Here's the deal, my son gave me a nice Dick's GC for my birthday and in their weekly add they have a REMINGTON EXPRESS 12 gauge on sale for $260.00 (after rebate) and a STOEGER STF 3000 O/U for $350.00 (after rebate). Obviously, the O/U looks nicer but I just spent an hour on shotgun forums and some of these have had some real problems with ejectors and light strikes/ftf. Since this is my first shotgun, I am leaning towards the 870 because it has so many good reports. Also, I can always get a short barrel for the 870 and use it for HD if I want? Hopefully, I will have something for the Jackson shotgun shoot?

 

Also, on the Remington web site, it says the barrel is a Vent Rib Rem Choke (mod). Does this mean that is has a fixed modified choke or does it mean that the choke that is comes with is a modified and you can change it to others? If it is fixed, can I use a modified choke for shooting clays?

I'd personally go with the Remington. I absolutely love my remington, i have the 870 super mag express and I use it for clays

 

But yeah your gun should have a removeable choke so you can swap chokes as needed for your style of shooting.

John, the 870 is definately a more versatile and proven platform. You can not go wrong with one. I do not know about the STF, but I have an older Stoeger Condor that you can not beat. Goes bang every time and I have beat the piss out of it for years and it can take it. It is a great field gun and does alright on the skeet range too. I would without hesitation get another one.

I'd go with the Rem 870, as TBTrout has said its a very versatile platform. It's your first shotgun, so it can serve most shotgun purposes for you.

 

The Stoger would be more suited to trap or hunting.

 

I've shot trap with an 18" cylinder bore barrel (Mossberg 590).. haha.. the old guys didn't like the added noise, but i hit enough of them.. :mrgreen: I wouldn't worry about the modified choke, but unless Dick's has a special model, it should just be the removable Rem-choke.. as stated on this page: http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... xpress.asp

 

Looks like they give you only one choke tube, so they can gangbang you for $30 when you want another :cry:

 

With Dicks.. just be sure that you are looking at the ACTUAL gun you will be buying.. when i bought a Mossberg there 2 years ago, I look at the one off the shelf.. and the guy helps me wipe the dust off of it.. I tell him "I'll take it".. then goes in the back and grabs a new one.. then he got pissy with me when I wanted to look at the one I'd actually be buying.. :roll:

Thanks Guys! My son took my Nitro and left me his GTI last night because his wiper motor took a dump so I will be going to Freehold VW this week to have it fixed (the disadvantage of being retired, he is too busy at his new job and can't take off to get car fixed while I have "all the ime in the world ), so I guess I will stop at Dick's and pick one out

How can you go wrong with a Remy. Or dare I say it, a Mossy. ICK!

Hands down, I'd go for the 870. Open up any catalog and there are 2 pages for aftermarket stuff for shotguns. The first page is for the 870, the second page is for the Mossy 500.

 

Just like a chevy 350 it may not be the 'best' out of the box, but there's so much crap you can bolt on that can make them awesome and versatile...

Just got back from Dick's new Manahawkin store, checked out the Remmy and bought it. Now I have to learn how to shoot clays? Wasn't somebody setting up a shoot in Jackson next month

 

Tomorrow I have to drive to Long Island to return my son's (now fixed) GTI and pick up my Nitro. If I get home early enough, I will be at BA and maybe Tim can give it a once over and we can shot it a bit?

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2562

 

XDJohn here's the info on next month.

Thanks Wolfy, just posted there.

I almost forgot the obligatory pictures. I know, a Remmy is a Remmy but I am so happy I finally got mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow! Pretty nice. Is that synthetic wood? or is the actual grain?

Thanks, I think it looks real sharp too. It is a wood laminated stock so it really shows the grain from each layer. My Ruger K10-22 Target also has a laminated stock so I have a series going now I guess?

 

I was just thinking if you put like a redwood stain or something like a russian red on it, it would look very unique and awesome.

Bring it in John and some buckshot.

 

Congratulations on the gun.

Congrats, it's a beaut. If I was starting from scratch with a shotty I'd definitely get an 870 too.

Tim, can I use the same shells that I bought for clays to try it out at BA or should I get something different? I bought 2 3/4" -7 1/2 for clays.

Tim, can I use the same shells that I bought for clays to try it out at BA or should I get something different? I bought 2 3/4" -7 1/2 for clays.

 

No birdshot at BA.

No birdshot, AKA the Tiny Rule.

 

pick up a few boxes of 2 3/4 buckshot

No birdshot, AKA the Tiny Rule.

 

pick up a few boxes of 2 3/4 buckshot

 

I just have to ask why? I'm assuming they don't want the lead but that doesn't make much sense I just don't know lol

No birdshot, AKA the Tiny Rule.

 

pick up a few boxes of 2 3/4 buckshot

 

I just have to ask why? I'm assuming they don't want the lead but that doesn't make much sense I just don't know lol

 

I've not been to BA yet, but I would assume its a ricochet hazard? or.. it spreads out into more than one lane? or, they don't want tons of tiny pellets lying around when they do their tactical classes..

No birdshot, AKA the Tiny Rule.

 

pick up a few boxes of 2 3/4 buckshot

 

I just have to ask why? I'm assuming they don't want the lead but that doesn't make much sense I just don't know lol

 

Ricochet is a problem. Someone was shooting a Judge and every time it went off I got raked across my shins with shot. I could not figure out what is was for a while.

 

Also, the bird shot destroys the target backers in a few quick shots. Not that anyone rapid fired a Benneli with birdshot in it.

No birdshot, AKA the Tiny Rule.

 

pick up a few boxes of 2 3/4 buckshot

 

I just have to ask why? I'm assuming they don't want the lead but that doesn't make much sense I just don't know lol

 

Ricochet is a problem. Someone was shooting a Judge and every time it went off I got raked across my shins with shot. I could not figure out what is was for a while.

 

Also, the bird shot destroys the target backers in a few quick shots. Not that anyone rapid fired a Benneli with birdshot in it.

 

I would never do that!

 

By the way, I usually use slugs or 00 now, but a few months ago, I was told my target load was OK to shoot there (but NOT bird shot) because its bascially sand in the farging thing with a shot cup, but then I was told no

And the slugs out of the coach were pretty fun Tiny. Definately lets you know you are shooting a shotgun.

And the slugs out of the coach were pretty fun Tiny. Definately lets you know you are shooting a shotgun.

 

But they say slugs are ok there right? I thought they were...

Slugs are better than buck for me I get em for 2.50 a box all in...

And the slugs out of the coach were pretty fun Tiny. Definately lets you know you are shooting a shotgun.

 

But they say slugs are ok there right? I thought they were...

 

No problems with slugs.

I ran over to Bob Kislin's and got 2 boxes of 000 Buck. I asked for 00 Buck but they were out. I didn't have enough time to run over to Dick's, maybe they sell buck at BA? I didn't realize there are only 5 shots in a box? I should have bought more Gee, I think I will have to bring the XD too as I will need something else to shoot when not talking to everyone.

I spent too much time talking tonight. I did not get to shoot. Glad the shotgun wored well for you John.

Here's the deal, my son gave me a nice Dick's GC for my birthday and in their weekly add they have a REMINGTON EXPRESS 12 gauge on sale for $260.00 (after rebate) and a STOEGER STF 3000 O/U for $350.00 (after rebate). Obviously, the O/U looks nicer but I just spent an hour on shotgun forums and some of these have had some real problems with ejectors and light strikes/ftf. Since this is my first shotgun, I am leaning towards the 870 because it has so many good reports. Also, I can always get a short barrel for the 870 and use it for HD if I want? Hopefully, I will have something for the Jackson shotgun shoot?

 

Also, on the Remington web site, it says the barrel is a Vent Rib Rem Choke (mod). Does this mean that is has a fixed modified choke or does it mean that the choke that is comes with is a modified and you can change it to others? If it is fixed, can I use a modified choke for shooting clays?

 

Hey John,

 

Did you get a good look at the STF 3000? It looks like they are going on sale again for $350 next week and I'm itching to buy something stupid and totally redundant.

 

Do the ejectors auto-eject? Is there a screw or something where you can keep them down? Like when trap shooting?

 

Thanks,

CSJ