14 years ago I bought a used bps and never looked back. I also really like the Franchi Affinity/Intensity but I remain a bps fan. Lots of steals on gunbroker.

This reminds me of the kid who came on here asking about getting a KOOL custom built rifle them got butthurt when we asked him what KOOL was.

The nova pump is $399 at academy. I have bought 2 novas for my girls for under $300 on the forum and were basically brand new.


Like someone said earlier… “duck hunting is expensive”, and another good quote from what I read is “buy once, cry once”.

This is what I "wanted to hear." The 870 is a rock solid gun in your opinion, and is within what I'm willing to spend. Thank you for your response..

Also, the nova pump is $399, I think it's a good gun, and its within what I'm willing to spend. Thank you for your response too.

Its not a matter of if I can afford it or not, it's a matter of what I want to spend on a gun. Thank you to those who recommended me a gun with what I want to spend

Here’s a good one

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/dt11-black-pro/

If you can get your hands on an older 870 I would say you're in luck. I can't comment about the last 3-4 years of production, but 5 years out, last two 870's were no good with fit finish and overall reliability. Maybe things have changed. My brother bought one and he won't even bring it to shoot... borrows one of my Benelli M2's.

I'm also going to put in a good plug for a new or used Benelli Nova. I did that for my son to make sure he was going to stick with it... a few years later we upgraded to a used Benelli M2 and it's been fantastic. I shoot the SBEII and it hasn't let me down even if dropped in the bottom of the muddy flat bottom boat.

But to your point of sticking within budget, get something to use the first year or two to really have an idea of what's important to you (and give you time to save some $$), and you'll eventually come to the conclusion of spending a few more dollars to upgrade to a semi auto. But you will have honed in on what you really want.

Good luck.

An older Rem 870 or Mossy 500 will last you the rest of your life, and beyond. My 870 was made in 1956 and it's still killing chit.