I think the 1187 Sportsman falls under $500.
That would be my choice.

 

As far as I'm concerned you've listed nothing but junk. I wouldn't have any one of those in my safe if you gave it to me and paid me every month to keep it. I'd far rather have a used good auto than pick a crappy new auto. Flame away, boys; I don't care. Life's too short to go afield with poor equipment. If $500 is your budget, you can find far better guns used.

 

I shoot a Stoeger 2000 and it is not poor equipment. Not one failure to function since new. I have other guns too, but none more reliable. I'm not flaming anyone, just telling the truth.

 

As far as I'm concerned you've listed nothing but junk. I wouldn't have any one of those in my safe if you gave it to me and paid me every month to keep it. I'd far rather have a used good auto than pick a crappy new auto. Flame away, boys; I don't care. Life's too short to go afield with poor equipment. If $500 is your budget, you can find far better guns used.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts too...

 

i saw a new 1187 sportsman at cabelas today.....in my mind it is far and away better than any you have listed.....i have owned a couple of those on your list... the 930 gave admirable service, the stoeger ( sorry, stoeger fans...was a piece of crap..at least mine was ) one of my ffa students who shot on our shooting sports team had one....he might as well had a H&R single shot). in short, i agree wholeheartedly with Mustangdriver and drsmfd but...... since i no longer own any of the firearms and since you asked for opinions from current owners i will get outta here..

okc

 

I didn't know the 11-87 could be had for under $500 on the internet it was more and I don't see them in the few gun stores in West Los Angels. I might buy one some day. The Stogers rep is all over the map I didn't have a good experience with one but others have. Again I own some great used semis that I won't sell however new semis under $500 might allow new hunters to join our ranks and if our numbers don't grow has we all know hunting will be that much esier to outlaw. So keep the comments coming.

Leftyhunter

 

None of the above

 

Mossberg 930 Field
New to semi auto shotguns and my first one is the Mossberg 930 Field , it goes bang everytime I have pulled the trigger and feeds and works fine .
What more is expected of a tool than for it to work everytime ?

 

At Harbor Freight I can get a 1/2" pneumatic impact wrench for $19.99 and I can get one for $199.99, which would you get? Well that depends on use doesn't it? If I only use it once or twice a year, the $20 one looks pretty good to me. Even if it breaks, I'm still money ahead. Especially if I'm only using it as a hobby or as a weekend mechanic. However, if I use it every day or it's a tool I need to do my job, I can't afford to have it break in the middle of a job so, the $200 one looks a lot better.

So, the models of shotgun listed certainly aren't high end guns, but they will go bang. The question is, what are you using it for? If that use is hunting once or twice a year, why not buy the el cheepo? If you want to shoot Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays or go on one of those South American dove hunts where they shoot thousands, then you're wasting your time with the el cheepo.

The OP wants this gun for his son to go shoot some waterfowl and this gun is for a backup, why not buy the $500 one?

 

Mossberg 930 ALL the way, it is "head and shoulders" above any of the others on the list.

Aside from "crooked sights" on some of the 930SPX tactical style guns, the 930's have proven to be extremely reliable, soft-shooting shotguns at a great price.

Smitty

 

At Harbor Freight I can get a 1/2" pneumatic impact wrench for $19.99 and I can get one for $199.99, which would you get? Well that depends on use doesn't it? If I only use it once or twice a year, the $20 one looks pretty good to me. Even if it breaks, I'm still money ahead. Especially if I'm only using it as a hobby or as a weekend mechanic. However, if I use it every day or it's a tool I need to do my job, I can't afford to have it break in the middle of a job so, the $200 one looks a lot better.

So, the models of shotgun listed certainly aren't high end guns, but they will go bang. The question is, what are you using it for? If that use is hunting once or twice a year, why not buy the el cheepo? If you want to shoot Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays or go on one of those South American dove hunts where they shoot thousands, then you're wasting your time with the el cheepo.

The OP wants this gun for his son to go shoot some waterfowl and this gun is for a backup, why not buy the $500 one?

Me too Doug. I have some of what could be called the biggest pieces of junk that work good for me. While I have worked as a mechanic for many years I have several thousands of dollars worth of Snap-On, Mac, and Matco tools. My best investment has been $79.95 for the Earthquake 1/2" impact from HF! In a pretty busy shop I had several other hands barrow that "El Cheapo" because their IR or other top brand didn't have the balls to do the job. It's about 12 years old now and I still use it regularly. I have to admit that I have been sceptical about buying another one though for fear of discovering I got the only good one they made.
All the bashing of cheap guns that goes on around here is kind of funny to me though. If a person asks an opinion they have to expect animated replies. But for the ones who bash something because of price alone without first hand experience is irresponsible and serves no real purpose. While the "You get what you pay for" might work most of the time experience has shown me it don't fit every situation.

 

Smitty-the wood on that 930 is amazing! Definitely not the usual. Did it come that way? If it is your gun you should be VERY happy!

 

Mossberg 930

 

Smitty-the wood on that 930 is amazing! Definitely not the usual. Did it come that way? If it is your gun you should be VERY happy!

I bought this 930 in the summer of 2006 (I looked it up it was Nov '06...):

At the time I was working at our club and put well over 10,000 rounds through it with no problems. So... in '07 I bought a 930SPX, for use in 3-gun competitions (the gun worked great... I found out I didn't have the time or money to practice enough to become good). Then late in 2007 or early 2008 my buddy that owns the shop called and said he had a 930 come in with some nice wood and I should come down and take a look....

I didn't need another one, but I bought it just because of the wood.... so now I've got three of them, two walnut one plastic...

Smitty

 

Hey Smitty , I'm in CT and I'd sure like to know where your buddy's shop is . 8)
Could you either post or PM me the name of his shop ?

 

Hey Smitty , I'm in CT and I'd sure like to know where your buddy's shop is . 8)
Could you either post or PM me the name of his shop ?

PM sent...

BTW, Dec 6th Sporting Clays @ Wallinghford Rod & Gun - 9:00
http://wallingfordrodandgunclub.org/clays.html

You're welcome to try ot the 930 if you'd like...

Smitty

 

What Phil and Rastof say makes a lot of sense to me. I have hunted dove in Cal in the Imperial valley and I didn't see that many doves. If I could afford to go to Argentinia yes I would get a Berettea 20 ga gas gun no doubt. If I get a new gas gun then yes the Mossy 930 sounds like a plan and its made in the USA . By the way Cebelas claims that a new line of shotguns that they are selling from Tristar that retail from $391 to $450 or so are very reliable and Cebelas sell top of the line semis from Browning , Beretta and Benelli. BTW I have a used Auto-5 a Berettea 302 and a SKB 1900 and they are great guns. If I have the money and I see an Auto 5 that shoots steel for say $600 then I will take it but I am wary of buying guns in another state because if the guns a dud and the private party does not honor their warantey then its not worth it to sue them is small claims court and then hassle to enforce the judgement. If a shotgun from Mossy or another brand is a dud then I have a waranty which makes like easier.

Thanks Again;
Leftyhunter

 

For another 50 bucks you could buy the Walmart Beretta(AL 390 synthetic stock). I did last week. It was less than $600 out the door.

 

I have and use the stoeger M2000 for watfowl and deer hunting and as well as sporting clays and dove, rabbit. works great and handles great for the money. also I have and use a Charles Daly that my 12 year old took over, the Charles Daly works great without a problem, I bought it used and it had a broken locking block and called up CD cs and they took my info down and got it fixed with out paying a cent for shipping or handleing! Great workin gas gun!! and great warrenty! I also have or had a Charles daly maxi-pump that my oldest took over he loves it as well as I! can't beat Charles Daly warrenty! My older brother just bought a used Verona 405 semi- the same as H&R excell. both guns are the same. he has shoot waterfowl and deer with it and has not yet gave him any problems. he has had the gun for only about a month now though. and has shot maybe about 40-50 shoots and so far all heavy 3 in. loads. the only thing with the verona 405 and H&R Excell (Half hump) they are the same gun But the New H&R Excell doesn't have the (half hump) reciever. I do not know how that gun is. Some guys have said it is great! go to the H&R session. of the forums. they will talk to you about the new style Excell. as well as the old (half hump) style.

 

I believe, much to the dismay of some on the site, Turkey is going to prove to be a force to be dealt with in the shotgun market in the future. For now I will enjoy the guns I shoot and let them cut them down every chance they get. I am not wealthy.

 

I really like my Mossy 935 and 930. . .both have performed great for me and the 935 has fallen with me in the beaver pond a few times (darn logs). I have a Benelli LH SBE as my backup gun for waterfowl that I didn't even use this year. I just shoot the 935 too well. . .and I love thumb tang safeties in the duck blind, layout blind, layout boat. The shim kit that comes with the Mossbergs is great for anyone. . .I used a Dremel tool and made mine cast for lefties.

I don't use the 930 much, as my grouse gun this year was my LH Guerini Woodlander 28 gauge. I may pull it out in the late season.

 

Thanks Omega, Smilerman and Neantherthal good points. Just to be clear I have nothing against the more expensive mfgrs and like I said I own a few of their older models and love them. Turkey is a force to be taken into account. Its not hard to believe that an emerging industrial country can mfgr proven designs long past their patent dates such has the Beretta 303 and SKB 1900 or the A-5 for that matter. In my home state of calif walyworlds can't sell guns because they sold guns to felons and they made a deal with the Cal Atty General not to sell guns to avoid prosocution. I still buy Ammo there because they are the cheapest but in metro LA I have to use Big-5 since their urban stores in LA don't sell ammo.

Thanks Again;
Leftyhunter

 

Thanks Omega, Smilerman and Neantherthal good points. Just to be clear I have nothing against the more expensive mfgrs and like I said I own a few of their older models and love them. Turkey is a force to be taken into account. Its not hard to believe that an emerging industrial country can mfgr proven designs long past their patent dates such has the Beretta 303 and SKB 1900 or the A-5 for that matter. In my home state of calif walyworlds can't sell guns because they sold guns to felons and they made a deal with the Cal Atty General not to sell guns to avoid prosocution. I still buy Ammo there because they are the cheapest but in metro LA I have to use Big-5 since their urban stores in LA don't sell ammo.

Thanks Again;
Leftyhunter

Leftyhunter, the new to California Dick's stores don't even have fishing, let alone hunting supplies. Yeah, Big 5 is about the last of the "box" stores to carry guns here. if you are a LH shooter (duh?) and are looking for a real LH semi there's even fewer low $ guns out there. There's a few LH H386 Fabarms (H&K, Sigarms etc) plus Remingtons floating around plus a few others, but all above the $500 point. I'm slowly selling all of my RH shooters off and will only have true LH guns where possible. It's really tough finding a LH O/U or SxS that's fully LH'ed. Come join us in the Left Hand Shooter's forum if interested in LH SG's.

 

Hi Don,
I am a Lefty but I can fire RH semis just fine with no problems but I can only shoot left handed rifles and yet I fire handguns with my right hand go figure. A basspro will open up in Bakersfield which is most likely closer then Rancho-Cugomonga. my favorite gun store on the Westdide of LA is martin b Rettings in Culver City Bain and davis is small but good in San Gabrial. Not a lot of choices in metro LA I have no idea about the Antolope Valley. From what I have seen bakersfield guns ain't cheap.

Thanks;
Leftyhunter

 

As far as I'm concerned you've listed nothing but junk. I wouldn't have any one of those in my safe if you gave it to me and paid me every month to keep it. I'd far rather have a used good auto than pick a crappy new auto. Flame away, boys; I don't care. Life's too short to go afield with poor equipment. If $500 is your budget, you can find far better guns used.

My thoughts exactly. You can find a decent used semi-auto for $500.