Budget HD 12GA Shotgun

[Buckaroobonsai]

It's nothing fancy, but I wanted to see what kind of build I could make on a budget.

http://www.buckaroobonsai.com/sg2.jpg

Started with a Savage/Stevens 320, added an Uncle Mike's swivel sling and kit, (5) PXD1 shells in a buttstock holder, and a Blackhawk grip with finger grooves. All in all, about $265.00.

[Shotg]

[fitz19d]

This or as much as some knock it for china. The knock off pardner and similiar 870/500 clones. I hear they function nothing but reliable, just a little gritty or rough. Something you wont mind losing to an evidence locker in a SD shooting.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Good point. If used in a shooting, it could be months to get back if it went to a trial. As far as function, after a good breakdown and cleaning, mine cycles as well as my 870 did, but I've yet to actually shoot it, so an update will follow. These are reportedly Winchester 1300 clones, and the magazine tube sling adapter was a perfect fit, so it may take other parts as well!

I got mine for $220 as a manager's special, but they are currently on sale at Big 5 for $229, so it's a deal anyone could take advantage of!

[Beer]


This or as much as some knock it for china. The knock off pardner and similiar 870/500 clones. I hear they function nothing but reliable, just a little gritty or rough. Something you wont mind losing to an evidence locker in a SD shooting.

[SouthPaw]

Maverick 88's are also a great, cheap HD shottie. They take almost all mossy 500 parts. Picked mine up NIB from Sports Authority for $214.xx OTD with a box of 00 buck.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Finally had a chance to shoot it today. About (40) target loads down the pipe, and not one FTF or FTE. Went BANG every time with expected accuracy. Action is even smoother now. Only issue is the finish on the magazine tube shows some wear from racking the slide. Break down and cleaning was easy the second time around. However, the only upgrade worth it was the sling kit. The shell holder was all over the place as well as the pistol grip sleeve. They're gone now, but I think a better recoil pad is in order. Overall, VERY happy with it, especially for the price!

[Awesom]

[porfiriozg]

This makes me wanna buy a stevans over mossberg. I like it

[osok-308]

I got my mossberg 500 as part of one of those combo packs (both an 18.5" and 28" barrel) from big 5 for $300 on sale. It's nothing fancy, however it is nice to be able to put on the 28" barrel and shoot trap with. One of the biggest things I heard from everyone about using a pump action shotgun for self defense, is as the name implies, you have to pump it. (funny that people could forget that part) But back to my point, it got me used to the operation of the shotgun.

That stevens will do you fine, and as others have said before, if you actually have to use it, a $265 pump probably won't be missed as much as the $500 pistol you have.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Budget HD 12GA Shotty #2:

http://www.buckaroobonsai.com/mav881.jpg

http://www.buckaroobonsai.com/mav882.jpg

It's my Maverick 88 20" made in the USA by Mossberg. Changed out the standard stock to a Hogue Tamer Pistol Grip, and added a TacStar (4) Shell Side Saddle. Cost is around $280. Loaded it up with 7+1 PDX1 12GA Personal Defense loads, with another (4) in the side saddle. That's (12) rounds at my disposal in a nice little package of only about 30" in overall length. I plan to actually shoot it this weekend, so I'll update afterwards with my final thoughts...

[opie011]

You seriously live up to your title....your wife must be very patient[Beer]

[Great-Kazoo]

$405 OTD
Mossy 590 A1 14" 12ga.
Like to road test that Tamer pg. perhaps one day we'll run in to each other:)

I have a real budget 12ga. If i post what i have in to it, i will not be able to sell it in the future!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/51jim/100_0757.jpg

[Buckaroobonsai]

Let me check with my Magic 8 Ball for you, Jim:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2295/2426454804_06648486e3.jpg

[Tooth]



Like to road test that Tamer pg. perhaps one day we'll run in to each other:)

[dtbighit]

Nice shottys fellas I'm droolin,its cool to see what can be had for little money

[Great-Kazoo]

Nice shottys fellas I'm droolin,its cool to see what can be had for little money

Pawn shop, buy a cheap pump with the usual 28" + bbl. Cut it down and enjoy the day.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Took the Maverick out for a jaunt today. After 50+ rounds down range, I'm VERY happy with it and the Houge Tamer Pistol Grip. As expected, the action has smoothed out a bit, and breaking it down the second time around for cleaning was much easier. Thanks to its compact size, good accuracy, 7+1 capacity and easy handling, this IS my new HD choice.

[Awesom] [Shotg]

[Great-Kazoo]

Took the Maverick out for a jaunt today. After 50+ rounds down range, I'm VERY happy with it and the Houge Tamer Pistol Grip. As expected, the action has smoothed out a bit, and breaking it down the second time around for cleaning was much easier. Thanks to its compact size, good accuracy, 7+1 capacity and easy handling, this IS my new HD choice.

[Awesom] [Shotg]


I'll pick up 2 of those tamers tomorrow. Thinking about the High Standard. Too smooth an action to just sit there.

[T-Giv]

Jim where did you get the 14'' Mossy?

[Great-Kazoo]

Jim where did you get the 14'' Mossy?


FFL back east had a few for $400 delivered, $50 NFA dealer-dealer (Not an in stock item) $5.00 Tax stamp and a SIX 1/2 MONTH WAIT for approval.

[T-Giv]

FFL back east had a few for $400 delivered, $50 NFA dealer-dealer (Not an in stock item) $5.00 Tax stamp and a SIX 1/2 MONTH WAIT for approval.

Totally awesome! I will look into it and may pick one up.

[Great-Kazoo]

Totally awesome! I will look into it and may pick one up.

FWIW: Consider doing a SBS. The tax is $200 vs $5 AOW fee. However with a SBS you can use a stock or pistol grip. Mossys can be had for under $200 at pawn shops. Have BP tactical do the bbl chop for you if you don't feel comfortable doing it your self.

[Kmanbay]

On the low budget side; I picked up an Interstate Arms 870 clone a couple of years ago. Usually a trunk gun. It was on sale for $199 at big 5. It came with ghost ring sights, a 5 round magazine tube and can accessorized with all 870 after market products. The only real difference between an 870 and the clone is you cannot interchange the barrel.

Buds Guns carry them too:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_288/products_id/91401


The only thing I don't like about the gun is a 2 round extension goes past the end of the barrel, and one round extensions are pretty pricey.

[USAFGopherMike]

$405 OTD
Mossy 590 A1 14" 12ga.
Like to road test that Tamer pg. perhaps one day we'll run in to each other:)

I have a real budget 12ga. If i post what i have in to it, i will not be able to sell it in the future!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/51jim/100_0757.jpg

This is exactly what I'm lookin for, only with that hogue tamer grip. Could it be had with a $180 used donor?

[Great-Kazoo]

This is exactly what I'm lookin for, only with that hogue tamer grip. Could it be had with a $180 used donor?

Still a $200 tax stamp. Update to incl a HT was installed. just haven't been able to shoot it. Somebody came by with a heated vehicle and some ammo we can hit the range, not too long with these temps.

[USAFGopherMike]

You wanna shoot from the cab of a truck? JK. I don't have to have a SBS, but the shortest version possible (18" barrel right?) would work. That $200 stamp is a 1-time payment right? I'm watching a bunch on GB and going to hit a few pawn shops today.

[fly boy]

It's nothing fancy, but I wanted to see what kind of build I could make on a budget.

http://www.buckaroobonsai.com/sg2.jpg

Started with a Savage/Stevens 320, added an Uncle Mike's swivel sling and kit, (5) PXD1 shells in a buttstock holder, and a Blackhawk grip with finger grooves. All in all, about $265.00.

[Shotg]

Is there a collapsable stock you can buy for this?

[Cyberdude]

Finally had a chance to shoot it today. About (40) target loads down the pipe, and not one FTF or FTE. Went BANG every time with expected accuracy. Action is even smoother now. Only issue is the finish on the magazine tube shows some wear from racking the slide. Break down and cleaning was easy the second time around. However, the only upgrade worth it was the sling kit. The shell holder was all over the place as well as the pistol grip sleeve. They're gone now, but I think a better recoil pad is in order. Overall, VERY happy with it, especially for the price!

[Awesom]

Saw a picture of your Stevens 320 with sling. Looks great! My question - how did you mount the sling to the stock? Did you use those slots molded into the security model? I can't find out how to use them for a sling, anywhere!!!
What was wrong with the shell holder - looks great in the picture?

[Buckaroobonsai]

I believe I installed a sling kit which included a mag tube cover with a swivel sling stud. I ditched the shell holder after the very first shot when it slid down the stock.


Saw a picture of your Stevens 320 with sling. Looks great! My question - how did you mount the sling to the stock? Did you use those slots molded into the security model? I can't find out how to use them for a sling, anywhere!!!
What was wrong with the shell holder - looks great in the picture?

[Punkface]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14800294/20130426_123808.jpg

Just picked it up today for $200

7+1 20" barrel. I might have to make a magazine limiter for it if I wanna go hunting with it though.

[Buckaroobonsai]

Sold mine. Missed mine. Bought another. Shocker, I know. This time I went lighter but more usable I think. Started with a Tru-Glo snap on fiber front sight, replaced the stock pad with a Limb Saver at about the same LOP, but better recoil reduction for 1 oz slugs, figured out the sling mount slot in the stock, and adapted my fav Urban ERT sling to fit it.

[cofi]

i just dont understand the appeal of a 12ga for hd work

[Buckaroobonsai]

i just dont understand the appeal of a 12ga for hd work

Devastating one shot per customer. If you saw what a 1oz slug did today to some pdogs we dispatched, I'd think you'd better understand.

[Coffee]

[Irving]

I shot a bowling pin with a 1oz slug once. Zero penetration. It was weird.

[hurley842002]

I shot a bowling pin with a 1oz slug once. Zero penetration. It was weird.

The majority of slugs are very soft lead, and actually not very good penetrators, although devastating on soft tissue.

Now get some of the heavy Brenneke offerings, and that's a whole other ballgame.

[Irving]

I think a lot of the issue was the light weight of the pin. It basically flipped around in the air before landing some 25ish feet away.

[hurley842002]

For your viewing pleasure..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HuVkXLreWE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[hurley842002]

Another...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oDG2i6rwjU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[hurley842002]

So you see, your basic 1oz foster slug is not the best penetrator, but very nasty in soft tissue. That Brenneke however, was a penetrator!

[Irving]

First two videos are the same.

[Buckaroobonsai]

So you see, your basic 1oz foster slug is not the best penetrator, but very nasty in soft tissue. That Brenneke however, was a penetrator!

VERY nasty. It was actually difficult to identify the pdog afterwards, as it was just a giant blob with some hair!

[Shotg]

[hurley842002]

First two videos are the same.

Well son of a gun, stand by for the Brenneke video..

[hurley842002]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRHmDaDnwDU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Buckaroobonsai]

BTW, the Limbsaver slip on recoil pad seemed to absorb pretty much all the kick from the slug, even though I had removed the factory pad to keep the basic OAL of the weapon the same. Back in my patrol days, the 12 GA shotgun was actually my weapon of choice for building searches, especially at night!

[word]

[Irving]

I'm a bit perplexed by the low penetration in that cinder block.

[hurley842002]

I'm a bit perplexed by the low penetration in that cinder block.

The Brenneke video? If so I agree. Almost like a whole different slug. I suppose the cinder block is just hard enough to disfigure even the Brenneke slug.

[Irving]

Yes the Brenneke video. On the other hand, it makes me feel better about the brick veneer on my house.