhgunnut]

Originally Posted by Rider

I have to go with the Browning BPS because they are one of the very few that eject the shell from the bottom. Being left handed is a pain in the ass when it comes to guns of any kind.

The old Ithaca Model 37 was a bottom dumper and therre a couple of chinese clones of them you can grab for under 200. I am not sure where the orginal poster is from but if used is an option check around for poice trade ins I have a friend whose shop just moved of a bucnh of 20 inch 8 round pump guns for 125 each he took in trade when he outfitted a local Dept

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

The Supernova is easily under $500. Unlike American pump guns, they don't have the rattling pump/fore end which I utterly detest in Mossberg and Remington. I briefly had a Mossy 590. The only cool thing about it was the bayonet lug. And the ghost ring sighting system. So there were two cool things about it.

That's cool. I see the word Benelli and I instantly think $1200.

[ericr]

Mossberg 500 is probably the best, most durable for your money on a lower end shotgun w/ interchangable choke barrels. I've had 2 for over 15+ years and never had a problem with them. There are better/nicer/fancier guns out there but you pay for it.

BTW, if you're planning on using slugs for hunting (I'm assuming deer hunting?), a 12 ga shotgun slug will travel farther than a 30 cal. rifle bullet if at the correct angle etc. Someone finally put the myth to rest and documented it...slugs have so much mass they will go farther at a slower speed. Just FYI.

[Dragonpaco]

you can get a rifled slug barrel. i've been using the same barrel on my 12 ga since i got it for buckshot and slugs and i never had a problem

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by Triple

Do you remember the model you purchased? Can the chokes be changed easily to alter the spread pattern for different game?

Can a 12-gauge shotgun shoot any kind of load so long as it comes in a 12-gauge shell? Or are modifications necessary to swap from shot to slugs, etc.?

Sorry, I didn't read through the entire thread. I have the Mossberg 500A and got it 19 years ago for my 16th birthday. The particular barrels I have don't accept screw in chokes, but that's not a concern to me as I don't hunt turkey or waterfowl. However, Mossberg does sell additional barrels. There is no modification necessary for changing from shot to slug, with the exception of removing the choke if you have one on the barrel. Take a look at www.mossberg.com to see what all they offer.

[Krabill]

Yet another vote for the Mossberg. Mine was cheap, came with three different chokes that are a piece of cake to change out, and has yet to fail me. Partridge, rabbits, and skeet have all seen the wrong end of it.

[Krabill]

Slug.