Gun Nuts - is a gun show worth it?

[bzbatl]

I'd like to pickup a decent home defense shotty, leaning towards a Mossberg 500 (mostly because I don't know any different) as opposed to the hunting Remington...

I've never attended a gun show - is it worth it? Think I'd be able to find a deal on a Moss (~$200, I'm ok with used)?

The local gun shops I've been too seem so sketchy when you seem interested in something. Plus, I don't think they have very good deals from the limited amount of research I've done.

[R1100S-Rider]

Pst, a mossberg 200? Are you joking? What, do you just want to wound the little bunny rabid 10ft infront of you? Be a WOMEN!! Get a SAIGA 12!!!!

[636blurr]

Gun shows are generally a waste of time, prices usually get jacked up for them now days so the only deals to be found are those walking around trying to unload a used shotgun.
Think you can pick up a brand new mossberg or Winchester for under 300.00

[bzbatl]

Thanks for the advice - I guess I'll avoid this one next weekend unless someone invites me to tag along.

Yeah, found a M500 on Froogle for $287, but that's not with shipping or "handling" charges by the local gun shop.

And what the hell is wrong with a Mossberg 500 (not even sure what a 200 is)? I've squeezed off a couple in the country with a M500 - I'm not sure much of a bunny wabbit would be left...

[Teej]

Mossy 500 ain't bad. I'm partial to Remington, Winchester and Benelli over Mossberg though...but I'm pretty new to shotguns (more of a pistol guy but I've gotten hooked on trap lately).

Check out Gander Mountain or Cabelas (in that order) if they're in your area...usually they'll have a bunch of used shotties.

Note: my "in that order" may vary by location - around here I looked at both recently and saw Cabelas trying to sell the same used gun (actually older and in slightly more used condition) for over $100 more than GM on an "apples to apples" gun. Several different instances.

Goof at cabelas also tried to push me into a 10ga for shooting trap. Heh.

[kevinwilly]

Originally Posted by bzbatl

Thanks for the advice - I guess I'll avoid this one next weekend unless someone invites me to tag along.

Yeah, found a M500 on Froogle for $287, but that's not with shipping or "handling" charges by the local gun shop.

And what the hell is wrong with a Mossberg 500 (not even sure what a 200 is)? I've squeezed off a couple in the country with a M500 - I'm not sure much of a bunny wabbit would be left...

I think he was just kidding around.

There's nothing wrong with the Mossberg 500. That or the Remington 870 are both a good choice.


I would personally prefer a double action .38 Special revolver... if I didn't live in Illinois, where you'd probably go to prison for defending yourself in your own home.

Just make sure you use a lighter load in the shotty. I don't know WHAT is wrong with people when they recommend using buckshot. It's one thing if you WANT to kill the neighbors and your kids down the hall with a stray ball... Otherwise, a heavy bird shot it the way to go.

[636blurr]

lol nothing wrong with it at all.
I got a couple of mossberg, I really like em, I have a winchester defender, its an OK shotgun but I think the mossbergs are egronomically set up better.
Look for the benneli supernova as well, great gun and cheap.

[bzbatl]

Hmm, thanks Teej, I'll look around. Know if Bass Pro carries used? I hadn't even thought to look there.

Kevin - When I say home defense, I only mean against zombies. At that point I need the biggest boomstick possible.

One of my buddies has a Beneli - looks sick, but I thought he said they were almost a grand? Everything I'm finding on a quick Google search is $800+.

I just want a decent shotty for the last line. I don't need anything fancy - I'm hopefully never going to have to use it.

If a nutjob breaks in and doesn't run from the screaming alarm or the impending police... the pit bull should get em. If they get past the dog, I'm hoping the "CLACK CLACK" of the shotty will make em run.

I'd rather not pull off a couple rounds into my drywall.

[636blurr]

sure some are, but the benneli supernova is very cheap, and one of there better shotguns

[Teej]

Yeah, if you keep a shotty with a 00 or 000 shell in the chamber, if it goes bang once it's probably good enough.

[Teej]

Frankly I think it's misguided to have the chamber empty and rely on the "clack clack" to scare someone off. It's been scientifically proven that the sound of a shell loading does not cause bad guys to lose bowel control.

If it comes down to needing to shoot someone with a shotgun, I want to shoot them NOW, not after I rack ar ound.

[bzbatl]

Sounds like these bad guys that were in this scientific study were zombies.

Don't get me wrong - I have no problem shooting someone that wishes me, my family, or my property harm. I'd just *rather* not put a hole in my drywall

Like this one?

GunBroker.com guns: Benelli Super Nova Tactical 12 Ga... (item: 106261019 ends: Aug-07-08 11:37:40 PM)

That one is $520! You broke my budget by $320!

[kevinwilly]

Originally Posted by bzbatl

Hmm, thanks Teej, I'll look around. Know if Bass Pro carries used? I hadn't even thought to look there.

Kevin - When I say home defense, I only mean against zombies. At that point I need the biggest boomstick possible.

One of my buddies has a Beneli - looks sick, but I thought he said they were almost a grand? Everything I'm finding on a quick Google search is $800+.

I just want a decent shotty for the last line. I don't need anything fancy - I'm hopefully never going to have to use it.

If a nutjob breaks in and doesn't run from the screaming alarm or the impending police... the pit bull should get em. If they get past the dog, I'm hoping the "CLACK CLACK" of the shotty will make em run.

I'd rather not pull off a couple rounds into my drywall.

lol... zombies, eh? Then I guess you're on the right track.

While Benelli DOES make some super high end guns, like their "M" lineup, which are semi-auto gas recoil guns, they also have the Nova and Supernova, which are around 300 bucks.

From my experience, they are not as good as the Remington guns as far as entry-level guns go.

Good luck with the zombie killing, I guess.

[Teej]

Read through to the end.

(misfired link deleted)

[636blurr]

Box O truth is a waste of time, cant stand that guy.