Good Starting/First Firearm?

[Spazzums08]

What would you guys reccomend, and why? I've been thinking a shotgun, because you can swap the barrels from shot to rifled and use it for pretty much anything? What would you guys reccomend, and why?

[Sartell Angler]

Besides a .22 for squirrels, a Remington 870 Express 12 gauge is my first and last! I got the slug barrel for deer but my passion is ducks, geese, and pheasants. Don't plan on getting another gun until this one fails me (probably never will)...and if so I'd get another 870.

[tealitup]

Is this for a kid? I would say that starting with a .22 or .17 is a great first gun to teach with.

However, a 20ga. is also a great weapon (single shot) to start with. It forces good shots. I think it is bad to have someone shoot 3-5 times without hitting anything.

[Sandmannd]

I had the same question last fall. I am new to hunting. Got an 870 as well and it's a great gun and it won't break the bank. I borrowed a buddies slug gun for deer but during target practice I ran rifled slugs through my 870 and was just as accurate. They are great guns. 12 guage might be a little much if it's for a kid though.

[JigginIsLife]

yup, i would deffinatly start with a .22. for one reason i remember when i did my hunter safty course we took out our .22 and shot at the range with them for awhile so they will need that if they havent taken the course. if you thinking shotgun, deffinatly the 870 is the right gun to go for, not all the jazzy sights to break, very durable, and fairly easy to clean (If pump) but like tealitup said a single shot is what my dad wanted me to start with but didn have the funds to buy another gun, but the 870 great starter shotgun, for practice work with the .22

[mrklean]

I think a lot depends, size age of person, what you are using it for, i think a 20 or 12 ga would be great but it all depends on what its used for and who.

[gonefishin11]

Take a look at the 870 Wingmaster instead of the Express. Its alot lighter, has a much nicer finish and is more durable than the Express... but it is also more expensive.

[Spazzums08]

It wouldn't be for a kid, just a person just getting into hunting. I was thinking the 870 was the way to go too, thanks for all the input guys!

[southwest]

I would also go with a pump or auto if you can afford. The single shot shotguns are dangerous for anyone not used to using

a hammer on the shotgun. A single shot bolt action with a clip works well but haven't seen those since I was a kid in the 70's.

I had a single shot .410 and a single shot 12 ga. They were great until found out they were not my dads guns but my uncle's and then my cousins used them. I do not recommend the single shot

real dangerous with the hammer for anyone that hasn't had alot

of practice with one any thumb strength.

[Tom7227]

Ditto on the 870. I have had problems with an 870 Express with the Parkerized (dull) finish. It rusted badly during a 20 minute trip back to the motel. No luck with a warranty claim. I have an old 870 Wingmaster that I just love and have never had a problem with it. Frankly I would look for an old Wingmaster before I bought a new Express.

[cribbageboy]

Can't hardly beat a 20 gauge for a starter gun IMO. It was my first and I have no regrets.

[JustLOVEit]

My recommendation is a 12ga (any remington).... its legal and can terminate squirrels, ducks, turkey, deer, bear, doves, rabbit, geese, mule deer. This is just the list i've gotten with my mine.. just a plain 8 yrs old remington 12ga w/ both bird and rifle barrel... i also have a 15+ yrs old 20ga rem, that is still dangerous in the field.. but it has retired.. =D

"Doing it, cause Just LOVE It!!"

[Rhino__14]

Spazzums08- If you are interested in going with the Remington 870 Express give me a call. I would have info on a couple of used ones you may be intersted in.

218-280-8138

[Sartell Angler]

Don't understand why some have a problem with the Express...mine has been hunted in the rain and snow on many occasions and after a quick cleaning I never have had to worry about rust. Mine doesn't jam, is a good-looking gun, and fits me perfectly. It has the light-colored stock with the 28 inch barrel...also added a glow bead to it and a sling (which I take off if I'm in a layout blind or hunting upland game).

[Hooliganz]

I started with my grandpa's Iver Johnson single shot 20ga..great little gun.

Still my favorite to take grouse hunting, since its so light and usually only have time for one shot at those grouse anyways.

[brittman]

Youth? What are you going to hunt?

Youth sized Remington or Browning pump. Also have a Mossberg 20 ga bantam shotgun with rifled barrel and scope mount, but the Remington and Browning pump actions are built so much better.

I thought about a single shot, but most are heavy and do not have the same balance as the namebrand pumps, they usually lack a ribbed barrel and often have the pull back hammer.

The pump can be a single shot for as long as you want - just do not add the shell(s) to the magazine.

The youth size is nice to handle too. If will make a great little grouse woods gun even when he gets bigger and starts carrying a full sized 12.

[brittman]

Sartell: guns are like trucks and woman. Every man has his own favorite A bad experience with either may send him looking for something different

[jlm]

My first gun was a .410 and I think this is a great starting point for kids 12 and under. A little older, perhaps a 28 guage or 20 guage would be good choices. I would disagree, I think the single shots are much more safe compared to pumps. Cycling a gun can be dangerous as well as leaving something in the chamber. Single shot does have a hammer in some cases but overall, I think it is much more safe and easier to teach a youth how to handle the gun. Pros and cons to everything I guess. Good luck!

[SDbowhunter]

AR-15 or AK-47 get one now while you can... But really a 22 is always a good gun to learn shooting skills with or a 12 gauge. But for me all my extra gun money is going to semi-auto rifles, magazines, and ammo for every gun i own.

No worries, I'm not crazy... just enthusiastic.

[huntnfishsd]

870 is always a safe bet. My brother just got one (Super Mag) last year and loves it! I have an 11-87 Semi-auto and absolutely love it! It definately puts birds down if they happen to fly where you are shooting!

[tedl]

I feel you get more bang for your buck from the 870 express. My barrel rusted but it was my fault, I forgot about it and left it in the case wet over night. I wiped it down with inhibiter and that did a good job.

[Pyrex]

My first was an 870, and I still use it faithfully. Most of my friends have gotten other guns, usually semi's, but I will always have a pump.