[Rabbit-hunter]

Alright here's the deal, my daughter and I have gotten my new (less than a year) son in law (24yo) hooked on shooting clays. Just 2 years ago he wasn't about to shoot a shotgun. He had seen a gun blow up from a careless uncle who mixed 20g shells with 12g and carnage ensued.
Over the last year we got him to give it a go and he is actually pretty good at it. He had a great time this past weekend at our clubs turkey shoot and hasn't stopped talking about it to me (I work with him) or my daughter.
So, he is now shopping for his first shotgun. He wants something to start out with that he can hunt with or break some clays without borrowing from me. I suggested looking for a Remington 870 or maybe a Remington 1100.

So here's the question, what are the differences in the Remington 870 Express and the 870 Field? They look the same in pictures on my phone. Is there an 870 to stay away from?

Other than an 870 or 1100, what other guns under $1k would be a quality utilitarian multi-purpose shotgun?

Trying to do my homework to help him out as he has asked me to go gun shopping this weekend and help him sort through the gun store BS.

 

[LtElmer]

What kind of hunting ?

 

[vatrap]

870s are probably the most common starter gun in the US, been in production since 1950.
Built in every configuration from rifled slug deer guns to skeet/trap upgraded models.
Fairly easy to work on and hard to break. A modern version with a 28" Remchoke barrel will handle most shotgun task from turkey shoots to clay targets and most hunting situations. 1100s are about the same but require a bit more maintenance if they are shot on a steady basis. Be aware that currently spare barrels are getting pricey so I'd buy a Remchoke barrel at this point. Either is a good starter gun, so is a Beretta 390/391 but used ones are approaching your 1K number. Save about $100 out of the budget for a good cleaning kit and some kind of case for it. Get a trigger lock for it as well until he's hooked enough to need a gun safe. You should be able to pickup a good condition 870 Express for around $350-$500 depending on condition, a plain jane 1100 will start out a couple of hundred higher.

Be aware that gun shows are great places to shop, but you can generally find better deals with either private party sales or some shopping at pawn shops/local gun shops.

 

[VMAX97]

870 was most common but with how reliable the semi-autos have become, I would say they are becoming the "GoTo" gun. With a 1100, he could also shoot sporting clays which would be a good way to practice for those hunting shots. I started shooting trap with my step-father's 1100 and a shell catcher. Now, if he has a tight budget, the 870 will be less, but I would would say save up for the semi-auto whether it be an 1100 or something else.

 

[Border Bandit]

It's a great choice for a multipurpose starter gun. Think of it as a platform to customize and build upon. There are all sorts of barrel choices available as well as stocks in just about any configuration you can think of, with many on line at good prices. Think of it this way; Rudy Etchen, one of the greatest trap shooters of all time, shot a highly modified 870, and with a good gun fitter, you can build a great gun on a budget. Remember also, a poorly fitted 870 can beat the snot out of you.

 

[BT-391]

A friend started me with a Browning BPS and a Beretta 391 and I still have those two today as loaners for friends and family to use when with us. The BPS is available in many configurations so I am sure you will find one to fit your needs. The BPS ejects down so it is a good choice for leftys as a buddy used it while looking for a left hand specific semi auto. The 391 semi auto has very soft recoil and many available but likely a bit more then the Remingtons or the BPS just not a pump gun. Make sure he takes his time and finds one that fits well before spending money. Try several, try many and get the one that feels right.

 

[older than dirt]

I bought my first trap gun in 1963, it was an 870.I shot it every week for 40 yrs. weather permitting. I changed out a few barrels but it never failed to fire because of any broken parts. I still have it and it was used by both of my sons to learn to shoot trap. When they bought their first guns they were 870's. They do have more felt recoil then a 1100 but it never bothered me when I was younger. One of the best entry level entry gun ever made.

 

[entropy]

If he's only going to shoot singles Trap, a used 870TB is the way to go. They can be found under that 1k mark with no difficulty. And, yes you can hunt with one, I have a friend that did it for years.
If he's planning on shooting Sporting Clays, Skeet, or 5 stand, an 1100 or Beretta A3xx series , (300, 303, 390, 391) would be a better choice. The autos need more maintenance, as pointed out above. The Beretta is easier to maintain, but they will run closer to that 1k mark.
I'd recommend against an 870 Express unless you are willing to either do the work to make it smoother and have a decent trigger, or pay someone to. If you are up to doing it, or shelling out to a gunsmith to do so, they cost less to start with. The new RemArms Fieldmasters are good to go out of the box, but they are close to that 1k mark again, and for that money, I'd prefer TB.
If you want to get all in a one and done, the 1100 Competition Synthetic is a great choice. Comes with 5 chokes, (everything except IM), adjustable, has the recoil reducer, and can work for every type of shooting he'd want to do. Yes, you can hunt with it, too, I used mine for Pheasant, though it would limit one to 2 3/4" shells for waterfowl. I never found that a problem except for geese.

 

[coloradobob]

I bought a Remington 870 Wingmaster back in 1971. I still use 50 years later. Used it for everything from doves to ducks/geese. Never had a problem with it. It just keeps knocking down the birds.

 

[x73]

I would try to find a nice used wingmaster 870.

 

[slide action]

If he is going to shoot trap or an occasional round of skeet or sporing clays the 870 will fill the bill but, if he is going to shoot either of the latter much a gun used 1100 is a better choice. 870s are tough as nails and reliable guns. The 1100 will need cleaning often and you should keep some spare parts on hand but it is also a work horse.

 

[shotgunpeople]

So here's the question, what are the differences in the Remington 870 Express and the 870 Field?

I have not seen the answer to your question as of yet, and I really don't know the difference other than a mat finish and cheaper wood on the Express.

I had the Wingmaster 870 for skeet and trap, loved it. And another Wingmaster was also my wife's first Trap gun.

And of course, as we got more into the shotgun games, we just HAD to get what was said, Better Guns for the games. ha ha ha

870 ~ Can't be beat for an All Around shotgun.

 

[Dennis_CT]

Ever consider a Remington 11-87 rather than the 1100? Both good guns but the 11-87 Semi-Auto designed to feed & shoot everything from target loads to heavy hunting loads. It bleeds off all the excess unnecessary gas to cycle the bolt.

Remington 11-87

StackPath

 

[Snooky]

I don't know anything about the new Fieldmaster but I do have quite a bit of miles on the Express. There only real downside is they don't like promo ammo especially Winchester.

Eighty percent of my shooting is done with a Wingmaster and the promo shells hadn't been a problem in them.

I shoot everything from trap, skeet, and sporting. Doubles are not an issue

With the limited availability of ammo and the price I would look at a fixed choke Wingmaster. Good luck.

 

[entropy]

The fit and finish of the Fieldmaster are better than the Express, but not as nice as the Wingmasters.

870 Express vs Wingmaster vs Fieldmaster

Since the topic of 870s seems to be coming up with increasing frequency on the forum I thought it wouldn’t hurt to add to the mix. So my question is, over the long haul has anyone noticed any durability concerns out of the Express line up vs the Wingmasters? I am probably going to splurge and...

www.trapshooters.com

I think Swampy 16 (post #10 in the above thread) is right on in his assessment.

 

[Heeringa]

I've got a Model 12 he can shoot to try something better.

 

[Eggplant]

Wingmaster over the Express.., 1100 over both of them. I have owned them all.., Express is now chopped for HD. The 1100 (20 gauge on twelve frame) I still love and shoot.

 

[jjhess]

Wingmaster, m12, beretta 302/303/390/391,or superx

 

[Rabbit-hunter]

I've got a Model 12 he can shoot to try something better.

He has shot my model 12 a few times and likes it pretty well. Well, until he had those issues with it not going into battery twice on Saturday. Cierra has a model 12 also but the stock is too short for him.

After shooting my Citori on Saturday, he says he already knows he is going to be saving for a clays gun.

 

[Rabbit-hunter]

What kind of hunting ?

Well he has expressed some interest in joining my family (me, my brother,dad and my daughter) for some rabbit hunts. He may use it for some squirrel and some put & take pheasant hunts. I may have steered the ship more than anticipated when I said it could also be a great deer gun.
He has only hunted squirrel with .22 before and deer with a rifle and bow.

He has been casually shooting rifles and pistols for several years with his dad and grandpa. But only in the last year has taken to shotguns. I think part of it is because my daughter absolutely loves to shoot trap and he he sees this as something they can do together.
from my perspective if I keep them both hooked, it will likely be easier to get a grandkid hooked in the future 😉