[Topspin]

Hello everyone: I am a newbie, and I need some advice. I just returned from a camping trip in Colorado with my son who lives in Ft Collins. I live in NY on Long Island. I will be going out there frequently from now on, (62 and counting). I have an 870P Remington Home Defense/Camp Gun (18" BBL). It is a police magnum. Could I buy a 28" barrel and even though it is a pump, could I shoot skeet with it? I never shot skeet before this trip, but one of the guys had a Verona O/U and between 4 of us, we shot 200 rounds of handthrown(?) clays. I never had so much fun in my life. I am a handgunner, but this really made me wet my pants. I hit 26 out of 50, and the guys told me that anything over 20 % for a first timer is considered good. We were in an open meadow at the base of a mountain in the Roosevelt National Forest. Thats good enough for me. I won't be going to some fancy club where I will be ridiculed for not having a $5000.00 Italian Shotgun. (My home defense gun cost me $485.00) Is this feasible, or must I buy a new gun? I'm very proficient with the 870P because I carried a Winchester Mod 12 in Viet Nam. My problem is that I really can't afford a fancy Skeet gun. I would really appreciate any advice from anyone. I have been perusing this forum and it appears to be very friendly, much to my dismay. Some of the handgun forums are very hostile. Thanks in advance, and please pardon if I have not used the correct terms. As I mentioned, I am a total novice to skeet/trap etc shooting, but it was so much fun, I really wish to persue it. I'll keep checking back, and maybe someone can give me some tips. Thank you, Topspin

 

[AFGunner]

If you are going to be shooting mostly hand-thrown clays a pump is a very viable option. I shot a pump for a long time and even started shooting skeet on a regular skeet range with a Mossberg 500 back in the spring. I was pretty consistent with it but moved up to an auto-loader for perceived speed on the second shot. You can pick up a 28" barrel for your gun on-line for a song and not have to go to the expense of buying a new gun. You can even search some of the advertisers on this site and come up with some good deals. I am pretty sure that as you shoot more you will still end up buying another shotgun I(they're like chips, you can't have just one), but yours should be good for now.---AFG

 

[Jeff23]

Hi Topspin--

Welcome to the new shotgunner's forum. It was great reading your post, because I could tell what fun you had with the handthrown clays. You can indeed pick up a 26" or 28" barrel for your 870, and it will be fine for what you will be doing. The tales of ridicule at skeet ranges for not owning 5K guns are, in my opinion, at least partly urban myths. Lots of the guys and girls who are serious clayshooters write on here about their 870's etc. at the skeet ranges. Myself, I've stuck to informal clay shooting (I have a foot trap, so I can throw for myself and then shoot) and have had a great time for years shooting relatively inexpensive pump guns.

I was interested to read that you had a Model 12 in Viet Nam, since I know Ithaca Model 37's were also used and my impression is that they were more common than the Winchesters. Maybe I am wrong about that? Anyway, thank you very much for your service to our country!

Stop back and let us know how it's all going--you'll find the forums friendly, conversational, and informative. I know I've learned alot here.

All the best,

Jeff23

 

[Mark_T]

Topspin

Try this link for used 870 barrels:
http://www.hewittgunshop.com/Barrel%20L ... rem870.htm
I ran across it a while ago. There are several other barrel sites around. Cabelas sells them in their catalog, and I saw some tonight at Galyans.

Best of luck

Mark

 

[jlptexashunter]

I like the guys at Hewitt gun shop, nice to talk to.

Another place to look for 870 barrels at a very nice price is..........drum roll please...........Mossberg.

The Mossy boys build a very nice Remington 870 barrel.

Also, shoot whatever you want. The greatest quail shot I've ever seen was an ol Cajun guy that shot a pistol gripped winchester. He was unbelievable with the thing. If someone in your party cares what you shoot at the skeet range, get a new party or invite GordonSetter (member out here) and he'll shoot his Saiga AK-47 looking shotgun on the trap line with you.

 

[Ulysses]

Topspin,

Welcome to shotgunning. It is certainly more interesting trying to hit a moving orange disk that practically explodes when solidly hit than punching pencil size holes in a stationary piece of paper. I'm not knocking someone else's hobby. I'm just saying that it's no contest as to which is more fun for me.

I agree with Jeff23 that it is largely myth about stuck-up shotgunners with their $5,000 guns at gun clubs. Sure, you will see some expensive guns and some of the gun owners actually know how to use them :lol: , but I've never seen anyone turned away because their gun wasn't expensive enough..... and I've seen some pretty ROUGH guns. The only cautions I would give you about shooting at any gun club is to know and follow the safety rules and try to observe the procedures and practices of the regular customers while going about the shooting games (skeet, trap, sporting clays, etc). Then, try to fit in. Don't worry about how many targets you miss because they may be glad to have someone around that they can beat. :lol: Just try to be ready when it's your turn and keep the same general pace of the game as the regulars. If they are not talking, then it's best that you not talk unless you have something real important to say. If they are laughing and joking as they shoot, then feel free to do the same. Most are friendly and very willing to help a newcomer. Enjoy.

 

[FireAlan]

I too am a newbie and would like to add a question or two.

I want to get into skeet, trap and slugs. I understand that a budget minding Remington 1187 auto can be fitted with different barrels to accomplish all 3 sports, is this true? I also understand that a skeet/trap gun has a straighter stock for more accurate shots, but, that an added aftermarket chin rest will do the trick. I'm not looking to cheap out, but, this is new to me and I'd like to budget myself first without going overboard.

Thanks to all on this site for a tremendous amount of info.

Alan

 

[jlptexashunter]

If you don't mind shooting only 2.75" shells you could even drop that back to the Remington 1100 and save a little money.

Hevi-Shot and the new slug loads in 2.75" are making these guns a great choice for all around shooting.

Here is my favorite all around Semi for the new shooters.
Ease of use, good barrel length for clays, easy to clean, doesn't get too beat up and a tried and true action that been around a long time.

http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/1100syn.htm

 

[Jeff23]

I'm with JLP--guns that buck like broncos with 3" magnum loads are now tame to shoot with hevi-shot. For upland and clays you don't need the 3" magnums anyway, and the hevi-shot makes even geese quite doable with 2 3/4" loads as long as you wait for your shot a bit. Same with turkeys. The 1100 is a super gun, excellent for a beginner. I still like pumps and would probably suggest a Remington 870--it's a partly a matter of taste however, and there are good reasons to be discussed on each side of the debate.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Jeff23

 

[Topspin]

Hello everyone: Thanks to all of you who responded to my post. I really appreciate the feedback. When one is new to something, there is always a certain amount of reservation because you don't want to make a fool of yourself. I guess I should have known this as I am a 4.5 level club tennis player and I constantly have to assure lesser level players that I enjoy working with them on their game. I would NEVER ridicule ANYONE with respect to their game. I guess shotgunning is the same.....Just go out and observe the rules, be safe, and have fun. I shall look for a new barrel, and get into the game! Thank you all for your friendly advice. Topspin