[Rabbit-hunter]

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.

I'm 100% crystal clear on the BPS. Dad got me a BPS when I was 11yo. I've harvested many rabbits and pheasant with it over the years. And I can't even begin to guess how many rounds of trap and sporting clays I've shot with it. Only down side is it's kind of slow to load 1 shell at a time for trap.

I know Beretta makes a dang fine semi auto.
I'm going to do my best to make sure he gets something that fits decently.

 

[Rabbit-hunter]

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

I hadn't even thought about an 1187 until you mentioned it.

He and I work together but on different shifts (he is on 2nd and I on 3rd) but they overlap 2 hrs per day. I got to work last night and he had several questions about guns he saw on Indiana Gun club's site. Then said he plans to go look this weekend and asked if I would go help him make a wise decision and keep him from buying junk.

 

[Snooky]

I'm not big on Remington semi but many here are. Beretta 300 Ultima appears to be a very good semi at a really decent price. May be worth a look

 

[Rabbit-hunter]

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.

He has already expressed that right now he wants something that's more of a utilitarian do all shotgun. But he shot my Citori on Saturday and he absolutely enjoyed it compared to my model 12. My daughter has been shooting a Citori CXS and he says he is going to start saving for a true clays gun.
He almost pulled the trigger on a BT-99 on Saturday from a club member, but doesn't want locked down to a single shot right now. Lol my brother ended up buying that BT-99 from the guy for a fantastic steal after I left.

 

[todddietrich]

The only 870 I personally would shy away from is the 3 1/2" magnum, they are a little light for the amount of recoil from a 3 1/2" heavy hitter. For an all purpose gun, I would also want something that takes choke tubes. If I were to only ever own one shotgun it would be an 870 Wingmaster with a 28" barrel.

 

[Rabbit-hunter]

The only 870 I personally would shy away from is the 3 1/2" magnum, they are a little light for the amount of recoil from a 3 1/2" heavy hitter. For an all purpose gun, I would also want something that takes choke tubes. If I were to only ever own one shotgun it would be an 870 Wingmaster with a 28" barrel.

He showed me listing for a new 870 Express 12g witha 3" chambered 28" Rem choke barrel for a low enough price he could get an extra choke or two and some ammo to break it in.

But, most importantly it needs to fit him and has to be what he wants. I absolutely will not pressure him into any gun but will do what I can to keep him from making a mistake

 

[legman]

One big plus for the beretta 300 is the adjustable cast/drop feature using shims. Absence of that feature would be a deal breaker for me. Having said that it seems the 1100s and 870s fit a lot of people fairly well.

 

[docbombay]

I bought a brand new 870 Magnum in 1973 for $232.00 from a Service Merchandise store in Louisville, Ky.

I duck hunted with the gun for forty years and used it for everything and anything including ice busting and as a paddle when I had an outboard failure.

It was retrieved twice from a watery grave, once when I dove down to retrieve it and another with a magnet and line.

Now I use it for Nostalgia shoots at the club just to kick some model 12 butts!

Best $232.00 I ever spent.

 

[dgh]

I have an 870 Wingmaster build up.

Fajen Wood, Overbore High rib, Timney trigger.

The thing has made me back so much money in game shoots from years ago.

Could not part with it if I had to.

You cannot go wrong with one.

DGH

 

[todddietrich]

I bought a brand new 870 Magnum in 1973 for $232.00 from a Service Merchandise store in Louisville, Ky.

I duck hunted with the gun for forty years and used it for everything and anything including ice busting and as a paddle when I had an outboard failure.

It was retrieved twice from a watery grave, once when I dove down to retrieve it and another with a magnet and line.

Now I use it for Nostalgia shoots at the club just to kick some model 12 butts!

Best $232.00 I ever spent.

I'm with Doc on this as well. Mine is a 1980's 870 SP. It is a duck murdering machine, and boat oar.

 

[LtElmer]

Rabbit hunter, in my opinion a 870 WINGMASTER WOULD BE THE BEST CHOICE THAT I believe he would never regret and you can buy a slug barrel. I have a old 870 20 ga. I have killed a truck load of rabbits with and a 870 12 ga . I just acquired recently, both Wingmasters

 

[senorric]

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.

Per above:
"....they don't like promo ammo especially Winchester."
How can that be, it's a pump gun? How does an 870 Express differenciate what's promo and what's not? What was your problem with promo shells? I have two Express Super Magnums and they will feed and shoot anything 12 ga. I load into them.

"With the limited availability of ammo and the price I would look at a fixed choke Wingmaster."
Here too I must disagree. Having a fixed choke limits one on what game or target is to be shot. Having choke tubes gives the versatility to what choke tube may work best. For example a fixed full choke would not be the best option for shooting skeet and quail and a skeet choke would not be best for trap and geese. Why have multiple 870's with various fixed chokes when only one 870 with choke tubes will handle any target that can be presented.

 

[MDeY]

I remember hearing on the NRA show or reading the Rifleman; "If you could only have one gun" For me it would be the 870.
I've had six (Inherited 4) and given 4 away to family and a friend. As long as your hunting excludes Partridge, I'd pick a 30 Wingmaster for hunting and Trap. Might find a NOS on line?

 

[entropy]

Per above:
"....they don't like promo ammo especially Winchester."
How can that be, it's a pump gun? How does an 870 Express differenciate what's promo and what's not? What was your problem with promo shells? I have two Express Super Magnums and they will feed and shoot anything 12 ga. I load into them.

"With the limited availability of ammo and the price I would look at a fixed choke Wingmaster."
Here too I must disagree. Having a fixed choke limits one on what game or target is to be shot. Having choke tubes gives the versatility to what choke tube may work best. For example a fixed full choke would not be the best option for shooting skeet and quail and a skeet choke would not be best for trap and geese. Why have multiple 870's with various fixed chokes when only one 870 with choke tubes will handle any target that can be presented.

They don't like promo shells means steel based hulls stick in them more often. My 870 Tactical Magnum did not like the Federal promo shells, I had to mortar about ten out every round of Trap I shot them. Bought a bunch of them for $3/box (2018) and ended up selling most of them to someone whose gun had no such problem with them.

 

[Chuckie]

There is a model of 870 shotguns that were assembled with a plastic composite trigger housing instead of a metal housing. They do hold up to hunting situations but wonder if a target regiment would stand the test of time. The magazine follower is also plastic.

 

[Snooky]

Per above:
"....they don't like promo ammo especially Winchester."
How can that be, it's a pump gun? How does an 870 Express differenciate what's promo and what's not? What was your problem with promo shells? I have two Express Super Magnums and they will feed and shoot anything 12 ga. I load into them.

"With the limited availability of ammo and the price I would look at a fixed choke Wingmaster."
Here too I must disagree. Having a fixed choke limits one on what game or target is to be shot. Having choke tubes gives the versatility to what choke tube may work best. For example a fixed full choke would not be the best option for shooting skeet and quail and a skeet choke would not be best for trap and geese. Why have multiple 870's with various fixed chokes when only one 870 with choke tubes will handle any target that can be presented.

Words cannot express how happy and excited I am that you never had a stuck shell in your Express and may you always have the correct Remchoke in your barrel lol.

Thanks for straightening me out and sharing but I'm a slow learner. I think I'll stick with my fixed choked Wingmasters.

 

[mkr1966]

I have a 89' model 870 TC Trap which has better wood than my last Perazzi MX 2000 Combo. It just looks and works perfect.

 

[senorric]

Words cannot express how happy and excited I am that you never had a stuck shell in your Express and may you always have the correct Remchoke in your barrel lol.

Thanks for straightening me out and sharing but I'm a slow learner. I think I'll stick with my fixed choked Wingmasters.

And I'm happy and excited too that I made you happy and excited. Got to love sarcasm -----

 

[Snooky]

And I'm happy and excited too that I made you happy and excited. Got to love sarcasm -----

Lol. Just playing. Long day sitting in the hospital with the old wash woman.

Have a great day senorric.

 

[MDeY]

Lol. Just playing. Long day sitting in the hospital with the old wash woman.

Have a great day senorric.

Whats the old wash women washing? HA, Never mind.