New Duck Gun

Currently shoot a 20 gauge shotgun that was handed down to me years ago. It was the best option I had in high school and college when the funds were very low. It is a decent Mossberg Pump Shotgun, but Im looking to upgrade to something a little nicer. I would like to purchase a 12 gauge in the next couple of months, but Im waiting till the deal is right. My price range would be about $500 and under. I did like owning a pump action gun, but I would be alright with semi automatic as well. I do also hunt geese, doves, squirrels, etc. Any suggestions out there? Best bang for my buck? Certain places to look? What to avoid? I appreciate all of your tips!

I shoot a BPS 12g, never had any issues or problems with it.However, did get to shoot the new Browning A-5 Sat and is that really nice! Pulled up great, fit good and hardly any re-coil. May have to look into that one.

I have shot autos and pumps and still own them both.started with remington 1100,then also bought mossberg 500 pump ,then 870,then moss 935 auto, then franchi auto, now I just bought me a sx3. I love pumps and autos. My mossberg 500 I have hunted with over 20 years shooting 10-15 boxes of shells a year and it still works like the day I bought it. I bought a sx3 and I loaded with 1 trap load 1oz shot,1 3inch 1 1/4 , and 1 3 1/2 inch 1 1/2 oz and fired all 3 with no problems. bought it new for 700.

I shot an 870 and 870 super magnum for years and that is the most reliable(IMO) pump on the market..I still use it for turkey hunting..But, the supermagnum acted funny in cold weather, so I bought my baby Benelli SBEII and use my cheap stoeger M2000 as a back up gun(which I have yet to have a problem with)...All in allbuy what pump fits you best...

i shoot a benelli nova, nothing special. i love it onley 450-500 new. oh and their very reliable.

A couple years ago I picked up a super x2 .not based on reviews but based on how it felt in hand.....I'd always shot 870 and the x2 felt similar....this was huge for me as money was not an issue...after you've shot something for awhile you'll likely love the feel of a new gun vs. what it is/ what the reviews are.

Get the 870. The Browning BPS isn't a bad gun but it's overly complicated with it's bottom ejection. I've had plenty of time where I was throwing more shells in the gun after shooting three. With the BPS you need to put the shell in the magazine first and then work the action. The Nava is just a POS. Sorry but it's true. It's a plastic disposable gun. Benelli makes a good, all be it overpriced, semi auto but they really missed the boat on their pump. I can't comment on how easy it is to clean but the 870 is about as simple as they come.

I shoot a benelli super black eagle 2 with a full black cloud pattern master choke. Now i just bought the benelli super vinci 2 using the new patternmaster code black full choke. Cant wait 4 northern zone to open now.

I have a 870 for gun deer hunting and a Benelli nova for waterfowl. The Benelli Nova is way easier to clean, but the 870 throws slugs way better than a Benelli ever will. If you just plan on waterfowl hunting go with a Benelli Nova. If you will deer and waterfowl hunt get a 870 combo with a bird barrel and a fully rifled barrel. I currently shoot a Winchester SX3 after dropping 1600 on a super black eagle II that jammed all the time. Go with what feels right to you. Its all personal preference. Just remember that just because you know someone that has a gun that is dependable does not mean that if you get the same one that you will not have problems with it.

Thanks for all of the comments everybody. I am still looking and Im getting a little too close to the season now. Definitely made up my mind and getting a pump action. Thats what I feel most comfortable and safe with (also keeps me from rushing my shots). I really like the Remington 870 and have received a lot of recommendations on that gun. Anyone else know about some good pump action shotguns?

Autos are nice but if you think you're going to get a decent one in your price range your just fooling yourself. Escort, Stoeger, Mossberg, etc. will most likely work fine the first year or two then good luck with them and good luck getting parts or service from most of them. Good luck even having the company still be in business in a couple years (mossberg excluded from this). I like fine guns and view them as works of art instead of just tools, except when it comes to duck hunting because I beat the crap out of them doing that. You have two options; a quality pump at a reasonable price, or an expensie auto. Escort? Really? Being promoted by a guy who would sell his soul for a couple bucks.

I started with an auto and havent used it in years. All pump and o/u now.

Once you shoot an auto you will never shoot a pump again.....good autos in your price range would be the Beretta 390 and Mossberg 930. A used Benelli M1 would be a steal at $500 but can be had for $650'ish. M1's are in my opinion the best auto ever made.

No need to spend $1000 on a gun if you are looking for a pump. BPS and Wingmasters are as good as them come in the pump world.

Is he related to Richard Belding?

Spend $1000 bucks and get a Winchester SuperX 3. There is some things you can't go cheap on and a gun is one of them.