Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

[POINTER94]

Well it looks like I need to buy a 12 gauge shot gun for pheasant hunting. My neighbor and some of my new customers are die hard bird hunters and I have to now become one. I went skeet shooting about two weeks ago and shot six out of 10 in a little impromptu competition. shocked the heck out of me. I am a newbe at this and I want to spend about 200 bucks. I am hoping to find something used at Gander Mountain. Any Ideas?

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

I recently used a Citori over-under of a friends. Nice, real nice, but probably a little more than $200. I tell ya what, I've been using an old Mossberg 500 pump for deer, trap, rabbits, and, whatever else and it's a great inexpensive shotgun. I've got a full choke barrel and a slug barrel. There's a bunch of custom stuff for them too if you like a highly customized gun. I like it because it's cheap and reliable. Hey, have fun with the shooting Pointer, It's a kick isn't it?

 

[JB]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Not any tighter than modified choke. <br /><br />Probably the best buy in a good used bird gun right now is an Ithaca 37. Might have a hard time finding one for 2 bills, though.<br /><br />Best pheasant gun I ever had was a Belgian Browning 20 ga. Superposed in modified and improved cyl. Once killed 9 straight flushes on the first shot.<br /><br />I think my present gun would be even better if I ever get to hunt pheasant again. Also Browning, but this one is a 20 ga. Citori Featherweight with 24" barrels, 2 3/4" chambers and Invector plus choke tubes.<br /><br />Unless you are slower than grandma to mount do not buy a full choke gun for pheasants, and unless you are accustomed to recoil don't buy a 12 ga. I have always outdone my 12 ga. hunting companions with 20 and 28 ga guns because they are lighter, quicker and gentler than the big guns. I also learned wing shooting with a 28 guage Purdey double.<br /><br />The Ithaca 37 is a light and quick pump, a classic John M. Browning design. If you gotta have a 12, it is an excellent choice, but in a 16 or 20 it would cost you a bunch.

 

[mrloring]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Mossburg and Winchester both make good pump guns. Normally a double barrel is used for birds, so that two different chokes can be used. But try to find even a used double for $200. Both Mossburgs and Winchesters can be had for less than $300 new.

 

[RichP1269]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Best starter gun - Remington 870 pump. Available in a wide variety of chamberings, and very reliable. New cost run around 300, used depends on your local gun shops.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

anyone ever heard of a mossburg maverick? about $150 new?<br /><br />Oh yea c-kid, I had an absolute blast. Kind of got the bug now.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

only fault I ever had with my mossberg 500 is the action does not liked to be worked slowly. the harder you work the slide the better it does.<br /> but in certain angles if worked slowly the shell being loaded will fall out of the ejection port. but I guess I have carried it close to 30 years now so I am used to its quirks.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

I'll throw in another vote for Remington 870. Great all around gun at a reasonable price. You may get into some duck or goose hunting, or even deer in the future. This gun will fit the bill.<br /><br />Manys the time I'll grab the old 870 and leave the more expensive ones in the safe.<br /><br />Be careful pointer. Those guns have a funny way of reproducing till you have a whole passel of em.

 

[mrloring]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

They are owned by Mossberg and are very similar to Mossbergs, if not the same(I haven't looked at them real close). Make sure that you are getting a field model and not a security model. A security model will not have choke tubes and has a shorter barrel.

 

[pjc]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Ditto the Ithaca M37. Mine is mid 50s manufacture, 12 ga., and I had Colonial Arms Thinwall choke tubes installed. This is my Ruffed grouse scatter gun. Even with three in the mag tube it is feather light and a pleasure to carry.<br /><br />Recently I bought a used Winchester 1300 Black Shadow Synthetic in 3" 12 ga, has Winchoke screw in tubes. $160 out the door at Gander. This is my general foul weather beater scattergun, Turkey, clay birds, pheasant, duck, whatever needs to be shot. <br /><br />BTW, when dealing on used guns at Gander, be sure to ask for an additional 10% or so off. I did on the 1300 for example, the gun manager screwed her face up real hard crunching numbers and said "OK". Deal is Gander has room to deal on the used guns 'cause they do not give premium $$ to a customer who is trading or selling strait up. And I do not buy their extended service/warranty on used guns.....waste o monies IMO. Buy more ammo..........

 

[pjc]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Oh yea, imo, the Rem 870, Mossbergs, etc. are great. You may want to consider the Asian and former Eastern Bloc scatterguns being offered by Dunham's. The Russians and Ching lee are making knock off M37 looking pump guns. As well as some over/unders. I would be concerned with long term durability though.<br /><br />If ya can scrape up extra jing, an over/under sure would be sweet......Ruger Red Lable.....ahhhhhhhhh

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

There are lots of decent shotguns out there. I think the most important criteria for selection would be how the gun fits you. If you can spend more than a couple hundred bucks, you might find a Winchester Model 12, an old favorite, and one by which others are judged by. Nothing wrong with the other suggestions, though!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Mossberg is the cheapest reliable gun you can get. Walmart usually has the best prices on Mossbergs.<br /><br />My dad won a skeet shooting comp at work with his 150 dollar 12 gauge mossberg pump and everyone else had 1000 dollar double barrel guns.<br /><br />If you ever plan on doing goose hunting, upgrade to the 3 1/2 chamber so you call use to big shells to pull down those high birds.<br /><br />Ken

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

I'll echo dogsdad. Winchester Model 12. Best pump gun ever made. After that, I'd prefer Remington Model 1100 auto, then Remington Model 870 pump. If I had the bucks, probably a Franchi. Super light bird gun. For pheasant, a pump or over/under is OK. For quail or grouse, autoloader.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Any body willing to sell a model 12 for around 200 bucks please give me a call.

 

[Booner]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Pointer94:<br />I will vote for Remington as well in 12 gage. I use both a 870 and 1100 for bird hunting. (Pheasant, Quail, waterfowl, prairie chickens). Look for one with choke tubes that way you can change the tubes for different types of bird hunting you may want to do.

 

[KRS]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

LISTEN TO ME!!!<br /><br />I bought my Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag at walmart for around $200 (think it was $229).<br /><br />I shoots everything from 2 5/8 to 3 1/2 magnums, has interchageable chokes, full length vent rib, pluggable magazine, and is a great gun. Now I am 6/7" tall and 300 lbs, so this gun is my size, it is a little long for some. I hunt every type of bird with it, even good for geese with the 3" magnums.... coyotes too, rabbits......<br /><br />Don't spend the extra money for the "turkey" model with camo and such, just get the good ole walnut and 'blue.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

Best gun in your price range will be a pump gun and I recommend Remington 870 then the Winchester 1200, you probably will not find a Model 12 in very good condition for your price.<br /><br />I agree with some that a 12 gauge is more kick than kill in birds. Suggest you try 20 gauge. Have gun shop show you the Bennelli shot chart and little difference between the 12 and 20.<br /><br />Stay away from the 12 gauge over-under, I have two Citori's and they are ok for skeet if not shooting a lot but will kick snot from you if you shoot much.<br /><br />When you get ready to spend more do not over look the Bennelli line.

 

[JB]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

The Remington 870 is a good gun, and very popular. It deserves its popularity.<br /><br />The Winchester mod 12 is a classic and waaaaay out of your price range.<br /><br />Having used both the Remington and the Ithaca 37, I still vote for the Ithaca.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Buying a bird gun, what kind? Update!!

I took a look today at gander mountain at some italian model (real nice looking synthetic stock in almost new condition with two extra choke tubes something like a bugatti I just can't remember) recommended by the counter guy for around 225 used. They also recommended some 870's for around $200. I am looking locally as I would like to get a relationship with whoever I buy it from. I think it was txswinners bunelli in both 12 and 20 gauge.