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Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:08 am
by Spells
My HD defense options are limited until Heller works it's way through the bigger cities, and I was considering a 12 ga shotgun. At a gun store with a rather uncooperative sales guy, I asked about the benefits of purchasing a used shotgun (which he does not carry, and this may have been the problem). He said they are rugged and last forever, so buying new makes more sense. Well, if they're rugged and last forever, doing the opposite makes more sense, it seemed to me.

Does picking up a used shotgun from someplace like CDNN make sense, or would that be a mistake? I am looking for a general purpose pump shotgun with home defense as the primary consideration.

TIA

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:18 am
by mekender
either of the models you listed will shoot more rounds than you can afford in your lifetime... cant go wrong with either...

personal preference is the remington because of where the safety is located compared to the mossberg

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:45 am
by First Shirt
My preference is for the Mossberg, mainly because of where the safety is located. Being a lefty, the tang safety makes more sense to me, and is easier to find in the dark. The downside is that it doesn't lend itself as well to a pistol-grip buttstock.

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:55 pm
by SeekHer
Get a good, short barreled double shotgun, called a "Coach Gun" or a "Lupara" like the Sicilian Mafia guys always carried...lot handier even with same size barrels because the receiver is that much shorter, has instant choice of choke or shot preference, with exposed hammers you can keep it loaded with no spring tension, hammers act as a visual check to see if it is safe and you can feel their position in the dark, with practice you can reload quite quickly--check out some of the Cowboy Action meets to see real speed and the design really hasn't changed in over 200 years--why mess with perfection?

Image

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:11 pm
by HTRN
My money goes to the 870 - you can buy a riot barrel length model from CDNN for $200 bucks or so.


HTRN

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:27 pm
by SeekHer
Oh, and I forgot, buying used is probably the best way to go and so long as the springs, triggers and firing pins/hammer(s) work that's all that matters...Any well made "modern" (within 60 years) shotgun's steel will be good enough to withstand a million rounds or more so I don't think you will or the previous owner(s) ever had harmed it...Mild surface rust can be easily taken care of with some steel wool and oil, minor dings and scratches to the stock can be steamed out or filled with putty (although I believe they add character to the gun) and they will, of course, lessen the asking price...

Buying new is nice as it gives you a warranty but if the gun doesn't break within 5 to 10 trips to the range then it probably won't after the 100th visit either so other then the pride of showing off a pristine gun and bragging of how much extra you paid for it, buying new isn't the way to go! Had you wanted a newly released model instead of ones that have literally millions of each out that would be a different scenario and you would no other choice then to buy new...

Both are good shotguns...Mossberg also has the 590 but there are other makers out there that you can get good deals on...Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, Benelli, Franchi, Winchester--I'm partial to the first two although I really do hate pumps...If you're a lefty then the variety is very limited but that's why downward ejection is so nice, no husks flying past your nose and much easier to collect afterwards...

If you don’t like recoil so much there is always the semi auto that will use some of the spent gases to recycle the bolt for you…All but Mossberg & Ithaca, of the major makers make semis…

One thing to really consider is stock fit--actually it is the major thing to consider...Shoulder the various guns and the one that fits you the best is the one to buy…it’s amazing what a silly little millimeter will do to the fit of a gun…If it fits better , you’ll hit better

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:31 pm
by clyde621
I am partial to the 870, just am. Second on my list is the Ithaca 37 with down ejection. I am a southpaw so nothing not to like. Just my $.02 ;)

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:20 pm
by cu74
I don't think you will go wrong with either the Remington or the Mossberg. I have a used Mossberg for in-house social work, just because I found it at a good price before I found a Remington. (The location of the safety isn't an issue for me.)

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:35 am
by Mud_Dog
SeekHer wrote: If you don’t like recoil so much there is always the semi auto that will use some of the spent gases to recycle the bolt for you…All but Mossberg & Ithaca, of the major makers make semis…
Mossberg does make Semi-autos, they just don't work very well.

The biggest issue with buying used is part(s) may be worn out or broken. Also I believe the guarantee may not extend to the second owner of the firearm, and you never know what the last guy did that may have voided the warranty.

Remember there's usually a good reason behind someone selling their firearms, mostly it's because they need money/don't want it anymore. However there are many out there that are broken and the previous owner didn't want to fix it so he sold it. I've seen quite a few of these.

Just make sure you look it over before buying, or at least have a guarantee from the place you purchased it.

[shameless plug]If you buy from one major outfitter they have to be checked out by a 'smith before being sold...jus' sayin' is all.[/shameless plug]

Re: Used shotguns, Rem 870s or Mossberg 500s

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:18 am
by Combat Controller
Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Both are good, go with what feels right. I have only one ever bought a new shotgun, and I have purchased over 15. I prefer the Remington 870, but any one will do practically. I like pawnshops as I have paid between $60-180 for various models.

As for the 870, I know of one with 1.5 million rounds and only two repairs. No joke.