Stinky;

If the only choices possible are the ones you posted, I'll vote the Mossberg also.

But, pump 20's abound in pawn shops & used gun racks everywhere!  I'd say that if you're in no particular hurry, it's possible to find a very nice used gun for the budget numbers you've posted.  Browning's made several versions of the BPS 20 that I'd think would suit your purpose, the Upland & the Youth, come first to mind.  I'd also think that there might very well be a classic 870 Wingmaster (You know, deep blue & good wood) on a rack just waitin' for you to come along.

In other words, why not see if you can't get a better gun & pay the same money?

900F

Just my thoughts.  I have mossberg and Rem 870s, no axe to grind.

That J.C. Higgins is a Sear marketed gun, IIRC theat is a "hardware store' High Standard; also sold to Western Auto, and Montgomery Wards.  High standards pumps were good guns, in the mossberg 500 class.  But H.I is no longer made and so has limited appeal.  I sold one at a gun show in June, in fair condition with 22 inch barrel rifle sights and a sling for $110.  and it was a hard sell.

The mossberg is Ok but is not close to the 870 in fit finish or smooth action.  the 870 will go up in value and the Mossberg will hold its present value.  the 870 has a smooth action, and the Mossberg is  well 'clunky".  durable but clunky.

I have a Mossberg with a C-lect adjustable choke choke (this is Mossber's trademark for their selectable choke).  On a 870 I have a Poly-choke; and on another 870 I have Remington  choke tubes.  I've been shootong slugs out of both adjustable chokes (Poly and C-lect) for over 20 years.  No damage.  I shoot the lead Foster type slugs as they group much better.  In testing the saboted slugs I found that they did not shoot as well from my smooth bore adjustable choke guns as the much cheaper foster (Remington's brand 'Slugger').

when my son turned 12 he had a paper route, and I told him if he saved he could buy a shotgun (getting rid of the junk H&R Topper).  He bought a Win 1200 with choke tubes and a youth stock.  It came with a coupon for an adult stock (extra $45  which I paid for immediately know it might not be available in the future).

My son has that same first pump 20 ga shotgun still today and he and I have used it for grouse and cottontails.  nice light 22 inch barrel with choke tubes.  That same gun has had the short/youth stock on and off about 6 times.  Lots of cousins and grandsons have used that  gun in our annual friday after thanksgiving pheasant hunt.  And I know my son wants to pass it on to his 2 year old some day.

The Winchester 1200 was a low end gun, but like remington, winchester really makes some very fine low end guns.

Just would suggest getting some type of adjustable choke (tubes or adjustable) and get a youth model with a second adult stock.  kids grow way too fast and he/she will need that extra length soon.  Especially on a shotgun stock, fit is the key to good shooting for a child or new shooter.

I agree with Kingpin. Also I would recomend a Wingmaster over an Express.

Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun.

Wing master

So Stinky, what happened?

foo

Kingpin, I must have missed Foo's thread. 

I am still in a holding pattern.  I don't remember why I didn't get the 870 or the Mossburg (which is still on the shelf).  I was looking at a Tri-star semi-auto and had the money collected and a clutch and a transmission blew.  I think that was it...unless it was the upper that I put on lay-away,

I am still trying to cope w/the transmission. 

I am trying to sell and AR in order to collect the money.  It sold on consignment, but the guy didn't pick it up after his back-ground went through.

And, about the gubment always buys from the lowest bidder...being a person that sells his soul to Uncle Sam...that is true, almost.  In order to be eligible to be purchased, the unit has to pass the Solicitation process and if there is one, the testing process (there is one on guns) in order to get on the eligible for purchase list.