wewebb

Got a small dilemma and I’d like some input from the gang.

Seems I get to put a shotgun on the Christmas list this year and I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to three:

Benelli NOVA , 18.5 in. tube, ghost ring sights, 4+1, chambered for 3-1/2in.

Winchester 1300 defender, 18in, “TrueGlo” sight, 7+1, 3in Magnum

Remington 870, 18in., bead sight, 6+1 with mag extension, 3in. (magnum?)

Surprisingly they are all fairly close in price ($400, $320, $300).

The Benelli should be the best of the lot but it really rattles more than I like and the polymer receiver just doesn’t look right. I really like the Benelli sights best of the group, but hey who really needs sharp looking sights on a shotgun? Does anyone see the need for 3-1/2 in Mag for a simple house and country varmint gun?

The Winchester felt a little tighter than the Remington and I like that it has a 6 round mag without adding an extension.

I have seen several posts that the 870 is a great all-around defense gun but is there something inherently wrong with the Win 1300. Anyone had experience with any of these and want to share their insight?

Oh, and if I’m missing a good alternative let’s hear about it!

Thanks for the help, Webb

Spackler4013

I have had a couple of Defenders, great shotguns. I've never owned an 870 so I can't compare, but I've never had a problem with the Winchesters. Nice and tight and totally reliable.

Jake Salyards

I have been and continue to be a big fan of the 870. It is simple and rugged. I recommend it highly, however, I recently shot a benelli nova with the short barrel you mentioned and it had the ghost ring sights as well. I was very impressed with it. The owner had an extended mag tube on it as well, so that is available if you should want it. I would be happy to own one of those also. I say for the money get the benelli nova with the ghost rings on it. If money is not a consideration I would go to http://www.wilsoncombat.com and look at the shotguns they are selling there. These are the scattergun technologies shotguns, and they seem pretty darn nice to me. And if you really want to go whole hog then I would look at the vang comp shotguns and get one of those. You are probably right about the ghost ring sights, you probably will not need them, but I say get them anyway. I would rather be too ready than not ready enough. To me they are just as fast as a bead up close and they make hitting out a bit further much easier. Good luck and good for you. You must have been good this year.
Good shooting. Jake

Tom Freeman

You can’t go wrong with an 870. Kinda like the energizer of pumpguns. I haven’t shot the Nova, but they get style points and take 3.5" shells. The 3.5" 870's are too heavy for that .5".

Tom
AF Shooting Team