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Posted: 11/22/2009 6:42:39 AM EDT
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So after 2 years, 11 rifles and a pistol, it's time for a shotgun. There are alot of neat ones out there but i'm looking for something kinda specific and need your guys help figuring out where to buy and how much to spend.
So what i'm looking for is a Mossburg 500 with heat shield and no stock. The shorter the better (I dont know the SBS or AOW rules so i think I want to stay away from those) and the more ammo capacity in the tube the better. This will be a plinker... A beater plinker 
Whats a good price range for these? Keep in mind it does NOT have to be new (it just has to work). In fact I like a gun with a little 'character'! Should I just keep checking gunshops and shows? Or should I purchase online? Keep in mind money is an issue so the cheaper the better, and I probably wont be buying till jan or feb of next year. Thanks guys! |
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You will find this gun at a shop and I would suspect you could find one cheap used after someone who also thought it was a neat idea actually fired the thing. I know you asked about a specific model, but honestly, a shotgun must have a stock to be worth shooting. You mention this as a plinker and as such, indicates that you actually intend to shoot it, rather than just show your friends the neat stockless shotgun. This is a bad idea and gets increasingly worse every time I think of it on your behalf.
I was once issued one of these guns and after shooting it, promptly signed it back into the department and signed out an 870. I shoot alot of shotgun and couldn't stand the thing. Find yourself a good used Mossberg 500 or 870 with a full stock, and be happy shooting one of the most versatile weapons systems on the planet. What you initially thought you wanted is a gimick and will not lead to years of shooting enjoyment. You should be able to find one of these for $200 or less. There are bargains out there. I have about $200 into a Remington 870 express magnum combo with 28" sporting barrel and a 20" rifle sighted barrel. |
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Actually I was hoping the stockless shotty would be a nice break from all my hard-hitting mosins I shoot all the time. Something different to break out at the end of the day and blast away with a big smile on my face.
What are the rules for putting stocks on a pistol-grip-only shotgun? Have to turn it into an AOW first or what? |
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Quoted:
Actually I was hoping the stockless shotty would be a nice break from all my hard-hitting mosins I shoot all the time. Something different to break out at the end of the day and blast away with a big smile on my face. What are the rules for putting stocks on a pistol-grip-only shotgun? Have to turn it into an AOW first or what? As long as the barrel is 18" or more with an overal length of 26", there are no rules in this regard. I'm speaking from experience here, this pg only shotgun will not be the enjoyment you are looking for. They are sold more for looks than anything else. I know of no one who actually enjoys shooting one. |
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Try not to fall for the "tacti-fool" crap as aippi calls it. Mossberg makes a good shotgun, but I would reccomend an 870 because of how modular it is and how many aftermarket parts there are for it. Most of the tacticool stuff that people add to their shotguns is dead weight that serves little if no purpose. There is a thread in this section of the site where we were debating the use of a heat shield. It is a good read. If you want a used one, keep checking gun shows, gun shops, and pawn shops. Minimum federal allowance on a shotgun is 18", any shorter without the paperwork will get you a ride to federal prison. Most companies sell their shotguns with 18.5" or 18.75" barrels to be sure that they are legal, no matter what measuring tape is used. Like I said before, I would go with a used basic 870 and add parts as you get the money. Changing out parts on an 870 is very easy. Just a little warning, stay away from pistol grip only stocks. They will hurt your hand and wrist. If you want a pistol grip, get it on a full stock. Speedfeed stocks are highly recommended. |
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I'll be the voice of discord. A stockless, pistol-grip-only shotgun can be fun. Is it practical? Nope! Is it what I recommend for HD? Definitely not my first choice! But is it fun? With low recoil loads, YES! I had a Maverick 88 I paid under a $100 for, and it was a fun shotgun. It worked well with my childhood BB gun skills of pointing, and I got rid of it only because I traded up to an 870.
Now, for some recommendations: If you don't plan to give a crap and want a straight range toy, get something cheap like a used Mossberg Maverick 88 or 500. They're cheap, meet minimum length requirements even with a stock not installed, and the one I had didn't have a problem going bang. If you go with the 500, you have a slightly more American product, but barrels interchange among similar length magazine tubes. But this is not my favorite shotgun. My personal favorite is the Remington 870. With over 10 million sold in 60 years with minor design changes, it's the time tested shotgun and best selling pump shotgun in America's history. It's in use by countless police departments and the military. Millions of animals have fallen to the mighty 870. There's a lot of history in the design. Barrels are quickly interchangeable, and magazine capacity can be increased by adding an extension. There's stock sets from fine walnut to synthetic and even AR15 stock adapters. The aftermarket support is huge; if you dream it, you can probably do it. Used police trade-ins can be found for $230, and you can occasionally find some rougher used Express models lurking in pawn shops for sub-$200. Look at the Hogue furniture set for a decent pistol grip stock- it's got recoil reduction and both the grip & forend are bundled together for only $30. By getting an 870, you can play at the range all day and swap to a full buttstock to be your "bumps in the night" weapon. The 12 gauge is king at CQB; it places a lot of energy on target at distances within a house. HTH - YMMV |
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Ok guys THANKS for all the thoughtful replies, that's why I ask here
I'm going to take the majority advice and stay away from the PG-only models. With that said, I still want a short (18" barrel) shotgun with a mag tube as long as the barrel (7or 8 shots?) and a heat shield. I know, I know it's just because it looks cool and evil but hey it's my shotgun right! For the stock, I really like the kind that holds a spare shell. So what should I get? A 590? or 870? Or something else? And I was looking through the pic thread and saw some shotguns with a long (full barrel length) top rail. Would that work with a non-pistol-grip stock? |
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Quoted: Ok guys THANKS for all the thoughtful replies, that's why I ask here I'm going to take the majority advice and stay away from the PG-only models. With that said, I still want a short (18" barrel) shotgun with a mag tube as long as the barrel (7or 8 shots?) and a heat shield. I know, I know it's just because it looks cool and evil but hey it's my shotgun right! For the stock, I really like the kind that holds a spare shell. So what should I get? A 590? or 870? Or something else? And I was looking through the pic thread and saw some shotguns with a long (full barrel length) top rail. Would that work with a non-pistol-grip stock? You have chosen wisely. With an 18" barrel, you will have a capacity of 7+1. Get an 870. Since you want a stock that holds shells, this one is recommended. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0054154228759a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=1240904&cm_ite=0054154228759a Or: http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=55769 ETA: I'm not sure who makes that full length rail and how stable it is. I'm guessing Mesa makes it. I assume that it would work with a non-PG stock. |
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Quoted:
So let me get this straight - i can go to the pawn shop and pick up any old rem 870 even if it was made in the 60's, switch out the barrel, stock set, add a mag tube and barrel shroud and turn it into a modern military-looking shotgun? That's pretty cool. Welcome to Remington 870s 
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Quoted:
So let me get this straight - i can go to the pawn shop and pick up any old rem 870 even if it was made in the 60's, switch out the barrel, stock set, add a mag tube and barrel shroud and turn it into a modern military-looking shotgun? That's pretty cool. Yep, that pretty much covers it. |
| I was doing some research and I found this pic. What is that brace at the end of the barrel? Is that something that can be added to any shotgun or is it integral to that model? |
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Quoted:
Try not to fall for the "tacti-fool" crap as aippi calls it. Mossberg makes a good shotgun, but I would reccomend an 870 because of how modular it is and how many aftermarket parts there are for it. Most of the tacticool stuff that people add to their shotguns is dead weight that serves little if no purpose. There is a thread in this section of the site where we were debating the use of a heat shield. It is a good read. If you want a used one, keep checking gun shows, gun shops, and pawn shops. Minimum federal allowance on a shotgun is 18", any shorter without the paperwork will get you a ride to federal prison. Most companies sell their shotguns with 18.5" or 18.75" barrels to be sure that they are legal, no matter what measuring tape is used. Like I said before, I would go with a used basic 870 and add parts as you get the money. Changing out parts on an 870 is very easy. Just a little warning, stay away from pistol grip only stocks. They will hurt your hand and wrist. If you want a pistol grip, get it on a full stock. Speedfeed stocks are highly recommended. Lots of good advice here. The 590 is a good gun, but the 870 is king of the pumps for a reason. Hell, a lot of the fun is trying out different goodies. Most of us have a "garage sale" box of stuff we tried and discarded. Start basic and add on. Full length stocks with pistol grips are a matter of personal taste, some like 'em...some, including me, don't. Pistol grip only stocks only serve to give a gun the "gangsta" look, looks don't impress experienced shooters, function does. The heat shield is up to you, if you want it..get it. I had one on a gun 25 years ago and took it off because it served no useful purpose, added weight and slowed me down. Welcome aboard and don't be afaid to ask. I promise you people here aren't bashful about giving their opinions, sometime you just have to have thick skin or wear a biker jacket.   .
Rob |
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Quoted: I was doing some research and I found this pic. What is that brace at the end of the barrel? Is that something that can be added to any shotgun or is it integral to that model? I believe that is on one of the Air Force's 870s. It serves the same use as a clamp on a mag extension. When shopping for an extension, I recommend Choate. RUN AWAY from Tac-Star and ATI!! ETA: Yep, its an Air Force |
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Quoted:
Most of us have a "garage sale" box of stuff we tried and discarded. Ha ha... I definitely have a box of 870 parts... it was a lot bigger til I cleaned it up & sold some this fall! Funny how the little parts just keep showing up. It may be worse than BRD, since 870 parts are almost all from $10- $50 or less. |
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So I was looking around and I can probably pick up an 870 express locally for around $250 NIB. And I havent checked all over but i'm confident i'll be able to find a used 870 for $175-200. And I've read on here that there are often police trade-ins readily avaliable - is there an online supplier for those? read something about the Express' having dimples that must be removed for magazine extentions to be used. So my question is: which route should I go? Keep in mind I'm trying to do this project on the cheap. Either way I go I will be putting on an 18" barrel and mag extention, and most likely upgrading the stock/forearm to a speedfeed. The cheaper and easier the better!!!
One more question: Where are the best places to buy 870 stuff? (barrels, stocks, misc items...). I'm totally new to the shotgun world, i'm afraid all I know is black rifle and C&R vendors! |
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Now we are getting serious. Best price will be on an express, but you would have to remove the dimples( see tacked post up top ) for your mag extension. I shopped heavily and bargained like a street trader to get one for $150. You might well find a used dept. trade in Wingmaster without dimples for $200 so you need to decide how to allocate your funds vs effort. As to the best place to get accessories, there will be no one best place just like all things firearms. Shop the gunshows, shop the sales and mix and match as desired. Again it's a time vs money thing.
I warn you though, don't get a 28" sporting barrel with remchokes. You will be tempted to start shooting clays and the fun factor is so very adicting that you might forgo your tactical ambitions entirely. My current gun had a light coat of surface rust on all the exterior metal surfaces when I got it. That is why I got it cheap. A few hours with clenzoil cleaned it up nicely. I was neglected by a bad gun owner. Now it is loved and loves me back. I also have the 20" remchoked deer barrel. The rifled choke tube does make a noticeable difference with slugs but I reserve it for those. My home defense load is 00 buck and within the space of my yard, Foster slugs are just fine so I leave it with the IC choke tube in except at the range. I left it a 4+1 and added a bandoleer for spare ammo. Loaded out I look like Pancho Villa and still have under $250 in the whole setup due to judicious trading. |
Ok so I want to make a replica of the M870... JUST like the ones in the pics below:
Can anyone tell me: 1) How long that barrel is? 18" or 20"? 2) Where to get that barrel brace/bayonet lug 3) What kind/where to get that barrel shroud? I'm still looking for a used 870 in the sub-$200 range. Found a local used express magnum for $250 today but since i will be spending $$$ on upgrades i really want the rifle to be as cheap as possible. |
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