Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters If you only could buy 1 Shotgun....12 gauge, all around ???

Ironically years ago I had one in this model, or the 23" Turkey Special, my Dad had a fit the first time I took it to a duck blind, he remarked the blast, but I'm sure he worried about safety, and that is always to be #1. I sold it...handled well. Seems it was the 23 as it had a camo stock, and the 21 had a "no pistol grip" English wood stock.

Yes, 870s have a reputation, did not know if the latest ones measured up to the old, like the new vs old 700s, Marlins, etc.

Looks like alot of Benelli fans.

Purdy, is purty....and pricey

Yes, if ONLY hunting and range work, I would enjoy a nice O/U but I want more capacity.........should the need arise to use something other than "bird shot"

Good choices. Folks, what ammo do you prefer for all around personal protection? Is 00 good, or better smaller/more shot? Like the ability to reach further than say #8....

Inside or outside. Makes a difference.

#1 Federal Flite Control, #00 if you cant find #1. Smaller shot simply doesnt perform well in SD situations, regardless of urban legend.

C12, Good question. Out

Thanks L-D....found an article supporting the same data...

Won't get into the smaller vs. larger shot issue, but that Federal Flite-Control wad is the real deal. I've tested it with #4 and 00 buck in chokes from cylinder bore through modified and it really works. They use it in their Federal "Personal Defense" line and I believe Hornady also uses the same wad in their "Critical Defense" line but can't personally verify that.

I've had a 3" 12-gauge 870 since 1979, back before they came with screw-in chokes. I order it new, from J.C. Penney of all places, with two barrels, a 30" full-choke and a 26" IC, both with vent ribs. Eventually replaced both barrels with a 26" with chokes. Have used it in several countries (including a real workout in Argentina) on birds from doves and quail to Canada geese and turkey, and with a rifled slug barrel it's taken deer, black bear and moose. Hard to get more all-around than that.

But the 12-gauge I use most anymore on pretty much the same range of birds is a 75-year-old Sauer Model 60 side-by-side choked full and fuller, weighing 6-1/4 pounds. If I feel like wider patterns might be in order I use spreader loads.

I've got a dozen or more shotguns, most special purpose for trap, skeet, sporting clays, and some just because they are collectable and/or beautiful. But if I had to grab a shotgun running out the door into an unknown future, I would grab the old 870 magnum I bought 45 years ago. It's beat up but it has served me well.

870 Wingmaster is how I went and no regrets.

I traded for a used Browning Pump 12 ga in the early 1980's. I've had and have some shotguns that are nicer and a lot easier to look at, but if I could only buy one, a Browning Pump is what it would be.

870 - with a couple VR barrels ( 21" / 26" / 30" ) and some Remchokes, maybe a rifled slug barrel

Fun, Fun, Fun

My old 870 express would do fine. I ve had it since the 80s never skipped a beat from doves geese and turkeys as well as small game.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^

I've owned a bunch of shotguns, but always seem to pick an 870 or 1100 when I'm going afield. While the 870 might not be cutting edge, it is rugged and reliable, as foolproof as they get.

I hate duck hunting, but got hooked into going on a hunt in Arkansas awhile back. The shotgun that my host gave me to use was about as disreputable an example of a rusted/pitted/worn 870 as you're likely to find anywhere, but it worked.

Heaven forbid such a sad state of affairs, but if it happened I'd be content w/ the Mossberg 500 I bought w/ paper route money in 8th grade. Love it still to this day!


Shot literally tens of thousands of rounds in the field and in trap and just can't abide the safety on the 870 having gotten so used to the Mossy's tang switch.

Make mine an 870 with tubes.

Already got it, 11 shot 870 with screw in choke tubes, home protection at 10 yards, garden pests at 30 yards, turkey to 50 yards or deer out to 100, it's all in the choke tubes and shot/slugs.

It's black, synthetic stocked, and damn ugly, but it has has done it all with fail safe confidence so far.

UH, 'cept for the home protection bit, hadn't had to shoot a crackhead with it yet.

There is something about the distinctive sound of the slide racking on a pump ;-)

I'd just keep my Mossy 500 with the 28" vr screw choke barrel and 18.5" slug barrel. It's been running without a hitch for 20 years and 10,000 rds at least. Killed more shyt than you could stuff in a boxcar with it. Ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse, turks, squirrels, rabbits, coyotes and 21 bucks with the slug barrel. I've got a Browning BPS and an Ithaca 37 in the safe too and it would be hard to give them up but when it comes right down to it, I simply shoot better with the Mossberg.

Federal LE132-1B

Flite Control wad
More pellets than 00
Big enough pellets to go deep enough to do what it needs to do
Less penetration through drywall

Google it.

Yes, cause that'd mean they were already shot once and wondering if they were gonna get another one.