GUNS/RLTD 20 Gauge shotguns, any suggestions?

[Doomer Doug]

I have some free money available, and what a story that is, so I am looking for a good quality 20 gauge shotgun. Yeah, I realize the fetish for the 12 gauge is strong, but for my situation, ie living in an apartment, a 20 gauge is an excellent choice. At any rate, I did have a Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump shotgun that fell victim to my economic chaos several years ago, so I am familiar with shotguns. My first shotgun was back in 1969, when I turned 15 years old and was given a single shot Ithaca 12 gauge shotgun for Christmas. After I joined the Army, and went to Europe, I left it behind, so it would be safe, and it was then promptly stolen in a house break in.

I also have had a Remington 870, in the mid 1970's, the Mossberg 500 in the 1990s, and the Ithaca in the late 60's and early 1970's.

 

[Illini Warrior]

why not totally screw yourself and go 16g ....

 

[Doomer Doug]

I thought the 16 gauge was illegal under the 1934 machine gun ban? It is also illegal to have a barrel length under 18 inches. I understand the Congress is working on reversing the silencer ban.

Nah, I thought about the 410, but the ammo price was excessive.

 

[TxGal]

I've had a 20 gauge Benelli for a long time, bought it initially for skeet and trap because it was light weight, but I love it. Pricey, though, but well worth it. Even my DH loves it :-)

 

[dvo]

I thought the 16 gauge was illegal under the 1934 machine gun ban? It is also illegal to have a barrel length under 18 inches. I understand the Congress is working on reversing the silencer ban.

Nah, I thought about the 410, but the ammo price was excessive.

No so on the 16ga, just that the ammo is more difficult to find than 12 or 20ga. Nothing wrong with the Mossberg or Remington types. Older used models might operate more smoothly and be a better price.

 

[Millwright]

"Some free money available", is kinda relative.

Hard to suggest anything in that budget.

Also depends on use, self defense or hunting.

 

[IceWave]

I thought the 16 gauge was illegal under the 1934 machine gun ban?

Why would a 16GA. be illegal when 20GA, 12GA, and 10GA shotguns are legal? As long as the barrel is over 18 inches, and the overall length is over 26 inches, it should be a legal, non-NFA firearm.

 

[Doc1]

If you liked your 12 gauge Mossy 500, why not go for the same choice in 20 gauge? The 500 series is one of the most reliable and time-tested pump shotguns out there. In LEO and .mil circles, the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 are the go-to choices. As far as ammo goes, 12 GA and 20 GA are the two most popular gauges and the easiest to find ammunition for.

Best regards
Doc

 

[mecoastie]

Mossberg or Remington. Kids have Remingtons. Nice little shotguns.

16 ga is not regulated under the 1934 NFA.

 

[fritopie]

Get the Mossberg Shockwave 20 gauge.

https://www.mrgundealer.com/shop/msbrg-590-shockwave-20/14/5-mt-29798

 

[SmithJ]

A Mossberg 20 gauge is a great gun, Doug.

I think these days they seem to be better made than the remingtons.

 

[Doughboy42]

I have an Ithaca 20 ga. featherweight that my dad gave me when I was 12. Sixty years later it still looks good and fires great.

 

[Dozdoats]

These days, hands down, a H&R Pardner pump youth model in 20 gauge.

(Also available with black synthetic furniture, and you can get it at WalMart in most places)

Bud's lists it at $175 - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...&R+1871+NP1-2S1+Pardner+Compact+4+1+3+20ga+21

YES, made in China. But it is an 870 clone, made like a tank, out of good steel. You WILL need to field strip it, give it a GOOD cleaning, and properly lubricate it out of the box, then it will be fine. Lots of video reviews online. It is inexpensive but not cheap, just needs a little appropriate light action stoning or a good break-in and it will slick up just fine with the rough edges gone.

21" barrel, shorter length youth stock, 5+1 ammo capacity - mainly good to go out of the box. The one I got last year came with sling swivel studs installed. Other than ammo I would not feel bad were it my only shotgun (don't have cases of 20 gauge on hand). Brenneke makes KO slugs in 20 gauge now, get you some. Buckshot is as you find it. IIRC it is set up with a screw-in MOD choke tube.

 

[Orion Commander]

Agree with doc1. If you liked something in a 12 you'll most likely like it as much in a 20.

I'm an auto fan as I tend to short stroke. That's why I play a mandalin not a guitar.

 

[Groucho]

If you pick a Mossberg, you win. If you choose Remington, you win. Pump, of course.

 

[Publius]

There are hundreds to pick from and your familiar with the Mossburg 500 why not buy one in 20Ga this time.
I have a savage sevens side by side from the early 1970s I won't part with and somewhere a long the way they started pushing the over-under shotguns and the side by side somehow became to expense to make and said to be obsolete.

 

[Doomer Doug]

I checked into Savage arms, and they have a nice 20 gauge shotgun, for around $200, that is made in China. I have a negative view of products made in China, but since they want to take over the world, the quality of their weapons might not be too bad. Chinese ammo is legendary for poor quality, massive amounts of smoke, the potential to blow up in your face.

The problem with Mossberg is pretty much anything you buy from them is in the $500 range. Granted, I bought the original back in 1989, for $175, but given the technology involved here, I think Mossberg and Remington are doing some pricing based on their name, and not the product. The Mossberg Maverick line looked interesting, but their 20 gauge selection is a bit thin to put it mildly.

I will add that I was also looking into an AR-15 type, which is around $500 minimum too. For my situation, I think my handgun, a six shot Taurus model 65, along with a 20 gauge shotgun perfect.

Thanks for the sound advice. I may just have to bite my lip and pony up the $500, which is roughly about what I have to spend. I also noticed that Dicks Sporting Goods is prominently displayed on search engine results for buying a shotgun in Portland Oregon. who would have thunk that, Do1?

 

[Doomer Doug]

I should add that Portland currently only has one gun shop within city limits, and only two other places you can buy any type of weapon inside the city limits, and two of the four are Dick's Sporting Goods, It means a Tri Met trip out to the suburbs to actually reach a "real" gun shop. This is how liberals mess with you, by making it as difficult as possible to buy a weapons.

Cabella's is also out in the burbs too.


Anyhoo, I got my money today, so I thinking no later by the end of the month. Of course, Doc1, carrying a 20 gauge shotgun on a Trim Met bus may lead to interesting results.

 

[dogmanan]

I love the model 870 pump , it is one of the best ever made, IMHO.

I have a extension tube on mine so it will hold ten shells with one in the chamber for a total of 11 shells, I love it, it is in 12 gauge.

 

[Dozdoats]

Check the online reviews for the Savage - it was not doing well last time I looked.

And DO check the reviews on the Pardner Pump too. Compare ...

 

[Shooter]

Im a gunsmith, I have the least complaints about mossberg, other than some have that plastic saftey, that xan be replaced, Remington is almost equal, if you get a older one, the company that bought remington is letting quality slide a little,

Probably best bet is a mosberg, look around, sometimes you can get one with 2 barrels,, a 18 inch and a 26, really makes a good package

 

[dogmanan]

Im a gunsmith, I have the least complaints about mossberg, other than some have that plastic saftey, that xan be replaced, Remington is almost equal, if you get a older one, the company that bought remington is letting quality slide a little,

Probably best bet is a mosberg, look around, sometimes you can get one with 2 barrels,, a 18 inch and a 26, really makes a good package

Yep true the new 870 is not as good as the old ones, mine is about thirty years old and it did come with the short and long barrels when I baught it.

 

[hiwall]

I really like my Rem 870 Special Field in 20 gauge. All steel but still light.

 

[Dozdoats]

Rem 870 Special Field

No longer in production, everyone who has one likes them and used ones are apt to be expensive. And standard Remington barrels won't fit them, either.

They are nice in spite of the above, if you can afford nice.

 

[NoDandy]

If you liked your 12 gauge Mossy 500, why not go for the same choice in 20 gauge? The 500 series is one of the most reliable and time-tested pump shotguns out there. In LEO and .mil circles, the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 are the go-to choices. As far as ammo goes, 12 GA and 20 GA are the two most popular gauges and the easiest to find ammunition for.

Best regards
Doc

I agree with Doc. Remington or Mossberg. Although I prefer the safety on Mossberg ! Try to get a combo set up, with 2 bbl's. I keep a 20 ga near the door. Easy for DW, and will do on varmints, 2 or 4 legged, and as doc said, ammo easy to find, and not break the bank. It is a good backup for the Quad 50 on the porch. LOL.

Keep us posted DD

 

[hardrock]

Doug, I ran into your scenario a few years ago, I finally went with the Remington "youth" model in 20 ga.

It is lighter shorter, shoots 3" and has the screw in chokes if you want to go hunting.

I did get an extra full choke for turkeys. Great gun.

ETA, 870

 

[dvo]

I really like my Rem 870 Special Field in 20 gauge. All steel but still light.

That’s funny....never seen another other than the one I have in 12ga. Mine is very smooth. Bet yours is too. Great pump for squirrels, rabbit, grouse and pheasant. Would do fine for home defense as well, unless you have something more specialized for that task.

 

[dogmanan]

I got lucky when I got my 870.

A friend of mine when he got married gave me a pump 22 for free because his wife did not like or want any guns in her house so he ask me if I wanted it because he new I like guns, I said hell yes, so when he gave me the pump 22 about that time I was looking for a pump shotgun, so I took the 22 to a gun store by me and the owner collects old pump 22's and he did not have one of the one I had and he wanted the one I had, so long story short he traded me the 870 12 guage with the two barrels a case and 100 rounds of slug even up for the 22.

So that's how I got my 870 for free.

 

[Garryowen]

ES, made in China. But it is an 870 clone, made like a tank, out of good steel. You WILL need to field strip it, give it a GOOD cleaning, and properly lubricate it out of the box, then it will be fine. Lots of video reviews online. It is inexpensive but not cheap, just needs a little appropriate light action stoning or a good break-in and it will slick up just fine with the rough edges gone.

Good steel and China in the same sentence is an oxymoron.

 

[Dozdoats]

Hey, it may be recycled railroad rails for all I know.

First time I got hands on a Norinco 981, I took it and an 870 Express to our gunsmith. I field stripped both and he file tested the critical parts of each and pronounced the Norinco superior.

Norinco makes today's Pardner Pump...

Take it FWIW.

 

[Snyper]

Buy a Remington 870 Express Youth Model.
It's cheap, light weight, dependable, and made in the USA.

 

[Dozdoats]

Check prices.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/search.php/q/20 gauge youth shotgun

You can order from Bud's and take delivery at your local FFL dealer for the cost of their transfer fee.

 

[mrrk1562]

Shot gun barrels need to be a minium of 18 and 1/4 inch to be legal
My first shot gun was an ithaca m87 m/p 7 shot .funny part was I rode the bus to the gun shop and then got back on the bus with the gun in just a gun sleave and not a word was said. That was in in 92 in rockland county ny
I would check a see if it legal to bring a firearm on the tri met .I know it is not allowed on grayhound bus
The only problem that I have read about with the chinese made shot gun are the welds on the operating rod breaking

I have owned remington and mossberg shot guns but much prefer ithaca shot guns better.the ithaca m37/87 was designed by john browning for winchester then sold off to ithaca gun they cost a bit more but are great guns that hold their value much like a remington wing master
I like used mossberg 500s in the $ 150 range for a truck or truck gun

 

[Turret Buster]

Buy a Remington 870 Express Youth Model.
It's cheap, light weight, dependable, and made in the USA.

And granddaughter approved.....but she prefers her Bushmaster,who wouldn't?

 

[hiwall]

The picture of the Special Field was just one I found on the net, mine has much nicer wood.
I've owned mine for many many years. I paid $75 for it.

 

[changed]

I have some free money available, and what a story that is, so I am looking for a good quality 20 gauge shotgun. Yeah, I realize the fetish for the 12 gauge is strong, but for my situation, ie living in an apartment, a 20 gauge is an excellent choice. At any rate, I did have a Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump shotgun that fell victim to my economic chaos several years ago, so I am familiar with shotguns. My first shotgun was back in 1969, when I turned 15 years old and was given a single shot Ithaca 12 gauge shotgun for Christmas. After I joined the Army, and went to Europe, I left it behind, so it would be safe, and it was then promptly stolen in a house break in.

I also have had a Remington 870, in the mid 1970's, the Mossberg 500 in the 1990s, and the Ithaca in the late 60's and early 1970's.

I had the single shot Ithaca 20 guage shotgun. Loved it.

 

[fish hook]

Can't go wrong with a Mossberg.Thier 20 is as good as the 12.When you get it,if you want to get buck shot ,try S G Ammo.The ONLY place i could find anything bigger than # three.They have # 1 and have good prices as well.

 

[petedtom]

Love my latest purchase of a Stevens over under 20 model 550.

Nice and light, tight , great ejectors, easy choke change, great shooter, can carry it all day in the field bird hunting.

 

[Lone_Hawk]

I checked into Savage arms, and they have a nice 20 gauge shotgun, for around $200, that is made in China. I have a negative view of products made in China, but since they want to take over the world, the quality of their weapons might not be too bad. Chinese ammo is legendary for poor quality, massive amounts of smoke, the potential to blow up in your face.

The problem with Mossberg is pretty much anything you buy from them is in the $500 range. Granted, I bought the original back in 1989, for $175, but given the technology involved here, I think Mossberg and Remington are doing some pricing based on their name, and not the product. The Mossberg Maverick line looked interesting, but their 20 gauge selection is a bit thin to put it mildly.

I will add that I was also looking into an AR-15 type, which is around $500 minimum too. For my situation, I think my handgun, a six shot Taurus model 65, along with a 20 gauge shotgun perfect.

Thanks for the sound advice. I may just have to bite my lip and pony up the $500, which is roughly about what I have to spend. I also noticed that Dicks Sporting Goods is prominently displayed on search engine results for buying a shotgun in Portland Oregon. who would have thunk that, Do1?

Doug,

Stick with a Mossberg 20ga. Don't go with the AR style, they are getting better, but still you have issues with magazine availability, and most of them are imported and if the damn thing breaks parts are a problem as well.

A pump shotgun is the best home defense weapon out there as you are living the apartment life.

I keep a Mossberg 500 next to my bed. Empty chamber with the hammer dropped. Five OO Buck in the magazine. The sound of a pump action shotgun being jacked is the international language for "Get Out!!!" and all criminals know that language.

Of course, my living situation is different from yours. For your situation, #4 bird shot is much better. It will not penetrate sheet rock with enough energy to kill but at the short ranges you are dealing with it will tear the hell out of a chest through a heavy coat. I also switch to #4 when I have kids visiting and in the house.

 

[JoanD777]

Unless you are fixated on a pump shotgun, an older Remington 1100 is a pleasure to shoot. And, being an older model, it probably won't cost as much as a new one. I got mine in the 80's and I love it.

Joan