Shotgun recomendations

Thank you all for the suggestions. I was totally unaware of Cerakote as an option and think that is the route I am going to go. I just like my 870 to much to let it go. I have found several gunsmiths in the Vancouver/Portland area that do it. Now it's just a matter of choosing who to take it to. I have some friends who are "gun nuts" that know nothing of waterfowling but should be able to give some good advice on a local gunsmith. In my short search I did notice that some gunsmiths were certified for Cerakote and some were not so that should help to narrow the choices.
 
I have an older Benelli SBE which has served me well for over 20 years, of course it was half the price then compared todays market. Currently I am shooting older guns Smith & Wesson 1000 and 3000 Waterfowlers from the mid 80's I just love the way they look with the parkerized barrels, oil finished stocks etc. I purchased a Mossberg 930 for a bad weather muddy field fun and I must say it has been extremely reliable and shoots to the point of aim. The new 940 is even better and they are reasonably priced.
 
I bought a Mossberg 930 about 5 years ago and retired my 12 gauge Rem 1100 to be a Safe Queen (with occasional freshwater hunts). That Mossberg 930 performed flawlessly with minimal care and I don't feel bad (given its low cost) when it suffers abuse from mud and water (Fresh or Salt). And to my knowledge it is Made in America! Only problem I ever had (discovered when I first used it) is that SuperX Steel loads have an occasional Fail to Fire (Primer depth is different?) but I have no problem with Kent, Rio, Federal, Monarch, Remington and others.
 
Ducks Unlimited ran a story a few years back about rehabbing an 870. Replacing a few springs, a machined ejector, ceracote etc. I did all of the mods I was comfortable doing on my own on my 870 and did my own camo job over rustoleum primer. It's held up well, but is starting to chip some paint back to the primer. I'll probably blast it and spray it with brownells aluma-hyde this summer.
 
Charles,

I had to replace the ejector a few years ago which is why I am also thinking it may not be a bad idea to replace some other parts as well while I am at it. I am comfortable doing the mechanical work and considered Rustolium as an option but I think I am going to go with the Cerekote by a professional. I don't really have the meas or know how to prep the metal properly. Especially since it has been drenched in WD-40 for so many years. I did find the DU article which will help. Heck, I might even replace the original choke that has been in there for 25 years. One thing for sure, I have decided that I am going to keep the 870. not ready to give it up yet. I have until October so I am in no rush and have to do all the honey do's that I didn't do during duck season first!
 
Neal,

From a parts POV, you may want to look at which parts you want to replace and go ahead and order those now. Hopefully they will be in stock and ship now and you can set them aside for when you are ready to work on the gun. Finding some parts for some guns has been difficult and may have you waiting a long time to get parts. So you might be a little proactive and go ahead and get the parts you can.....

Dani
 
Neal Haarberg said:
So after 26 years of service I think its time to retire my old 870 special purpose that my dad got me when I graduated high school. Its down to the bare steel so bad that rust is a constant problem that I am facing now. I have considered jsut hitting with rustoleum and calling it good, but it's time for something new. I am thinking about going to a semi auto and know nothing about them. never paid attention because my trusty 870 did the job. Most guys I hunt with have Bennelli's. I freelance hunt in the Pacific NW so that means I am not in a nice blind and often in the mud and saltwater at times.The gun needs to be able to take some abuse. Rarely does it get below freezing but I have hunted in 15F so cold can be an issue but it will always get wet. Other than being reliable in the field I would like to know your thoughts on ease of cleaning and the different finishes that are available now and how well they wear. I am hard on my equipment and I want whatever I get to last another 25 years, Thanks in advance for all the input.
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Three years ago I bought an older Beretta Extrema 2. As much as I hate to say it I abuse my guns. Tidal flats, mud, salt water, rain, dirt. I like it so much and it worked so well I bought a second one as a back up. Even with 3 inch shells the recoil is very comparable to my 20 gauge Beretta. It is a heavier gun, but if you don't plan on doing a lot of walking it's not an issue. The original gun I bought had a vinyl camo wrap placed on my previous owner. Believe it or not it has held up amazingly well and there is no rust issues underneath.

The second one I bought I had Cera coated. It's a very nice coating and seems like it is impervious to everything
 
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Like Tod i have an original HK sbe1, although i have mine cerakoted flat dark earth. I've never wanted much more, but last year someone listed a brand new franchi affinity 3 optifade 20ga with factory cerakote for less than half what they sell for. I picked it up "for my kid", and it was the only thing i shot all year.
 
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