[ShotgunPro]

I'm in the market for a shotgun and I'd like it to be multipurpose (there's a lot of that around here I see)

I wanted to get an idea of what they run at a pawn shop vs. a retail store and though they had a very large selection, the vast majority were around retail. I'd like to stay around $300ish if possible, but man, almost every one they had was $400+ used. There were a couple of new ones thrown in the mix as well. The cheapest 870 I saw had an 18" barrel and they wanted $280. Since it's going to be a skeet/hunting/target gun, I figured I'd need a longer barrel and I should stay away from the 18". Where else are you shopping for 870's? Best I could find online was Bud's for about $300-330.

Anyhow, enough of the anecdotes. Something that I noticed about the 870 vs the 500 that was right next to it was the finish on the barrel. The 870 has a very matte finish where the 500 had more of a shiney finish. Is this the parkerizing I'm reading about on here? Is it worth a damn? Sorry for rambling.

 

[ShotgunPro]

You can usually get a new Mossberg or 870 on sale from Walmart or big 5 cheaper than a used one from a pawn shop. Around here 500 combinations (two barrels ) go for 270.00 +- good luck. The mossberg 500 usually has a blued finish.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Picked up a near new 870 Supermag at a gun show for 250. I see reg 870s in pawn shops all the time for 200-225 and 870 magnums for about 250.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Thanks guys. I'm a bit of a newbie, so what's the supermag/magum refer to?

I checked Dick's since it was on the way home and they didn't have much of a selection. Excellent idea about the gun show. I'll have to see when it hits my town again.

Is the matte finish on the 870 parkerized? It didn't look as nice as the blued finish on the 500 and I've read a few posts about rust issues with 870's.

 

[ShotgunPro]

You can usually get a new Mossberg or 870 on sale from Walmart or big 5 cheaper than a used one from a pawn shop.

I have nothing to confirm this, but I've heard rumors that the guns sold at Wally World are not of the same quality finish that you get elsewhere, which is why they're cheaper. I've heard complaints from people about the quality of the metal finish and also the synthetic wood. I'm sure it's probably BS though; Wally World usually just has cheaper prices because they buy them cheaper from the manufacturers because they buy in such bulk.

I got my 870 from Sportsman's Warehouse brand new for $310 last April.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Bass Pro is having a fall hunting sale Aug 6-22 870 express for 259 and supermags for 299. A regular express will only take 2 3/4" shells a mag will take 3" and a supermag will take 3 1/2" shells. I decided on a supermag for versatility I can shoot just about anything from light target loads to heavy turkey loads. I shoot trap once in a while with mine some of the old guys turn up their nose at an 870 but I get a chuckle when I smoke em'.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Bass Pro is having a fall hunting sale Aug 6-22 870 express for 259 and supermags for 299. A regular express will only take 2 3/4" shells a mag will take 3" and a supermag will take 3 1/2" shells. I decided on a supermag for versatility I can shoot just about anything from light target loads to heavy turkey loads. I shoot trap once in a while with mine some of the old guys turn up their nose at an 870 but I get a chuckle when I smoke em'.

wow, thanks for the heads up. I have a bass pro not too far away as well. the super mag and mag are backwards compatible with the smaller shells, correct?

now i'm trying to decide on barrel length. when it sits in the house, i want to have the 18" barrel on it. for skeet, i think a 26-28". maybe some target/tactical shooting as well. either way, i'll be buying a barrel i suppose.

 

[ShotgunPro]

mag vs supermag refers to the shotshell.... a supermag will shoot 3.5" shells, where a mag only shoots 2.75 and 3"... I have an 870 express with a 30" vent rib barrel... I've been thinking about getting a tactical stock and forend as well as a shorter barrel. The 30" barrel is great for skeet shooting and hunting, and the remchoke chokes allow me to use a super tight turkey choke all the way up to an improved cylinder for slugs. I have the wood stock that came on it, as well as a black synthetic stock I got for turkey hunting. IMO, 870's are alot better than mossbergs. I have a 500 that my grandfather got me back when I was 8 for christmas. The gun means ALOT to me, but like all the other mossbergs i've seen, the forend is pretty loose and it does not come apart nearly as easily IMO. I think I paid about $250 for my 870 a while back, and almost bought a 20ga for my wife last month when they were on sale for $195 at a local shop.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Picked a great hd 870 up at bass pro with the extended capacity for about $350 same deal here: Davidson's Catalog Item Detail

 

[ShotgunPro]

I just read on another post the 870 does not do well when a cat pi$$es on it! Beware

 

[ShotgunPro]

mag vs supermag refers to the shotshell.... a supermag will shoot 3.5" shells, where a mag only shoots 2.75 and 3"... I have an 870 express with a 30" vent rib barrel... I've been thinking about getting a tactical stock and forend as well as a shorter barrel. The 30" barrel is great for skeet shooting and hunting, and the remchoke chokes allow me to use a super tight turkey choke all the way up to an improved cylinder for slugs. I have the wood stock that came on it, as well as a black synthetic stock I got for turkey hunting. IMO, 870's are alot better than mossbergs. I have a 500 that my grandfather got me back when I was 8 for christmas. The gun means ALOT to me, but like all the other mossbergs i've seen, the forend is pretty loose and it does not come apart nearly as easily IMO. I think I paid about $250 for my 870 a while back, and almost bought a 20ga for my wife last month when they were on sale for $195 at a local shop.

Again, thanks for all the info guys. Sorry to ask such basic questions. I've shot a bit with my friend's guns, but never actually owned one, so I definitely want to know what I'm buying.

So just to make sure I've got it straight:

Mag: 2.75 & 3"

Super Mag: 3.5" only? It won't handle the smaller shells, or will it?

I've briefly handled my friend's 500, and I didn't notice any slop in the fore end, but I do like the placement of the safety in the 870 better. Is the 18" barrel good for anything other than HD? I know I'll have to buy another barrel for what I want the gun to do, but I'm kind of up in the air about which one to purchase initially. Also, do all of Rem's barrels accept different chokes?

 

[ShotgunPro]

Sorry to ask such basic questions.

That's what this place is all about! I received huge help and this board helped me decide to buy XD's.

 

[ShotgunPro]

a supermag will shoot a 2 3/4, 3 and 3.5, while a mag does 2 3/4 and 3 only.

we picked up our 870 from gander mountain for around $250 (express, 26")

 

[ShotgunPro]

a supermag will shoot a 2 3/4, 3 and 3.5, while a mag does 2 3/4 and 3 only.

we picked up our 870 from gander mountain for around $250 (express, 26")

Thanks, so it's all backwards compatible. Not sure if I'll have a need for 3.5, not much into hunting yet, but the versatility would be nice.

That's what this place is all about! I received huge help and this board helped me decide to buy XD's.