12ga Shotgun Help

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OlympicArmsFan

New member
Hi everyone Im looking for a 12ga for home defense. I just sold a 20ga Winchester model 1300. I was using that for home defense.

Im looking for a new or used 12ga in the price range of $300-$380. I'm on a limited budget.

I have looked at Mossbergs and Remingtons. I noticed that www.budsgunshop.com has an 870 for $348.00 but have no idea about it.

I have also seen two Mossbergs that are used from J&G sales and the price range $229-$269. These are both police returns.

I want just a plain jane looking 12ga nothing fancy and one that I can mod if I want to later on.

So tell me what I should look at?

What do you think of Police return guns?

Will the police return guns be to abused?

I will take any and all advice on this. Thanks everyone.
 
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rantingredneck

New member
There's always these KY state police 870 trade ins:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_775/products_id/411537360

I bought one myself about a month ago and there are detailed pics in this thread here of finish wear points.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375160

Internally it's near pristine though. Like most police guns, used little, carried a lot........

I have decided since posting that that I will leave the old soldier alone for now. I did add a +2 factory Remington extension, but only because I had an extra on hand in the parts box.
 
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VUPDblue

New member
That 870 police trade-in at Buds is a great deal. I just bought an 870 police trade-in at my LGS for $175, but it is MUCH more "well loved" than the ones at Buds. You could get the one from Bud's, add a +3 and still be within your budget. If you ARE going to be adding a mag extension, either go with a Remington factory one or another steel extension. Stay away from the polymer ones...
 
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rantingredneck

New member
Stay away from Tacstar too based on personal experience. Their sidesaddles are OK, their extensions tend to walk apart under recoil.
 
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Jseime

New member
You could look at a Maverick Model 88 security... value brand Mossberg. If it is as reliable as my mossy 500 you will have no troubles with it.
 
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OlympicArmsFan

New member
Nice police trade in there. I like that one and a great deal.

I have a question how is buds gun shop to deal with? I dont know anyone who has ordered from them.

Also tell me about this remington 870 they have.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=95077

Thats a great price on an 870 and in my area used ones are close to that price at pawn shops.

I stopped into my local shop today (one of them) and the used Mossbergs where starting at 325 and up.

They did have a trench gun by norinco that I really liked but used and 389 price tag.

The Remington 870 from buds in the link I posted looks great just need more info on it and it maybe the way I go.

Thanks everyone and keep the info coming.
 
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VUPDblue

New member
Not a bad deal, but that forend will have to go. That's a *hunter* forend and will make the ejection port useless for a reload when the action is open. This is not a desirable feature on a HD gun.
 
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OlympicArmsFan

New member
Thanks VUPDBLUE I think that is a draw back as well and for some reason I couldnt figure out why in my mind the deal sounds good but something is a bit off.

Russ5924 I sold the 20ga to buy a 12ga. The ammo or atleast in my area is cheaper for a 12ga then a 20ga.

I also just wanted to step up to a 12ga.

Thanks for the info and keep it coming.
 
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rantingredneck

New member
I've bought 4 or 5 guns from Bud's and never had a problem. Their posted prices are "cash discount" and are only good with a certified check or money order (maybe debit card?). I prefer the convenience and security of paying with a CC so I eat the extra 3% or whatever upcharge it is. They have a list of FFL's based on state that they already have valid info on. That way you can pick from a list of FFL's in your area (call them to confirm!) but you don't have to wait then on information to be faxed in to them. Usually I order, I get a tracking number the next morning and two days later my gun is at my FFL.

Never had a problem.
 
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rantingredneck

New member
That 870 in your link isn't a bad gun, but given the option of a new express based gun for 328 or a used police gun for 270, I'll take the used police gun.

Police trade in pro's:

You get the rifle sights (a real plus for slug shooting)
You get the Speedfeed stocks (nice shell storage and much more solid feeling than the stock Remington Synthetics
You get the police based action with metal triggerplate and chromed bolt.
You get the aforementioned short forend (though for shorter statured shooters the longer forend can be a plus).

Police trade in cons (vs. the express gun you linked):

You have to buy a magazine extension if you want one (fairly cheap on the used market for a Remington factory).
Finish will be more "well loved" but if you use yours it will be too...

That's all I got....
 
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