What to look for in a used 20 gauge

[mixxedbagg]

Other han a little bit of duck hunting I did with my dad as a kid and a couple of seasons of grouse hunting in the last few years with a borrowed single-shot 12 gauge, I have very little experience with firearms. I'm hoping to do a little more hunting in the future. Problem is, I've stopped in a few shops to look at used guns and I can't really make sense of one gun from the next.

Here's what I'm hoping for:

Probably a 20 gauge size, capable of 2 3/4" or 3". Will mostly grouse hunt but will probably do some duck hunting too, so I will shoot steel out of it. I have shot a pump but not an automatic, so I'm interested in a pump mostly due to familiarity. NEEDS to be inexpensive, probably less than $200-$250. My wife is not at all happy about the idea of me doing much hunting or buying a gun, so I don't need to give her any "ammo" by spending a lot.

I could use some suggestions for comparing the selection of guns. As is, I can't really look at 2 guns and tell which one is safer, in better shape, better quality, or will meet my needs better and I could use a better idea of what kind of gun would be good for what I want to do.

I'd just ask at the gun shops, but I'd like to have something in mind first so I know if the guy is helping me or just feeding me a line to sell me whatever he happens to have.

[mn_bowhunter]

Last I checked new remington 870's ran about $279. That would be better for ducks and definetely geese imo. My dad lugs one for miles chasing the dog behind pheasants and he's got no problems. If you are dead set on a 20 gauge I'd look at a mossberg 500 model. There are definetely nicer guns out there, but for your price range I'd check these two out. Some good deals could be had on used guns, but they usually go quick.

[Neighbor_guy]

Used 870's run for between $100-$150.00. If you check at some local "smaller" shops, they can check the "gun show" crowd and usualy find you what you need to get. Pawn shops are also good places to check.

But if you are looking for a pump, a Rem 870 is an old standby.

[mixxedbagg]

I'm not dead set on anything (that's why I'm asking the experts!), other than I think a 12 would be a bit big for a primarily grousing gun.

What would be the reason for favoring 26" or 28"? Just comfort or is performance affected?

[Phred52]

mixxedbagg, If you're going for an 'all round gun', I'd suggest you go with a 12 ga., something with the screw-in-chokes, so you can use the gun for waterfowl and by opening the choke up a size or 2 and running some low based rounds, for grouse. I'll guarantee if you go with the 20 for wingshooting waterfowl, it won't be long before you're in the market again. A 12 ga. 870 would be IDEAL! Phred52

[NoWiser]

Mixxedbagg, if you plan on doing a fair amount of grouse hunting I would probably try to find something with a 26" barrel vs. the 28". It will swing faster to catch up with those little rockets, and will be less likely to hang up on brush right as you are pulling the trigger (my favorite excuse for missing a grouse). I don't think there is much (if any) of a disadvantage to using a 26" for waterfowl, either. Definitely make sure it has screw-in choke tubes as Phred52 mentioned. I own a 20 gauge for grouse and woodcock and a 12 for waterfowl and pheasants but if I had to choose one to use for both, no question it would be a 12. They are not too big for grouse.

Good Luck,

NoWiser

[Surface Tension]

Since you'll be duck hunting with this also I'd opt for a 12 gauge as well. If your worried about the 12 being overkill for grouse don't be as you can get some light loads in 7/8th oz shot and have an improved shot string over the 20.

Some things that are a must.

Vented rib.

Choke tubes.

Chambered for 3" shotshells.

Are you left or right eye dominant.

If your a lefty get a shotgun with an ambidextrous safety or a left hand model.

Other factors and features to consider.

Barrel length.

Optional barrel if you plan on deer hunting.: does that model shotgun offer cantilevered rifled slug barrel.

Wood or synthetic stock, and camo.

You DON'T want a shotgun with a fixed full choke.

[mn_bowhunter]

Another note; I've had terrible luck with #8 shot for grouse. 7 and 1/2 shot knocks em down. I'm not sure what the deal is, but one I dropped 3 times with 8 and it still got up and flew again. Maybe I just scared it down? Also don't get me wrong you can drop ducks with a 20 gauge but your range will be very limited. To more humanely hunt ducks you should get a 12 gauge so you lessen crippling of birds.

[mixxedbagg]

All of this advice is very helpful. I went to the local pawn shop and found several Mossberg 12g Magnum 88s in the $150-$200 range and a 12g 870 for $225.

First, how are the Mossbergs for what I want to do? What should I look for to determine if these guns are in usable condition? How do I know if the gun is steel compatible...is it just the choke that matters? (Told ya I've never bought a gun.)

[Sniper07]

I have a Mossberg 12 GA that I have both barrels for (bird and slug barrels). This an inexpensive gun that I use for pheasent, grouse, turkey, duck and deer. It is what is referred to as a utility gun that you don't flip out over when it gets character marks on it from the weather and going through brush. I made a couple mods to it including putting on a synthetic stock and forearm and a much nicer butt plate that absorbes the shock better when it's fired. I also have 3 chokes for it and both barrels are ported to help cut down on muzzle kick. To be honest with the way I have set it up it has about the same kick as a 20 GA. With all the improvements I've done to it I still have only about $325 invested, with the most expensive thing being the turkey choke (about $50).

[Dooley87]

for some odd reason i couldn't reply normaly under my profile but ask any gunsmith or hunter and they will all tell you either they own a remington 870 or there best buddy does, they are great cheap realiable guns. steer clear from mossburgs, they are inexpensive but not as inexpensive as an 870 and mossburgs are known to be cheaply built guns.

second if you are going to do any kind of waterfowling get a 12gauge, you can succesfully hunt grouse and ducks with a 12 gauge but not with a 20 gauge (or as effectivley) you don't want to be winging ducks and lossing and cripling birds.

if you want the best of both worlds and can spare $500 i just bought a stoeger over under 12/20 gauge combo. it comes with a 12 gauge barrel for your phesants or ducks and a 20 gauge barrel for grouse and woodcock etc.. i love it plus over unders are simple easy guns, not many moving parts like on a pump or semi auto gun, no need for a plug cause you only have two shells, simple easy and you get your 12 and 20 gauge, I got mine at scheels for an even 500, otherwise a non combo stoeger would run you about $370