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Best New Shotguns (and Shells) for 2009
Best New Shotguns (and Shells) for 2009
The shotgun class of ’09 made its SHOT Show debut at Orlando's Orange County Convention Center and I was pleasantly surprised to find it stronger than anticipated. There were good guns in all price ranges, and some interesting new shotshells to shoot out of them. And, there were there were hints of interesting things to come – Benelli’s Vinci won’t be introduced until the end of March, and Fiocchi’s soft, dense tungsten-polymer Tundra Shot ammo should be available by hunting season. In the meantime, here are some guns and ammunition I saw at the show, and some of which I had a chance to shoot.
Browning Maxus: Browning’s new autoloader replaces the Gold, making use of a redesigned Gold gas system and a crisp new trigger. Outside, it’s got cool features like the forearm latch in place of a traditional magazine cap. At a pre-SHOT shooting event I was reminded just how easy this gun is to shoot– it’s light, nicely balanced, soft-shooting, and points extremely well. In 3 and 3.5 inch 12, starting at $1199. browning.com
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Shotgun expert Phil Bourjaily reports his picks for the best new shotguns and loads he found at the 2009 SHOT Show.
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Photo Gallery Comments (43)
Does anyone know if they will be releasing the 887 in a left handed model?
Perhaps someone can help me out, what is the advantage of the polymer encased barrel on the 877?
The 887 will not be released in a left-handed model anytime soon that I'm aware of. And, like the 870, you can't just reverse the safety as you can on some guns, you have to buy a new part. As a left-hander myself, I have already complained about this to Remington.
The polymer protects the barrel from the elements so it won't rust.
i love the Ithaca 37 28 gauge. i have always loved the style and feel of ithacas.
Nice Gallery Phil! I own 2 Model 37s (12ga and 16ga) but of course they don't look anything like that beautiful 28.
Excellent galley, the Hevi Metal shells sound very interesting and will be worth the expense to pattern and see how they shoot out of my benelli.
I'm with golfing sportsman, remington seema to be going a little heavy on the polymer.
Phil,
I totally agree with your assessment of the new Winchester 101. I purchased one of these about 6 months ago and the craftmanship is excellent. They have to be one of the most under-appreciated O/U's out there. I'm waiting for a 20 gauge.
The polymer is suppossed to protect it and make it a better field gun. Its on an 870 action so as long as the polymer doesn't mess anything up it should be a good gun for righties.
The polymer wrapped SuperNova seriously makes an old Mossberg 935 seem svelt and I suspect the same from the 887. Its like swinging a 4x4 in the blind. Besides I have a camo dipped 870 thats been thru hell without thinking about rusting. Besides who doesn't have 30secs, rem oil, and a rag to wipe down when you get out of the field.
I just am waiting for this new Benelli. My 870 was forsaken mid-season, I finally turned to the dark side and went Italian. Hopefully the Vinci won't be so cool that I have to trade the SBE after only 5 months.
The 870 slug gun is a nice gun but it is very expensive.
While I can't argue about the beauty, quality and craftsmanship of most of the high end shotguns, my expensive shotgun buying days are over. Not so much because of my age (I still carry and use my Browning 10 GA. pump stalker) but the economy has thrown some of us a curve. As nice as the new shotguns are I'll have to stick with my Browning and Mossberg pumps.
JohnR, I have a mossberg 500A with a cracked forend and cannot find one that matches anywhere.I have seen other guys who have the same size that are a little different in appearence but not for sale.And on top of that mossberg has changed the forend size,shape and the way it mounts quite a few times.I would love to find a replacement forend and sell it so I can get my moneys worth out of it.Also, it does not cycle 3" shells very well and occasionally they get stuck in the barrel.This will ruin your day every time.
To me, the Remington 887 is very impractical. It is a polymer coated 870, which means it is an 870 that you can now scratch very easily. The polymer will eventually stiffen and crack off of the metal parts, and then they will rust. Moisture could also permeate the space between polymer and metal, which would be tragic. The polymer only coats the outer parts of the gun, which are the parts that will not affect the performance if they rust. The parts that will affect performance if they rust are the internals, and they cannot be polymer coated, nor can the bore. Just as the snack industry coats everything in chocolate, the gun industry is starting to coat everything in polymer.
The 28 gauge model 37 is on my wish list!
Very cool guns!
gotta say, im likin the new guns, and i love the camo EoTech. never seen that before. anybody know if thats a new option from them?
You've got to give remington some credit for stepping up their game
the 887 sounds like alot of gun for the money
Deltahalo102 Eotech-inc.com shows sights in both Mossy Oak and Realtree camo.
That 870 slug gun is hot. I would put a good slug gun scope on that.
Phil tested 870sps-t in Feb issue,he stated shurshot stock was best he'd seen. I think it's hideous looking, but would like to hear comments on it's shooting comfort in field.I just had surgery on left shoulder & after turkey season will be getting right shoulder fixed.Remington sells the stock for both 870&1100 around $70, limbsaver recoil pad costs over half that,so it's a good deal. Got to get over the ugly looks.
The 887 may be the predecessor to the 870 which is a classic. If 887 is half as successful as the 870 its sure to be a great gun. Can't wait to see, hold, and shoot one. I hope the 887 has the greats of the 870 just with a modern look.
Yeah, I wish I had $1200 for that shotgun.
Does anyone know anything about the Browning? I've always wanted a slick A-5 or Gold, is this new gun as good as one one of those classics?
i wish i had about $5000 to spend on those shotguns.
To pgary680 -- I do love the Shur Shot stock but if you really want to reduce recoil in a turkey gun, shoot lighter loads. I like Hevi 13, which is loaded to 1090 fps and thus has much less recoil than other turkey ammo. Also, there's no reason you can't call your turkey a little closer and kill it with an 1 1/4 ounce field load of 6s.
Cpt Brad -- I shot the Maxus for three days last fall at pheasants and sporting clays. It's light and it points very well. We had no trouble with any of 10 or 12 Maxuses (Maxi?) in camp but we'll have to see how they hold up over the long haul.
Kolbster -- I wish I had $5000 to spend on shotguns, too.
I want this gun it sounds like a real good turkey gun
the 870's are the best shotguns i ever tried.
i think that the 887 is a great shotgun for the price it i got one for my birthday and it works nicely and feels great
Ahhh, you just can't go wrong with the trusty old 870!
The apex looks great. You should also see Remington's new model 11-87 for a great turkey gun.
How about the heavyweight coyote $6.00 per shot, wow anyone know anything about these shells, are the worth it?
Hi, it seems Uall got a lot more $$budget than I do w/6g/kids, wife and 2cats and an ole hunt'N dog!!Still using my ithica mod37 had for a teething ring and a g/kid present of a russian Bakail 12Ga. Don't have clue what they paid4it?? not much fm what I hear and also suposed to be kin or close cousin to the new Rem. auto fm turkey?? anyway that s/gun walks and talks hun'T-N big time.Chrome barrel,23/4-31/2inch sheels and doesn't miss a beat when firing.That gun will be the g/kids -g/kids someday. so don't always rely on price$$ to make a gun good sometimes there arte some sleepers out there .Try it u'll like it. Carry ON! YOC id luv to jhave a slug barrel but cost over $100.+shipping guess gotta hope Santa brings one by??? haha!!
I can't wait to check out the 28 ga M-37 or the Vinci as I have had extraoridinarily good luck with both Ithaca and Benelli. Two problems have always existed in this area regarding 28s, difficult to locate shells with any size of shot but very small and an unusually high cost per shell.
Omg....ty ty ty Hevi-Shot. I HAVE to check out those rounds. Being only $17-20 a box, holy cow that's a steal (pun intended). Would be interesting with the mix of steel and tungsten pellets.
that is a pretty nice gun right there.... and i like it alot....
that there gun is a pretty piece of work, and the price is a steal!
http://www.gunblast.com/Stevens411.htm
Article here says Stevens 411 (Baikal) Sells for $395.00, I have one and enjoy it very much.
This is some nice beautiful guns and I love to have some of it if I may!!!!!!!
I say stick with the cheap rounds, specially those coyote shells. Geez I mean $25 for 5. Those better guarantee a kill. Unless you just have useless money laying around and can afford to buy them, cheaper better for me cause not a lot of money. Plus it shouldnt matter what you get shot with i mean if I got shot with a reg shell I would die if i got shot with a coyote shell I would die just the same.. but other than that good gallary
Also the 887's trigger assembly is all one piece. I was told through a rem rep if there is a problem with that assembly they just send you a new one...there is little to no gun smithing
Yes I have to agree 5 for $25 are you kidding me! There is nothing in that bullet that makes it cost that much.
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Does anyone know if they will be releasing the 887 in a left handed model?
i love the Ithaca 37 28 gauge. i have always loved the style and feel of ithacas.
Perhaps someone can help me out, what is the advantage of the polymer encased barrel on the 877?
Nice Gallery Phil! I own 2 Model 37s (12ga and 16ga) but of course they don't look anything like that beautiful 28.
I'm with golfing sportsman, remington seema to be going a little heavy on the polymer.
Phil,
I totally agree with your assessment of the new Winchester 101. I purchased one of these about 6 months ago and the craftmanship is excellent. They have to be one of the most under-appreciated O/U's out there. I'm waiting for a 20 gauge.
The 887 will not be released in a left-handed model anytime soon that I'm aware of. And, like the 870, you can't just reverse the safety as you can on some guns, you have to buy a new part. As a left-hander myself, I have already complained about this to Remington.
The polymer protects the barrel from the elements so it won't rust.
The polymer is suppossed to protect it and make it a better field gun. Its on an 870 action so as long as the polymer doesn't mess anything up it should be a good gun for righties.
The polymer wrapped SuperNova seriously makes an old Mossberg 935 seem svelt and I suspect the same from the 887. Its like swinging a 4x4 in the blind. Besides I have a camo dipped 870 thats been thru hell without thinking about rusting. Besides who doesn't have 30secs, rem oil, and a rag to wipe down when you get out of the field.
I just am waiting for this new Benelli. My 870 was forsaken mid-season, I finally turned to the dark side and went Italian. Hopefully the Vinci won't be so cool that I have to trade the SBE after only 5 months.
The 870 slug gun is a nice gun but it is very expensive.
Ahhh, you just can't go wrong with the trusty old 870!
How about the heavyweight coyote $6.00 per shot, wow anyone know anything about these shells, are the worth it?
that is a pretty nice gun right there.... and i like it alot....
that there gun is a pretty piece of work, and the price is a steal!
woud this be a better gun than an 870?
While I can't argue about the beauty, quality and craftsmanship of most of the high end shotguns, my expensive shotgun buying days are over. Not so much because of my age (I still carry and use my Browning 10 GA. pump stalker) but the economy has thrown some of us a curve. As nice as the new shotguns are I'll have to stick with my Browning and Mossberg pumps.
JohnR, I have a mossberg 500A with a cracked forend and cannot find one that matches anywhere.I have seen other guys who have the same size that are a little different in appearence but not for sale.And on top of that mossberg has changed the forend size,shape and the way it mounts quite a few times.I would love to find a replacement forend and sell it so I can get my moneys worth out of it.Also, it does not cycle 3" shells very well and occasionally they get stuck in the barrel.This will ruin your day every time.
To me, the Remington 887 is very impractical. It is a polymer coated 870, which means it is an 870 that you can now scratch very easily. The polymer will eventually stiffen and crack off of the metal parts, and then they will rust. Moisture could also permeate the space between polymer and metal, which would be tragic. The polymer only coats the outer parts of the gun, which are the parts that will not affect the performance if they rust. The parts that will affect performance if they rust are the internals, and they cannot be polymer coated, nor can the bore. Just as the snack industry coats everything in chocolate, the gun industry is starting to coat everything in polymer.
The 28 gauge model 37 is on my wish list!
Very cool guns!
gotta say, im likin the new guns, and i love the camo EoTech. never seen that before. anybody know if thats a new option from them?
You've got to give remington some credit for stepping up their game
the 887 sounds like alot of gun for the money
Deltahalo102 Eotech-inc.com shows sights in both Mossy Oak and Realtree camo.
That 870 slug gun is hot. I would put a good slug gun scope on that.
Phil tested 870sps-t in Feb issue,he stated shurshot stock was best he'd seen. I think it's hideous looking, but would like to hear comments on it's shooting comfort in field.I just had surgery on left shoulder & after turkey season will be getting right shoulder fixed.Remington sells the stock for both 870&1100 around $70, limbsaver recoil pad costs over half that,so it's a good deal. Got to get over the ugly looks.
The 887 may be the predecessor to the 870 which is a classic. If 887 is half as successful as the 870 its sure to be a great gun. Can't wait to see, hold, and shoot one. I hope the 887 has the greats of the 870 just with a modern look.
Yeah, I wish I had $1200 for that shotgun.
Does anyone know anything about the Browning? I've always wanted a slick A-5 or Gold, is this new gun as good as one one of those classics?
To pgary680 -- I do love the Shur Shot stock but if you really want to reduce recoil in a turkey gun, shoot lighter loads. I like Hevi 13, which is loaded to 1090 fps and thus has much less recoil than other turkey ammo. Also, there's no reason you can't call your turkey a little closer and kill it with an 1 1/4 ounce field load of 6s.
Cpt Brad -- I shot the Maxus for three days last fall at pheasants and sporting clays. It's light and it points very well. We had no trouble with any of 10 or 12 Maxuses (Maxi?) in camp but we'll have to see how they hold up over the long haul.
Kolbster -- I wish I had $5000 to spend on shotguns, too.
I want this gun it sounds like a real good turkey gun
the 870's are the best shotguns i ever tried.
i think that the 887 is a great shotgun for the price it i got one for my birthday and it works nicely and feels great
The apex looks great. You should also see Remington's new model 11-87 for a great turkey gun.
Hi, it seems Uall got a lot more $$budget than I do w/6g/kids, wife and 2cats and an ole hunt'N dog!!Still using my ithica mod37 had for a teething ring and a g/kid present of a russian Bakail 12Ga. Don't have clue what they paid4it?? not much fm what I hear and also suposed to be kin or close cousin to the new Rem. auto fm turkey?? anyway that s/gun walks and talks hun'T-N big time.Chrome barrel,23/4-31/2inch sheels and doesn't miss a beat when firing.That gun will be the g/kids -g/kids someday. so don't always rely on price$$ to make a gun good sometimes there arte some sleepers out there .Try it u'll like it. Carry ON! YOC id luv to jhave a slug barrel but cost over $100.+shipping guess gotta hope Santa brings one by??? haha!!
I can't wait to check out the 28 ga M-37 or the Vinci as I have had extraoridinarily good luck with both Ithaca and Benelli. Two problems have always existed in this area regarding 28s, difficult to locate shells with any size of shot but very small and an unusually high cost per shell.
Omg....ty ty ty Hevi-Shot. I HAVE to check out those rounds. Being only $17-20 a box, holy cow that's a steal (pun intended). Would be interesting with the mix of steel and tungsten pellets.
This is some nice beautiful guns and I love to have some of it if I may!!!!!!!
I say stick with the cheap rounds, specially those coyote shells. Geez I mean $25 for 5. Those better guarantee a kill. Unless you just have useless money laying around and can afford to buy them, cheaper better for me cause not a lot of money. Plus it shouldnt matter what you get shot with i mean if I got shot with a reg shell I would die if i got shot with a coyote shell I would die just the same.. but other than that good gallary
Also the 887's trigger assembly is all one piece. I was told through a rem rep if there is a problem with that assembly they just send you a new one...there is little to no gun smithing
Yes I have to agree 5 for $25 are you kidding me! There is nothing in that bullet that makes it cost that much.
Excellent galley, the Hevi Metal shells sound very interesting and will be worth the expense to pattern and see how they shoot out of my benelli.
http://www.gunblast.com/Stevens411.htm
Article here says Stevens 411 (Baikal) Sells for $395.00, I have one and enjoy it very much.
i wish i had about $5000 to spend on those shotguns.
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