First Shotgun?

[Twanger]

I'm joining the local Izaak Walton league, and they've got sporting clays, trap, and skeet.
What would be a good first shotgun to own?
Price - under $1000.
I love the look of over and under guns, but don't know if a good O/U gun could be had in this price range.
Used would be OK as long as the condition was excellent. Are used shotguns that are in excellent condition something to overly worried about in terms of 'scam' potential? I.E. is it easy to get taken, or are shotguns pretty robust.

I'm hoping my wife might shoot the gun as well. She's small - 5'3". How does that change the equation? I'm not that tall myself - about 5'8".

I was reading up on shotguns and the top selling guns are the:
Browning Citori
Remington 870
Remington Model 1100/1187

Any comments on these guns?

Also, on gauge, I get the feeling that the 12-ga is the 'gold standard' and anyone's first shotgun should be a 12-ga. Thoughts?

[eshoremd]

www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/index.tpl

i have had the m2000 semi camo for a little over two years and love it. got it at dicks for like $450. best bang for your buck.

[Twanger]

Todd - A semi would be softer shooting, which might be a consideration for my wife. Thanks for the link.
Nice looking gun, and a good price.

[tailnbone]

Can't go wrong with the Browning Citoria. Very nice & accurate guns for skeet shooting, a little on the pricey side though. I've had an 870 12 gauge wingmaster pump for many many years now and I absolutley love it.....1100 semi auto too and it shoots very nice and comfortable to hold. Stay away from the Ithica's , I've shot a few and didn't really care much for them. jmo
Try to get one with interchangeable choke tubes so you have more options on shooting tight patterns or widely disbursed patterns. Maybe a recoil for the little ladys gun so it doesn't knock her on her ice or leave too bad of a bruise on her shoulder, but then that would depend on which gauge shotgun you went with.

[freedomrules3]

you run into a problem trying to get a gun that both of you can use. you will want a 12 gauge but she wont like it very well since it will rock her world. she would be better off with a 20 gauge imo. shotguns are pretty sturdy and i have had my cheapo for some 25 years and it still functions very well. i've actually never ever even cleaned the barrel lol , short of an oiling it has been maintenance free . its a revelation made by mossberg sold by Western Auto of all places, in the late 70's and early 80's they sold firearms along with auto parts lol.

i would get a good 12 gauge and maybe a inexpensive 20 gauge for her if you want her to shoot with ya .

[eshoremd]

twanger said:

Todd - A semi would be softer shooting, which might be a consideration for my wife. Thanks for the link.
Nice looking gun, and a good price.

also comes with five chokes. The Stoeger Model 2000 is licensed to use Benelli’s Inertia Driven™ operating system — the heart of the world’s most prestigious and expensive autoloaders. Unlike common gas-operated guns whose fore-ends conceal operating rods, pistons, O-rings, valves and other moving parts, the inertia system is entirely contained inside the receiver. The results? A trimmer fore-end, better balance, more reliable operation and the ability to fire everything from light field ammunition to the heaviest waterfowl loads without adjustments. And because propellant gas isn’t vented from the barrel, Inertia-Driven™ guns like the Model 2000 stay cleaner, even after hundreds of shots – even in the toughest conditions, your new Model 2000 will keep on firing!

[kentucky_redneck]

I would look at an o/u or a pump.
I shot some skeet with my dads semi auto Remington and the gut to my right hated me cause the shell would always eject and hit him.
But then again you can but a shell catcher that snaps on the chamber and catches and holds the shell.
Just something to think about.

[Twanger]

Something just hit me - I'm left handed. Is that a big problem with a RH auto-loader?
I hate to buy a left-handed gun, but if it's necessary I would.

[penaltybox]

Good Luck finding a left handed auto-load Shotgun. I know Remongton offers a few models in left hand versions, but not nearly the same variety. I've found that manufacturers only offer a few of their models if any at all for the left handed shooter. I too shoot left-handed and have found several guns that sparked my interest only to find out that they were right-hand only. They're out there, just requires a little more looking.

[Buckfever]

You can get the Berreta Al391 for under a thousand at Walmart.

[Twanger]

Buckfever - Alot of people have been recommending the 391. Thanks for the vote.
I might have to get an extra barrel w/ cantilever scope-mount so I can use it for deer too.

[davep]

In autos,it's hard to beat the Stoeger 2000 for the money.(under $400)
Baikal make one hell of a good semi,3 1/2",that we've beat to hell ducking,and it keeps going.
I've got a Stoeger O/U ,the Condor,and it was like $269 at Dicks,your choice of 12ga or 20.Picked up 5 chokes of ebay for $20 and I'm set.
Also shoot occasionally with family relics-just because.Like to dance with everything in the back of the safes every now and again.Last time,took a little pre-patent Ithica 20 ga SXS and a couple Sterlingworth SXSs.Had a blast,even if they were stocked for someone a lot shorter than me.
Never saw the purpose of a special purpose clays gun.I shoot with what I hunt with,for the most part,to keep tuned up,and to just plain have FUN! And also,to use some of our old family stuff.
Heck,me and a buddy shot a round with BP SXSs a few years ago.Took forever,but the pissed off look of the clay-snobs was PRICELESS!