What is a good starter shotgun?

Question

I shot clay pigeons today for the first time, and now I'm hooked. I have been target shooting for well over fifteen years with rifles and handguns, but I've hardly ever touched a shotgun until today. I fired a 410, 20, and 12 gauge. In the 20, I shot a pump and a semi. Obviously, I liked the semi-auto the best, but I'm not ruling out a pump. I'm looking for quality, but not too expensive. I doubt whether I'll ever hunt, so this will be strictly for trap.

Thanks for the info DTT. Can I get a decent trap gun for around $500? How much is the Rem 870 Trap? I don't want to spend too much because as for right now, I don't know how often I'll be able to shoot. This will be strictly for fun. I doubt whether I'll ever get competitive.

Answer 1

Additional info: You're welcome Rob! For $500 and lots of fun, the 870 Trap is a great choice. The 870 trap varies in price depending on the year of production and grade - the new 870 Wingmaster Classic Trap lists at an MSRP of $989 BUT you can find them cheaper if you shop around. I have seen used 870 trap guns in the $500 range for one in good shape. Don't discount a used 870 Trap in good shape - there isn't much to go wrong and if it does, there are endless parts for them. The 870 trap models have been around for a long time and there are many floating around used gun shops. Another choice I forgot about is the Winchester Model 12 Trap - it seem's to be going for more than you want to spend but I forgot to mention it as another trap pump-gun favorite that saw its day in the early 1900's all the way through the 1950's and is still used by many shooters.

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If this is only for trap, DEFINITELY invest in a 12 gauge trap gun. Its easier to get a trap gun then use that for sporting and hunting than vice-versa.

You will not be sorry. Trap guns are built for shooting trap and taking lots of abuse from competition year in and year out - all trap guns are 12 gauge. They have straight or Monte Carlo stocks (so you have a high point of impact), long barrels (30", 32", or 34"), fixed or changeable chokes which for trap would include Light Modified, Modified, Improved Modified, Light Full, or Full, depending on how you shoot and what events you shoot. Trap guns also have vent ribs and are built to fit you well and be comfortable shooting hundreds of rounds each day.

You have many options.

For semi-auto trap guns, the Remington 1100 Trap is the way to go. Berretta also makes trap models like the 391 Trap.

For a pump, the only good option is the Remington 870 Trap. Straight or Monte Carlo stock, 30" barrel.

For over-under or singles you have many, many options. These are the cream of the crop of trapshooting - they are made for the sport, and are 1st class all the way.

American companies include Kolar, Bowen, and Ljutic. Pricey, but worth every penny. You can find old Remington 3200 (over-under) trap models for around $1000 and up. The Remington 90T is a great single gun - but like the 3200 it is out of production due to the cost of production, yet it still is an awesome gun in high demand among trapshooters. You can't go wrong with a 3200 or 90T - you won't go to a registered ATA shoot anywhere without finding at least one of each - and probably at least a 3200 on each doubles squad.

There are many foreign companies that make trap guns. Beretta has over-unders in addition to their auto's. Perazzi is another Italian gun - I don't care for them, but many people shoot them. Kreighoff is considered "the" top trap gun manufacturer and is from Germany - the K80 was based off the Remington 3200 when they sold the 3200 design to Krieghoff. These are fancy guns, built to fit, to your specs - but you'll pay upwards of $10,000 for a combo. A combo is an over-under barrel and an un-single (single barrel lined up on the bottom firing pin with a tall rib on top). Ceasar Guerini is releasing a trap gun combo that's supposed to be good and is priced in the mid-range. Stay away from SKB.

If you are sticking with trap, don't let anyone talk you into a sporting, field, or hunting gun. Get a trap gun, but get one that you are comfortable with and one that fits. If your gun doesn't fit and you aren't comfortable with it, you won't shoot well and will get frustrated. Look at all your options, make sure you're comfortable, take some time to get used to the gun and you'll be breaking target after target.

Welcome to the sport of trapshooting! Its lots of fun - enjoy it! And good luck reaching your first milestone - 25 straight!

Smoke 'em!

Answer 2

I'd say get a 12 or 20 gauge Mossberg 500 pump. It comes with a choke set (full, mod, imp). I bought one at Wal-Mart last month for $204. You can get a Remington 870 Express pump for $280 at Wal-Mart.

In the $500 range, you might be able to buy a trap specific gun, but I have little knowledge about those. Many are over/under double barrels.

Answer 3

I wood go with the Remington 870 pump in 20 to reduce the recoil and get a quicker second shot if you throw a couple at a time. I have one in a 12, and my friend has a browning, and i can get a second shot off just as fast as he can and he shoots a semi-auto. the recoil is what slows it down. I only paid about $280 for my Remington 870, and it is a great gun.

Answer 4

I've found the Mossberg 500 to be just about the best starter gun for anyone. For trap, you can get it with a 28" ported, multi-choke barrel. You'll generally not shoot more than one bird at a time in trap, so the whole "Pump / Semi / Double / Single" thing isn't all that important, at least not early in in your shooting.

you can double-duty it by also buying an 18.5" or 21" cylinder bore barrel for home defense (mix shot and slugs and holds five in the magazine....).

Answer 5

I'd recommend the Remington 870 Express if you're looking for pump, and the Remington 11/87 for Semi...Both are straight-forward, no frills shotguns(I own both), very easy to maintain, and very smooth in terms of trigger pull and recoil.

Answer 6

the mossberg's are good quality shotguns to start with the 500, 535 which I own 1, the 835. and the 935 auto is a good gun except for the 935 all of the others are under $300 and are very easy to shoot they are rugged and dependable.

Answer 7

I really hate trap. . ., I can not, for the life of me, hit those stupid clay pigeons. A friend tried to get me interested, even let me use his prized custom trap gun. Later, he said he'd never seen worse shooting.

You can use either shotgun, with the right length barrel, for trap. Personally, I've always thought the over and under shotguns the classiest way to go.

Answer 8

In general, it's a good idea to get a used Remington 870 in 12 gauge. Maximum versatility for a good price.

Answer 9

remington 870 express under 200 bucks and a great gun

Answer 10

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