Quote from: Monsterlover on September 21, 2010, 07:56:31 AM
Good info all around.

I like low maintenance that leans me more toward a pump gun.

Parts availability is also a + so I'll likely look at the Mossbergs and Remingtons

I love the look of the pistol grip with the telescoping stock, but Im not sure it would be as comfotable in the hand as a regular stock. . .

Depending on your use, I have never seen a rational reason for a telescoping stock on a shotgun.  I can see it on an assault rifle, such as an M4 when the thickness of gear and firing position for a soldier can change rapidly, but shotguns are used differently.  A pistol grip + rifle stock (like the Choate Mark V) is a good example because it gives you the vertical pg and a rifle stock.  I can also see a good use for a foldign stock (not telescoping) because it makes carry easier.  Telescoping stock just goes short to long pull.  Urban SWAT teams like the short pull because it accounts for gear and makes them somewhat more compact.

I never understood the fascination with a telescoping M4 style stock except on an M4 or even another rifle of that type.

Like this one in the background?

Quote from: Monsterlover on September 21, 2010, 08:17:03 AM
Like this one in the background?

yeah, that's an ATI stock though, you can tell by the uber-thin portion right behind the pistol grip.

Here is a folder from Choate: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=191766502#PIC


and a fixed Mark V setup: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=191485997

Im feeling that something like this could be a good place to start.

Price is reasonable as well, IMO

Quote from: Monsterlover on September 21, 2010, 08:25:01 AM
Im feeling that something like this could be a good place to start.

Price is reasonable as well, IMO

Any 12 ga 870 is going to be good.  You have more options if you get one with a magnum receiver, they are heavier.  There are several different receivers over the lifetime of the model (70 years?  I forget)  but the internals are essentially unchanged. 

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=190846363#PIC

$250.  Swap the barrel with a shorter one, add a tube extender and you are good to go.

What's the difference between a magnum receiver and non?

When my Dad passed my brother and I divvied up his gun safe. He had a great old 870 Wingmaster that I sure would like to have. Lots of wear on the blue but it's still a beauty and buttery smooth. Not a speck of rust! Unusual for my Dad's guns! I let my older brother have it since he used to shoot it as a kid. I got my Dad's Winchester model 42 and my Grandfather's model 12, Beretta 20g Silver Snipe and his Pre-'64 Winchester model 94 in 30-30. Love the stuff I have but I'd also love that old Wingmaster!! My brother got the rest so we came out even. At least he's got two boys to pass it on to. Not sure my step son would appreciate any of it. Maybe I'll leave the family guns to my brother's kids too.

The 870s were introduced in 1950. Sixty years of one of the best firearms ever.

Quote from: Monsterlover on September 21, 2010, 08:28:09 AM
What's the difference between a magnum receiver and non?

The mag receivers can handle 3.5" 12 gauge ammunition, non-mag can take up to 3" rounds. Three and a half inch shotshells are very popular in goose hunting. Makes my shoulder hurt just typing those words!

Quote from: rc51 on September 21, 2010, 10:01:13 AM
When my Dad passed my brother and I divvied up his gun safe.

same story when my pop passed, but I'm an only child -- so i got everything.  he was in WW2 and in Korea and brought back almost a dozen guns, which he could do as a marine quartermaster..  almost everything was legit, even after the 1986 amnesty...  >sigh<.. if we hadn't had to get probate involved, well.. it would have been an unenumerated collection...

Nice!

Quote from: ducatiz on September 21, 2010, 03:01:42 AM
I haven't found many of the ATI products to be good quality.  I have an ATI stock on an SKS but the finish leaves a lot to be desired.  The Choate stuff is far better IMHO as they are an OEM for several companies (I know Mossberg and Beretta, not sure about the others).

I have read a lot of good and bad about ATI stuff, but from a first hand account, the collapsing stock on my shotguns and the folding stock on my 10/22 both look, fit, and function just fine.  With that being said, none of those guns are show pieces, so I may not be as picky.  

Quote from: ducatiz on September 21, 2010, 08:06:40 AM
Depending on your use, I have never seen a rational reason for a telescoping stock on a shotgun.  I can see it on an assault rifle, such as an M4 when the thickness of gear and firing position for a soldier can change rapidly, but shotguns are used differently.  A pistol grip + rifle stock (like the Choate Mark V) is a good example because it gives you the vertical pg and a rifle stock.  I can also see a good use for a foldign stock (not telescoping) because it makes carry easier.  Telescoping stock just goes short to long pull.  Urban SWAT teams like the short pull because it accounts for gear and makes them somewhat more compact.

I never understood the fascination with a telescoping M4 style stock except on an M4 or even another rifle of that type.

I like the collapsible stock on my 835 because of some of the terrain we muddle through turkey hunting.  Shorter gun makes life a little bit easier.  +1 on the pg.  Takes a lot of the pop out of 3.5" shells.  I like it on my defense gun because the butt sits lower when using a single point sling.  I agree with you that a folding would probably work better for compactness, but the collapsing still gives you a butt plate for firing without having to unfold.  I am thinking in the terms of a 2am, cross-eyed, in my underewear, situation in my house.  It would be one less thing to think about doing.  There again, personal preference.  

Quote from: Monsterlover on September 21, 2010, 03:01:20 AM
Any tips for the shotgun noob?

Looking for an all arounder to shoot/home defense.

MB 500 seems pretty popular

I have to at least mention the Mossberg 835.  Inexpensive, reliable, and pretty versatile.  Mine eats 2 3/4", 3", and 3 1/2" without a hiccup.  I have used it for hunting deer, duck, dove, & turkey.  I even shoot skeet with it when I don't want to dirty up my Browning.  I have dropped in mud, a lake (damn duck), and had it in rain numerous times.  Just clean it, oil it, and use it next time.  One of my cheapest and one of my favorites. 

Quote from: ducatiz on September 19, 2010, 06:08:42 PM
WANT:
Lahti M39.  20mm anti-tank gun.  It's about 7 ft long.

Sorry, but I'm gonna have to put my 2c in.

Why the make the beast with two backs would you want one of these? You have a tank problem in your neighbourhood?

Or a quick way to chop trees down? 

Never understood guns, never will. Call me a tree huggin, pacifist leftie. Don't need a gun, I kill my food with my bare hands. Now, where's my packet of Doritos. 

 

Heeeeere we go.....

Quote from: rgramjet on September 24, 2010, 04:06:00 PM


Heeeeere we go.....

What do you mean?

My post is partly a joke, don't read too much into it.  

I live on the other side of the world, so trying to understand how and where you live is a fascination of mine.

I'm a shit stirrer, that's all.