Buying my first shotgun need help?
The majority of people on here have never touched a nova. They are of a whole 'nother tier of quality. Benelli makes the best shotguns in the world. While the Remington 870 offers an inexpensive, and albeit quality gun, the nova will smoke the 870 in performance, quality and extra features every time. If you have the extra money, go for the Benelli. It costs more to put bling and accessories on it, but if you want a good looking, powerful, (3.5 inch chamber) high class, ergonomic, and extremely durable shotgun, go for the Benelli. There is a reason the 870 in considered a budget, entry level shotgun. Both are fine firearms, but the nova is just a bit "more".
Need a stock for a shotgun?
I think "Andy" has the information you need, but just to add. Is your shotgun stamped "5100" If so it's a Stevens model 5100 built for Wards in the 1940's It's identical to the Stevens model 530A SB = I think that was a model designation used by Wards Numrich http://www.gunpartscorp.com Part #164670B - $80.90 / stock The same stock fits both. They should be able to tell you if the stock will fit.
I have a sears roebuck 12 gauge shotgun model 200 i just inherited. need some info on it.?
If there are no threads inside the barrel, the gun probably has a built-in choke. Look on the barrel near the receiver (where the shell goes) and see if there is an indication of choke size. The stamping may say something like "Model 200 12 gauge uses 2-3/4" and 3" shells Full choke". If it says "modified" or "improved cylinder", it has some reduction in size, and if it says "full choke", if has the most reduction. In any case, the best way to gauge how the choke functions is to "pattern" it. Take a large sheet of paper or cardboard (36" square is a good size) and set it up at about 20 yards. Shoot a shot shell at it and measure the size of the circle made by the pellets. If it is a full choke, it should leave about a 20" circle. If it is Modified, 25", Improved Cylinder, 30". If there is no choke reduction, it should make a 35" circle. Here's a page of reference, showing the pattern sizes and the size shot to use for different types of game. http://www.shotgunworld.com/amm.html Note: if you plan to use slugs for big game, make sure that the gun doesn't have a full choke. The reduction is so much that it affects the accuracy. One last thing - if the gun was not originally designed for replaceable choke tubes, it is probably either impossible or at the very least very expensive to add it. Just shoot the gun the way it is. You can hunt any type of bird, including turkey with it. I have 6 shotguns, and only one has replaceable chokes, and I have shot everything from doves to turkeys and ducks. For a beginner, just work on putting the center of the pattern over your target. As you improve, you can get another gun with replacement chokes.
I have inherited an antique shotgun. Need some help!?
Considering what you don't know about your shotgun, I do NOT advise you to shoot it until you have had it inspected by your local gun shop dealer or gunsmith. With "old" shotguns, there is a common problem with regard to the kind of steel used in fabricating the barrel. There was a time period when most shotguns shot black powder and a new kind of metal barrels (called Damascus or twist steel barrels) became very popular. Those that have these barrels can usually (but not always) be distinguished from modern barrels by the patterns in the surface of the barrel. Rolled steel or fluid steel barrels have NO pattern in their surface at all. If you can see ANY pattern or repetitious design in the surface of the steel barrel, do NOT shoot this gun. Modern smokeless powders are too powerful to be used in Damascus barrels and to attempt to ignore this warning could result in serious damage to both the gun and the shooter. Be safe rather than sorry. Show it to the experts and trust their judgment as to the safety of shooting old guns. The best place for it might be hanging on a place of honor in your den or office. Good luck.
I just bought a maverick m/88 shotgun,my uncle said i should lube it with oilwhere u put the shell in so i did
You can pretty much get away with oiling the gun anywhere it has moving parts, including where you put the shell in. It's best to get a cleaning rod, brush, some patches and a real nice gun oil lube such as Hopps. Make sure the bore brush, patches and rod will all be compatible with your shotgun (it will say on the package). After that you need to run the Brush through the barrel of the gun (unloaded) to loosen up debris from shot shells, & powder. Do that around 10 times or so. Also when you stick your bore brush in the gun, it should be kinda tight, but not so tight that you cannot move the brush without over exerting yourself. Once you are finished with that you need to take the gun cleaning patches and put them on the accompanied tip that they come with, or I've seen some people just wrap them around the bore brush. The patch tip will either look like a sharp point, or a bigger version of the eye of a needle. Either case just put the patch on there and some Hopps oil and run it through the barrel. If the tip is pointed when you run it down the barrel, you will have to open the action on the shotgun so that you can grab the patch and throw it away. If it has the eye of the needle on there, you can pull it back up as if to get another clean swipe with the back of the patch. You need to run these patches through until you get almost no residue left on the patches. After that if you feel like going really clean, you can run that bore brush through again, and repeat the patch cleaning process. Also just use that Hopps oil around where you put the bullet in, and/or the chamber both and anything that moves pretty much. Just work the action on the gun several times, and wipe off any excess oil. Also if its a pump shotgun you may have trouble cleaning the chamber where the bullet is fired and expelled. The way I clean that is I get an old toothbrush and squirt some oil in there and run the toothbrush around real good. After that I take a rag and dried out the interior of the chamber as best I can, and work the action again. I do that several times until I feel its pretty clean. If the gun has a wood stock, the oil from the rag will also make the wood shine really nice. Hope that helps!
Im 18, should i buy a rifle or shotgun?
Shotgun. Waaayyy more versatile, and nothing beats one up close and personal (especially if there is a bad guy in your apartment/house). I highly doubt they will tolerate any firearm of any type on a college campus. Don't do it. You will get arrested, but I do sympathize with you. I was 16 (once upon a time ago...), and had a handgun (Pietta 1851 navy in .36 caliber). I looked EVERYWHERE for a job, and guess where I ended up? Waterbury CT. One of the roughest, scuzziest places you will ever be. I worked as a gas station cashier, in a place that had gotten robbed several times. Even though I was 16, I knew the risks of carrying a handgun. I knew that I would take my lumps from Law enforcement if caught, but I knew that nothing feels better than being alive (yes, I was always a law abiding "square", and I deemed responsible enough by many). That 1851 kept a lone teenager company many dark, scary nights in that gas station. So I can in a sense relate to your situation. No shotgun though, you can't carry that ANYWHERE without having cops draw on you. You will be arrested. If you are really concerned, get security to walk you out to your car/wherever. If need be (I don't advocate breaking the law), do what I did. If you are forced to shoot someone, you will be arrested for illegal possession of a firearm, but then again, nothing feels better than being alive. By the way, work on your spelling... especially if you are in college.
Choose a shotgun.Your two essential needs for a firearm are hunting and protection. But protecting your home, your life, and your families lives take precedence. And a shotgun is the best choice for home defense.The basics of firing a shotgun are relatively easy. This is something to consider during a violent and sudden home invasion. Also the actual shots inside the shell (i.e.: 12 gauge) tend to not penetrate through more than just your aggressor. That is safer for bystanders, a.k.a. family or pets, that may be around or behind the attacker.A rifle is for long distance targets, such in hunting, where you have time to take your shot.A shotgun can also be very effective in hunting and in skeet shooting.Lastly, a starter shotgun and shells are relatively cheaper than a rifle and ammo.
I would like to suggest this. Place on knee on the floor. Then the other. Place both hands together and ask God for directions. Then get up and go help someone. Anybody. Anywhere. Don’t worry about yourself. Just go help clean up a yard. Paint a church. Help a child you don’t know by buying them a healthy meal. Take a veteran to the hospital and bring him home. Help an elderly person who might have been someone who helped start your local fire department and has been forgotten. Stand up, move out. And be a blessing to someone and don’t worry about what it gets you. Then, when you feel better about yourself ask again how to buy a gun, to go target shooting or hunting.
AR-15 or Shotgun for home defense?
Stick with the shotgun. It is better for close-range action, which is ideal in a close setting (as in a doorway or a smaller bedroom in your home). A shotgun is excellent for stopping a hopped up criminal (all the better if the perp is a psychotic meth head breaking into your home to do you harm). An AR-15, while effective, has less stopping power when compared to the shotty at close range, and therefore would be less effective against some criminal under a drug-induced rage. Plus, do you really need an AR-15? They are a bit over-kill, dangerous, and you'll often look like a pshyco just by owning one (unless you are military). Besides that, they are trouble, and if stolen, they can do alot more harm. (Oh and as far as I know, such guns may soon be outlawed as a result of the horrific events in Connecticut. So in summation, go with the shotty. Its available at your local wal-mart or hunting outfitter, and can also be used for hunting in addition to home defense.