Went shotgun shopping today
 

I finally decided to search for a 12-gauge shotgun to keep in my apartment. I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive ($300-$400) and not really sure what else I want besides this. Here are some that I looked at and my thoughts:

(1.) Remington 870 Express Tactical - this was my all-around favorite, but it was also the most costly (over $400 for the version with the door-breaching attachment, $375 for the standard version). Still, I think I like it best.

(2.) Mossberg 500 w/ heat shield - I like the look and the possibility of endless (easy) upgrade possibilities (pistol grip, forward grip, bullpup stock, etc.), but I absolutely hate the feel of the Mossy's pump. It's ridiculously wobbly and almost feels like it might break off if you pump it hard enough.

(3.) Stoeger P350 Defense - A very sweet-looking shotgun, very well-made and sturdy, at a good price (one place I visited had it for $299). Only problem is - aftermarket accessories basically don't exist, so no upgrade options whatsoever.

What do you guys think I should go with?

I have a 870 Police Magnum. I love it, but I don't own or have shot any others to compare it to. Bud's Guns currently has some police trade-in 870 Magnums for $270. They don't say "Police". But they'll shoot 3".

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411537360

or Wingmasters for $230. 2 3/4" only

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411537363

The Police Magnum is nice and all, but I would prefer something of somewhat newer manufacture. I also really like the look of the Express Tactical best.

I also think the Stoeger is a nice-looking (and feeling) gun for a great price. Just not so sure I want to get something that's too new to have spawned an aftermarket industry.

I myself am shopping for a shotgun and I plan on getting a Remington 870 Express Synthetic with the 2 shot extension, preferably one with the older style stock set, as they recently released a new version with different grip cuts. Still, the furniture woldn't be a dealbreaker if the gun was in good condition. This would be the shotgun I'd recommend over anything else. It's a bit heavier than other options, and only holds 7 rounds, but it's build quality, track record and handling make up for it.

My runner up would be a Mossberg 590. It's still wobbly, but you have 2 more shotgun shells to make up for it. Very few shotguns will actually hold 8+1 and this is one of the lucky few. If it's good enough for the military, it's good enough for you and me.

I used to sell the Stoeger at Cabela's. Hated it, it's a piece of junk as far as I'm concerned. Trying very hard to be a Benelli Nova without the quality.

I always told people to look at the Maverick 88 with the 18" barrel. Only real difference from a Mossberg 500 is the safety and it's a heck of a good price. How much gun to do you really need for an apartment?

I'd go with a Remington 870. The design is solid and dependable. It's been going for almost sixty years, I carry one in my patrol car and I trust it.

The only reason I'd sway for the Mossberg is you can fit more shells in it, six in a standard, nine in the extended. And while the pump is finicky, it won't break, trust me.

And this is irrelevant in full, but a Mossberg makes a cool sound when it pumps.

But likely the Remington will be the best bet since it is a very well made and proven shotgun. And don't bother with the door-breacher muzzle, do you plan to blast the locks off of any of your own house's doors during a robbery? And buying the proper copper shot shells, so you don't kill anyone up or down stairs?

Whatever you pick, pick what feels best. And personally pick one with a big magazine tube, because during any firefight, you wouldn't want to have to reload that tube.

....bu bu but it looks cool

Thanks for the help, guys.

I think I still want to go with the 870 Express Tactical, if I can get one at a good price. Dick's actually had the rail/door-breacher model for a pretty good price, but they had sold it by the time I got back. I went to another shop which had the same gun, but for almost $100 more (not sure why).

And yeah, I don't need the door-breaching attachment, but as AdAstra said, it does look cool. It's not something I'd pay extra for, but if I could get that particular model at a good price, I would most definitely go for it.

Remington is a great company and they make excellent guns. You can't go wrong with the 870. When it comes to shotguns, I have 2 Mossberg 500's (one 28" hunting shotgun and one 20" home defense/3 gun shotgun). I chose the Mossberg because I'm left handed and the tang safety is a lot easier for me to manipulate as a southpaw. The pump is def not going to break from pumping too hard but I can see where you might not like the feel of it's wobble. Either the 870 or the 500/590 is going to be a better choice then the Stoeger, but it all really comes down to which one works best for you. Here's my 500 Persuader I chose for home defense.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...n/DSC00307.jpg

Actually, another thing I do like about the Mossberg is that I have more options with magazine capacity. And I would say that I actually value size over capacity in a shotgun (because I'm not a very big guy). The one I looked at was a six-shot model, and I think I prefer that size better.

Oh, I didn't mean that I literally thought the pump on the Mossy might break off. But I do prefer my guns to feel a bit more solid, especially a 12-gauge where the pump is a crucial part of the gun's action.

Then again, people have told me that my SIG 226 feels a bit wobbly (there's a lot of play between the slide and frame) and that they prefer the more solid feel of their Glocks and XDs, and yet I've already realize I don't mind that wobble so much. Maybe I'll develop the same sort of attitude towards the Mossberg if I get comfortable with it.

(As you guys can tell, I'm letting myself get a little more swayed towards the Mossy.)

My remington feels more solide than my friend;s maverick 88, but i prefer the controls on the mossy.

Wobble isn't a bad thing. Both my M1911A1s wobble when you shake them. During WW2 GIs would shake their 1911s and listen for the wobble, because the loose ones were more reliable. Perfect tightness is only a good thing on a range gun.

My 226 is basically a range gun. It sits on my bed stand for defense, too, but I don't expect to take it into combat, or any environment where it will have to withstand lots of abuse.

I realize wobble isn't always a bad thing, but I'm just a bit OCD about the way guns feel.