Inexpensive 20 Guage Pump? Or??/

Carl

Carl

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My son has out-grown his youth model 20 gauge. It should be sold today, so we are in the market for a "new" 20.
But don't have big bucks to drop on a gun right now.
I am considering:

Mossberg Maverick
or
HR Pardner
or
A used 870 or semi if I can find one for ~$250.

Thoughts, experience or opinions????
 
The Maverick is good gun and made in Texas I believe. An ex GF had one that I sold for her - brand new in the box I sold it for $125. I shoot 20 ga all the time and find that Kent 3" FastSteel #4's work fantastic in an IC choke.
 
Between the Pardner and the Maverick, I'd choose the Maverick.

Between the 870 and the Maverick, I'd choose the 870.

I've never shot the Pardner or the Maverick at birds, just for work. I just have seen more broken Pardners come in than Mavericks. And more broken Mavericks come in versus 870s. Though granted folk who use these guns in crimes typically don't take as good a care of their firearms as others. So, were it me and I had to choose between the three, I'd go with the 870. Based on what I've seen, they're better manufactured than the other two (though if I'm remembering properly H&R is manufactured at the Remington plant?) and have given me far fewer problems when working on them.

Plus, when I went through the different firearms factories and tours, the Mossberg person who walked us through the manufacturing plant told us point blank. We make cheap guns. They generally work, but they're not like Remington or Winchester or Berretta or Bennelli. We make cheap guns.

That stuck with me.
 
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870 Express, No question in my mind. Anything that has been built since 1950 has to have something going for it. I use one for early season myself. It is not a Wingmaster but it is an 870. 3" Hevi-shot is very good!!
 
Though granted folk who use these guns in crimes typically don't take as good a care of their firearms as others.
Click to expand...

Dani
You could be a marketing genius. New slogan= Guns so rugged even the criminals are using them!
 
Carl,
I have had good experience with Remington 870 express 20 gauge. They are reasonably priced at a lot of the sporting goods store. Of course 12 gauge Remington 870 Express is usually same price- nothing says you can't shoot lighter shells out of it. If the HR Pardner is similar to the New England Firearms single shot, then I would definitely go with one of the other guns you had listed.


v/r
Bill
 
You shouldn,t have a problem picking up a 870 express 20 guage for $250. Although no where near the older wingmasters in quality they,re still a good gun. Some problems do occasionaly occur with them but parts are everywhere and they,re easy to work on. Remington barrels still seem to throw great patterns with factory choke tubes and generally shoot 50/50. One upgrade that simply screws on would be a limbsaver pad to replace factory pad but thats a matter of preferance.
 
Carl, another vote for the 870 Express. I got mine very lightly used for about $225 8 or 10 years ago.

Check the used guns at Kittery Trading Post, which you can do online. They almost always seem to have a few.
 
Sold the youth model Monday and bought a new Maverick 20 gauge from Academy yesterday.

I also handled the HR Pardner while there. It is basically a Chinese-made copy of the 870 Express. It was heavier, action was tight, to the point of hard to work.
The Maverick is lighter, action is smoother and has a nicer finish. Plus its made/assembled in Texas (some parts are outsourced to Mexico).

Got it home, put it together & let the boy swing it & work the action. Fits great.
Told him if he takes good care of it, he can give it to his boy some day.
Boy is happy. Dad is happy. Checking account is happy. Ducks might not be so happy in about 30 days!
 
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