I am looking into getting my first shotgun and have kind of narrowed it down to the mossberg 535/835, the benelli nova/supernova and possibly the remington 870. The Supernova is at the very top of my price range and the shotgun needs to be available at Bass Pro because I have giftcards to spend there. I have heard bad things about the newer 870 express so I'm kind of leaning away from that. The gun will be used for clay pigeons and upland/waterfowl hunting. I just want to get your opinions on which shotgun you suggest and why.

I used to swing an 870 before it got stolen (what gun wasn't stolen from me. UGH.) and had no real issues with it.

At the very least it'd be worth a try. They can't all be bad or Remington would have a law suit.

This question has been asked several times.

The general concensus is that new 870's tend to be crap. People who have old ones they've had forever are people who got one while Remington cared about their 870 line.

In my opinion, the nova will fulfill all your pump shotgun needs. Almost everyone can agree that they are very good pump shotguns. I have a plain jane Nova, not the Supernova. Even with hindsight, I still would not go back and pay more for a Supernova.

I still have my first shotgun. I got it from my buddy in North Carolina. It is a Mossberg 500 he did some funky camo job on. He sold it to me for $75 and it also came with a slug barrel. Not real sure why he even had this gun, since he is, or was a die hard Browning guy.

Anyway, I was about to drop some serious cash on a Browning (like my mentor), but after a shoot out at a turkey shoot, I decided I would just stick with what works, my good ole Mossberg 500

I love my 870 and bet my life on it.

benelli nova.

870 all the way. They have never failed me the old ones and new ones

benelli hands down

Once again, how many of you 870 lovers have had your 870 for years?

As someone who didn't necessarily grow up with guns, I have no sentimental attachment to the 870. It's not like my grandpappy carried his into the hill of Korea to kill commies in the 50's and gave it to me. All I'm saying is, sentiment aside, if you objectively compare the NIB 870 today to a comparable Nova, then I think you will find the Nova has the advantage overall with lighter weight and slightly better reliability being the Nova's strength.

I've owned both, the 870 didn't last a year at my house.....the nova is still in my safe working as flawlessly as the day I bought it.

I have a 20 year old 870 and it works well. I recently picked up a new 870 that a friend had bought. It may or may not work as well but it certainly doesn't look as nice or feel the same. I think it is made cheaper.

Water-Surge, I still have my second shotgun that I bought in the 60's for dove hunting. I now own others but it is still my "go to" gun. 12 ga High Standard pump.

I've never shot a Nova but I probably wouldn't buy the newer 870's.

Actually, I think I would look for a gently used shotgun of just about any make. They seldom wear out.

Don't shy away from the Browning BPS, it's a decent shotgun too. I have a BPS Hunter and I love it.

If its in your price range the BPS is the way to go, IMHO.

If its a little too expensive, I like the Weatherby PA-08.

Don't count the Mossberg out...I have a 500, and have never had one issue with it for 12 years. It gets beat to hell too, plus I shoot lefty so I like the safety on top of the receiver

I have a new 870 and the only problems i have had with it is that sometimes the pump action doesn't want to pump.
It has now been two years since i bought and i have run hundreds of shells through it with no problems.
It's a great gun for the price once it has broken in properly and cleaned well a few times.

ive had all three and the only one to give me probs was the mossberg 500, never tried the 835 but wouldnt after fighting the 500 like i did, eneded up keeping the nova for a while but have too many autos and traded off the nova about a year ago. novas are good and are cheaper now than when i bought mine, get a nova. unless you can get into a stoger autoloaded!? not sure what your budget allows but for shooting targets you like an autoloader better