Looking at used Browning Auto 5's. Never owned a shotgun so I know nothing about sizes of shells. To any owners out there, is there a model thats the most compatible with different shells? I mean cheap ones from Walmart (not planning to go there just for reference)
Thanks
12 guage
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Remington 870. Gotta be the best selling shotgun of all time.
With the pistol grip :)
A pump will eat anything. Sometimes auto shotguns are finicky when it comes to low-power loads.
https://www.mossberg.com/product/maverick-88-security-field-combo-31014/
This is what im looking at good price simple and low price
Mainly talking about the size of /shells/ not the gauge as I've already decided on 12 ga. Forgot to mention, Me No Likey Pump Shotguns. Not for my first at least. Mind is made up on that.
Read up at some gun-related sites, shotgun shells are kinda confusing.
The Brownings are good guns, used guns can be tricky tho, you just don't know the history. Good luck, if you have Frens with experience around guns see if they'll look it over with you, or maybe have a smith look it over. Usually 'good' guns like Brownings almost have to be obviously broken to be worrisome tho, but they are machines with moving parts under stress, like all machines they wear out.
Your better grade shotguns are not a problem with any correctly sized shells, modern guns. There are a few very very cheap and questionable makers out there but all the reputable makers are good.
But over the years guns have improved and added shell sizes so that today you can have shotguns which fire 3 1/2 inch magnum shells, 3 inch magnums, 2 3/4 inch magnums or just plain old regular non magnum shells. A shotgun chambered for 2 3/4 will not accept a 3 inch, obviously you have to be sure of that.
If you want to hunt turkey or geese maybe you want the 3 1/2 inch mags, but that's a lot of thump and more expensive. So consider what you want the shotgun to do, they are Tools and specific degrees of difference exist between models.
The shotgun will be stamped with a number, 3 inch say. Ok, you can shoot 3 inch and lower shells.
https://www.gun-tests.com/news/gun-rights/the-long-and-short-of-shotgun-chambers/
Speaking of which there are even 'mini' shells available, so a tube mag will hold more... jes sayin'.
Each shotgun operates or 'runs' a little differently than others, but most accept any good commercial shells. Some shotguns feed better than others, or eject better, read reviews on loads and such but it's not a yuge thing really. If you purchase a Mossberg or Browning or other reputable gun it will shoot most anything properly sized, and if you find your gun doesn't like 'A' particular shell don't buy those. KEK!
You'll want to learn about chokes too, they spread your shot so to speak, so depending on what loads at what distance you may want multiple chokes. And of course barrel length matters, if you anticipate shooting longer ranges then maybe longer barrels too.
Shells are all sorts of different loads. A number '9' birdshot is tiny little specks of lead but a lot of them. The tiny specks of lead get larger going down, 8, 6, etceterah. Down to about 4-5 shot it is considered bird shot, 4 and lower is useful for larger game. Then you get to Buckshot which is just a few pellets but large caliber.
Your one shotgun can fire any of them, you can use slugs in many modern barrels, some barrels are rifled for slugs in case you want to hunt deer say.
Or non-lethal loads, commercial shells are out there in all manner of loads, beanbags to Dragon's Breath incendiaries. Those are fun but careful.
http://cdn0.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shellsizes.jpg
Do some reading, think through what you want it to do some. If you want more home defense then a shorter barrel, if bird hunting a longer barrel, you can even find combos which come with say a 20 inch and 28 inch barrels, best of both worlds. Leave the 20 on it for home defense and put the 28 on to go hunting.
Buckshot for home defense and number 6 for some ducks, something like that.
Main thing is safety. Learn safety, think safety, safety first has to be automatic with any guns. Your brain is the only safety which works.
https://kekpe.pe/i/5ff5c7a60b07f.jpg
Here, watch this https://youtu.be/49kcp5vep_I
I would recommend buying one via private sale as to avoid the paper trail to start off with. Good luck with finding any ammo at Walmart, you will likely have better luck at sporting good stores. Would recommend getting slugs if you can find them.
Says 2 3/4" shells on the barrel, is that a desirable or more importantly easy-to-find size? They're shitty pictures from armslist so I can't see the serial.
Remington 870. Affordable and very reliable 12 gauge.
I bought a mossberg 500 I like it.
Both 410 and 12 gauge have tons of different loads and options,...410 if you are worried about recoil, but 12 gage has mini Aguila shells,they are basically just short shotgun shells that allow more in tube, most 12 gauges will shoot literally anything
Browning is a good brand I own several moss berg 500s and and a couple Remington 870s, ...do some research you can basically get a decent model like a 500 or 870 under a different name or even brand , a shotgun is the most versatile firearm you can own and I would recommend it as a first firearm and most certainly the best home defense option