I have a fair amount of knowledge about weapons, and I've always wanted to make use of the Bill of Rights and own a few. Well I finally got my chance. I've decided on a 12 gauge pump shotgun, optimizied for skeet shooting (what I'll be using it for). The only problem is which model. The one I first shot (at a range) was a Remington 870. It seemed very dependable, and I liked it. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for better/cheaper 12 gauge pump shotguns. Btw I'm not looking for some professional $1200 shotgun with all the bells and whistles, just a basic entry level one. Thanks.

I prefer the safety and slide release on the Mossberg 500 series.

I was just going to say, the slide release on the 870 is a little bit out of place for my taste. Other than that it's a fine weapon. I suppose if it were your first shotgun you'd probably just get used to it being that way and it wouldn't bother you much.

I'd go for a Mossberg 500, I've shot one a few times and its a pretty nice gun for the price of it.

Just make sure you try one yourself before buying because you might like the 870 better. They're both great, in my opinion. I've shot both, owned a Mossberg.

Either of those will serve you well.

The safety on the 500 is pretty nice if you're using a buttstock, but if you intend on having a pistol grip on it for home defense or such it can be a bit funky since it requires you to lose your firing grip to manipulate the safety with your thumb.

Other than that you'll save a little money and still have a nice shotgun.

Wouldn't an U&O be a lot better suited to skeet and trap? I know even when pumps and semis were easy to get here 98% of competitors still used an U&O because if better fit and ballance. Plus it's far faster to get off the 2 shots required when shooting doubles with a semi or under and over.

Just a thought.

I own a mossberg (270 i believe) it was only around $250 and came with two barrels. One of them is long for hunting/skeet and the other is 18 1/2 inches for home defense. Switching the barrels is easy and can be done without any tools.

Also, the bolt that secures the barrel to the magazine tube restricts the capacity of the tube to be legal for hunting on the longer barrel, but the one on the shorter barrel allows an extra 3 shells in the tube.

It is also inrecdibly reliable and has a wide array of accessories available for it, not as many as the 870 though.

Here, see this.

Under the Anderson doctrine, if cheap is effective, go with cheap. It is no use trying to buy an expensive gun that will only wow people and not be of good use to you. The Mossberg 500 is cheap and effective and deserves your attention.