Okay WAB'ers, Boomer needs a new shotgun, it's time for an upgrade over the Mossberg pump and Winchester 1400 semi-auto I'm currently using. To be used for waterfowl and upland hunting, I'm trying to get a great gun, and value for money is important. I've narrowed it down to 7 guns, 5 pumps and 2 semi-autos. Does anyone have experience with any of these models, have an opinion on which one I should purchase, or perhaps a different model you would suggest?
Benelli Nova ($500): I hear really good things about the Nova, in fact this is the gun I am currently leaning towards buying. Not many complaints, although the gun looks "plasticy" and the pump can rattle a bit. Fairly heavy recoil, but fires hard and straight according to reviews. Good quality as you would expect from Benelli.
Benelli Super Nova ($650): Improved version of the Nova. It has a larger trigger gaurd, more recoil protection in the stock, and the ability to eject the chambered shell without cycling in another from the tube magazine. Even better reviews than the Nova, making it the best reviewed shotgun I have found in my research, but I'm probably not willing to pay the extra $150 for the slight improvements over the Nova.
Mossberg 500 ($300): Classic pump shotgun from Mossberg, been around for a long time. Fairly good quality and realiability, decent reviews. Cheapest of the guns I am considering.
Remington 870 Express ($350): Fairly similar to the Mossberg described above. Cheaper gun but it's fairly reliable. Gun with the most widely available after market selection of add-ons, but this isn't a big consideration for me.
Remington 870 Wingmaster ($690): The all-time classic and standard in pump shotguns. Nothing but great reviews here, although the quality of the guns in recent years seems to have declined.
Remington 11-87 ($680): Semi-auto model that has been a round for awhile. Seems to get decent reviews. Good, not great. Is a little bit heavier than the other options. My Winchester is a heavy beast and it makes a big difference when your hauling ass through scrub.
Remington Versa Max ($1150): Remington's new auto-loader. New gas system increases reliability while enabling the gun to cycle anything from light 2.75" shells to the heaviest 3.5" magnums. Nothing but good reviews from what I have read.
Note: the prices listed above are from the local Cabelas store, which is sightly less expensive than Wholesale Sports or Bass Pro Shops, at least where I am in Alberta.
I'm summary I'm willing to spend more than the Mossberg and 870 Express cost to get more reliability out of my gun, but probably not into the Super Nova or Wingmaster price range. So the Nova is the pump of choice. Haven't decided if I'd prefer a pump to a auto-loader. I started out with a pump but have been primarily using an auto-loader for the past 6 years or so. $1150 is a lot for me to be paying for a gun at this point, so it's down to the Nova vs the 11-87, and I think I'd rather opt for the more reliable and lighter pump than the auto-loader.
So I'm leaning towards the Nova, what do you think?
Benelli Nova ($500): I hear really good things about the Nova, in fact this is the gun I am currently leaning towards buying. Not many complaints, although the gun looks "plasticy" and the pump can rattle a bit. Fairly heavy recoil, but fires hard and straight according to reviews. Good quality as you would expect from Benelli.
Benelli Super Nova ($650): Improved version of the Nova. It has a larger trigger gaurd, more recoil protection in the stock, and the ability to eject the chambered shell without cycling in another from the tube magazine. Even better reviews than the Nova, making it the best reviewed shotgun I have found in my research, but I'm probably not willing to pay the extra $150 for the slight improvements over the Nova.
Mossberg 500 ($300): Classic pump shotgun from Mossberg, been around for a long time. Fairly good quality and realiability, decent reviews. Cheapest of the guns I am considering.
Remington 870 Express ($350): Fairly similar to the Mossberg described above. Cheaper gun but it's fairly reliable. Gun with the most widely available after market selection of add-ons, but this isn't a big consideration for me.
Remington 870 Wingmaster ($690): The all-time classic and standard in pump shotguns. Nothing but great reviews here, although the quality of the guns in recent years seems to have declined.
Remington 11-87 ($680): Semi-auto model that has been a round for awhile. Seems to get decent reviews. Good, not great. Is a little bit heavier than the other options. My Winchester is a heavy beast and it makes a big difference when your hauling ass through scrub.
Remington Versa Max ($1150): Remington's new auto-loader. New gas system increases reliability while enabling the gun to cycle anything from light 2.75" shells to the heaviest 3.5" magnums. Nothing but good reviews from what I have read.
Note: the prices listed above are from the local Cabelas store, which is sightly less expensive than Wholesale Sports or Bass Pro Shops, at least where I am in Alberta.
I'm summary I'm willing to spend more than the Mossberg and 870 Express cost to get more reliability out of my gun, but probably not into the Super Nova or Wingmaster price range. So the Nova is the pump of choice. Haven't decided if I'd prefer a pump to a auto-loader. I started out with a pump but have been primarily using an auto-loader for the past 6 years or so. $1150 is a lot for me to be paying for a gun at this point, so it's down to the Nova vs the 11-87, and I think I'd rather opt for the more reliable and lighter pump than the auto-loader.
So I'm leaning towards the Nova, what do you think?
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