Need some help on getting a new shotgun...

[LunaticFringeInc]

Okay Ladies and Gents, need some help from those in the know!


Im looking to buy a new shotgun for the first time in about 17 years! A whole lot has changed since then to say the least.  I am looking for a rock solid pump action 12 gauge, doesnt have to be pretty, doesnt have to have nice wood, but it does need to be durable and as flexible as possible without getting a half dozen accessory barrels.


I found what seems to be a real sweet deal on a NIB Mossberg 535 Turkey gun all camo'ed out with a 20 inch barrel, inter-changable chokes, Fiber Optic rifle sights chambered for 2 3/4 to 3.5 inch loads.  They are asking just 219.00 fun dollars! (Normal price on it was 329.00)


I have done a little research and have found some information but not a lot.  Called their tech support and they claimed that in addition to using turkey loads, if I change the choke tube out to something less restrictive than XX-Full, I could use steel shot in it.  They also said that I could also fire your standard lead slug through it using a IC choke tube installed.  I can not get a rifled choke tube and shoot slugs through it though, which is something I can live with.  So far it sounds just about what I am looking for.  In all probability I will likely use it for Turkey hunting, possibly hogs and due to the short barrel install a IC choke and run some 00-buck/#4 Buck through it on pest around the homestead.  What I have not been able to find out though is how good a shotgun is this particular model of shotgun.  Is it as well made as the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 from a durability and reliability stand point or is this some cheap budget entry level model of gun that I should pass on?


I would greatly appreciate any opinions of this particular model, especially if you own and shoot one! Thanks in advance for your time.

[SHOOTALL]

get the Remington  870 express 3 inch mag turkey gun and you can get rifled choke tubes . you could get the 870  with the 3.5 chamber but you add weight.

[SHOOTALL]

BTW  Carlton most likely makes a rifled choke for mossbergs

[Doublebass73]

Get a used Ithaca 37. They can be had for a reasonable amount of money. Reliable, well made, ejects downward (nice if you're a lefty) and the action is way smoother than a Mossberg or 870 for around the same amount of money.

[LunaticFringeInc]

Thanks so far fellas. 
No I am not a lefty but I did pick up a stupendously beautiful Remington 1100LH used for 150.00 fun dollars that just annilates clays on the trap range like no other!
Shootall, I do kind of have a preferance for the Remingtons and own two already in 2  3/4 inch recievers.  Had a lot of Mossberg 500 and Remington 870's in our armory on base and really found both to be pretty rock solid when it comes to taking abuse and hard use.  Was just wondering if the 535 followed in those foot steps.

[hunt-m-up]

535 is reliable also and at that price you can't go wrong