shotgun options

#2 son just graduated and i want to help him get the best decent-quality-yet-not-overly-expensive shotgun possible. unfortunately i know nothing of shotguns.

shotgun would be a 12ga pump shotgun intended for birds, not deer. wood would be either black synthetic or decent walnut, not the gross "hrdwood."

i figure there are two options:

• get a new something like a chas daly or the "poor man's" wingmaster (i think it is an 870 express?).
• try to get a decent used "good" shotgun like a wingmaster etc. and hope that one is available at a decent price and had a loving former owner.

what do you guys think? chas daly and remington are the only two brands that i think of as "good" and "available" without stepping up to the really expensive ones. as i said i know nothing so any and all advice would be appreciated. i plan on kicking a hundred $$$ into this myself, no there i want to do the best i can to get the best bang for the buck.

A Remington 870 Express is probably your best bet. You do want to make sure they are absolutely dry before storage if you use them in the rain. The one I have seems to be OK but my buddy has one that will rust overnight if not dried and oiled. I probably have 10000 rounds through mine with out any repair. They also take down almost completely with minimal tools, for cleaning, something you likely won't find on other guns.  RD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkPJHzw4PXg

deaddog, +1 on the Mossberg over the Daly. I've also got 2 Mossberg 500s. I do prefer the Mossberg tang safety over the trigger guard safety on the 870 but the rattle in the Mossberg forend is a deal breaker for sneaking up on game. RD

Ron,

I would look for an 870 Express. In my opinion it is the best one out there.

Its a Wingmaster, but my son still hunts with my dads 870 that he bought new in 1956. As far as I know, It has never had a breakdown.

Good luck and Congradulations to the young man. He deserves it.

Ron;

I wouldn't turn my nose up at a good used Browning BPS either.

900F

get an 870, used or new.  The older ones had good wood and an easy refinish willmake it great.  20  16 or 12 ga no disappointment. 

I hunted a 20 year old Express for pheasant, boar, deer, and turkeys in the last 6 month.  Barrels are everywhere and you can get a short one and a long one for different purposes.

They only last about 90 years with only reasonable care.

870 tactical, HD and Police all come with plastic triggerguards now.

I also have had the chance to use my BPS shotguns a little this spring.  They are way smoother actions than any 870 I've used.